The local branch of the Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo) marked the 33rd annual Stephen Bantu Biko’s Commemoration on Saturday afternoon at Raglan Road Multi purpose centre. On Sunday thousands of people marched in Biko’s commemoration provincial rally in Port Elizabeth.
The local branch of the Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo) marked the 33rd annual Stephen Bantu Biko’s Commemoration on Saturday afternoon at Raglan Road Multi purpose centre. On Sunday thousands of people marched in Biko’s commemoration provincial rally in Port Elizabeth.
Biko was only 30 years old when he was arrested and taken to Port Elizabeth and later transferred to Pretoria where he died in detention on 12 September 1977.
Biko has become a worldwide icon who fought for the rights of black people under apartheid. During the commemoration, Biko’s writings were recited and people were strengthened by the principles of the Black Consciousness Movement.
The Provincial secretary of Azapo, Mongezi Soxujwa said that they had set aside the whole of last week as Black Consciousness Week.
On Tuesday Azapo organised a poetry day at Duna Library in Fingo Village where Biko’s writings were recited by local poets.
On Wednesday all local high schools were supposed to hand in an essay about the life and times of Biko but this didn’t happen because of the strike.
The closing date for the essay was postponed to 19 October. Soxujwa said, “The reason for the 19 October date is because it is on this day that in 1977 immediately after Biko’s death that saw the banning of The World newspaper and the Sunday World newspaper including all Black Consciousness organisations.”
The learner that writes the winning essay will receive a brand new school uniform donated by Azapo. Zalisile Nogqala of Azapo who organised the commemoration said, “I am very satisfied with the turnout of this commemoration. Biko is legendary, his writings have made me who I am today.”
