The family of black consciousness leader and anti-apartheid struggle, Stephen Bantu Biko, has lauded Unisa’s gesture of bestowing him with an honorary degree.
The posthumous doctorate degree in Literature and Philosophy was received by Biko’s son Samora at the university’s main campus in Pretoria on Thursday night.
In his acceptance speech elder brother, Nkosinathi, said the honorary degree bestowed on his father was highly significant.
“Despite the awards that he received in many places around the world, it remains moving when such recognition comes from home. In addition to being at home at an African university, there are other reasons rather why this gathering is special, a stone throw from here across the hill that lies to my back is the Kgosi Mampuru maximum security prison. It is at this place of captivity that Biko’s soul escaped to bid us farewell, a victim of torture in detention.”
Delivering the 18th annual Steve Biko memorial lecture following the graduation ceremony, internationally-renowned Zimbabwean author and academic Dr Ibbo Mandaza warned that one of the biggest problems facing the continent is leaders who refuse to relinquish power. He urged young generations to fight against such tendencies.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel, provided that all of us especially the young generation, persist and intensify the struggle, subscribing thereby to the pan Africanist slogan to which Steve Biko would have subscribed to with no doubt, DON’T ARGONIZE, ORGANIZE)
