Deputy Speaker, 12 September 2009 marks the 32nd anniversary of the murder of Steve Biko in detention. His death marked one of the lowest and most tragic points in our history, illustrating what human beings should never do to one another. More importantly, Biko was a model patriot who used his enormous talents, both physical and intellectual, to serve his country and his people. By the age of 31, when he died, he had written groundbreaking essays to advance the struggle and had delivered equally important speeches which were later collected in the book called I Write What I Like.
He and his equally young comrades in the South African Students' Organisation, SASO, and the Black People's Convention, BPC, ran highly successful community development projects ranging from health clinics to adult literacy, the support of released and banned political prisoners and income generating initiatives. Among other things, this was to prove to the downtrodden that they are not helpless, but that they have the power in their own hands to change their circumstances. That's the spirit we need today in generous doses. I thank you. [Applause.]