SA has failed Biko - Dana
South Africa's high poverty levels show we have failed Steve Biko's Freedom Charter, says outspoken award-winning singer Simphiwe Dana.
IDEOLOGY MUST CONTINUE: Singer Simphiwe Dana says South Africa has failed Steve Biko's Freedom Charter. Photo: Halden KrogDana said the country was in such a bad state of economic imbalance that one would think apartheid was still alive.
Speaking to Sowetan on the eve of Biko's death, Dana said: "The people are not sharing in the wealth of the country. Were it not for the fact that we now have black leaders, you would not be blamed for thinking apartheid was not over.
"The levels of poverty are shocking. Even our cosmetic welfare grant is showing strain. I believe Biko would have been at the forefront of the free quality education and healthcare movement.
"I believe Biko would have spearheaded the wealth redistribution movement."
Biko, an anti-apartheid activist and founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, was brutally killed by police on September 12 1977 - 35 years ago today.
He mobilised the black youth in urban centres in the 60s and 70s and was behind the Freedom Charter ideology, which supported the equal sharing of wealth.
Dana is one of the few musicians who still preaches Biko's ideologies. This was affirmed by her recording of the song One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street.
"I commemorate Biko every day. I stand for the truth like he did. Biko was a hands-on guy, a doer, a visionary, a unifier. He had an intense love for the downtrodden."
She said Biko's ideologies needed to be taught at schools to better the country.
According to Dana, expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema was one of the few politicians who represented what Biko stood for.
"Malema is making the right noises that relate to one aspect of Biko's philosophy - wealth redistribution.
"But he is no Biko.
"I'm sure there are many Bikos in South Africa today. They do things quietly, and some should really stand up and lead us."
- sifilel@sowetan.co.za
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|Sinudeity|
Ah, if not blaming apartheid, it will be blaming the distribution of wealth. And then when someone praises Julius, who deprived hundreds of millions of rands from the poor, then you know the commentator doesnt know what she is talking about.Report Abuse
truthhurt
I hope your statement is genuine and its not just a stunt to increase sales, coz i hear your album is not doing that well!Report Abuse
Ndele01
This is what happens when you put your friends in charge rather than persons who have the experience - from the President right down to the lowest levels of Government. Dancing with a gun doesn't mean you can lead a country. The gravy train is over. We can only blame ourselves.We chose through our freedom and democracy to put the ruling party in charge. We chose Presidents with no, or low levels of knowledge and experience to improve the peoples lives.
Live with it or change your vote - it might however, be too late. The people want freedom but take no responsibility. Some are even so cowardly that they don't even vote ! (We choose Violence before the Vote).
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Youthof76
Hayi bo! Steve Biko has nothing to do with the Freedom Charter. In fact, Steve Biko is the proponent of aBlack Consciousness Movement which is an ideology of its own which runs parallel to the Charterists ideology. The Chaterists ideology is founded on basis the Freedom Charter.Poverty levels may be high, I do not deny that but we need to be properly informed on the ideologies of our politics Dana and all the young aspirant politicians. You do not pluck a name and associate with the political ideology as you wish.
Political education will help those who are ready to be educated. For instance, Malema was given numerous advices by the ANC to receive political education. He ignored all the good advices because he thinks he comes from heaven and wants to erase history so that he makes his own. Shame!
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PhantomLimb
I think Simphiwe Dana should consider only singing from now on. Though I acknowledge the need for quality education I do not support the notion of a welfare country where everyone is too lazy to get off they backsides and do something with their lives because they are waiting on government grants. It will take generations upon generations of education and hard work to truly free us black people from the grip of poverty, not 18 years. The worst thing we can do for our nation is to panic and start supporting populist retards like Malema who have about as much interest in helping the poor as the do in washing their own laundry. Let's get the political situation right (stop voting for ANC) then address our challenges by priority and I tell you in 30 years we will all see a very significant improvement in the quality of life of regular South Africans.Report Abuse
Papage
I think there is a need to revive Black Conscious Movement, ANC has lost direction. We need a better party to lead SA. I wish Zuma and his Ministers can listen to Simphiwe Dana. ANC need to stop and re focus. We can't affort to have individuals tearing the Country apart. What Juju and his followers are doing is not right for the Country, I see people fighting for things that could be solved in a correct manner, right now I hear he will be addressing Soldiers, what is that? It shows the revolution is just around the corner, before we know it people will be killing each other. Please ANC show us the way.Report Abuse
Kwetja1206
lets commomorate and fight for economic freedom in our lifetime,and live the dream of Steve Biko...VivaReport Abuse
Shredder
i love you SimphiweReport Abuse
MommaC
I have to wonder which Steve Biko Dana is talking about.He would have been horrified by Malema and he couldn't stand the ANC. Not only that but (to my recollection) he didn't have anything to do with the Freedom Charter.
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Lungu
@Dana is your music career fading or what? Please leave politics to ppl who knows about them and stick to your music creativity not public stunts.Report Abuse
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