Forty years after his death, Steve Biko does not have the profile of other black civil rights leaders in South Africa. Biko was a key figure in the Black Consciousness Movement and died in police custody on September 12, 1977.
Forty years after his death, Steve Biko does not have the profile of other black civil rights leaders in South Africa. Biko was a key figure in the Black Consciousness Movement and died in police custody on September 12, 1977.
AP
Biko argued psychological liberation was an important factor in the struggle: "the most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed," he said.
Biko argued psychological liberation was an important factor in the struggle: "the most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed," he said.
Mark Peters/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Biko (left) addresses council members of the South African Students Organization at the University of Natal, Durban in July, 1971.
Biko (left) addresses council members of the South African Students Organization at the University of Natal, Durban in July, 1971.
John Reader/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
In September 1977, Biko was killed in police custody. The circumstances of his death were only later exposed, laying bare the violence of the apartheid state.
In September 1977, Biko was killed in police custody. The circumstances of his death were only later exposed, laying bare the violence of the apartheid state.
Courtesy Steve Biko Foundation
The children of Steve Biko give a Black Power salute as they sit at home with their aunt, Biko's sister Nobandile Mvovo, September 1977.
The children of Steve Biko give a Black Power salute as they sit at home with their aunt, Biko's sister Nobandile Mvovo, September 1977.
AP
Huge crowds gathered for the funeral of Biko on September 25, 1977. In life, one of his famous slogans was "black is beautiful."
Huge crowds gathered for the funeral of Biko on September 25, 1977. In life, one of his famous slogans was "black is beautiful."
KEYSTONE Pictures USA/Zuma Press/Newscom
Nontsikelelo Ntsikie Biko, Steve Biko's wife (second right) sits with Biko's mother (right), brother and sister at the inquest into the civil rights activist's death.
Nontsikelelo Ntsikie Biko, Steve Biko's wife (second right) sits with Biko's mother (right), brother and sister at the inquest into the civil rights activist's death.
Sahm Doherty/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Nkosinathi Biko, son of Steve Biko, at a press conference on March 31, 1998. Five policemen confessed to their role in the death of Steve Biko in 1977 and sought amnesty as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Their request was <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F1%2Fhi%2Fworld%2Fafrica%2F281100.stm" target="_blank" target="_blank">rejected</a>.
Nkosinathi Biko, son of Steve Biko, at a press conference on March 31, 1998. Five policemen confessed to their role in the death of Steve Biko in 1977 and sought amnesty as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Their request was rejected.
SASA KRALJ/AP