By Nangamso Mabindla
6 October 2004

US ambassador to South Africa, Jendayi Frazer, stopped outside the East London City Hall on Tuesday, 5 October to lay a wreath at the memorial of Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko.

The ambassador was on a visit to Buffalo City to look at business opportunities - and learn more about the fight against apartheid.

Biko, who died after being brutally assaulted while in police custody, is regarded as one of the greatest martyrs in the anti-apartheid struggle. He was born in Ginsberg, a township outside King William's Town in what is now part of the Buffalo City municipality.

Frazer, who learnt about Biko during her days at Stanford University, said she was humbled to have been able to place a wreath at Biko's statue. "We learned a lot about Steve Biko at university and it was always my dream to come to his home province. He really is a hero for black people in America," she said.

Biko, according to Frazer, played a large role in Black Consciousness across the world. Biko's philosophy was that political freedom would only be achieved if blacks stopped feeling inferior to whites.

Frazer was also in the Eastern Cape to learn more about the province and its challenges - and identify areas that the US could offer assistance.

During her visit to Buffalo City, the ambassador met the mayor, Sindisile Maclean, and several councillors and municipal officials, as well as business leaders.

Despite being one of the poorest regions in the country, the province had enormous potential, she said.

The US, through its Africa Growth Opportunity Act, was trying to set up trade partnerships. "Through this Act we're trying to create trade opportunities for African businesses with their United States counterparts," the ambassador said.

One particular sector that had already reaped the benefits of the Act was the local automobile industry, and Frazer said she was convinced more industries, especially in the Eastern Cape, would gain from the Act.