Biko wanted to empower blacks - Azapo
2010-09-12 13:49
Johannesburg - The principle of empowerment for which anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko lived and died must be used as a yardstick to revive community development, the Azanian People's Organisation (Azapo) said on Sunday, the 33rd anniversary of Biko's death.
"While living, his writings and activism attempted to empower black people," spokesperson Nelvis Qekema said in Atteridgeville before a rally commemorating Biko.
He said Azapo would use the anniversary of Biko's death to teach people that communities could do better for themselves if they realised their potential and supported each other.
"Our people must support our black professionals, who in return will plough back to the communities," he said.
Azapo's former president Mosibudi Mangena and its current president Jacob Dikobo were expected to address the rally at Ramushu Hall.
It aimed to highlight the value and principle Biko stood for, and would also encourage blacks to empower themselves economically, said Qekema, who described as encouraging that hundreds of people were attending the rally and insodoing remembering the values and principles Biko had stood for.
As a student leader, Biko founded the Black Consciousness Movement which empowered and mobilised much of the urban black population.
- SAPA
