Description
Biko: A Biography by Xolela Mangcu is the first comprehensive account of the life and legacy of Steve Biko, one of the most influential leaders in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. As the founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, Biko developed a powerful philosophy that encouraged black pride, self-reliance and psychological liberation at a time when apartheid sought to deny both identity and dignity.
Mangcu explores Biko’s life as a student leader, political thinker and activist, while also examining the intellectual ideas that shaped his influence on the anti-apartheid movement. The biography places Biko within the broader political climate of the 1960s and 1970s and highlights the impact of his leadership on a generation of activists.
Biko’s death while in police custody shocked the world and became a defining moment in South Africa’s history. The truth behind the circumstances of his death was exposed by journalist Helen Zille, bringing international attention to the case.
