By: Dr Nontsikelelo Biko

I would like to thank Rhodes University for the honour it has bestowed upon me through the award of an Honorary Doctor of Laws. I was told that this is in recognition of my contribution as a dedicated community activist and for devoting my life to the upliftment of the poor and marginalised. 

Vice Chancellor, Prof Sizwe Mabizela, I have had the opportunity to thank you and the University Council virtually before. I also extended my gratitude to all those who were involved in the process of nominating and adjudicating candidates for honorary degrees in the year in which I was a candidate, namely, 2021.

Once more, I congratulate the other outstanding fellow recipients, who were also recognised along with me and who were also conferred degrees for the sake of honour. The other recipients were: Adv. Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza, Dr. Marguerite Poland, Mr. William Smith, Ms Mary de Haas and Prof. Berhau Abegaz.

Also, in that year, the University conferred degrees and awarded diplomas and certificates to 2 204 candidates by examination in their respective fields of endeavours. I was delighted to note that 66% of the graduating candidates that year were women, and 52 received PhDs. I imagined that somewhere out there were proud parents who had given their all so that their children could join the gallery of graduates of this distinguished institution. I identify with these parents, having brought up children of my own, for whom I made many sacrifices. Beyond my own, God also gave me the strength to support many children in my community whose parents were worse off.

The reason we gathered for this event, despite several years having passed since the announcement of the award, is that none of us could gather physically in that year. Our country, and indeed the world, was surrounded by an enemy called the coronavirus.

Vice Chancellor, you promised then that you would make the time to personally complete the process, preferably in my community. This is not the first time that you embraced me so warmly. I was your guest on the occasion of your inauguration on that memorable day in February 2015. Back then, none of us could have predicted that the years immediately ahead would present such turbulence.

But the reason that I accepted the honour is that it was a product of more than just your personal love for an old lady like me. It was based on rigour. Several years back, one of your students, now Doctor Nompumelelo Babeli, decided to do her research on my life and my contribution to community development.  

Ordinarily, I prefer to maintain my life as private as possible. I learnt this habit as a way of protecting my then-little children and ensuring that they have an ordinary life, particularly after the death of my husband. But she was very persistent.

In her work, she took me back to my early years in Libode District, close to Mthatha, where I grew up as the fifth child of the late Reme Abson and Notsitsa Nancy Mashalaba (nee Soyizwapi) uMakheswa, uNozulu, uMpafana. My father, Abson, was the Principal of Rainy Mission Primary School, where I enrolled for my junior schooling.

She explored my family life, growing up with my siblings, including my late brother, Dr Sithembile Mashalaba; and sisters, the late Thandiwe (Mrs Gqokoma); and my two sisters who are here, Nontuthuzelo (Mrs Xundu); and Nonyameko (Mrs Mfenguza).  I am the last born.

We talked about my early years at Dininkosi Primary School in Corana, Mthatha and at Buntingville Secondary School where I completed my junior certificate. I then went to Shawbury Senior Secondary School, where I matriculated, before studying as a nurse and training at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban. Specifically, my training was in General Nursing and Midwifery. I completed it in record time. I then later studied at the University of South Africa part-time. I specialized in primary health care at Dora Nginza and geriatric care, as well as HIV/Aids counselling at Grey Hospital. This was part of my resolve to dedicate my life to public health.

I had, of course, met my husband, Bantu, in 1966, while in training at King Edward. He was a medical student at the University of Natal. We were to be married in 1970, at the Anglican Church, right behind this building.

In 1972, when he was banned from King William’s Town, my family was forced to move from Durban to settle here in Ginsberg.  After my training, I was refused permanent employment at King Edward because of our relationship. Having moved here, I struggled to obtain a post in King William’s Town and the surrounding hospitals due to the interference of the security police.  Later, I managed to get work at St. Matthews in Keiskamahoek, until there was pressure exerted by the Ciskei Government on the superintendent to dismiss me. 

I then worked at All Saints Hospital eNgcobo for just two months when Bantu was arrested on 18th August 1977 and subsequently killed by the Security Police in September 1977.  I was unable to work until 1981 due to the inquest into his death, other related court cases, and the perpetual interference of the security police, who pressured any institution that considered me for a post.

I tasked myself with raising my children and working for the community. After his death, I became a Trustee of the Ginsberg Education Trust, which he had helped establish, and which later evolved into Zingisa Trust Fund. It assisted impoverished youths to access education opportunities through bursaries.

My home was a centre of convergence for the activists of the Black Consciousness Movement from all over the country. Along with my Mother-In-Law, Mamcete, we welcomed and accommodated them. Ultimately, I obtained employment at Grey Hospital in King William’s Town, where I was on staff until 1999 when I was boarded off due to injuries sustained in a serious car accident. Even here, however, the authorities intimidated the matron for associating with me. 

After my retirement, I turned to community-based activism, a passion I shared with my late husband. I became a member and Secretary of the Ginsberg Civic Association. I served as the Secretary of Star of Hope, one of the iconic Rugby Clubs of Ginsberg. To this day, you will find me in the sports fields of Ginsberg, cheering our young ones as they participate in various sports. My love for choral music inspired me to join as an official of the Ginsberg Community Choir.

In 1997, following the TRC hearings, I, together with my eldest son, undertook an investigative tour to examine how other iconic figures had been memorialized around the world. This was towards establishing the most appropriate memorialisation of my husband, in line with best international practices.

During this tour, and with the assistance of Ambassador Andrew Young, I met the widow of one of the leaders of the civil rights movement in the United States of America, Mrs. Correta Scott King, wife to Dr. Martin Luther King. On this occasion, the city of Atlanta awarded me the Freedom of the City. In New York, I was also able to meet with the children of the great leader Malcolm X, who had just buried their mother, Betty Shabazz, and to pay tribute to their parents.

These consultations led to my role in the establishment of the Steve Biko Foundation in 1998, together with my son, Nkosinathi. I continue to serve as a Patron and member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation. One of our proudest achievements is the very building we are in – the Steve Biko Centre, which was inspired by the King Centre in Atlanta. The Centre was opened on the 30th November 2012. I am proud to say that it is now enlisted on the interim list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. This place is now my primary base for my continuous community activism. I have hosted and lectured thousands of visiting learners.

In 2021 when you made the announcement, I dedicated it to paying tribute to the frontline workers - the doctors, nurses, caregivers and the general medical support staff who, collectively, prioritised our national welfare over theirs. They went to battle to stem the tide that threatened our people, and they were victorious.

But now I want to broaden this dedication and honour all the above-listed organisations that I have served, as well as the following, that have been my vehicle for further community work:

 

• I was the Vice Chairperson of Sosebenza Sonke Women’s Development Organization; (Mrs Keke I am very grateful for the many years of partnership)
• I am a staunch member of the Anglican church and a member of the Mother’s Union. (As a member of the building committee, I am very proud that we recently built a totally new and modern church building.)
• I am a Board Member of the Umtapo Centre in Durban. Through it, we develop youth leadership.
• I was a Member of the Women’s Consortium of Aquarius Platinum Mining and Chairperson of the related Chuma Foundation, through which we funded work in support of communities around the country, in places like Qumbu, Makhanda and Rustenburg, etc.
• I am a Patron of the Widow’s Association.
• I am a Patron of the Donald Woods Foundation in the United Kingdom; and
• I was the President of the King William’s Town Retired Nurses Association (Nightingales) and remain an active member. I am very proud that we continue the nursing tradition and its values. ( I acknowledge Mrs Ngqangweni, the current President, and Mrs Nyikanawho is a member)

Vice Chancellor, these are some of the many reflections I had with your student. Looking back, I hold the view that our country does not need to thank any of us for doing what needs to be done to improve the lives of our people. Yet institutions like the National Heritage Council, the Black Nurses Forum and several churches have paused to honour my life.

I believe that as citizens, we must be concerned about the struggles of our people.  It is the right thing to do. For recognising this journey as worthy of an honour, I accept such honour, with great humility. I hope that my tired legs can still carry me to continue making a difference till the end of my life.

May you and your institution be richly blessed.

Thank you!

Enkosi!