Steve Biko was one of the most influential leaders in South Africa during the Apartheid rule; he led millions of Africans in anti-apartheid organisations that headed the eventual liberation of Black Africans. The Black Consciousness movement in South Africa during the mid-1900s was significant in shaping South African society, both at the time, and in the present day. It played a colossal role in establishing equality among Black and White South Africans. Furthermore, the Black Consciousness Movement broke down the racial legislation that the apartheid government had passed during its tyrannical domination. The apartheid system had vast control over South Africa and its people; its white supremacy ideology dictated the movements of Blacks all
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Steve Biko’s statement is highly representative of Black Consciousness ideology. Although Biko’s views are demonstrative of the majority of Black South Africans, not all were in favour of the Black Consciousness movement, with many believing that the country was better run under the Apartheid government and that the emergence of Black liberation only created supplementary difficulties for the country. Klaas Mashigo, a Black South African citizen, acknowledged that, “The whites weren’t appreciating us as people, [so when Apartheid ended] I expected change, but not like this, the previous government was better than this one. If government could go back to the whites, things would be better."8 Mashigo’s point of view is indicative of the Black pro-apartheid view, where they believe the government was better run under white rule, however, are still opposed to the racist segregation and legislation that came with the Apartheid government. He implies that while Black liberation was necessary, a Black-run government could not produce the same kind of efficiency the Apartheid had created. This is the point of view that Steve Biko was so greatly opposed to, as he spent the vast majority of his life fighting white rule and advocating for a Black-run government for South Africa. The Black Consciousness movement was monumental and generated a vast amount of support and legacy over the years it had formed, Winnie Mandela implied in her autobiography, Winnie Mandela: A life, that the effect of the Black Consciousness Movement on the whole of South Africa was a wholly positive one, she claims that during one of the many protests the movement had sparked,
Steve Biko’s statement is highly representative of Black Consciousness ideology. Although Biko’s views are demonstrative of the majority of Black South Africans, not all were in favour of the Black Consciousness movement, with many believing that the country was better run under the Apartheid government and that the emergence of Black liberation only created supplementary difficulties for the country. Klaas Mashigo, a Black South African citizen, acknowledged that, “The whites weren’t appreciating us as people, [so when Apartheid ended] I expected change, but not like this, the previous government was better than this one. If government could go back to the whites, things would be better."8 Mashigo’s point of view is indicative of the Black pro-apartheid view, where they believe the government was better run under white rule, however, are still opposed to the racist segregation and legislation that came with the Apartheid government. He implies that while Black liberation was necessary, a Black-run government could not produce the same kind of efficiency the Apartheid had created. This is the point of view that Steve Biko was so greatly opposed to, as he spent the vast majority of his life fighting white rule and advocating for a Black-run government for South Africa. The Black Consciousness movement was monumental and generated a vast amount of support and legacy over the years it had formed, Winnie Mandela implied in her autobiography, Winnie Mandela: A life, that the effect of the Black Consciousness Movement on the whole of South Africa was a wholly positive one, she claims that during one of the many protests the movement had sparked,