Historical Organization
South African Students' Organisation
South African Students' Organisation
Also known as: SASO
Details
Organization Timeline
SASO adopts its constitution and elects Steve Biko president
📅 1 July 1969Black students created an independent organization that rejected white control of student politics and became a major vehicle for Black Consciousness.
The state restricts Black Consciousness leaders
📅 2 March 1973Restriction orders targeted Steve Biko, Barney Pityana and other SASO and BPC activists, limiting movement, meetings and public speech.
SASO leader Onkgopotse Tiro is killed by a parcel bomb
📅 1 February 1974Tiro, a student leader living in exile, was assassinated near Gaborone. His killing showed the reach of political violence beyond South Africa's borders.
Viva Frelimo rallies celebrate Mozambique's liberation
📅 25 September 1974SASO and the BPC organized rallies supporting FRELIMO and African decolonization. Police suppression and later prosecutions turned the campaign into a major confrontation with Black Consciousness.
Black Consciousness activists are detained after the Viva Frelimo rallies
📅 12 October 1974Fourteen people were arrested under the Terrorism Act. Nine leading activists were later prosecuted in a lengthy trial that gave Black Consciousness ideas a public platform.
The SASO Nine are convicted
📅 21 December 1976Nine Black Consciousness activists were convicted after a lengthy political trial; six received six-year terms and three received five-year terms on Robben Island.
Black Wednesday suppresses organizations and newspapers
📅 19 October 1977The government banned Black Consciousness bodies and other organizations, closed The World and Weekend World, and restricted prominent activists and journalists.