Black Solidarity Day, October 19, 1977

Black Solidarity Day, alias Black Wednesday, October 19,1977

On September 12,1977, the white racist minority regime killed Bantu Steve Biko. Almost thirty seven (37) days after Biko 's brutal death, on the 19th October 1977 the racist regime announced the banning of almost the entire spectrum of the Black Consciousness Movement Organisations comprising :-

* Black Women Federation
* Border Youth Organisation
* Black Community Programmes (B.C.P)
* South African Students Organisation (SASO)
* Black People's Convention (B.P.C)
* Black Parents Association (B.P.A)
* Zimele Trust Fund
* Western Cape Youth Organisation
* Union of Black Journalists (U.B.J)
* Transvaal Youth Organisation
* Soweto Students Representative Council (SSRC)
* National Association of Youth Organisations (NAYO)
* Natal Youth Organisation
* Medupe Writers Organisation
* Eastern Province Youth Organisation

Other Organisations banned on the same day were :

* The Association for the Educational and Cultural Advancement of the African People of South Africa (Asseca)
* The Christian Institute of Southern Africa

Along with these organisations, the regime also banned the two sister Newspapers, The World and the Weekend World which were both edited by Percy Qoboza. These Newspapers are the predecessors of The Sowetan.

In a nationwide swoop on the same day, the regime raided and arrested almost all people in the leadership positions of all the Black Consciousness Movement formations.

These included leaders such as:-

* Hlaku Rachidi
* Drake Tshenkeng
* Thandisizwe Mazibuko
* Mpotseng Kgokong
* Aubrey Mokoena
* George Wauchope
* Madikwe Manthata
* Thami Zani
* Sedupe Ramokgopa

and others who were detained under section 10 of the Internal Security Act. Since then, Azapo continues to commemorate this day.

Sources include Quest for True Humanity, Selected Speeches & Writings by Mosibudi Mangena.