By Montsho Matlala
South Africa: This year’s annual Steve Biko commemorative services are preceded by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s announcement of a new inquest into his 1977 death in apartheid police custody. The re-enrolled inquest will start on Friday.
His family has welcomed the news. His son, Nkosinathi Biko, speaking on Newzroom Afrika TV, expressed optimism that the new inquest will finally reveal details of how his father was tortured to death by apartheid police 48 years ago.
In a statement, AZAPO’s Secretary for Publicity and Information, Nosipiwo Manona, said the organisation hopes the reopening of the Biko inquest will not be a mere Public Relations exercise but will lead to tangible outcomes.
“AZAPO welcomes the reopening of the Biko inquest and calls upon government to ensure the NPA has the full capacity to meet the requirements of an investigation of this stature. We further highlight that the challenges faced by the Investigative Directorate (ID) include a shortage of forensic investigators, an annually shrinking budget, and unfilled vacancies. All these are deterrents to quality investigations,” said Manona.
Meanwhile, Advocate Dr. Muzi Sikhakhane, South African senior counsel and founding chairperson of the Pan African Bar Association of South Africa, will deliver the keynote address at the 15th Steve Biko Annual Public Lecture at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on Friday at 18h00.
Sikhakhane’s lecture will focus on the topic Power and Activism for Total Liberation and Justice in South Africa.
Amukelani Ngobeni, AZAPO national chairperson, will address a Biko commemorative event at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria, Gauteng, on Friday morning at 10h00.
Former AZAPO president Dr. Mosibudi Mangena will unpack the theme The Relevance of Black Consciousness Today at Khayelitsha Resource Centre, Western Cape, on Saturday at 10h00.
Jacob Dikobo, also a former AZAPO president, said earlier:
“Biko is a struggle icon and the father of the Black Consciousness philosophy. If AZAPO were in power, we would approach the United Nations and the African Union to declare September 12 as Biko Day throughout the world and the continent.”
