The Steve Biko Commemoration event will be held at Pretoria Central Prison today.

With profound respect and admiration, we remember the life and legacy of a true Azanian hero who dedicated his life to the fight against White domination and the empowerment of black people. Your untimely passing on September 12, 1977, was a tragedy that shook the nation, but your spirit and legacy continue to inspire us.

When your people continue to suffer from:

– Poverty and unemployment
– Racial and economic inequality
– Corruption and state capture
– Violence against women and children
– Inadequate access to quality education and healthcare
– Landlessness and dispossession
– Environmental degradation and climate change

I wish you could rise again, Steve Biko, to lead us in the fight against these injustices. Your vision of a liberated and open egalitarian society is still a dream yet to be realized.

I again wish you could rise to unite the fragmented Black Consciousness movement and redefine the movement to suit the revolutionaries of the 21st century and our current political landscape. We need your guidance to rebuild and strengthen the movement, to adapt your philosophy to our contemporary struggles, and to inspire a new generation of leaders to carry the torch of Black liberation.

The unity of Black Consciousness and Black people is crucial for our total liberation. We must put aside our differences and come together to fight for our common goal of freedom and equality. We must recognize that our struggles are interconnected and that our liberation is bound together.

By uniting, we can:

– Amplify our voices and demands for justice and equality
– Build a strong and united front against systemic oppression
– Empower each other and uplift our communities
– Develop a collective vision for a liberated and equitable society
– Honor your legacy and continue the fight for Black liberation

Your Black Consciousness philosophy inspired a generation to stand up against apartheid and fight for their humanity. Today, we need your leadership and wisdom to tackle the complex challenges facing our nation.

We remember your courage, your conviction, and your compassion. We honour your legacy by continuing the fight for a just and equal society.

As we reflect on your life and legacy, we are reminded of the power of resistance, the importance of self-love, and the need for collective action. Your message of Black pride and self-reliance continues to resonate with us.

Rest in peace, Steve Biko. Your spirit lives on in our hearts and minds. May your legacy continue to inspire us to fight for a socialist Azania.

Zolani Mabusela is a spokesperson for the Black Consciousness Movement United (BCMU)