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Mandela's ultimate recognition of Biko

It is fitting that Nelson Mandela will pay tribute to Steve Biko at the 27th commemoration of his death because the country is indebted to both freedom fighters for its liberation, writes Themba Molefe.

When the door slammed shut behind him after 27 years of imprisonment in 1990, Nelson Mandela began the last lap of his walk to freedom. He was released at a crucial time in the history of the liberation struggle of this country; when political violence ruled the day and loyalty to one movement meant doing so at one's own peril. On February 11 1990 Mandela walked out of Victor Verster Prison in Paarl to a world begging for sanity to prevail in South Africa.

At me time, his organisation, the African National Congress (ANC), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) were supposedly at each others' throats in Gauteng's townships and across the country. But all agreed at the time that a "third force" was involved as blacks died in droves. Mandela came out at that poignant, time . South Africans of all hues embraced his "freedom". There was some universal sigh of relief for troubled South Africa. A lone white woman stood by the bridge on the highway between Paarl and Cape Town on that day. She had a huge banner which read, simply; "Hi, Nelson." This was a profound sign of things to come, the reconciliation that was to follow amazed the world's sceptics.

Subsequently, political prisoners were released. Exiled South Africans returned home. There were tears of joy as guerrillas and apartheid soldiers laid down arms and negotiations began that led to a peaceful transition to democracy. There was hope and an Armageddon was averted. Militancy subsided as the BCM watched in anticipation. The whole world had rallied behind the revered prisoner of conscience and hoped his release would enhance black unity first, and all South Africans eventually. However, Mandela was to insist that unity would happen only if the ANC was in the lead, meaning he disregarded liberation partners the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and the BCM, whose banner was being held aloft by Azanian People's Organisation (Azapo).

Whether it was the great statesman himself who decided against recognising the rest of the liberation movement, or that he was under his party's pressure, Mandela, the 21st century icon of humanitarianism, is to honour one of South Africa's freedom fighters - Steve Bantu Biko - the father of black consciousness in South Africa. Mandela will deliver the major message at the main event to commemorate the 27th anniversary of Biko's death in Cape Town this evening.

Our history seems to have. come full circle - with the world's most revered statesman, who has not always shared the philosophy of black consciousness, paying tribute to one of this country's foremost freedom fighters who did not live to see the liberation of South Africa. Biko's vision and philosophy, which espoused self-reliance and encouraged blacks to stand up to their white oppressors - mentally - filled the vacuum in the 1970s that was left by the ANC and PAC's bannings in 1960. The black community had been without leadership when the young Biko emerged.

A strong-willed, articulate and astute believer in equality of human beings, Biko died aged 33 when White security policemen murdered him in a prison cell, where he had been held in solitary confinement in Pretoria. This, after being transported in the back of a police van for more than 1 000km from Port Elizabeth to Pretoria where he had been tortured by the security branch. Steve Biko died alone in the cold cell on september 12 1997.He left behind a young wife, Nsiki, and two infant sons Nkosinathi and Samora. The world's conscience was shaken by Biko's death. This is Steve Biko's week, and Mandela, who unveiled his statue ay his birthplace, King William's Town, last year, is to go further in what may be seen as recognising the role black consciousness played in the country's liberation struggle.

The Steve Biko Foundation is hosting a two-day event .to celebrate 10 years of democracy. In a statement executive director Dr Xolela Mangcu said: "For the past five years the foundation has dedicated its annual programmes to honoring the memory of the founders of democracy. "In this regard, the Steve Biko Memorial Lecture, held annually at the University of Cape Town, and the related fund-raising gala dinner held at the Sandton Convention Centre, have been attended by the continent's most prominent writers. "Previous speakers include Professors Njabulo Ndebele (2000); Zakes Mda (2001), Chinua Achebe (2002) and Ngugi waThiong'o (2003).

"So far, the Steve Biko Foundation has celebrated the role of youth, as well as the leadership of Steve Biko and Robert Sobukwe. In keeping with this tradition, the foundation will use the occasion to reflect on the contribution of Oliver Tambo to freedom and democracy.

Source:

Sowetan, Friday /09/2004, Page 12

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