Throngs of Black Consciousness adherents – young and old – some carrying babies, gathered at the historic prison cell where Steve Bantu Biko was mercilessly murdered by the apartheid regime 48 years ago.
Kgoshi Mampuru II Correctional Facility, formerly the notorious Pretoria Central Prison where anti-apartheid leaders were hanged at the gallows inside the premises, was where activists sang revolutionary songs, rendered protest poetry and listened to speeches of defiance and inspiration to mark the 48th anniversary since Biko’s death.
Biko’s cell has since been declared a place of heritage and historical significance by the post-apartheid government. However, the cells in the vicinity remain in full use. Biko’s cell is a sparse brick and mortar penitentiary block measuring roughly a mere 2X2 meters in total size. It is painted cream white, giving it a bright ambiance as if to banish the ghastly memories of apartheid’s most brutal period. The cell also has a tiny basin with a water tap beneath the heavy metal window fitted at the height of nearly 3 meters. The silver toilet a mere one step away from the entrance door does not seem like Biko even used it for once.
By the time he arrived at the Kgoshi Mampuru II Correctional Facility Biko had been driven a harrowing 1000-plus km lying helplessly at the back of a police van – from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) in the Eastern Cape to Pretoria. Throughout the trip Biko, who had been beaten to a pulp. Since his arrest at a Makhanda (Grahamstown) roadblock on August 18, 1977 manned specifically to nab him for breaking his banning order that restricted him to his Ginsberg home outside of King Williamstown (Qonce), arrived in Pretoria a completely beaten man. His head had been banged repeatedly against the wall, an inquest into his death would later hear, causing brain hemorrhage.
The apartheid system so feared Biko and his impact in the dismantling of centuries-old white minority rule that they were determined to ensure killing him at the age of 30.
BC proponents spoke fondly about the meaning of Biko and his Black Consciousness teachings. Black Theology stalwart, Prof Mamabolo Raphesu, said: “Black Consciousness philosophy teaches people to think. It encourages critical thought and prioritizes Black solidarity through acts of self-love and affirmation. That is why Black Consciousness cannot be a part of the GNU (Government of National Unity),” he said.
Lybon Mabasa, a dyed-in-the-wool veteran of the BC movement, expressed relief that despite early obstacles, the BC movement was able to identify Biko’s cell and the prison where his life was cut short under the extremely cruel circumstances. “Initially they told us Biko cell did not exist. We challenged the authorities by availing a former prisoner who was locked inside the cell next to Biko and insisted that he had seen the hugely popular liberation super hero on arrival,” Mabasa said.
Black Consciousness Movement-United (BCM-U) was represented in the programme by its national President, Dr Hlulani Mabasa. He described Black Consciousness as the certain way to true emancipation. His call for unity in the BC circles was echoed by the national chairperson of the Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO), Amukelani Ngobeni, who said: “It’s time to set differences aside. They are not even ideological. They are petty.”
Other BC stalwarts who were present at the annual pilgrimage to Biko’s cell every 12th of September – the day Biko was murdered in 1977 – included Adv Mojanku Gumbi, Prof Itumeleng Mosala and Amb Mbulelo Rakwena. The young Katleho Radebe spoke on behalf of the youth, appealing for increased effort and desire to learn more about Struggle history “so as never to forget where we come from, but to also be able to fathom a desirable future”, she said.
The event was also marked by turbo-charged prayers, led by former Azanian Student Movement (AZASM) Publicity Secretary, Rev Kgomotso Modiselle. The ceremony was also marked by the laying of wreaths inside the Biko cell, which has become an annual ritual of reverence.
