Rachidi and Barney Pityana, Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu, Thenjiwe Mtintso, Saths Cooper, Debs Matshoba, Mohapi, Biko, Motlalepula Kgware, Mthuli ka Shezi, Strini Moodley, Mosibudi Mangena, Mamphela Ramphele, Peter Jones, Pat Machaka, Ben Langa and many others, led the campaign to reject white names and insisted on being called by their black names.
As the leader of the “senior” organisation, the BPC, because it was formed to cater for older, senior people, Rachidi epitomised for the system the growth of militant politics from students to workers and adults. That could not be allowed, hence the banning of the organisations, the mass detentions and banning order for Rachidi when he came out of prison.
Rachidi’s entry into the militant politics of BCE was like many of his age, through religion. He was a member of the University Christian Movement while at Fort Hare University. It was at one of these UCM meetings that the idea of forming the South African Students Organisation was mooted. Rachidi became a member of Saso and took part in student politics at Fort Hare where he was first suspended in 1966 and later expelled, while studying for a Bachelor of Commerce degree.