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"My
Revolution" in South Africa
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| [Photo
from SGI-SA] |
To commemorate
the 50th anniversary of second Soka Gakkai president Josei
Toda's antinuclear declaration, SGI-South Africa hosted "My
Revolution--Revealing the Jewel Within," a tribute to Steve
Biko in dance, music, song, storytelling and poetry, in
Johannesburg on September 8. The event included a
performance by poet Khosi Xaba, and a keynote speech from
Mbuyiseni Oswald Mtshali, a poet for human rights who shared
his perspective of Steve Biko and one of his poems. Some 200
people joined the event.
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[Photo
from SGI-SA] |
The year 2007 marked the 30th anniversary of the death of
Steve Biko, an iconic figure in South African history who
created a new pride and a new consciousness among the
peoples of South Africa in some of its darkest hours. He
died at age 30 on September 12, 1977, after being beaten and
tortured by police.
SGI-South Africa determined to create a joyous celebration
of his life, drawing inspiration from the text of a dialogue
between Dr. Mtshali and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda in 1991,
as well as a speech by Mr. Ikeda in the same year in which
he described the Black Consciousness Movement, of which Biko
was a youthful leader, as follows: "The focus of this Black
Consciousness Movement was a self-revolution, a kind of
'human revolution' movement." Inspired by these words,
SGI-South Africa set out to create a commemoration of the
life of Steve Biko that would celebrate the parallels
between the principles of Buddhism and Biko's ideals.
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[Photo
from SGI-SA] |
Several poets performed original poetry, including one
talented young poet of 15. A director of the Steve Biko
Foundation spoke, and the chairperson of the Steve Biko
Remembrance Group shared anecdotes of his life. Musical
performances had people dancing in their seats.
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