As a past pupil of St Francis College in Mariannhill, we Catholic would like to honour the memory of Steve Biko.

As a past pupil of St Francis College in Mariannhill, we Catholic would like to honour the memory of Steve Biko.

Biko died on the floor of an empty cell in Pretoria Central Prison on September 12. It was in this way that South Africa was robbed of one of its foremost political thinkers.

Biko was a man who spoke about the dignity of each human being. He highlighted a distinctive feature of Catholic social teaching, namely its concern for the poorest members of society and the dignity of the human being. Human life is valued infinitely above material possessions. Every person has a fundamental right to life; in addition, every human being has the right to what is required to live a full and decent life, things such as employment, health care, and education.

Mark Potterton

Director: Catholic Institute of Education