"Material want alone is bad enough but coupled with spiritual poverty it kills" - Steve Biko
This evening I attended the first Steve Biko Memorial Lecture that has been held in Europe. The Network for Black Professionals and the University of Greenwich hosted this unique event that was delivered at the university by Nkosinathi Biko, founder and CEO of the Steve Biko Foundation, whose theme was 'Challenges for Black Leadership: Time for New Leadership Models for the 21st Century'.
He reflected on the life and legacy of his late father, Steve Biko, the anti-apartheid activist who died in police custody 33 years ago. The leading proponent of Black Consciousness, Biko founded the South Africa Students’ Organisation (SASO) and the Black People's Convention (BPC) along with a number of community and educational organisations. After his death, the story of Steve Biko’s life and work reached a wider audience through Richard Attenborough’s 1987 feature film 'Cry Freedom' starring Denzel Washington.
The Steve Biko Memorial Lecture series has attracted a roll call of distinguished scholars, humanitarians and religious and political leaders since its establishment in 2000. Past speakers include two former South African Presidents, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and, most recently, the Pulitzer prize-winning novelist Alice Walker, author of 'The Color Purple'.
This was a facinating session with excellent networking opportunities and a very lively question and answer session afterwards. I was fortunate enought to talk to
Nkosinathi and discuss various topics around equality and diversity and the role that education can play in raising awareness. An excellent event which I will cherish and remember for a long while.
Saboohi Famili - Principal
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