Universities are the spaces for the resurgence of Black Consciousness because students are tired of what is happening in the country.

This was one of the viewpoints of Prof Barney Pityana, Professor emeritus in Law at Unisa and also a fellow of the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). He was the speaker at the fourth public STIAS lecture of 2016

Speaking about the Black Consciousness Movement as it developed after Steve Biko's death, Pityana said "the resurgence of Black Consciousness is happening at universities because students are challenging the lack of progress."

"Students are intellectually fed-up with the state of our politics. What is happening today reminds people of what happen in the 1960s and 1970s."

Pityana said that given the serious lack of leadership, the rethinking of Black Consciousness is understandable and even urgent.

"The ANC lack the intellectual frame to move South Africa forward."

"Black Consciousness is a tool for conversations to understand South Africa of today, for framing what our Constitution is all about and for recognising that there is no future for a society that is unequal."

Pityana said Black Consciousness would affect leadership and values that we need in society.

"It would also promote a thinking society."

According to Pityana, Black Consciousness was a major tool of thinking in black communities during the 1960s and 1970s.

"It emphasised the power of the black self to free itself from oppression."

"Out of Black Consciousness a theory of liberation could be constructed."

Pityana pointed out the Black Consciousness Movement was never founded on the idea that it would one day be running the country.

"It was never intended to be an alternative political party or programme for governance."

• Photo: Prof Barney Pityana delivers the STIAS lecture.
• Photographer: Justin Alberts