The name Steve Bantu Biko is used as a fashion statement today by people who once disassociated themselves from his political activism.
This was said by Azapo deputy president Cikizwa Dabula during the eighth Steve Biko memorial lecture at Nelson Mandela University on Thursday night.
The auditorium was packed to capacity with high school pupils, academics, civil society members and politicians.
The lecture’s theme was “Touched by Steve Biko”.
“There was a time when one could not speak of or associate yourself with Biko without getting threats from the security branch,” Dabula said.
“But 41 years after his brutal death at the hands of the police, Biko is used as fashion statement.
“Those who labelled him as a spy or CIA agent now want to use him to campaign for the 2019 general election.”
Dabula also launched a scathing attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa
“We cannot allow the legacy of Biko to die in the hands of Ramaphosa and in two days’ time he is expected to deliver a memorial lecture on Biko.
“It would be remiss of us as young people touched by Biko to simply sit and do nothing.
“He cannot speak on Biko. He is responsible for the death of miners in Marikana.”
Author and publisher Dr Andile M-Africa said the impact made by Biko and the South African Student Organisation (Saso) should be remembered.
“Saso were industrious. They were content that they were going to pass their university degrees, but they [were] caught up [in] another important moment – helping their communities and the country.”