CCISSA R RIEFING 343 S

CCISSA r RIEFING 343 S. Dearborn I fall Chicago, IL 60604 Chicago Committee in Solidarity with Southern Africa 31 2 - 427 - 9868 @ 437 1989 Co-Chairs: Basil Clunie and Rachel Rubin

Defiance Campaign Takes Anti-Apartheid Action to a New Level by Rachel Rubin forces were losing ground as a con- must check in with local police twice This summer heralded an upsurge sequence of these bannings and a day. Their restrictions have made in organized anti-government imprisonments, but in February them convenient targets for vigi- protest in South Africa under the 1989 a hunger strike among many lante attacks and murders. banner of the Defiance Campaign. of the detainees resulted in interna- Nevertheless, the hunger strike put The campaign, which takes its tional pressure for their reIease. new life into the anti-apartheid name from a similar action led by The regime was forced to release movement with the subsequent for- Nelson Mandela in 1952, is directed most of the known 900 detainees, mation of the mass Democratic by a new formation - the Mass but at least 700 of these people are Movement. Democratic Movement. The Mass nowseverely restricted. They can- The MDM has launched its Democratic Movement (MDM) is an not go to political meetings orgath- Defiance Campaign with the follow outgrowth of the United Democratic erings of more than ten people and continued on page 2... Front (UDF), an umbrella group of anti-apartheid organizations which formed in 1985 in the wake of the then newly imposed State of Emergency. However, in February, 1988, the UDF and a number of its member affiliates were banned and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the UDF's largest affiliate was prohibited &om conducting any political activity. Since 1985, more than 30,000 people have been imprisoned without charges (i.e., detainees) including many UDF and COSATU leaders. Scores of community and labor leaders have been tried on charges of sedition and treason for peaceful protests against apartheid policies. Numerous organizational offices have been violated; Khotso House, headquarters of the South African Council of Churches was bombed and the offices of COSATU and the In solidarity with the Defiance Campaign protest ofthe September 6th National Medical and Dental Election, over 150 Chicagoans demonstrated at the South Afiican Consulate. Association,(NAMDA) were ran- The demonstration was co-sponsored by CCISSA, Free South Africa sacked. Movement, ll-unsafn'ca, Black United Front and the Mozambique Support Some feared the anti-apartheid Network.

CCISSA ANNUAL MEETING: Oct. 29th 6pm United Church of Oak Park.. see story on page 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Timuel Black, Basil Clunie, Earl Durham, Tommie Fry, Judy Hatcher, Tena Johnson, Toni Moore, Cheryl Johnson-Odim, Alice Palmer, Orlando Redekopp, Rachel Rubin, Robert Starks, Lucille Teichert, Kevin Thompson, Tim Wright WALKATHON RAISES $12,000

The June 16th Soweto Day Apartheid (ILNAA). The Rally gave Walkathon was a resounding suc- walkers a chance to rest their tired cess! Over 275 walkers from church- feet and rejuvenate their spirits by lis- es, labor and community organiza- tening to speakers including tions participated in the walk raising Alderman Danny Davis, ILNAA's $12,600.00'to aid detainees and their Rose Daylie and Carl Shier, Prexy families within South Africa. The Nesbitt, consultant to Mozambique, Walkathon was co-sponsored by and CCISSA's own Basil Clunie. All CClSSA and Church World Service. speakers stressed the need for strong Walkers enjoyed perfect June comprehensive sanctions against weather and a variety of neighbor- South Africa. hoods along the 10 kilometer route Proceeds from the Walkathon have beginning and ending at the Charles been sent to the South African Hayes Center, 4859 S. Wabash. Rest Council of Churches and the National stops were provided along the route Medical and Dental Association of by the Center for New Horizons, South Africa. Both of these organiza- would like to thank all who helped to Center for Inner City Studies, tions are playing important roles in the make the Walkathon such a tremen- Kenwood-Oakland Community ongoing defiance campaign. If you dous success. If you would like to Organization and Operation Push. still have outstanding pledges, please become involved in planning for next The Walkathon was followed by lunch forward them to CClSSA and we will year's event, please contact CClSSA and a Rally for Sanctions sponsored send them on. today. by the Illinois labor Network Against CClSSA and Church World Service

Defiance ...continued be seen and treated. Since then, August and scores of deaths and ing declaration: "This is to be a there have been several marches to injuries during the elections) at the peaceful program of nonviolent desegregate whites-only beaches, hands of the police, but people are mass action, directed against the singing of banned songs on not being deterred. Each day brings apartheid laws and addressing the trains, and Black miners have new protests. immediate needs and demands of moved into whites-only canteens, The new state president F.W. our people. We are saying that we washrooms and living quarters. DeKlerk comes from the most con- can no longer jail ourselves, nor Many restrictees have unrestricted servative elements of the national accept segregation and racial divi- themselves and organizations have Party and is a member of the secret sion, nor stand silent in the face of unbanned themselves. Afrikaner Broederbond, an organi- the crushing economic problems of There were massive protests and zation dedicated to the maintenance the mass of our people. a boycott against the September 6th of white supremacy in South Africa. Our people lead their lives under parliamentary elections with resul- No one should be fooled by his conditions that are intolerable. tant low voter turnouts for the seats allowing a few peaceful protest Poverty, unemployment, homeless- in the Colored and Indian marches or ordering an end to the ness and disease stalk our town- Parliaments. There was a stayaway use of sjamboks (whips) by the ships. Gangsterism is on the of over 3 million workers on police and defense forces. Only one increase as the direct result of the September 8 to protest the elections. week after the banning of the sjam- curbs on individual and community Since the elections, the MDM has bock, news footage seen on the organizations. The restrictees are challenged the new government weekly T.V.report "South Africa jailed in their own homes although with massive, peaceful protests in Now" showed police brutally beat- they are guilty of no crimes. which flags and banners of the ing peaceful protesters with whips Schools are in a state of crisis and African National Congress and and clubs. The MDM and its disrepair. The organizations that other banned organizations were Defiance Campaign marks a new should speak to these problems are prominently displayed. era in massive, organized anti- silenced. In the light of this situa- With the exception of the highly apartheid activity in South Africa. tion, we have gathered to announce publicized allowance of protest It brings together community, stu- a campaign of mass, peaceful defi- marches immediately following the dent, labor and religious groups and ance." elections, defiance campaign actions activists, black and white in a uni- The first major action of the have met with fierce resistance and fied program of peaceful defiance to Defiance Campaign occurred on reprisals by the South African create a free South Africa. August 2 when Blacks appeared at regime including arrests, beatings whites-only hospitals demanding to and deaths (52 deaths reported in Mozambique: Realigning the Course by Roberta Washington almost destroyed - ;cf~ Mozambique Support Network , Mozambique adopted X '""- new policies intended FRELIMO's Fifth Party Conmess to heal damaged From July 24 to July 30, more economies. ~utin d-?%:A ""6 m than 700 Mozambicans participat- Mozambique, as in 4 3p.d ed in FRELIMO's fifth party other countries, the - congress chaired by President cure can also be dan- '&-T4 Joaquim Chissano. The country's gerous. Stores empty social, economic and developmental since the late 1970's reality and perspectives had now have goods but the 6 changed greatly since the Fourth devalued metical c re+ \ Congress. The emphasis of each of makes it difficult for ?r&+.. FRELIMO's five congresses has most families to buy I. been determined by the objective anything. What 4 reality at the time, and this Fourth Congress dele- 4 - 1 rr congress was no different. gate would have *- - guessed that their country would the intent). Why the change? Some Interval of War and Sacrifice enter into a peace accord with the observers believe that on the diplo- Since the convening of the Fourth South African government in 1984 matic ball court where the stakes Party Congress many events and and that the war would get worse. are high, the Marxist label alien- changes impossible to imagine in This then was the setting for the ates some players needed on the 1983 have transpired. The most fifth party congress. Mozambican team. "The party was tragic of these was the death of redefined as a vanguard party of President Machel in a plane crash Vanprd Partv Redefined the Mozambican people"' which took place under highly sus- The Fifth Congress was attended Another view is that with the picious conditions inside South by 712 Mozambican delegates. Of war situation what it is, the time is African territory. these 275 were peasants, 130 were right to internally open up the The toll of the terrorist war classified as salaried workers and party to potential supporters who waged by the South African-backed 97 represented various organs of do not consider themselves MNR is higher than anyone in the armed forces. The other atten- Marxists. The party was redefined 1983 could have imagined. With dees were connected to state and as a "vanguard party of the more than 500,000 dead as a direct party organizations, were man- Mozambican people" rather than of result of the war and thousands agers or officials for governmental the worker and peasant alliance. more wounded, mutilated or kid- departments or were technicians or "We are a party of the vanguard", napped, almost every Mozambican artisans. Thirty nine percent of President Chissano stated in read- family has been personally touched those attending were illiterate and ing the Central Committee report by the war. Nothing functions as it some who did not speak which was later approved by the should. With more than 2,655 pri- Portuguese used interpreters to congress. "But", he continued, "we mary schools destroyed by the address the audience. Twenty-nine are at the same time a party which MNR and teachers a principle tar- percent of the delegates were seeks to express the wishes and get of the MNR,education has suf- women. The process to elect the feelings of all the people by realiz- fered greatly. At last count 847 delegates began months before in ing what they consider their aspi- hospitals and health centers have each province as villages, coopera- rations at the time." "This means been destroyed by the MNR. tives, state offices and other work- that we must know how to combine Who at the Fourth Congress ers gathered to discuss the issues the perceptions and aspirations of could have known that instead of as outlined in the theses prepared transformation which are charao being routed out of the areas they by the party. teristic of a vanguard party with have infested, the MNR menace For this reason many of the deci- the feelings of various social groups would spread to every part of the sions taken at the congress were who make up our nations. . .as mil- country, with residents in the sub- not surprises to Mozambicans. But itants we must not only seek to urbs of Maputo becoming as vul- some of the announcements express what the militants feel and nerable to attacks as farmers in the regarding the definition of the want as a social group, but also the remote fields of Niassa province. party were surprising to aspirations of all the people." The Without the army the MNR would Mozambique watchers. References feeling that the party was opening have advanced even further, but to Marxism-Leninism were up was evidenced by the wide the army also has its logistical and dropped from the party statutes range of invited Mozambican material handicaps. and programs (although a continued on page 4... With the country's economy socialist society is still spoken of as Page 3 guests including prominent mem- follow events in Mozambique from ment, led to an aborted meeting in bers of all major religious organiza- afar, the main focus of delegates Kenya before the Congress, but tions who would not have been con- was clearly the effects of the war hope is till high that something pos- sidered, strictly speaking, to be sup and how to end it. A worker from itive will develop from these con- porters during the Fourth Party Zambezi province explained that tacts. Congress. without peace, life in his province President Chissano also explained could never be normal again. "Only to the Congress the twelve princi- Chan~esin Social Policies with peace can we construct schools, ples for peace discussions developed Another surprise for some vaccinate, rehabilitate the railroads by FRELIMO and given to the Mozambique watchers was the lib- or travel by bus or train to whatever church representatives who met the eralizing of controls under which part of the country" he explained. MNR. The most enthusiastically such nationalized state institutions From Maputo a delegate expressed received speakers at the Congress as education and housing func- concerns about the lack of support were Julius Nyerere, the former tioned. For instance, the proposal available to victims of the MNR president of Tanzania and President that some form of education with 'bandits'. When they are attacked, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia who private tuition be established was they lose everything. If they come each presented their view of adopted by the congress as part of to the city it's a fight for food. 'Ib Mozambique's path to peace. the report of the Central get away from the bandits", she con- Committee. Not-for-profit organiza- tinued, "these people sleep on the Central Committee and Politburo tions such as coops, private firms or streets of the city." Ex~anded social organizations would be From Gaza come stories of how While the sessions open to foreign encouraged to set up schools, given families in some areas can no longer invitees revealed little dissension or the means to do so. The state would sleep in their houses. Instead fami- disagreement about the major continue to control the syllabus and lies are forced to sleep in the woods themes, from all indications the set up guidelines, but communities each night to prevent attack by the closed sessions were frank and fiery. or other groups could set up their MNR. Farming has been disrupted The election of the new Central own schools. Although it is under- in all such areas. A delegate from Committee was announced at the stood that such a policy could lead Tete warns those present that while closing session. The Central to new problems, it is felt that the peace is wanted desperately no one Committee was expanded from ten inability of the state to provide an wants peace at any price. to twelve members. There were education to all at this time should four new members to the Politburo, not prevent those who have or can Peace Initiatives Su~~orted while two previous members, create the means from providing for All the Mozambicans who present- Sebastiao Mabote and Oscar themselves ed their view of the country's prob- Monteiro, were dropped. . This measure is also intended to lems and their proposals for change lessen the burden on the state. In shared one characteristic. They all International Eeressions of response to the state's difficulty in appeared to stand behind the presi- SuDr>ort maintaining and increasing the dent and the party in its peace ini- In addition to local invitees, there housing stock inherited at indepen- tiatives. While the army stepped up were close to 100 other representa- dence, the party also decided to its move against the MNR's moun- tives of governments and support loosen the state's grip to allow pri- tain headquarters in Sofala groups present at the Fifth vate and public concerns to buy and province, new Mozambican diplo- Congress. About 35 foreign build housing. In the future matic initiatives were also revealed. observers delivered messages at the Mozambicans will be able to buy Between the Fourth and Fifth Congress. Delivering the message their house or apartment as some Congresses. Mozambique waged a of the Mozambique Support foreigners are able to do now only deliberate campaign to gain the Network was Loretta Williams of in foreign currency. support of countries who by the the Boston chapter who was select- The Central Committee report Fourth Congress standards may ed to represent the national group. also encouraged people who could to have seemed too conservative to be Allen Isaacman and myself were build their own houses, or create reached. But at the Fifth Party present as cochairs of MSN. Prexy housing cooperatives. It encour- Congress, representative after rep- Nesbitt, special ,consultant to the aged institutions to set up the credit resentative from such countries as Mozambican government, also and saving mechanisms needed to Kenya, Zaire, the Ivory Coast and attended. While the Fifth Party make financing possible and min- Morocco expressed their strong sup- Congress exposed the failures in the istries to build housing for their port with the Mozambican govern- dream of the new society envisioned employees. ment. Kenya's president Daniel at the Third Party Congress, it also Arap Moi will be one of the chief made it clear that the Mozambican Endine: War Main Focus for mediators in talks with the MNR people's dream has not been altered Delegates along with Prime Minister Robert --just the road to get there. While new terminology and Mugabe of Zimbabwe. The contact changes in social policies may have between church leaders and the been the prime interest of those who MNR, encouraged by the govern- ROB JONES TO ADDRESS CCISSA ANNUAL MEETING CCISSA's Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, October CCISSA Initiates Sister Community Project 29th, at 6:00 PM at the United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake One of the ways that the apartheid organized support for leaders from Street, Room 21, in Oak Park. government has held the balance of Oukasie who had been detained for The featured speaker at the power is by relocating over three activism. meeting will be Rob Jones, the million non-whites over the past The Sister Community Project, Projects Director of the three decades. Despite Pretoria's which is by the United American Committee on Africa propaganda, forced removals contin- Democratic Front and other mem- (ACOA) in New York. ue, uprooting entire communities bers of the resistance movement, is Rob Jones has recently returned and pushing the black majority onto eager to have Chicago be the first from a six week trip to southern the least desirable land. major city to establish an official Africa, including 17 days in South A number of cities, including relationship with a community in Africa at the invitation of the Milwaukee and St. Paul, have South Africa. If you would like to United Democratic Front. Mr. established official links to threat- help start a support committee of Jones brings a fresh perspective on ened communities in South Africa churches, unions, civil rights and the current situation in southern through the US-South Africa Sister peace organizations and elected offi- Africa and the Defiance Campaign Community Project. St. Paul resi- cials in Chicago, please send a note in South Africa itself. He will also dents helped stop the planned evic- to the CCISSA office, or leave a report on the international cam- tion of the township of message on the answering machine. paign for sanctions and bank loan Lawaaikamp. Berkeley, California, restrictions against South Africa. Also at this Annual Meeting, NAMIBIAN ELECTIONS - NOVEMBER 6TH CCISSA members will affirm a new The election for a constituent activists and supporters. assembly for the purpose of writing It is feared that the current level a constitution for a free, indepen- of United Nations forces in the terri- dent Namibia is scheduled to begin tory will be unable to ensure the on November 6th. However, minimum conditions for free and church, community and political fair elections. South Africa has con- organizations within Namibia are tinually found ways to delay and expressing concern that the process subvert the process. Many observers may be in trouble. fear that unless action is taken to There have been repeated delays end the violence and clarify the pro- in finalizing the laws and rules for cess, the November poll could trig- governing the election and inci- ger a new round of bloodshed and dents of political intimidation have repression. been reported with alarming fre- We urge you to contact James quency. The assassination of Baker, Secretary of State, U.S. SWAPO official Anton Lubowski in Department of State, Washington, front of his home on September 12 DC 20520, to demand U.S. support stirred an international outpouring for an increase in U.N. forces and of condemnation and outrage. But strict enforcement of all provisions Board of Directors and plans for his murder is only one in a series of of the Namibian independence plan, 1989-90. These plans include con- violent attacks against SWAPO Security Council Resolution 435. tinued solidarity and educational programs as well as the Sister BUSH AND DE KLE- NOTHING NEW Community Project and the second Despite flowery rhetoric about developments in South Africa, Soweto Day Walkathon. reform, there is nothing new in bringing to power a reform-minded We are looking forward to meeting either the Bush or DeKlerk admin- DeKlerk who now needs a chance with Rob Jones and we encourage istration policies toward apartheid. to fulfill his mandate for reform. you all, CCISSA members and old The Reagan Administration Therefore, Bush, like Reagan, and new friends to join us as we cel- claimed that sanctions wouldn't opposes the strengthening of com- ebrate the accomplishments of work and credited "Constructive prehensive sanctions against South CCISSA's first two years and renew Engagement" for changes in petty Africa. our commitment to the struggle apartheid laws. Now the Bush DeKlerk's self-acclaimed "man against apartheid. Administration argues that sanc- continued on page 6 tions have played a role in recent page 5 South Africa Now encourages the U.S. media to Nothing New (continued) expand its coverage of southern date for reform" stops short of a plan Comes to WTTW Africa. Most importantly for grss- As most of you know, in August, for one person one vote in South roots organizations like CCISSA, Africa. DeKlerk has assured WTIW (Channel 11) began showing South Africa Now offers a broad, white South Africans that the South Africa Now, a unique news thoughtful perspective on breaking "group rights" concept will be program, on Friday nights at 11:OO news in South Africa and the front- retained no matter what laws may p.m. The show was created last year line states. be repealed. in response to the lack of coverage Although South Africa Now has gar- The Mass Democratic Movement of anti-government protests and nered numerous awards, its produc- continues to call for defiance and human rights violations. The strengthened sanctions until ers have declared a "state of emer- apartheid regime's harsh press apartheid is totally abolished. We gency." The program is struggling to restrictions, which began in 1985 support them in their efforts. To raise enough funds to stay on the and have tightened since, have kept express your support of the air. Call them at 212f941-0255 if you much of the resistance movement's Dellums-Simon Comprehensive can help with contributions or fund- story under wraps. Economic Sanctions bill HR 211s ing ideas. 507, contact: Despite a no-frills budget, South Starting October 15, WTIW Senator Paul Simon Africa Now provides in-depth cover- will show South Africa Now at a 230 S. Dearborn, Suile 3892 age to 62 PBS stations nationwide, new time: Sunday mornings at Chicago, IL 60604 353-4952 and in several African and 10:30 am. Caribbean nations. The program Senator Alan Dixon gives talented South Africans train- 230 S. Dearborn ing in television journalism, and Chicago, IL 60604 353-5420 CCISSA NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT Support CCISSA's anti-apartheid campaign by joining CCISSA or renewing your membership during our Fall membership drive. A $10.00 membership will keep you on our mailing list but an additional contribution will make it possible for CCISSA to expand its educational resources and to reach out to more people in the coming year. Please consider joining CCISSA's Amandla Club, a group of very special friends who contribute $100.00 or more per year. Some Amandla Club members make a single contribution while others make monthly payments. CCISSA really needs your support and involvement to keep our campaign going. Please be generous! Thank you in advance for your support of our mutual struggle to end apartheid...... PLEASE RETURN TO CCISSA, 343 S. DEARBORN, #918, CHICAGO, IL 60604

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Enclosed is my check for I WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN: CCISSA membership $10.00 CCISSA educational work

Additional contribution Sister Community Project to CCISSA enclosed. Soweto Day Walkathon I would like to join the AMANDLA Club: contribution enclosed.

pledge per month.