For the greater part of this past century, South Africa has been characterised by one word: apartheid. Up until the early 1990's, racial discrimination was a legal part of the framework of the country by law, with the majority non-white population defined as inferior to the minority white population. The political and economic effects of this policy, although the most visible, were not the only negative consequences. For 50 years, the South African attitude was that anyone who wasn¹t white was less of a person psychologically inferior and naturally submissive to white power.

The Black Consciousness Movement aimed to change all that. Inspired by Stephen Biko, the movement caught fire in the minds and hearts of black Africans across the country. At its heart was an ideology that sought to empower black Africans to reclaim pride in their heritage. Biko defined this belief as "an attitude of the mind and a way of life." He did not limit it to just "black" Africans: all the races who had suffered discrimination and suppression under apartheid were invited to be a part of this united movement, and to finally take pride in their identities and heritage.

Apartheid has finally been ended, and today South Africa is moving towards freedom under the leadership of Nelson Mandela. Although Stephen Biko did not live to see this, the legacy of Black Consciousness that he inspired lives on today in the pride of the African people and the new rainbow nation's appreciation of its colourful diversity.