End of Apartheid

Apartheid Music

7UP or Coca Cola



I find this photo interesting.  I was wondering why there was 7UP on the "Colored" side and Coca Cola on the "White" side.  Did African Americans have a choice?  I mean, was there a vote whether African Americans favored 7UP during Jim Crow, or maybe Whites prefered Coca Cola?   Well, it's probably nothing, but it just makes me think.  In fact, the whole separte but (un) equal Jim Crow laws of that time occasionally causes me to go into deep thought.   Baffling? I mean, people were just washing clothes.  Peace~

Photo:  1965 Laundromat in Edenton NC

Source:  North Carolina State Archives and The North Carolina Historical Review/Vol LXXVI/Number 1

Happy 93rd Birthday Nelson Mandela

National Women's Day in South Africa

On August 9, 1956, women participated in a national march to protest pass laws -- legislation that required South African's to carry a document or "pass" on them to prove that they were allowed to enter a white area.  Since August 9, 1994, the day has been commemorated annually, and is known as Women's Day in South Africa

The march in August of 1956 was led by Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn.

God bless those women and God bless South African women all over the globe.  I would also like to thank my courageous wife for her part in the struggle.  God bless you my dear - Ke a o rata - I love you. 

Book on subject:

Poster:

Remembering our brother, Stephen (AKA Frank Talk)

On August 18, 1977 – Stephen Biko, one of the most influential South African student leaders in South Africa’s fight against Apartheid, is arrested in Port Elizabeth on charges of inciting violence among blacks in the city through his writings. Stephen Biko would die one month later in police custody from torture and beatings. Today, he is still considered one of the most revered figures in South Africa’s fight for freedom.

Youth Day in South Africa

On June 16, 1976, 700 people, many of them children, were massacred for standing up for their rights as human beings. I want to dedicate my blog today to the memory of those students and others who have put their lives on the line for what should be basic freedom for everyone. I want to send a special thank you out to my wife, my brother Moorosi, and many others who were on the ground risking their lives for this basic freedom. Amandla!!!! Awetu!!!! Peace to everyone. Click here to learn more...

Source: sahistory.org

Benedict Wallet Vilakazi: Zulu Poet

Benedict Wallet Vilakazi (January 6, 1906 - October 26, 1947) was a South African Zulu poet, novelist, and educator. In 1946, he became the first black South African to receive a Ph.D. A year later, he died. Amazon has a book or two, but that is all I could find. Please share links or references with us if you know of any. Khotso~

I'd like to thank Rosalind for finding this additional information and Poem:


Now I Do Believe (Lament for my father - ten years later)
Translated from the Zulu by Cherie Maclean



Now I do believe that he has died,

Because when the sun lights up the earth

I see animals grazing in the morning,

Whisking their hairy tails,

Which are white like the cows at umHlali,

Still however I sometimes see dusk at midday.



Now I do believe that he has died,

Because it also became dusk for me at midday with

Mandlakayise.

When I asked them to take me to him,

They sorrowed with me,

I saw him lying down not yet covered up.

I saw a dream coming in the middle of the day.



And so it was also with Nomasomi.

The stars of her eyes were closed,

She became cold and failed to warm up again.

As for me, I could not stand and my arms shook

I took a quick look, her face became dusk,

And her astonishing beauty became obscured for me.



How can I not believe that you are dead

When your road is open in front of me?

I see all the years you have worn away.

It seems as if your own going opened the door

For others to go out when they were tired,

Indeed they are following you and not returning.



They don't return or you, hero of umZwangedwa.

They bade farewell and left me standing here alone.

Others I have buried at Groutville,

Where the darkness covers them up;

Others I have planted at Mariannhill,

There they are sheltered by the hens,

Because I hear the bell of angelus ringing,

It wakens them early to pray as it rings.

I see the red sunset,

I saw it turn the hills themselves red.



The red soils down at Mariannhill

I saw shining and competing.

I lay on the ground near a big fig tree

There where grandfather Frans lies,

I heard his words: 'Let us ring the angelus

Winter and summer it rings without grief!'



And so I am now satisfied that he is dead,

Because I see even in myself the falling

Out of the hair of youth, I am grey,

It gives me dignity, the mark of age

Which I saw with you when you were tiring.

After that you kept going until you came to nought,

I myself saw that you were slowly disappearing.



Today I do believe that he is dead,

Because in the place of Sleep I see you

You come with a cool heart,

You make me to cross over through gateways and fords

Of wisdom and awareness;

I can hear your guiding staff tapping

In front of me although I cannot see you.

I am like a blind person with my bodily eyes.

Yes, now I do believe that he is dead,

And that he has gone away for ever and ever.


Book on subject:  Biography:

Happy Birthday, Mandela!

Happy Birthday, Mandela! 90 years and going strong. Rethabile has a wonderful post on his page. Go see. Enjoy your weekend. Peace~





Photo Source: www.eco-afrika-tours.co.za

Today in African History

On June 2, 1999, South Africans went to the polls in their second post-apartheid election, giving the African National Congress a decisive victory. This also marked the retirement of President Nelson Mandela (Tata) and Thabo Mbeki takes office. Some describe this as the moment that the South African government became an independent government in the truest sense. On the other hand, some see South Africa's progress as a pyrrhic victory considering the violent crime sprees and recent xenophobic violence.

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica. Amen

Sources: informationman.com, phrases.org

Photo Source: cache.eb.com

Artistic Confetti: Biko 78

oil and paper on board 4x6

By: Stephen Bess

I did this piece in 2005 in honor of Stephen Biko. Peace~

Steve Biko

Happy birthday to Steve Biko. Please check out my post from November 2005 . I did a week of Biko. Also, Rethabile posted a great tribute to Biko today on his site, Sotho . Peace to ntate, Biko. Peace~

Photography: Ausi Maria

"...For thousands of years

My soul has roamed the earth

In search for you...

And now we give thanks

Give thanks for each other

At peace forever

For it is done"

Nina Simone (Excerpt from Consummation 1967)

Photo: Ausi Maria © S Bess
Definitions:
Ausi = the Sesotho word for sister
Sesotho = A Sotho language spoken in Lesotho, where it is the national language, and in South Africa, where it is an official language.

In Memory of Ntate Stephen Biko

Stephen Biko managed to accomplish a great deal while operating as president of South African Students Organization (SASO) since 1968. Biko, operating under the pseudonym of "Frank Talk" spoke of the injustices of the White minority and importance of Black solidarity. Biko felt that solidarity among Black South Africans would instill pride and revive the cultural vitality that Apartheid and racism had almost completely diminished. The South African government soon detected the effectiveness of Biko's political activities and banned Stephen Biko from publishing or speaking publicly. Biko soon took his message underground and continued his campaign against the racist Apartheid system. He preached that Black South Africans needed to come together to "break the chains of oppression." Biko was often arrested and harassed by South African Police who were monitoring his activities.
Stephen Biko was seized and detained under the Terrorism Act on August 18, 1977. The Terrorism Act was implemented in 1967. This Act "allowed for indefinite detention without trial and established Bureau of State Security (BOSS), which was responsible for the internal security of South Africa." This act and various other laws managed to silence and incarcerate over 40,000 Blacks in South Africa since 1950. Biko was held in prison for twenty four days where he was interrogated, beaten, and starved. He was literally tortured to death. Prison doctors finally allowed him be transported to a hospital in Pretoria for medical treatment after he was found unconscious, bound and naked. Stephen Biko died on the way to hospital in Pretoria that was some 740 miles away. The official cause of death was due to a brain lesion caused by blunt force trauma to the head. The officers at the prison were never punished for this crime.

Biko's Influence On Hip Hop

Stephen Biko was and still is an inspiration to South Africans of all ages. The power of his words and actions reached all over the world and the Black diaspora. Biko's message also reached our shores here in America and it landed some where in Brooklyn. I really love this shout that the Tribe gives to Biko. Here are most of the lyrics.

Please review previous post for more information on Bantu Stephen Biko

A Tribe Called Quest

Steve Biko (Stir It Up)
Taken from: 1993 album Midnight Marauders


[Phife]
Linden Boulevard represent, represent
Tribe Called Quest represent, represent
When the mic is in my hand, I'm never hesitant
My favorite jam back in the day was Eric B. for President
Rude boy composer
Step to me you're over
Brothers wanna flex
Youre not Mad Cobra
MC short and black
There ain't no other
Trini-born black like Mia Longs grandmother
Tip and Sha they all that, Phife-Dawg ditto
Honey tell your man to chill, or else you'll be a widow
Did not you know that my styles are top-dollar?
The Five-Foot Assassin knockin fleas off his collar
Hip-hop scholar since bein knee-high to a duck
The height of Mugsy Bogues, complexion of a hockey puck
You better ask somebody on how we flip the script
Come to a Tribe show and watch the three kids rip
[Q-Tip]
Queens is in the house represent, represent
A Tribe Called Quest represent, represent
No tamin of the style cuz it gets irreverent
A Tribe Called Quest represent, represent
Huh-huh, here we go
You know that I'm the rebel
Throwin out the wicked like God did the Devil
Funky like your grandpas drawers, dont test me
We in like that, youre dead like Presley
When we comin through get tickets to see me
We work for the paper so there will never be a preemie
Lyrics are abundant cuz we got it by the mass
Egos are all idle cuz the music is the task
Valenzuela on the pitch, curveball, catch it
I think I got it locked, just smooth while I latch it
Right Now I must move with the quickness
Here comes Shaheed so we must bear the witness
Chorus
Stir It Up x3
Steve Biko
Stir It Up x3
Steve Biko

Verse 2

[Phife]
New York City represent, represent
A Tribe Called Quest represent, represent
The Dawg is scientific with the styles
I invent A Tribe Called Quest represent, represent
MCs like to meddle, but heres my proposition
I let my lyrics flow, and jumped your whole position
I'm radical with this like the man this song is after
Yo Tip settle down, whats the reason for the laughter?
[Q-Tip]
I really cant say, I guess I laugh to keep from cryin
So much goin on, people killin, people dyin B
ut I wont dwell on that, I think I'll elevate my mental
Thanks for these bars on the Biko instrumental.....

SASO and The Black Consciousness Movement

1968 marked the year that Stephen Biko would break off from the NUSAS (National Union of South African Students) to form SASO (South African Students’ Organization). At the age of 22 Stephen Biko seemed to be ordained by God to undertake the task of liberation for South Africa against Apartheid. Perhaps his inspiration and drive came from the likes of Nelson Mandela or Robert Sobukwe who were both already jailed for their participation in the fight for Freedom. Nevertheless, Steve Biko, the President of SASO, launched a polemical campaign to expose the injustices against Blacks in South Africa. He started a monthly newsletter with the organization and wrote a column titled, I Write What I Like. He operated under the nom de guerre, “Frank Talk.”
The writings of Frank Talk were published in the SASO newsletter between 1969-1972. This would ignite the beginning of the Black Consciousness movement in South Africa. Stephen was later silenced in 1973 and forbidden to write or speak in an opened forum. However, the movement had already gained momentum among the people in the townships and squatter camps (especially the students). The Black Conscious movement was not only designed to expose the injustices of Apartheid, but to also kindle and make conscious a beaten and troubled people under an evil and oppressive regime. Stephen Biko would become its most electrifying and devoted soldier.

"The philosophy of Black Consciousness therefore expresses group pride and the determination of the black to rise and attain the envisaged self. Freedom is the abliltiy to define oneself with one's possibilities held back not by the powre of other people over one but only by one's relationship to God and to natural surroundings." (Stephen Biko, I Write What I Like)

Young Steve Biko

Stephen Bantu Biko was born on December 18, 1946 in the Kingwilliamstown, Cape Province of South Africa. He was born the third child and second son of Mr. and Mrs. Mzimgayi Biko. Unfortunately, Stephen would never come to know his father who died when Stephen was only 4 years old. Stephen’s mother was a maid, but she made certain that the young Stephen would receive an education. Education was not free at that time for Black children. Parents had to pay monthly fees to send their children to school. This was often a difficult task for the overwhelmingly poor conditions that existed among many native South Africans. Families often resorted to selling chickens and other livestock just to ensure an education for their children. Stephen received his primary and secondary education in the Kingwilliamstown region before moving on to the Lovedale Institution in Alice. It was at Lovedale that Stephen received a “Bantu” Education. Essentially, a Bantu Education teaches the native how to serve the ruling minority. It was not designed to prepare students for higher education, but to keep them in their place. His formative education was received at the Roman Catholic Mariannhill, in Natal.

Stephen Bantu Biko (1946-1977)

"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."

Speech in Cape Town, 1971

I first attempted to read the work of Stephen Biko, Founder and martyr of the Black Consciousness movement in South Africa, when I was in college in 1991. This is when I picked up his book, I Write What I Like. It was a very difficult read for me because my vocabulary and comprehension talents were not fully developed at that point. I struggled a great deal. I put the book back on my father’s bookshelf and picked up the movie, Cry Freedom starring Denzel Washington (In retrospect, this movie didn’t even come close to representing Biko’s ideologies and philosophies on Black Consciousness…although Denzel did an excellent job acting). I revisited the same work in 1995 and I found out that I actually learned something in college. As a matter of fact, I thought that it was a different book because I was able to grasp the language and meaning of what he said so well. This made me very happy.
I will be looking at the Stephen Biko this week and commenting on his philosophy and how it applies to our lives in 2005-2006. Are Black people in this country or the diaspora still living in an oppressed state? These are very heavy questions and I will be attempting to work through them the best that I can. Perhaps you can help me.