The Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) played a pivotal role in the struggle for freedom in this country. Through a variety of organisations such as the SA Students Organisation (SASO), The Black People’s Convention (BPC), the Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO), students, workers and cutural workers organisations, the BCM was the trailblazer in the front line of mass struggles.
The leadership and members of those organisations who are still alive, such as Pandelani Nefolovhodwe, Saths Cooper, Mmagauta Molefe, Molefe Pheto, Bokwe Mafuna, Harry Nengwekhulu, Sadeque Variava and Zithulele Cindi, are coming together this Saturday May 3, 2025, to launch an organisation of the BCM veterans.
Operating under an interim leadership led by Nefolovhodwe, and under the name Azanian Veterans Convention (AZAVEC), the organisation is to be a vehicle through which the BCM militants shall continue to add value to the transformation of SA and become a home for all BCM veterans.
The launch, under the theme “Advancing the Liberation Legacy of Black Consciousness Veterans”, will be held at the Orlando Communal Hall in Orlando East, Soweto and is due to start at 9am.
A media conference, to be streamed live, is planned for 3pm on Saturday at the venue, to introduce the new leadership scheduled to be elected at the launch conference.
![Hordes of students marching against the Bantu Education system and the use of Afrikaans as a medium in schools, during the June 16, 1976, Student Massacres / Soweto Uprisings [Image: GSMN]](https://gsmn.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Soweto-uprising-2-1-1.jpg)
