South Africa has marked the 30th anniversary of the murder of the black consciousness leader Steve Biko. Biko died of massive head injuries at the hands of apartheid police. On Wednesday, South African President Thabo Mbeki honored Biko at a ceremony in Cape Town.

South African President Thabo Mbeki: “We have gathered here exactly 30 years to the day after Steve Bantu Biko was murdered by those responsible for the apartheid crime against humanity. We have convened here not to mourn his death but to celebrate his life, his thoughts and the immense contribution he made to the liberation of our country and people.”

Ten years ago, South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that five former members of the South African security forces had admitted to Biko’s murder, but no charges were filed.