Many still need freedom from mental oppression
ON THE 35th anniversary of Steve Biko’s death, Port Elizabeth Grade 12 pupil Nothemba James, 18, of Ndzondelelo Secondary School, reflectedon his life and prepared an essay in his memory: “When one mentions the word animal, what is the first thing that comes to mind? “[People believe] animals are best kept in chains because they cannot behave – they should be told what to do because of their nature of being seen as slow or better yet, stubborn and stupid. “During the apartheid era black people accepted the tag put on them – animals. Black people (African, coloured and Indians) were financially, spiritually and most importantly mentally oppressed. “Now do you expect our black nation up to this day to be progressive if they are mentally imprisoned? “Black people for a very long time were told what to do, what they could not do – being seen [by whites] as inferior and useless. “Looking at big house holding fathers calling a white boy ‘sir’ and your mother being insulted by the ‘madam’. “Our parents allowed it because that is who we were and still are. “During that time, there came comrade Steve Biko, who instilled an understanding of black consciousness – what it means about being black, not only in skin colour, but the way you think, act and carry yourself. That is by pride, dignity and knowing your worth. Biko was not a preacher or hero – that is overrated – but a philosopher. "The only organisation that has kept his thinking going is Azapo. “We will be commemorating our fellow comrades during black consciousness week, including people like Biko, Mujango Gumbi, Tsietsi Mashinini and so many that made a difference but are still unknown, because our government feels they are less important. “Azapo strives every day for our black people to come out of being mentally imprisoned. “South Africans, if the question ‘how free am I?’ troubles you, then something must be done. A luta continua! [the struggle continues!]”