Historical Organization

Black People's Convention

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South Africa 📍 South Africa

Black People's Convention

Also known as: BPC

Details

Organization Timeline

The state restricts Black Consciousness leaders

📅 2 March 1973

Restriction orders targeted Steve Biko, Barney Pityana and other SASO and BPC activists, limiting movement, meetings and public speech.

Viva Frelimo rallies celebrate Mozambique's liberation

📅 25 September 1974

SASO 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 1974

Fourteen 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 1976

Nine 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 1977

The government banned Black Consciousness bodies and other organizations, closed The World and Weekend World, and restricted prominent activists and journalists.