On October 10, 2012, Google launched 42 online historical exhibitions telling the stories behind some of the major events of the last century. Amongst the stories told are archives featuring archive material about Apartheid, including never-seen-before material about some of the most iconic heroes of the struggle.
The exhibitions were put together by 17 of Google’s partners who have drawn on their archives of letters, manuscripts, first hand video testimonial and much more. Some exhibitions feature items that have never been released into the public domain at all before.
As part of these exhibitions, the Steve Biko Foundation compiled an archive on the life and legacy of South African Anti-Apartheid freedom fighter Bantu Stephen Biko. This also forms part of the Foundation’s series of initiatives that commemorate the 35th anniversary of Biko’s death in detention.
The Steve Biko Online Archive tells the story of a 15 year old’s political awakening in the midst of Apartheid. Featuring documents never released in the public domain including Biko’s banning order, and his Black People’s Convention membership card.
As with the other archives that Google has helped bring onto the internet, people can zoom in to see photos in great detail and search through pages of content to find detailed information about Steve Biko’s early life, final days, the inquest into his death, as well as his legacy in the contemporary society.