along with the African National Congress are making strides toward recognizing Steve Biko and his impact on the nation.To fully understand Biko’s movement, I first needed to take a look at South Africa’s history and background. The area of South Africa was discovered by the Europeans (Portuguese) in 1488. In 1652, the first white community was established; and in 1814, the British claimed imperial rights over the Cape of Good Hope. The Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) established the sovereignty of the Union of South Africa. [Official Yearbook of the Republic of South Africa: History 1,2,3,7] In 1913, the Native Land Act became the first legal appearance of apartheid. Donald Woods, in a brief history of South Africa defines this act as providing natives with barely 10 percent of the total land while the Official Yearbook informs their readers that the act provided about 8-9 million hectares to native Africans. [Woods, 16] [Official Yearbook, 7] It comes as no surprise that the South African government doctors the books. After World War II the National Party became more prominent in it’s promotion of racial segregation policy.Steve Biko was born on December 18, 1946. He began his education in the black school system and evolved into a medical student at the University of Natal in 1966. He veered off the path of medicine and entered the world of politics. He was later barred from enrollment in the University due to poor grades as a result of his newfound political interest. Before his expulsion he formed the South African Student’s Organization and the Black Community Program. Both of his programs were built on the foundation of revolution through black consciousness, a feeling of pride and recognition for blacks in a society that degrades the psychological state of mind of its majority class. [Woods, 49]Biko drew a following. His new coalition of black people included leaders from all around. He viewed leadership of man...
