Biko et Alia

This is a short story about three of this writer's heroes, Steve Biko, Ken Saro-Wiwa and Chris Anyanwu. The three were natives of Africa, Biko from South Africa, Saro-Wiwa and Chris Anyanwu from Nigeria. Sadly, the men, Biko and Saro-Wiwa were tortured and murdered by the authorities in their countries, because they tried to bring about change, campaigned for human rights for their people, using what this writer regards as legitimate democratic means. The story is about their lives and legacies. The key to understanding what both Ken Saro-Wiwa and Steve Biko were aiming for is best explained in Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness initiative, the detailed explanation of which is provided towards the end of this short story. The film ‘Cry Freedom’ dramatically portrayed the story of Steve Biko. Ken Saro-Wiwa’s mission is explained in his poems and other writings, some of which are discussed in this short story.The cover image: Steve Biko depicted in a stained-glass window in the Saint Anna Church in Heerlen, the Netherlands.