Picador has been publishing the finest books from across the globe since 1972. Amongst a number of publishing initiatives to celebrate Picador’s 40th anniversary are these Picador Africa classics reissued in a beautiful new style. Each book includes a sixteen-page section of additional material.

I Write What I Like features the writing of famous activist and black consciousness leader, Steve Biko. Before his untimely death in detention at the age of 30, he was instrumental in uniting black Africans in the struggle against the apartheid government in South Africa.

This is a collection of his columns entitled I Write What I Like published in the journal of the South African Students’ Organisation under the pseudonym of ‘Frank Talk’. It also contains other journal articles, interviews and letters written by Biko at the time and a preface by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Father Aelred Stubbs was a friend, priest and confidante of the young Biko. His moving memoir, contained within the book, is a tribute to the courage and power of this young leader, who was to become one of Africa’s heroes.
Includes a Preface by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an Introduction by Nkosinathi Biko and a Personal Memoir by Aelred Stubbs

Praise for I Write What I Like
“It is good that there is this new edition to enable us to savour the inspired words of Steve Biko – perhaps it could just spark a black renaissance.” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“…the indomitable spirit, thoughts and actions of the legendary Steve Biko refuse to sink into oblivion … Biko’s I Write What I Like makes it clear why Black Consciousness played such an important role in South Africa’s liberation.” – Sowetan

About the author
Steve Biko was born in Tylden, Eastern Cape, South Africa in 1946. As a medical student, he founded a black student organisation in 1969 and created a national black consciousness movement. He was banned in 1973, which prohibited him from speaking in public, writing for publication and any travel. Biko was arrested by police in August 1977 and died in detention, naked and manacled, from extensive brain damage. He left a widow and two young children.
By: Thando

This article was first published on the Books Live website on April 3, 2012.

Click here http://panmacmillan.bookslive.co.za/blog/2012/04/03/picador-40th-special-edition-i-write-what-i-like-by-steve-biko/ \ to be directed to the original article.