Balindlela, at commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the murder of Bantu
Steve Biko (1977 to 2007)
6 October 2007
Programme Director
The Biko family
Members of the Biko Foundation
Ladies and gentlemen
Comrades and friends
I have a singular honour to pay homage to one of the greatest sons of our
nation and a revolutionary in the struggle to free South Africa, Stephen Bantu
Biko.
Steve Biko was brutally murdered 30 years ago by the apartheid regime but he
left behind what former President Dr Nelson Mandela calls, "a hope for life and
a life of hope." It is this hope that propelled him to speak his mind in the
face of the worst repression in South Africa. His hunger for justice, even in
the face of death, made him pen his ideas in his book which he stubbornly
titled, "I write what I like." Although killed at such a young age his legacy
of consciousness, his untiring work amongst the poor and the sick still lives
on.
His projects such as Zanempilo Clinic, the crèche and the Ginsberg Trust to
help black students in need of school fees spoke of a leader who can turn his
vision into action, a doer rather than a demagogue. Of this kind of vision, his
friend and comrade Barney Pityana said in the 2007 National Festival Winter
School, "consciousness is not sufficient in itself. It must be manifested in
making people's lives better. This is a challenge that Steve Biko left for all
of us- to bring a better life for all.
That is why we should not be focusing much on the circumstances surrounding
Biko's death. As much as his death highlighted to South Africans and the global
community the brutality of apartheid, it was the work that Biko undertook in
his life that we should emulate and, to immortalise his him, continue to work
for the poorest of the poor with humility, honesty and integrity.
Steve Biko was aware that lack of consciousness of self was a vehicle used
by the apartheid forces to divide and rule. Hence he argued long and hard that
"Black consciousness was not an end, but the beginning to unity of purpose, to
social cohesion, to fight poverty and xenophobia. He saw xenophobia as the
bitter fruits of hatred of self.
In the 2007 State of the Nation address, President Thabo Mbeki emphasised
social cohesion as one very clear lesson we can honour Steve Biko for, when he
asked a question, "have we all fully internalised our responsibility in
building social cohesion and promoting a common sense of belonging, reinforcing
the glue that holds our nation together!
The answer to this question is a challenge to governments, to churches and
civil society to begin making our people aware that speaking another language
of Africa other than own language does not make anyone an enemy. Your African
brother or sister has not come to steal your job or any of your assets. We all
belong to Africa, "We are Africans". This is what Steve Biko stood for - to
foil the strategy of divide-and rule, to engender pride amongst the mass of our
people and confidence in their ability to change their situation around.
Steve Biko cared for the poor and the down trodden. To continue his legacy
we should all work with government, particularly local government to make our
voices heard. As the President said on the 2007 Eastern Cape Women's Day we
should not sing, "Senzeni na?" but should change the song to, "Senzani na?" We
all have a responsibility to do our bit to end poverty by cleaning our streets,
cultivating food and other things where we do no have to wait for
government.
As a pro poor government the Eastern Cape will continue to intensify the
antiâpoverty programmes through rural and women economic development so that
eventually we narrow the gap between the first and the second economy. That is
the mandate the people gave and it is in memory of all the fallen heroes such
as Steve Biko that we will do that with vigour. However in that process we
should not create a nation that is dependent on the state grants. Instead,
learning from Steve Biko we must support the spirit of Vukuzenzele.
Steve Biko's legacy of community projects are a testimony of a people
standing up and doing things for themselves. That is part of social action to
establish projects of hunger and poverty. Steve Biko exemplified a true servant
of the people. He did not possess nor wanted material things. He lived and died
for others. This is a glaring example of what all of us, particularly those in
positions of responsibility, whether as politicians or officials should do, to
work with honesty and not be involved in corruption of any sort and use monies
aimed for those old and poor people who have to struggle to put food on the
table.
In memory of the spirit of Biko let us work harder to unite our people,
fight against poverty and develop social cohesion. Let us have the spirit of
Balasela working in excellence and treating people who need government services
with care.
I thank you
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
6 October 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecpg.gov.za/)
