In the depths of apartheid’s darkest night

A star was born, a beacon of light

Steve Biko, a soul on fire, ablaze

A voice for the voiceless, in a world of gaze

His heart beat strong, with a rhythm of pride

A drumbeat of defiance, that would not subside

He spoke of freedom, of equality and right

A message that echoed, through the dark of night

But the regime’s cruel hand, could not abide

A voice that spoke truth, and would not divide

They sought to silence, the voice of the land

And snuffed out the flame, with an iron hand

The cells of Pretoria, a torture chamber cold

A place where dreams were crushed, and hopes grew old

The blows rained down, like a merciless storm

And the flame that burned bright, was reduced to a form

A lifeless body, a soul gone too soon

A tragedy that shook, the world’s gentle boon

The cry of a nation, a people in pain

A voice that was silenced, but will never be tamed

Steve Biko’s legacy, a torch that remains

A symbol of courage, that will never wane

His spirit still whispers, in the winds of time

A call to action, a cry that will forever chime