The importance of education in uplifting society took centre stage during this year’s Steve Biko Lecture- a collaborative effort between the Steve Biko Foundation (SBF), DUT and Umtapo Centre.

This year’s lecture commemorated the 38th anniversary of the death of Stephen Bantu Biko; the father of the Black Consciousness Movement and one of South Africa’s most iconic struggle icons, as well as his beliefs on education.
Held on Friday, 18 September at the DUT Hotel School Conference Centre, Ritson Campus, the annual conference’s theme was Education for Liberation- Is it a myth or is there a possibility of realisation of this dream?
According to literature, Biko’s ideas encouraged selflessness, determination and a sense of invoking self-reliance among black people. Biko played a major role in the importance for informal and community through the emphasis he placed on the role played by consciousness and awareness-raising in his work as an activist.
This year’s keynote address was delivered by Professor Enver Motala, a researcher at the Nelson Mandela Institute for Rural Education and Development. Prof Motala is also a Research Associate at the Centre for Education Rights and Transformation.
Prof Motala said education was a critical catalyst in uplifting society, adding that the challenges faced by the country’s education system need a united effort from every member of society. “We have to think about the kind of society we want; a society we need to struggle for and the framework of education which will drive us towards that society. Education and society are inseparable,” he said.
Reflecting on the cases he deals with in his role at the Nelson Mandela Institute for Rural Education and Development, he Prof Motala said the current school system was working against marginalised communities, also saying that ideas from communities that seek to improve education are being ignored. “Communities have enormous stores of ideas on how to deal with issues facing education, however, they are being ignored. Nothing is likely to change the current education system without fundamental strategies,” he said.
Prof Motala urged student leaders to not only learn their history, but practice ideas raised in Black Consciousness. “History is being re-written, the ideas which were decreed by Black Consciousness seem to be more relevant today than before,” he said.
Responding to Prof Motala’s keynote address, Professor Thengamehlo Ngwenya, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at DUT, said there are principles that still need to be employed in the current education system. “Through our education system, we must work towards producing critical thinkers who will be active members of their communities. They must be critical of their surroundings,” said Professor Ngwenya.
The Steve Biko Campaign will continue until December 2015, where it will end on his birthday on Friday 18 December 2015. During the three month campaign, numerous activities and events will take place nationally and internationally.
– Noxolo Memela
Pictured: Professor Enver Motala, keynote speaker at this year’s Steve Biko Lecture with Professor Thengamehlo Ngwenya, Director of the Centre for Excellence Learning and Teaching at DUT.