Indaba Meets Again to Plan Tactics, Despite Discouraging Response Political Staff It Was Also Likely That Mr Posals Were Harshly Criticised

unis's reacti : th t ck .. Indaba meets again to plan tactics, despite discouraging response Political Staff It was also likely that Mr posals were harshly criticised. Heunis would be given a moti- Mr Heunis today defended Mr DURBAN - The Natal/kwaZu- vation for a referendum in Botha's right to make the state- lu Indaba meets today to plan Natal on the proposals. ment before the Government tactics and tie up crucial loose There is now no doubt that had considered the proposals . ends in the face of discouraging members of the Indaba will go Mr Botha, as leader . of the Government reaction to its pro- ahead with their referendum if National Party in Natal, was re- posals. the Government refuses to hold presented at the Indaba with ob- In the latest setback, Consti- one. server status. tutional Development Minister This has been confirmed by "Quite obviously he has the Mr Chris Heunis has emphasised Mr Frank Martin, former elect- right to respond and to com- that he gave no assurance that a ed Natal MEC and a co-sponsor meat on proposals in the prov- referendum would definitely be of the Indaba . ince of which he is a political held to test the opinions of the leader," Mr Heunis said WRAP--UP . people of Natal. Mr Heunis 'aid it was too pre- However, in an interview The Indaba could also present mature to speculate on probabi- today he did not close the door its economic and education pro- lities, before the Government on the proposals, or on the possi- posals after tomorrow's meet- had received the report. bility of a referendum. ing. Commenting on reaction to "I will only be prepared to Professor Clarence said the the report, Professor Clarence comment on behalf of the Gov- Indaba would now have to de- said it should be remembered ernment after the Government cide whether to wrap up and that no' one was totally in favour has received and considered any leave the rest of the work, such of the proposals -~ "it is a com- proposals and has taken a deci- as selling the proposals to the promise sion," he said. Government and to the people Minority reports were possi- Indaba chairman Professor of Natal, to, political parties . ble, not only from the dissenting Desmond Clarence said today Mr Heunis's statement comes right, but also from other par- that plans were being made to after a weekend statement by ties, Professor Clarence empha- hand the report to Mr Heunis as Natal National Party leader Mr sised. soon as possible. Stoffel Botha, in which the pro- • See Page 15 Aim now is to persuad O

By Colleen Ryan, Political Reporter

The most ambitious gales campaign yet seen in South Africa is about to be launched, with the organisers of the kwaZulu/Natal In- daba hoping , to persuade the people of Natal and the Govern- ment to accept non-ra- `trial rule for the province. The effect of the:Inch- as plan would be to take sower from the central 'Government and give it I o the new provincial rulers, so it is highly unlikely the Nationalists will accept the proposals in their present form . Already, the leader of the National Party in Natal, Mr Stoffel Botha, has rejected the draft constitution, saying it would lead to black domination. And the deputy chairman of the Indaba, : Mr John Kane-Berman, believes Mr Botha's state- anent sums up the present Government mood. PROOF NEEDED "Mr Botha has let the at out of the bag and I take place in the next six sentative was Dr Oscar such as the UDF was a constitution is the Rights which is d %kink it will have the ef- months. He had no illu- Dlhomo, kwaZulu's Edu- problem. sect of stopping the Inda- sions about the difficulty cation Minister. He said the ANC; to protect minorit; ba resting on its laurels. of persuading the Gov- The Government had which did have support in and end all disc L: "It will have to galva- ernment to accept the observer status, but Natal, w locked in a tion. It also provi ise ' itself for the next plan. right-wing groups as well power struggle with In- a two- chamberr tore, a Prime -I base of the operation . The Indaba was called as , significant black katha. "It has to prove that eight months ago to try groups such as the United and a 10-man Ca the great majority of to create a single legisla- Democratic Front were After long and some- governor, standup people in the province ture for Natal and kwa- absent from the talks. times difficult delibera- mittees and an want this form of govern- Zulu. The UDF rejected tions, the Indaba decided dent judiciary has .of anent," said Mr Kane- Delegates consisted of the Indaba decisions, say- last week on a non-racial The Bill Derman. the 39 "middle . ground" ing it was an attempt to constitution, with only guarantees equal The Indaba had decid- groups, including agricul- bypass the ANC :whilee it the Afrikaans culuural tion under the lay ed the proposals should tural, religious and cul- was banned; and that it group, the Federasie van inhabitants; equal be submitted to all the tural groups and other was not a genuine, non- Afrikaanse - Kultuur- race groups can people of kwaEZulu and regional cultural bodies . racial democracy . verenigings (FAK) refus- occupy props Natal Mr Kane-Berman One of the most impor- Mr Kane-Berman ad- ing : to sign the agree- where, and protec laid he hoped such a test tant participants was In mitted that rejection of ment. language and or referendum would katha, whose chief repre- the Indaba by groups the keyy aspect of the rights which wool

The Star Thursday December 419$6

at central government mented it, will provide forced by the Supreme Mr Kane-Berman said provision for the non-ra- level. political stability. Court of South Africa. Mr Kane-Berman said "There would be in- The i also cial "South ;African" constitutio Inda- he was convinced it could vestment in fatal and it stresses the importance group stressed the loo's concern far freedom work. has the infrastructure for of "devolutioni at power" growth . IAnd soon there major of association . "The key to the Indaba and proposes that is its dynamic effect. I would be pressure in presently car- Legislation could be vetoed in the second have no doubt that if this other parts of the country y central gov- constitution is imple- for something similar." haband ernment be txa erred chamber If a group felt that the legislation would to the pro overn- ent adversely affect its cul- 'unc ono de- ture or langua . Disa- volved include revenue greements would finally SAFE TRAVELLING and be settled by the Su- education, preme Court. costs much less at ei lth services, The provincial executive had been designed so culture, physical and band use planning, . tour- that all groups would ism and local govern- have a -say. The Prime ment. Minister would appoint Mr K neer an said five Cabinet Ministers that if the wernment from his own party. The accepted: the cottstltution, remaining, . five cabinet then the . - new provincial Ministers would be elect ed by the other parties in government would have all stores except Springs & 231 ChurchStreet(Pretoria) the power to abolish all proportion to their Available at discriminatory legisla- strength - in both chain- hers. KANOOL tip s nclud ,g the Group AShI II COMMITTEES HIMRIDER & Areas Act only be ra SAFETY BABY Schools would also be . Laws. would - SAFETY desegregated. tied once accepted by CAR SEATS HARNESS the chambers and the rel- 0 Ensures safe car travel • Raises child so that for children 6 months-5 adult seat belts can CONSTITUENCIES evant standing commit- years • Bolts into any car, be used • Suckles tees. There would be one but can be removed in easily on to front or The province would be seconds • Fitted with rear seats standing committee for washable towelling divide into 15 cohsti- cover • Tan colour EACH tuencies for elections' for each Minister and all the first legislative parties would be propor- chamber, which would tionally represented. • For children 4 years and up consist of 100 seats. Vot• The standing commit- • Available in assorted colours ing would be , based on tees would make decisions by a two- simple universal adult thirds ma KANGOL jority decision, and no suffrage through propor- DREAMSEAT tional representation . single party would be al- Dion s DE LUXE BABY The Prime Minister lowed more than 60 per Low would be the leader of cent representationn CAR SEATS Price- • Extra deep ,wings wings to pro- the party that secured an Although the new gov tect baby's head • wide overall majority in the ernment would control SiTI II SECOND CAR cushioned webbing first chamber. He or she many important- func FITTING KITS rl Fit it into your, second car would probably be black, tions, vital areas such as .$ fe r :carseatcarnbre . :r . as would be the vast ma- foreign affairs, defence, moved from one car to the national intelligence, other in secon ds • Seat tkpos bns adze . jority of the electoratee ion's • Sitting or reclining positions The second chamber lice, prisons, railway ow KANGOL SECOND CAR would consist of 50 seats, and harbours and water Price FITTING KITS .. . equally representing affairs would remain African, Afrikaans, Asian under the jurisdiction of S 'RI SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS and English ethnic central governmentt FOR ALL BABY CAR SEATS groups . A fifth "South One of the major yues In the interest of CHILD safet Dion strongly supports recent legislation 1 new wSAY, African group would bone about the :SS i st lints.and child safety seats All our Child Restraint products, represent people who tem is how it could posse, I AIGQL milt AS 'I, comply with the stringent specifications laid down by the SIB' bly function within the chose not to vote on eth- 12498 me liness framework of apartheid Professor who was firebombed for his support of the Natal-KwaluI EMANDS for ajor constitu- '.nal reform in 'ttith Africa are ps~achingaching a cre- scendo, and the chorusD of appeals grows a . Sympathetic Western governments, Dr Fritz Leutwi er's A bankers the local business community, the media, includ- to the Afrikaans Press the established church organisations, once again including the Afri- i kaans churches Afrikaans aca- demics and a restless forward- looking wing within the Government itself, have taken positions which five years ago were expressed only b Y liberals small extra-parliamentary lobbies and blacks . The time for visible The Government has no counter to these appeals other than to hold out the promise of constitutional negotiations because it has committed itself to full citizenship for blacks and to political participa- and dynamic action tion for all South Africans at he highest level. These repeated undertakings by the Government Inevitably rein- force expectations and ad to the . The time for visible and has clearly arrived pressures . dynamic action on the constitutional issue has quite clearly arrived . Despite all this political impetus, however, it is simply naive to as- sume that a political resolution is The country badly on the cards. Certainly there are sins that the Government is preparing to an- nounce new policy initiatives later in the year, and it is trying to pre- needs this catalyst pare the way for negotiations, but a basic impediment is likely to remain . By LAWRENCE SCHLEMMER The power-base of the Govern- ment lies in a racially y defined cate- gory of white voters within which it director of the Centre for Applied Social Sciences, can depend on majority~' support. A Powerful feeling exists that if a University of Natal, who was organising secretary of racially open system of voting the Buthelexi Commission . He has since maintained his were to be introduced, the present Government support group would interest in the "Natal Option" with help and advice to become a small minority opposition - in perpetuity. planners of the Indaba . Last week his office was petrol- The perceived lesson of Africa is bombed and many of his valuable papers destroyed . that oppositions are permanently excluded from power . Hence the basic National Party principle of (white) group self-determination is at stake .

power. For people committed to "ma- invited. jority rule' , a group-based formula The purpose of the indaba is to tralised government apart . formulate the constitutional It is one way in which a govern- closes the door to negotiation . Even ment with strong right wing and for those blacks who do not aspire framework for a single legislative to the fairly unqualified power of assembly for a united region of left wing oppositions can balance Natal and KwaZulu. the opposing forces and rule crea- majority rule, racial classification tively. implies that whites reject common It will be a second tier of government, presumably with additional association with them and hence it also means a continuation of powers, fully within the RSA, and second class citizenship. with a defined relationship to the . The contradiction between these central Cabinet and Parliament two viewpoints is the San Andreas The indaba will be launched next week at the Durban City Hall under n South Africa, local or regional fault line In our political geology. initiatives are germinating, not The country badly needs a cata- the chairmanship of the distin- only in Natal but in the Eastern and lyst to start the construction of a guished former principal of the University of Natal, Professor Des- Western Cape as well . bridge across this lethal division. mond Clarence, with the director of For understandable reasons This is where the KwaZulu-Natal there is a dearth of pragmatic indaba comes in. the South African Institute of Race Relations, John Kane-Berman, as black leadership in the country. The indaba Is a logical sequel to vice-chairman . Participation in meaningful multi- the Lombard report, the Buthelezi racial government at local and re- Commission and increasing practi- gional level will unlock political cal co-operation which has taken realism and moderation on a scale place subsequently between Natal which seems totally improbable at and KwaZulu . the moment ndications are that 31 out of 38 . This co-operation has led to the There are many paths to evolu- delegations will accept invitations tionary change, and one of the most establishment of a joint strategic to the indaba, from political or- committee between the KwaZulu auspicious paths in South Africa is Cabinet and the Natal Provincial ganisations representing all cate- gories of people as well as from all to allow local communities to re- Executive. . solve their own conflicts, at a pace A few weeks ago a joint delega- organised commerce and industry determined by local conditions. in the region. tion headed by Chief Buthelezi and For these and other reasons, the the Administrator of Natal, Mr The Government, through the KwaZulu-Natal indaba is being Radclyffe Cadman, submitted a re- National Party of Natal, will have watched with great interest by the quest to the Minister of Constitu- a high-powered contingent of ob- international community. tional Development and Planning servers. I do not believe they will be dis- for the establishment, by statute, of The indaba is vital for the region . appointed, except by the fact4hat a joint Executive Authority for the If it succeeds it will not only a some extra-parliamentary organi- combined region . recognition of the Inextricable In' sations, like the UDF, have reused terdependence of all people in to be part of the negotiations . Natal and KwaZulu, but it will also In a society, so full of suspicion mean universal participation in and alienation as ours it is perhaps provincial government which will understandable that some of these be close to the people and which organisations fear that a combina- he central Government might will have meaningful powers to re- well wish to negotiate about the tion of forces in the indaba, and in move inequality of opportunity and developments thereafter, will try proposed powers of the joint execu- promote development. to exclude them from the political tive, in particular those which fall It wi fully re-integrate the running. outside the concept of what it has black people of the region into a defined as "general affairs" in the common political community . To present parliamentary structure. succeed it will have to bury apart- Even so, if a joint executive with- heid in the region, and this broadly in the scope of general affairs were seems to be the common commit- to be established for the region by ment of all the delegates. he architects of the indaba, Act of Parliament, it will be the Why is it significant for the rest however, both from the KwaZulu first instance of "equal" power of the country? and Natal sides, are firmly and sharing between African and non- Its salience is at least twofold. publicly committed to an outcome African groupings in South Africa's Firstly it could provide a living which will be based on democratic history. constitutional model for the bridg- elections . Black political interests outside ing of the divide in South African The organisations which are not of Inkatha and the KwaZulu leader- political thinking which I referred participating all claim large popu- ship, however, have real cause for to in the beginning . At least one of lar followings . If the claims are disquiet regarding the joint execu- the major white political delega- true they will be missing their first tive. tions is committed to the protec- real opportunity to employ the le- It will e' ablish in a position of tion of minority rights tough verage that a large, popular follow- shared po 'lover the whole re- racially-defined structures. ing brings. ion the • existing authorities The black delegates will prob- How they will reconcile their re- with col 1d and Indian repre- ably have proposals which reject fusals with their claims to demo- sentation awn in) without the group-base representation. Thus cratic and peaceful goals remains democratic process of elections the indaba will be the first real to be seen. within the new regional context . exercise in negotiation which has Finally, it would be unrealistic to It will lack the fundamental le- to resolve this conflict - on the expect that the central Govern- gitimacy of representation in an basis of consensus . ment will simply go along with the elected body for the whole region It is a forbidding task, but my proposals which the indaba event- which will be capable of malting assessment is that it can be, and ually presents . The political sup-

kwaNatal: Buthelezi spells out. the bottom. line DURBAN - Chief Mangosuthu inatory, non-apartheid system; lu/Natal, the Government build the town had come from show every sign of having little Buthelezi -today spelt out three and would be forced to take it very largely white ratepayers, most to do with either people or de- +ssentials without which the • Not an alternative to full seriously indeed . of the sweat and toil had been mocracy and a great deal to do ~uuaZulu/1Vata1 Indaba's pro- black participation in the cen- There was irony in the fact supplied by blacks. with . rulee by the few for the single legislature would tral South African Govern- that, although he was receiving Chief Buthelezi warned few, with a so-called people's ejected by the region's ment. Pinetown's highest honour, he whites not to be fooled into court hanging the 'necklace' on )lpck majority. Chief Buthelezi said he un- would not be allowed to vote or thinking that a few token those who dare to disagree," he ~He told guests at a ceremony derstood the fears of many stand for office in its elections changes would ensure a peace- said. in Pinetown at which he was whites, Indians and coloureds . or to choose where to buy a ful alternative to the "Vor- Yet it was hopeless for those awarded the freedom of Pine- But, provided the plan met house in the town . sterian nightmare" too ghastly who wanted peace to adopt a Buthelezi . . . condition town that if the Indaba failed it these criteria he would be He drew attention to this to to contemplate. reactionary position and fight ceptance by black me could mean the loss of South happy if it also included enough illustrate how much reform to maintain the status quo . EUPHEMISM Africa's last opportunity for safeguards and guarantees to was still needed . Even a modified form of the were not stupid and i negotiated change. ensure that these people were He called on the Pinetown There were titanic, well fin- status quo was indefensible and not want to exchange But for the proposed single represented in the legislature Town Council to take immedi- anced resources determined to untenable because it did not army for another. legislature to receive vital and the executive and that le- ate steps to end discrimination wreck - the economy, make have the support of thee vast They simply wante~ black acceptance it would have gitimate rights were protected . in the municipality - to open South Africa ungovernable and mass of South Africans who prosperity, hope, a ree to be: all amenities and to ensure to establish a socialist or quasi- hated it and wanted it des- home, a decent job, a g IRONY t Elected by all the people of that there was no job discrimi- socialist system which some troyed . cation for their children the province, voting on a com- If the Indaba reached agree- nation in its employment. euphemistically called a peo- But in all this, Chief Buthele- equal say in the rur rcfon voters' roll, ment and, most important, sold He said that although it ple's democracy. zi said, he could offer a power- their town, province ai • In all respects a non-discrim- its plan to the people of kwalu- might be true that capital to "Such a `democracy' would iul message of hope . People try . - Sapa . mePATRICKntwo LAURENC-E on issues : Inkatha anderstigteANC Nasionale parties, has the key election issues adopted a.tough anti-ANC line . THE Indaba, with its proposals for PW Botha set two conditions for talks with the ANC in his opening non-racial government for Natal and address: it must renounce violence and crystallised as a key KwaZulu, has it must sever ties with the South issue in the May 6 general election for African Communist Party . whites . So, too, has the question about Addressing foreign correpondents in cape Town, Foreign Minister Pik whether there should be negotiations ith the outlawed African National Botha made it clear the government ongress and, if so, on what would adopt a strong anti-ANC stance conditions. in the election campaign. White elections in the past have been Lambasting the ANC for its violence and accusing it of wanting to dominated by debate over what oUcies the white community should seize power, he insisted that its de dopt toward the black majority . facto leader is "a real white man", Joe The present election is no exception. Slovo of the SACP. ;Relations with .Inkatha and the ANC "He has received two or three have emerged as core issues in the awards from Moscow," Botha said. election. "He is - or was a colonel in the Inkatha was, of course, a major KGB." articipant in the Indaba. Its NP leaders have signalled their resident, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, was determination to crush dissent on the he driving force behind the idea of ANC from the party's verligtes . nt cxt- ial_goir&nment for Wynand Malan, the Nat MP who waZulu and Natal . Its secretary resigned from the NP in pro~tes~ general, Oscar Dhlomo, was a co- gainst President Botha's defence of convenor of the . Indaba conference. the Group Areas Act, specifically It was hardly accidental that the called for talks with the political - as utgoing ambassador to Britain, Denis distinct from the armed - wing of the orrall, was identified as an "Indaba ANC. He thus implicitly recognised candidate" soon after the news broke that talks could take place even of his decision to quit and return to without a formal renunciation of South Africa to stand against the armed struggle by the ANC . rational Party . But another NP rebel, Albert Equally significantly, Worrall is Nothnagel, was rounded on for tipped to stand against either the NP's deviating from the party line by Iatal leader, Stoffel Botha, or its declaring that it was a myth to think Cape leader and Minister of there could be a lasting political Constitutional Affairs, Chris Heunis . settlement in South Africa without the Botha was the man who rejected the ANC and without the release from jail register at the NP tables in of its leader, Nelson Mandela . Indaba proposals for a non-racial stronghold of Yeoville legislature for Natal and KwaZulu Picture : AFP Faced with threatened expulsion based on universal adult suffrage that he was anti-Indaba. "I believe the determination. Significantly, Stoffel from the party, Nothnagel, who because, he said, they did not protect Indaba proposals must continue," he Botha used the same language when he represents the conservative Pretoria minority rights adequately. said. "I see the Indaba proposals as a rejected the Indaba proposals. constituency of Innesdal, crumbled, His rejection came within days of start, not as an end in themselves ." Commenting on PW Botha's speech, recanting in writing (even though a the publication late last year of the But Heunis has been tagged as an PFP leader Colin Eglin said: "While secret Broederbond working broad outline of the proposals . Faced anti-Indaba man . He will thus be an he endorsed the concept of document made essentially the same with a chorus of criticism in Natal, ideal target - and a coveted scalp negotiation, he, rejected the non-racial point last year as the humble rebel Nat Botha backed away, explaining that he for a pro-Indaba candidate . philosophy which is at the heart of the MP). was speaking for the Natal NP but not In his opening address to parliament Indaba proposals . Irrespective of what The NP Transvaal leader, FW de the government per se . last week, PW Botha left no doubt the people of KwaZulu and Natal may Klerk, released the full text of his By then, however, he had been about his opposition to the Indaba want, the government will only allow letter for publication. The headline in identified as an anti-Indaba man - proposals. He prefaced his remarks on them to have a future on the basis of the Afrikaans newspaper, Die Burger, despite his protestations that he was the Indaba with a rejection of "so- National Party principles ." read: "Nothnagel submits .", Worrall not opposed to the Indaba in toto, only called one man-one vote, non-racial The most important of these is can expect a tough fight when he to some of its conclusions . His anti- democracy", declaring that it was group representation on the basis of returns home. Indaba profile was confirmed when he unsuited to South Africa and would race, with - judging from the tri- Pik Botha meanwhile has given a repeated his criticisms in parliament. not lead to a just society. racial parliament - built-in control taste of the verbal onslaught to come . The defeat of Botha in Port Natal by Of the Indaba proper, Botha for whites . He charged the PEP - which the Nats the pro-Indaba Worrali would clearly stressed that constitutional agreements The Indaba apart, another issue is say stands for "packing for Perth" "at every level of government" must the question of negotiations with the with wanting to talk to the ANC so be a major blow to the NP . So, too, would be the defeat of Heunis in the provide for the protection of minority ANC. The NP, fearful of its ultra- that they can surrender the country to Cape seat of Helderberg. groups and their right to self right foes in the Conservative and them, "the sooner the better". When the final Indaba report was handed to Heunis last month he maintained a judicious silence, declining to comment until he had studied it in detail. But Heunis has now broken his silence, declaring in the no- confidence debate: "The proposals do not provide for effective power- sharing and do not offer sufficient guarantees to groups against domination Heunis, ."the man charged by t Pw Botha with aotiatina a new

SUNDAY TRIBUNE, MARCH 30, 1986

should rather be left as :tional KwaNatalmodel is but one of their proposals. no fruittalks would be borne to DOORS power to be devolved to suppa a matter of choice . the suggestions likely to Another possibility is of the Indaba . At most, the new Regional Ser- ment Although there was no arise at the Indaba, and that Natal could ask to he saw it as an exercise vices Councils . argued place in the present con- while Mr Martin insists be declared a Special in negotiation. As far as economics istrat stitution for such a sys- he will be keeping a "low Status Region . This The main obstacle on were concerned, Profes- would tem, Mr Martin said an profile", it is likely to be would entitle the region the constitutional front sor Boulle said the re- saving amendment to the Con- a strong consideration. to pass laws which could was that, since union,_ gion was a liability on , He stitution Act could make Exco and the KLA be in direct conflict with there had been increas- state coffers, and could could provision for it. have met frequently over the apartheid laws of the ing centralisation of pub- not survive independent- to R Mr Martin said he en- the past months to talk land. lit authority . Most re- ly without Government health visaged his proposal as about the Indaba, so It seems unlikely the cently, this had been seen approval and backing . N a t a a step towards multira- when Mr Martin says : government would toler- through the hollowing out Natal and KwaZulu shares dalism - "and our last "The Zulus may accept ate such a situation, and of provincial powers, spent more Government tine d~ opportunity for peaceful it now, but in three year's underscores the pointt which had been handed to money than it generat- Alrt change." time they won't", it sug- that any proposal to Pretoria. ed, Professor Boulle said well o He said : "We're not ad- gests that agreement has come from the Indaba Professor Boulle said: The NPA generated admi] vocating UDI or Home already been reached be- has no chance of succ- "There's not enough less than 20 percent of Propo Rule for Natal . We just tween the prime movers eeding unless it is backed power left at the moment its expenditure and Kwa- Exec i want a rationalisation of behind the Indaba. by Government. for there to be any mean- Zulu brought in less than (JEA) legislation at this level in However, the organ- Professor Lawrence ingful policy-making at 30 percent of what it presen the interests of economy, isers insist the agenda is Boulle, head of Constitu- this level." spent. meat. better administration 0 FRANK MARTIN: open-ended, and that all tional Law at Natal Uni- A joint legislature for Mr Martin, however, with a -and goodwill towards Our last opportunity 31 of the parties who versity, said the consti- KwaZulu and Natal could said he never doubted repres other race groups." have agreed to partici- tutional and economic also conflict with the that the plan would need KwaZi Although the consocia- for peaceful change pate can put forward realities suggested that Government plan for financial and political Execi

alno fruit wouldtalks be borne power to be devolvedto to support be from Govern- heldwith a rotating head of insearch for a regionalsecret op- sors. The Indaba hopes to y is of the Indaba . At most, the new Regional Ser- ment to succeed. He also the Chief Minister and tion did not imply giving work through consensus, k to he saw it as an exercise vices Councils. argued that joint admin- the Administrator. up the struggle for black rather than putting mat- cial in negotiation. As far as economics istration of the region The next stage, called political participation in ters to the vote. After the his The main obstacle on were concerned, Profes- would be a tremendous Phase 3 by KwaZulu, is parliament. modus operandi have gion the constitutional front sor Boulle said the re- saving . a single elected legisla- "lflJ5t we are doing in been established this ould was that, since union, gion was a liability on He estimated there tive authority for the re- KwaZulu-Natal ..will week, sub committees with there had been increas- state coffers, and could could be a saving of up gion - hence the deci- hopefully provide us with may be established and the ing centralisation of pub- not survive independent- to R4 million in the sion for an Indaba . a stepping stone to inten- the Indaba is expected to lie authority . Most re- ly without Government health services alone if KwaZulu and Province sift' the struggle, forr our °-meet two days a week for the cently, this had been seen approval and backing. Natal and KwaZulu chose about 40 organisa- political rights at the several months . ;,;. ': )ler- through the hollowing out Natal and KwaZulu shared a common medi- tions to participate in the first tier of government The National Party and of provincial powers, . spent more Government cine depot. talks - a grouping which This is our Phase 4 of and other parties to the oint - which had been handed to money than it generat- Already the region is they call the most repre- the KwaZulu-Natal op- Right have decided not to to Pretoria. . ed, Professor Boulle said . well on its way to a joint sentative ever to meet. tion ." participate, but the fact aba Professor Boulle said: The NPA generated administrative body . Although not all organ- A positive stance to- that the NP has opted for ucc- "There's not enough less than 20 percent of Proposals for the Joint isations have replied to wards the Indaba has observer status shows ked power left at the moment its expenditure and Kwa- Executive Authority the invitation, 31 parties been adopted by, among that they have not reject- for there to be any mean- Zulu brought in less than (JEA) have already been have expressed support others, big . business and ed the experiment out of nce ingful policy-making at 30 percent of what it presented to the Govern- for joint regional govern the Progressive Federal hand. titu- this level." spent. meat. It is a structure ment by agreeing to talk Party, as well as Inkatha Among the groups who Uni A joint legislature for Mr Martin, however, with an equal number of about it. and the New Republic have declined to partici- ~sti- KwaZulu and Natal could said he never doubted representatives from the Inkatha Secretary- Party . ( pate are the African Na- mic also conflict with the that the plan would need KwaZulu Cabinet and the General Dr Oscar Dhlo- Each delegation has tional Congress, the Unit- that Government plan for financial and political Executive Committee mo stressed that the one voter and five advi- ed Democratic Front, the Congress of South Afri- I can Trade Unions and the Natal Indian Congress. .. The UDF said in a letter to the Indaba organ- isers_ that it rejected the separation of Natal and KwaZulu from the rest of the country. . . ~'.'South Africa is in ;visible : measures to work out a separatee so- i lotion' for KwaZulu and Natal will "serve to ..dermme the unity of our . people," they said t UDF also said the waNatal option dill not addre$s ttseIf tO the -rights of Africapspat,cen- al "giavermnent` ndr,did it challen a ,t u, ± . mental R,tss es o _apartL; held. rij It was` p the fact'tthat 'discussions so far bad involved two overnmen - rea e bodies while non-racial democratic organisations had not been involved. . , It said meaningful change could only be brought about when ` apartheid was , dismantled, political, prisoners . were released, exiled leaders returned and the African 'National Con- gress and, other organisations were unbanned. , The UDF Viewpoint SOUTH AFRICA is indivisible . . measures o work out a sepa- ._+ .aA A,~ ~ ~7 . s-,aw 4 w

once 1ngzui ?cy 4.I ~iub wl rarty, as YYCII ~J a..~u ..u stitu- spent. merit. It is a structure merit by agreeing to tax this 1ev with an equal number of about it. and the New Republic have declined to partici- Uni- A joist ;tore for Mr Martin, however, pate are the African Na- said he never doubted representatives from the Inkatha Secretary- Party. tnsti- KwaZulE~ Vital could Each delegation has tional Congress, the Unit- omic also ca rt vrtth the that the plan would need KwaZulu Cabinet and the General Dr Oscar Dhlo- Executive Committee mo stressed that the one voter and five advi- ed Democratic Front, the that Gover>~ent plan for financial and political Congress of South Afri- can Trade Unions and the Natal Indian Congress . .. The UDF said in a letter to the Indaba organisers that it rejected the separation of Natal and KwaZulu from the rest of the country. "South Africa is indivisible . . . measures to work out a separate solution for KwaZulu and Natal will serve to undermine the unity of our people," they said . The UDF also said the KwaNatal option did not address itself to the rights of Africans, at central government, hoc did it challenge the fundamental issues of apartheid. It was also opposed to the fact that discussions so far had involved two Government-created bodies while non-racial democratic organisations had not been involved. It said meaningful change could only be brought about when apartheid was dismantled, political prisoners were released, exiled leaders returned and the African National Con- gress and other organisations were unbanned. The UDF Viewpoint SOUTH jAFRICA Is indivisible . .`, measures to work out a saps•; rate solution for KwaZulu and Natal will serve to undermine` the unity of our, people. Mean- ingful ;change' can only ,be brought' bout when apartheid, is dismantled, political prisoners released, ex lied leaders return and the African National Congress and other organisations are unbanned RM-WRESTLING which might be handed at the KwaNatal down . talks, which start It would not mean, for at the Durban example, that Natal City Hall on Thursday, By could scrap the Group will be carried out behind CAROLYN McGIBBON Areas Act or could have closed doors and only the a single ministry of edu- hour-long opening session sociational model for cation . The new body will be open to the pub- of asking everyone in Natal for their opinion on second-tier government would not be able to lic. based on the Swiss Can- overturn Acts of Parlia- After several months, a joint-legislative body. ton system. ment and would still the Indaba hopes to This could feasibly be have to fall in line with carried out by referen- emerge with a model of For Natal this would the apartheid structures provincial government dums held simultaneous- ly by each local authority mean the four racial imposed by the central for Natal, reached groups would each elect government. through consensus be- in the area. an equal number of rep- He said he saw no rea- tween the 31 participat- If a majority of the resentatives to a multira- population favoured the son why the existing ing organisations and cial legislature . voters' rolls for the four which could be put to the new dispensation, the test in a referendum Government would be Mr Martin said their racial groups should not . hard pressed to refuse powers would be limited be used, but said new throughout the region voters should not be Co-organiser of the In- the Natal option, Mr to jurisdiction over mat- daba, senior MEC Frank Martin believed . ters presently governed forced onto any particu- . . . The Durban City Hall, where participants will Martin, said he would He said he would pro- by province, as well as lar roll by the Popula- any additional powers tion Registration Act ; it ensation for Natal and KwaZulu welcome the opportunity pose to the Indaba a con- Worrall to play big role in Indaba-

type convention? Y SPECULATION is iw, Sources say that what is By TONY STIRLING and BRIA STUART growing that Dr Denis I being envisaged is not the Worrall, South AM- formation of a coalition a report quoting "impec- ca's outgoing ambassa- Independent against Mr party as such, but a coali- Stoffel Botha, the NP cable sources" as stating dor to London, will tion grouping to partici- leader in Natal, who has that Dr Worrall will lead pate in an Indaba-type lead multiparty op- a rejected the outcome of an opposition alliance convention that would in- position coalition at an the Natal/KwaZulu Inda- after the election . volve a broad spectrum of Indaba-type conven- ba - in the coming gen- It suggests that Dr political interests, includ- tion aimed at breaking eral election . Worrall has held talks ing Black leaders. the existing political As in the case of Mr with opposition leaders in The sources suggest impasse. Wynand . Malan (NP this regard, and believes that it is within this con- Randburg) it is being said that the PFP-NRP elec- text that Dr Worrall is ex- Adding strength to this that the PFP will not option pact will increase the pected to play a leading suggestion are hardening pose him. number of seats held by role. rumours - that have the parties - which will neither been confirmed The "Diary" of the lead to more National nor denied - that Dr Times of London yester- Party defections after the Worrall will stand as an day used as its lead article election .

aday March 41987 Timing of indaba is `sinister' Stoffel Political Staff CAPE TOWN - Natal National Party leader Mr Stoffel Botha today expressed concern that there could be something "sinister" in plans to promote the Natal/kwaZulu Indaba proposals partly in parallel with the white election . He also criticised the fact that the Indaba was being advised in the campaign by an overseas company and asked where the "multimillion rands" were coming from, to finance it Mr Botha's comments are likely to spark another row following the international contro- versy which followed his con- demnation of the indaba proposals last year . Mr Botha's opposition to the proposals was later officially backed by the Government . ;' In an interview today Mr Botha said : "It is perhaps sinister that this campaign is big run parallel to the elections . "They can be quite sure that people of Natal and South Afri- ca will not be dictated to by an organisation which has unlimit- ed funds." Mr Botha said the PFP should spell out the proposals they ip- ported. "The white electorate . in Natal is already asking pointed questions. "They want to know why the Progs are soft on existing edu- cational standards. "They want to know why the Progs are soft on group community life which could be destroyed by forced integration in residential areas. "Perhaps, the Progs do not care about white people." Professor van Wyk said Mr Botha's statement on the indaba campaign was "ill-informed and inaccurate". Page 8*** THE CITIZEN No objection `in principle' to concept

1 Heunis. `positive' to

By BRIANNatal STUART KwaZuludress this problem direct- CAPE TOWN . - Mr ly ." Chris Heunis, Minister Although the actual of Constitutional De- proposals were not released, Mr Cadman indi- velopment and Plan- "Theproposals principle of co- On this, Mr Heunis de- cated in a memorandum fling, says there is no operation between the clined to comment. "I presented to the Minister, objection "in prin- administration of Natal was informed that the two parties are going to nego- that the JEA would cover ciple" to co-operation and the government of areas such as roads, edu- KwaZulu is a natural tiate on the issue. It between the ' Natal cation, traffic, libraries, Provincial Adminis- manifestation of their in- would be presumptions of me to comment on the ne- nature conservation and tration and the govern- terdependence in many fields," Mr Heunis told gotiations' or anticipate' recreation. It would afford equal ment of KwaZulu . the Press . the results," he said . He was reacting to re- representation to Natal quests by Natal and Kwa- In effect, Natal and Chief Buthelezi de- and KwaZulu, and would Zulu for a Joint Executive KwaZulu asked the Gov- scribed the proposals for be financed from a joint Authority (JEA) to ad- ernment to create a statu- a joint administration as account with the possibili- minister both areas . tory institution for co-op- well as a joint legislative ty of further grants from eration between them body as "a giant step to- The talks with Mr Heu- . Central Government or Negotiations had taken wards a unified South nis in Cape Town yester- direct funding from Par- day were led by Mr Rad- place, and the request Africa" . liament on the basis of an clyffe Cadman, Adminis- flowed from consensus "Basically, we are say- annual Budget. trator of Natal, and Chief between them. ing there cannot be a so- Mangosuthu Buthelezi, "Obviously, the Gov- lution in this country if we ernment's approach is Chief Minister of KwaZu- exclude anybody," he lu, who is also president that, quite apart from pol- told the Press . itical institutions to ac- of Inkatha and chairman Earlier, in a memoran- commodate the South ised though voluntary co- "They promise more of the SA Black Alliance . dum to Mr Heunis, Chief African communities, it is operation ." such negotiations and At a Press conference Buthelezi said KwaZulu accepted that in many re- Mr Heunis's reaction is they promise greater after the talks, Mr Heunis and Natal were faced with ." said the proposals •would spects there is an interde- seen by Natal and Kwa- achievements pendence between the the need to rationalise Zulu as a "positive" re- Chief Buthelezi said be submitted to the Gov- their responsibilities and various geographical response, indicating that the proposals for a joint ernment for consideration maximise co-operation gions, governments and the concept will not be re- administration represen- and decision . He under- and mutual assistance . regional authorities," said jected out of hand . ted "the kind of politics" stood that Natal and in which all races worked KwaZulu wanted a deci- Mr Heunis . "We are doing every- However, Dr Oscar and . which sion as soon as possible . "For example, the thing in our power to Dlomo, Minister of Edu- together maximise efficiency and needed the "blessing" of It seems that if the existence of a Customs cation and Culture in to eliminate duplication the Government . Government approves Union agreement under- KwaZulu, said the pro- scores the principle of the of endeavour, and to Mr Cadman also the plan, legislation to set posed joint administrative up a joint Natal-KwaZulu necessity for co-operation make our forward plan- body was but the first stressed the need for co- ordinated government in administration could between countries in ning as effective as poss- phase of proposals to Southern Africa ible ." the Natal-KwaZulu re- come before Parliament . draw Natal and KwaZulu "The establishment of He told Mr Heunis gion . this year . closer together. a Council of Ministers be- these proposals represen- "Phase two", as he de- "With separate statu- tween South Africa and ted "a beginning to nego- scribed it, would begin tory decision-making the TVBC countries is an- tiations between Black with the Natal indaba in structures it is not poss- other example of formal- and White" . Durban on April 3, aimed ible to achieve adequate at seeking consensus on representation of the proposals to create a joint people from either area in legislative assembly for the decision-making pro- Natal-KwaZulu . cess. Our proposals ad- ales, for instance, country in the whole wide retary of State in the Rca- incial Adminis- Indeed, one may imag- is stud- emn Cape leaders Mkhuseli black participants . Only ied closely . Chief Mangos- Jack and Henry Fazzie. world that actually legis- gan Administration was alive Assembly ine that Mr Botha at this white political parties i uthu Buthelezi, president lates in Parliament on the heard to admit that, in a time probably wishes it "Here we go again," I NP, HNP and CP all of Inkatha and Chief Min- heard one of my white basis of race and colour . "generic sense," the ANC eld in Durban was nothing but a dream . refused to sign the Bu, ister of KwaZulu, is seen South African colleagues They used to describe were "freedom fighters" . )olitical groups Unfortunately for him - on those grounds . (The as among the few remain- cry South Africa as the pole- Did this remark herald a t in the discus- and all who think like him . "Our Government has possible shift in the Ameri- today for reasons discuss it administra- ing of his breed with whom just gone and done what it cat of the world. Then they - it is not . It is sim- It is easily predictab white South Africa may loves doing and doing best were content merely to can Government's policy ply one of the many harsh produce agreement on a negotiate . - shooting itself in the give the smelly animal a towards South Africa? )lic support for realities they must face up The much-vaunted quiet brush-off and leave it Or was Dr Crocker C : Natal, as a semi-ind€ ortment of re- to as the chickens come foot ." alone. Not so any more . sending out an early sig- ca, would need substan ; ?rging a lot of home to roost . Natal option, commonly Of course, Mkhuseli The death sentence has nal for the death of "con- the central Government ~d to be debat- After 38 years of harsh- referred to as the Natal Jack has since had his ban servative engagement?" egalitarian policies (such ly-enforced apartheid rule, Indaba, is of more than lifted . No thanks to Mr le been passed on Dr Ver- woerd's quaint invention . Typically, the man who The alternatives of m ie ANC and the the Government can now passing interest to those Grange but lots of thanks What's more, overseas ob- must be running out of or reduced standards for e HNP and the be said to be reaping the I met during my trip. They to the Supreme Court sticks and carrots with would simply reduce sui ned to support, bitter fruits of what they seem to think it may be which overruled the Minis- servers will not accept the hollow declarations by which to persuade the Pre- ment and create economic ingness to par- have been sowing all these the one option that may ter's decision . Government spokesmen to toria regime to mend its years. yet save South Africa from And, with an unbelieve- It is, in reality, virti' the effect that the monster ways remained as vague as erred to, have They know it. The rest the Armageddon that lies able naivete, they still ac- radically different soda ahead. is dead . "ever . Newsmen are said to ~servation that of the watching world cuse Western newspapers gions of one country with I told a US audience have left the briefing shak- s of Natal and knows it . Those who have But they are not over- and TV stations of unfair- movement of people and r . ing their heads in utter be- be increasing- always opposed this ly optimistic. ly picking on South Afri- that, in my view, no It is unlikely that a N They cite the Govern- ca. amount of costly Govern- wilderment. mies separate- thoroughly repugnant and ernment would collect ta: ment advertising and prop- If outside observers be- quite unacceptable system ment's intransigence and With such Government Africa to pay for a Natal lieve, as they no doubt do, e formation of sense victory. It is defini- reluctance to break com- bungling and ineptitude, aganda-peddling would they cannot accept ideolol that South Africa is expensive du- tely in the air . And so pletely from the hardened need they really wonder convince us, the victims of Thus even if the other apartheid, that it is dead. I aflame, then equally they e provision of world pressure mounts and apartheid mould . Some why this country is receiv- the Natal option is econort give it the thumbs down on ing such a merciless drub- said that the death of believe that Mr Botha and the anti-apartheid brigade The above arguments the basis that Mr Botha is bing? apartheid and its final bur- his Cabinet colleagues are lore adminis- is going for the jugular. Natal option or a joint not, according to his track Most whites find it easy ial rites must be an- fiddling like Nero. They ures, these ne- I have just returned from the forthcoming Inch record, prepared for whites to accuse Western nations, nounced and performed by believe that the reform ace. But there from a brief visit to the people and organisations ublicly debat- generally to share power especially America, of us blacks, and not by any- measures of which so US and the United King- jumping on the bandwag- body else. much is being said nowa- cate political dom. I was part of a group meaningfully with the double standards and hy- on? days will amount to noth- of senior black and white blacks. pocrisy when they fire The onslaught against ing as long as the basic and constant South African journalists So we all wait and see away at the South African South Africa's iniquitous Many, certainly, have system is intensifying, not apartheid structures re- not thought through the it the Indaba who met and conferred what will become eventual- regime . They readily point main in place. issues in depth. which debat- with high-ranking Ameri- ly of "KwaNatal". to America's own recent decreasing . The demon- Is the US media out to history - strations outside South An so, of course, say us among the can journalists from the not a very Below I have listed get South Africa? was the African embassies no all of us . that a pop- print and electronic media. happy one, it must be ac- three other hidden agen- topic of one of the numer- cepted - of troubled race longer make the big head- an and black We met at Harvard das which could explain ous panel discussions dur- relations . lines of a few months ago . University in Cambridge, otherwise inexplicable ing our US visit. To which Nevertheless, one gets eater interest Massachusetts, and the Government apologists support. ing organisa- subject was -- you we, the visitors, responded here and abroad refer ad the feeling that things are )ts attitudes . guessed it - South Afri- almost unanimously thus : museum to the racial riots moving, that the people out if that was the general per- there won't rest until jus- Agenda everely criti- ca . in England . opulation yet ception, here or abroad, What they all fail to un- tice and fairness prevail in It was not all gloom and 1 . The use of this Indaba g without the then we could only suggest derstand or deliberately our land . doom from those who fol- as a proxy forum for con- ~t necessarily that the Western media refuse to accept, is that, The ANC is now unde- low the developments here stitutional debate be- by the Kwa- was out, not to get South however misguided outside niably recognised interna- and take a keen interest in tween parties who will guess as to Africa as such, but rather critics may be, on one tionally. It is accepted and the future of the country . not (yet) sit around a na- ffort . to knock the very stuffing thing they remain in abso- its representatives are lis- To be sure there are tional negotiating table . 1 require ex- out of apartheid . lute agreement . And that is tened to in many influen- many that one meets in The PFP participation The meeting was hard- that the racism inherent in tial circles and forums. E CHESTER the US and the UK who might be ascribed mainly Committee's ly into its stride when news South Africa's apartheid It is worth noting that CROCKER; Change constantly search for mi- to this motive - any talk )tiations the came through of the Gov policies is not only an im- even Dr Chester Crocker tigating factors to plead of mind? is better than no talk . t from admi he NRP-do- 1 . The NRP can only ie precisely in the areas of legislat- derstandable as is the attraction for Is this a standard conservative ex- ing traditional and modern political hope to stay alive as a Natal party if some al- d exclusions of racial groups from regional solutions. This attraction is pression of the fear of being swamped systems which haven't succeeded any- olitical participation at the national enhanced especially in Natal where by black majority rule? where else in Africa, dismantling the ternative forum is found wel, can solutions be expected by the the Zulu population has been com- Not at all. integrated administrative structures to succeed the Natal Pro- vincial Council - even a xclusion of Indians at the provincial paratively conservative when judged This is merely a caution that action and vested interests will hardly be slight hope is some hope evel - especially in a province by the national norm. And Chief Bu- born out of impatience could well lead feasible. . Once this process is started, it will There Indians substantially outnum- thelezi's assiduous self-projection of to greater problems than those which 3 . Inkatha may see its er whites? Should a national federal gave rise to demands for reform in hardly be capable of being reversed . pacifist inclinations fuels this regional power base as being lan offer Indians the opportunity to Greater administrative co-opera- utopian aspiration. the first place. much stronger in a feder- tion between Natal and KwaZulu is to ominate one "state" in the federation Yet on closer examination Natal is A Natal solution may have inherent al system once South ould they not lose this opportunity in temporal limitations in the sense that be commended - but not if it entails not much different from the rest of Africa becomes truly Natal dominated by KwaZulu's ex- statutory authorisation . the country . a national solution just could offer democratic . Thus the Unless Natal is bent upon total se- anded authority? The whites are actually a bit more more attractive terms which is entire- more the idea of a Kwa- In the end, are the KwaNatal talks cession from the Republic, Natal's re- conservative as judged by the Ref- ly possible if radical federation is Natal option is publicised )t between the representatives of the formist forces would be better chan- erendum on the tri-chamber parlia- proffered. Most governments of the the better the prospects nelled towards the development of a aoing NRP and Natal's MEC and the ment and by recent elections ; racial Left would quickly dismantle home- for a long-term federal ngle personality of Chief Buthelezi, lands while a federal form would ex- national solution lest Natal finds itself conflict is certainly in evidence as solution . In addition a ho represents KwaZulu's blacks and with a structure which it cannot dis- was demonstrated at Inanda in 1985 ; pand and consolidate such homelands strong regional system lodge should a national solution re- this a sufficiently large base on severe economic problems in Kwa- into federal states . would give Inkatha possi- hick to advance a regional solution? quire it . Zulu have hardly been alleviated by Either option would leave KwaNa- ble control over impor, )litical history has taught that it is And above all, such negotiations as frequent searches for foreign invest- tal with its KwaZulu homeland in- taut issues in a large part do take place should be conducted pry tenuous to build institutions ments overseas ; and violence has the tact or KwaZulu would be progres- of South Africa . ound a limited power base. dubious distinction of an added dimen- sively integrated into Natal . only after a clear commitment has These are only some thoughts on sion in Natal where a peaceful future Elections under this latter prospect been made to subject the work of the In conclusion, however, is very important matter which re- is promised for Natal as a whole but would be along the lines of one-man, Indaba to a popular referendum. I believe the Indaba will ire attention, not only by the partic- where the KwaZulu administration one-vote. And a further commitment should produce no concrete, snts at the talks but also by the gen- has shown no aptitude to even under- Alternatively, should a joint KwaN- be extracted that no threats of vio- short-term, results . al public. take the initiative to control faction atal administration demonstrate its lence and imminent catastrophe be Whether it is a waste of Impatience with the slow progress fighting among the, black population inherent limitations deriving from the made should the public reject the pro- time is a matter of per- the national ref arm process is un- itself. predictable difficulties ~f compromis- posals emanating from the indaba. sonal judgment

like one long, bad dream lCOfilrili 5 lltl - v ~y~ University of Durban-Westville South Africa is the only leagues, d that just won't go away. The role of the moder- ning orders on black East- country in the whole wide retarv of ALKS between the Natal Provincial Adminis- Indeed, one may imag- ates, for instance, is stud- ern Cape leaders Mkhusell ied closely Jack and Henry Fazzie . world that actually legis- gan Aden tration and the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly ine that Mr Botha at this . Chief Mangos- lates in Parliament on the heard to are progressing to a new stage . time probably wishes it uthu Buthelezi, president "Here we go again," I of Inkatha and Chief Min- heard one of my white basis of race and colour . "generic The first Indaba is to be held in Durban was nothing but a dream. ister of KwaZulu, is seen They used to describe were "fret shortly. Representatives of all major political groups Unfortunately for him - South African colleagues as among the few remain- South Africa as the pole- Did thi in Natal have been invited to take part in the discus- and all who think like him cry . "Our Government has ing of his breed with whom cat of the world. Then they possible s sion concerning the establishment of j oint administra- - it is not . It is sim- just gone and done what it were content merely to can Govv tt' estructures for Natal and KwaZulu. ply one of the many harsh white South Africa may loves doing and doing best give the smelly animal a towards S While there appears to be much public support for realities they must face up negotiate. - shooting itself in the quiet brush-off and leave it Or wa these developments from a wide assortment of re- to as the chickens come The much-vaunted foot." Natal option, commonly alone. Not so any more . sending c spected organisations, there are emerging a lot of home to roost. Of course, Mkhusell The death sentence has nal for tt questions about these talks which need to be debat- After 38 years of harsh- referred to as the Natal Jack has since had his ban been passed on Dr Ver- servative ed . ly-enforced apartheid rule, Indaba, is of more than lifted. No thanks to Mr le passing interest to those woerd's quaint invention . Typica Interest groups on the Left, such as the ANC and the the Government can now Grange but lots of thanks . They What's more, overseas ob- must be UDF, and those on the Right, such as the HNP and the be said to be reaping the I met during my trip to the Supreme Court servers will not accept the sticks aa Conservative Party, have already declined to support, bitter fruits of what they seem to think it may be which overruled the Minis- the one option that may hollow declarations by which to or have already indicated their unwillingness to par- have been sowing all these ter's decision. yet save South Africa from Government spokesmen to toria reg ticipate in, these discussions. years. And, with an unbelieve- the effect that the monster ways rem The KwaNatal talks, as they are referred to, have They know it. The rest the Armageddon that lies able naivete, they still ac- ahead . cuse Western newspapers is dead. `ever . Net' their origins in the well established observation that of the watching world I told a US audience have left the ttc and^egnomic - conditions of Natal and knows it. Those who have But they are not over- and TV stations of unfair- that, in my view, no ing their K*aZulu are so intertwined that it will be increasing- always opposed this ly optimistic. ly picking on South Afri- They cite the Govern- ca. amount of costly Govern- wildermei lymore difficult to develop their economies separate- thoroughly repugnant and . l ment advertising and prop- If outs quite unacceptable system ment's intransigence and With such Government aganda-peddling would lieve, as he logical response is to explore the formation of sense victory . It is defini- reluctance to break com- bungling and ineptitude, pletely from the hardened need they really wonder convince us, the victims of that So join t-administrative structures to avoid expensive du- tely in the air . And so apartheid mould. Some apartheid, that it is dead . I aflame, t plicationandveal Tcoinpetition -tn the provision of world pressure mounts and why this country is receiv- said that the death of believe th admin' five services. the anti-apartheid brigade give it the thumbs down on ing such a merciless drub- apartheid and its final bur- his Cabin Insofar as the solution purposes more adminis- is going for the jugular. the basis that Mr Botha is bing? not, according to his track ial rites must be an- fiddling trative efficiency and cost-saving measures, these ne- I have just returned Most whites find it easy nounced and performed by believe t gotiations will hardly encounter resistance . But there from a brief visit to the record, prepared for whites to accuse Western nations, us blacks, and not by any- measure are problems which have yet to be publicly debat- US and the United King- generally to share power especially America, of meaningfully with the body else. much is ed which impinge on some very delicate political dom. I was part of a group double standards and hy- The onslaught against days will questions . of senior black and white blacks. pocrisy when they fire South Africa's iniquitous ing as lc The extensive preliminary planning and constant South African journalists So we alll wait and see away at the South African apartheii stream of public relations indicate that the Indaba who met and conferred what will become eventual- regime. They readily point system is intensifying, not decreasing. The demon- main in p will be a very ti htly controlled affair at, which-4ebat with high-ranking Ameri- ly of "KwaNatal". to America's own recent strations outside South An so, ing is..tQ r in the urst t of consensus among the can journalists from the Is the' US media out to history - not a very all of us. active _parct sand it is exec a that a pop- print and electronic media. get South Africa? was the happy one, it must be ac- African embassies no ular referendum aIn&1 " Wh1t ;7ndlan and- black topic of one of the nuiner- cepted - of troubled race longer make the big head- tie _ We met at Harvard . lines of a few months ago. populationsi of Natal-will be dtsc urg d;- University in Cambridge, ous panel discussions dur- relations . The public at large needs to take a greater interest Massachusetts, and the ing our US visit. To which Government apologists Nevertheless, one gets we, the visitors, responded the feeling that things are in these developments as the participating organisa- subject was - you here and abroad refer ad moving, that the people out tions may not necessarily reflect grassroots attitudes . guessed it - South Afri- almost unanimously thus : nauseam to the racial riots if that was the general per- in England there won't rest until jus- The tri-chamber parliament has been severely criti- ca . . ception, here or abroad, tice and fairness prevail in cised for excluding the majority black population yet It was not all gloom and What they all fail to un- our land . the KwaNatal talks have been progressing without the doom from those who fol- then we could only suggest derstand or deliberately that the Western media refuse to accept, is that, The ANC is now unde- pa_r1p~ton. Indians; blacks who do not .necessarily low the developments here feel that their-interests ft epresenied byte I wa- and take a keen interest in was out, not to get South however misguided outside niably recognised interna- Zulu administration ; and it is,tn~ioae's_'guess .as to the future of the country . Africa as such, but rather critics may be, on one tionally . It is accepted and what portion of whites~ -with-the effort. To be sure there are to knock the very stuffing thing they remain in abso- its representatives are lis- out of apartheid. lute agreement . And that is tened to in many influen- A critical examination of the talks will require ex- many that one meets in 0 CH planation of the following matters : the US and the UK who The meeting was hard- that the racism inherent in tial circles and forums . ly into its stride when news South Africa's apartheid It is worth noting that CROCP • To what extent is the Natal Executive Committee's constantly search for mi- came through of the Gov even Dr Chester Crocker enthusiastic participation in these negotiations the tigating factors to plead policies is not only an im- 0 consequence of its scheduled elimination from admi nistrative authority in mid-1986? Does the NRP-dominated Executive Committee reflect lie precisely in the areas of legislat- derstandable as is the attraction for Is this a standard conservative ex- ing traditional and the sentiments of the white sector ed -e*elusiorts iaj,~r~oup~ s om regional solutions. This attraction is pression of the fear of being swamped systems which haven which is represented decisively by the - political participation at the ti .t nal enhanced especially in Natal where by black majority rule? where else in Africa National Party in the national House le T; can so u tons be expected by the the Zulu population has been com- Not at all . integrated administt of Assembly? exclusion ofin'dtAi5 at the provincial paratively conservative when judged This is merely a caution that action and vested interest; • Does the Natal option imply a de- feasible . level ,,-es,peoially. . u a province by the national norm . And Chief Bu- born out of impatience could well lead gree of secession from the Republic in where Indians substantially outnum- thelezi's assiduous self-projection of to greater problems than those which Once this process that exemption from national legisla- ber whites? Should a national federal pacifist inclinations fuels this regional gave rise to demands for reform in hardly be capable of tion which would conflict with pro- pl tl offer'lndians the opportunity to utopian aspiration. the first place. Greater administ , vincial measures will have to be pur- dominate one "state" in the federation Yet on closer examination Natal is A Natal solution may have inherent lion between Natal a sued? Will this not isolate Natal's would they not lose this opportunity in not much different from the rest of temporal limitations in the sense that be commended - bu whites from whites in the rest of the a Natal dominated by KwaZulu's ex- the country. a national solution just could offer statutory authorisath country and what does this portend in panded authority? The whites are actually a bit more more attractive terms which is entire- Unless Natal is be any future conflicts in Natal where 0 In the end, are the KwaNatal talks conservative as judged by the Ref- ly possible if radical federation is cession from the Rer whites are out-numbered by blacks not between the representatives of the erendum on the tri-chamber parlia- proffered . Most governments of the formist forces woulc 11 to 1 while in South Africa the ratio waning NRP and Natal's MEC and the ment and by recent elections; racial Left would quickly dismantle home- nelled towards the c is 5 to 1? single personality of Chief Buthelezi, conflict is certainly in evidence as lands while a federal form would ex- national solution lest 0 What will be the National Govern- who represents KwaZulu's blacks and was demonstrated at Inanda in 1985 ; pand and consolidate such homelands with a structure wh : ment's reaction to local reform which is ttiis a sufficiently large base on severe economic problems in Kwa- into federal states. lodge should a nati would put great pressure on the Gov- ch to advance nal solut n? Zulu have hardly been alleviated by Either option would leave KwaNa- quire it. ernment to expedite a national solu- olitica istory s aug ` hat it is frequent searches for foreign invest- tal with its KwaZulu homeland in- And above all, sac tion along the same lines? Should the very tenuous to build institutions ments overseas; and violence has the tact or KwaZulu would be progres- do take place show national plan call for a new constitu- around a limited power base. dubious distinction of an added dimen- sively integrated into Natal . only after a clear tional design such as federalism, 'These are only some thoughts on sion in Natal where a peaceful future Elections under this latter prospect been made to subjec would not the Natal option present a this very important matter which re- is promised for Natal as a whole but would be along the lines of one-man, Indaba to a popular t fait accompli to the Government's quire attention, not only by the partic- where the KwaZultr administration one-vote . And a further cot plans for at least this province? ipants at the talks but also by the gen- has shown no aptitude to even under- Alternatively, should a joint KwaN- be extracted that n • Why have Indians been so obvious- eral public . take the initiative to control faction atal administration demonstrate its lence and imminen ly excluded from these discussions to Impatience with the slow progress fighting among the black population inherent limitations deriving from the made should the pub date? Where South Africa's problems J of the national reform process is un- itself. predictable difficulties of compromis- posals emanating frc -. f,VO` f 1rflfrt,fw 10 CI 4NGE TNEIR IaO JEVER LIMITER TELL WITNALL THIS MIND AND TON THEM IT'S ALSO O~STRUCTNENES IN THE INpABA .. . i INAABA. Affairs V T i

0 Reni by man, on rodney obser~ prynne Ir

.Reform moves theire better TheIndaba world watches as mode channelled to Buthelezi tries for negotia moral abomination, but of "const OR State President also a crime against hu- ment" fan PW Botha and his . manity. had a sli national solution beleagured Govern- By It is made all the more mind abo ment, the hostile so - and therefore unique the ANC, activities of anti-apartheid OBED KUNENE - by the fact that it is At ab BY forces in the West, notably actually written into the among of those in America, must be my Sout Prof KP MAGYAR, South Africa's case. ernment's five-year ban- country's Statute Book . like one long, bad dream leagues, ti University of Durban-Westville The role of the moder- ning orders on black East- South Africa is the only that just won't go away . retary of ates, for instance, is stud- ern Cape leaders Mkhuseli country in the whole wide ALKS between the Natal Provincial Adminis- Indeed, one may imag- gan Adrr ied closely. Chief Mangos- Jack and Henry Fazzie. world that actually legis- tration and the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly ine that Mr Botha at this heard to uthu Buthelezi, president "Here we go again," I lates in Parliament on the are progressing to a new stage . time probably wishes it "generic of Inkatha and Chief Min- heard one of my white basis of race and colour . The first Indaba is to be held in Durban was nothing but a dream. were "free ister of KwaZulu, is seen South African colleagues They used to describe shortly. Representatives of all major political groups Unfortunately for him - Did thi as among the few remain- cry . "Our Government has South Africa as the pole- in Natal have been invited to take part in the discus- and all who think like him possible s ing of his breed with whom just gone and done what it cat of the world . Then they sion concerning the establishment of joint administra- - it is not . It is sim- can Govi white South Africa may loves doing and doing best were content merely to tive structures for Natal and KwaZulu . ply one of the many harsh towards t negotiate. - shooting itself in the give the smelly animal a While there appears to be much public support for realities they must face up Or we The much-vaunted foot." quiet brush-off and leave it these developments from a wide assortment of re- to as the chickens come sending Natal option, commonly Of course, Mkhuseli alone . Not so any more. spected organisations, there are emerging a lot of home to roost . nal for ti referred to as the Natal Jack has since had his ban The death sentence has questions about these talks which need to be debat- After 38 years of harsh- servative Indaba, is of more than lifted . No thanks to Mr le been passed on Dr Ver- ed . ly-enforced apartheid rule, Typica passing interest to those Grange but lots of thanks woerd's quaint invention . Interest groups on the Left, such as the ANC and the the Government can now must be I met during my trip. They to the Supreme Court What's more, overseas ob- UDF, and those on the Right, such as the HNP and the be said to be reaping the sticks a seem to think it may be which overruled the Minis- servers will not accept the Conservative Party, have already declined to support, bitter fruits of what they which to the one option that may ter's decision. hollow declarations by or have already indicated their unwillingness to par- have been sowing all these Government spokesmen to toria reg yet save South Africa from And, with an unbelieve- ticipate in, these discussions . years. ways rem the Armageddon that lies able naivete, they still ac- the effect that the monster The KwaNatal talks, as they are referred to, have They know it. The rest is dead . `ever . Nev ahead . cuse Western newspapers their origins in the well established observation that of the watching world have left But they are not over- and TV stations of unfair- I told a US audience the geographic and economic conditions of Natal and knows it. Those who have ing their ly optimistic. ly picking on South Afri- that, in my view, no KwaZulu are so intertwined that it will be increasing- always opposed this wildermei They cite the Govern- ca . amount of costly Govern- ly more difficult to develop their economies separate- thoroughly repugnant and If outs ment's intransigence and With such Government ment advertising and prop- ly . quite unacceptable system leeve, as reluctance to break com- bungling and ineptitude, aganda-peddling would The logical response is to explore the formation of sense victory. It is defini- that Sa pletely from the hardened need they really wonder convince us, the victims of joint-administrative structures to avoid expensive du- tely in the air . And so . I aflame, t apartheid mould. Some why this country is receiv- apartheid, that it is dead plication and wasteful competition in the provision of world pressure mounts and believe th give it the thumbs down on ing such a merciless drub- said that the death of administrative services. the anti-apartheid brigade his Cabir the basis that Mr Botha is bing apartheid and its final bur- '' Insofar as the solution purposes more adminis- is going for the jugular . fiddling not, according to his track Most whites find it easy ial rites must be an- trative efficiency and cost-saving measures, these ne- I have just returned believe I record, prepared for whites to accuse Western nations, nounced and performed by gotiations will hardly encounter resistance . But there from a brief visit to the measuu generally to share power especially America, of us blacks, and not by any- are problems which have yet to be publicly debat- US and the United King- much is meaningfully with the double standards and hy- body else. ed which impinge on some very delicate political dom. I was part of a group days will blacks . pocrisy when they fire The onslaught against questions. of senior black and white ing as lc So we all wait and see away at the South African South Africa's iniquitous The extensive preliminary planning and constant South African journalists aparthei what will become eventual- regime. They readily point system is intensifying, not stream of public relations indicate that the Indaba who met and conferred main in p ly of "KwaNatal" . to America's own recent decreasing . The demon- will be a very tightly controlled affair at which debat- with high-ranking Ameri- An so . Is the US media out to history - not a very strations outside South ing is to result in the pursuit of consensus among the can journalists from the all of us. was the happy one, it must be ac- African embassies no active participants and it is expected that a pop- print and electronic media. get South Africa? topic of one of the numer- cepted - of troubled race longer make the big head- ular referendum among the white, Indian and black We met at Harvard ous panel discussions dur- relations . lines of a few months ago. populations of Natal will be discouraged. University in Cambridge, . To which Government apologists Nevertheless, one gets The public at large needs to take a greater interest Massachusetts, and the ing our US visit we, the visitors, responded here and abroad refer ad the feeling that things are in these developments as the participating organisa- subject was - you almost unanimously thus : to the racial riots moving, that the people out tions may not necessarily reflect grassroots attitudes . guessed it - South Afri- nauseam if that was the general per- in England. there won't rest until jus- The tri-chamber parliament has been severely criti- ca . ception, here or abroad, What they all fail to un- tice and fairness prevail in cised for excluding the majority black population yet It was not all gloom and then we could only suggest derstand or deliberately our land . the KwaNatal talks have been progressing without the doom from those who fol- refuse to accept, is that, The ANC is now unde- narticination of Indians : blacks who do not necessarily lov the developments here that the Western media

4ND ANOTWEI2 - THANK TIDE GCJEQNMENT~ I/ow THE JIEjL P0 fl4E.N I C SAYING IEOR T IR COOPERATION WE MOVE FORWARD The talks will IN3A8A IS VITAL IDUEVER LIMITED TELL WITIJAu T1115 THEIR INTERS . TuEM ITS AL50 CBSTRUCTNE IES ! ~ ; TI4EIR INDABA, -~_ produce no concrete short I COESS R 0 Renier Schoe- TNAT`~Yt')ll! 41 man, one of the Nat term results . . . observers at the Indaba By PETER CORBETT, Dept of Economics, Univ of Natal

ESPITE the cautious and qualified optimism of the major political proponents of the KwaNatal Indaba, comments published in the Press recently apparently see the "Natal option"D as a panacea for the political ills it shares with the rest of S~4tfi ica . To counter balance this almost euphoric treat- ment of the prospects let us examine some important questions about the Natal option and about the likelihood of a negotiated consensus on the formation of a "joint" legislature for Natal. A: A legislature is (usually) an elected body which makes, implements, and enforces laws . To be rele- vant in the context of reform in Natal a regional legislature must; world watches as moderate (i) control politically important functions such Inda as education, hospitals, police etc .; (ii) be given complete independence to determine policies which may differ substantially from thelezi tries for negotiation those set for the rest of South Africa . moral abomination, but of "constructive engage- tee President I would predict that KwaZulu members of such a also a crime against hu- ment" fame seems to have legislature would wish to make legislative and pol- tha and his manity. had a slight change of icy changes contrary to National Party ideology. red Govern- By It is made all the more mind about the status of the hostile Anticipating this I predict the National Party will OBED KUNENE so - and therefore unique the ANC, an exiled body . oppose such independence. ti-apartheid - by the fact that it is At a briefing attended, lest, notably actually written into the among others, by some of B : The voting system to elect members of a KwaN- ica, must be my South African col- South Africa's case . ernment's five-year ban- country's Statute Book . atal legislature would need, broadly speaking, to be bad dream South Africa is the only leagues, the Assistant Sec- go away . The role of the moder- ning orders on black East- based on numbers in order to be acceptable to ates, for instance, is stud- ern Cape leaders Mkhuseli country in the whole wide retary of State in the Rea- may imag- gan Administration was black participants. Only the PFP among (mainly) ied closely . Chief Mangos- Jack and Henry Fazzie. world that actually legis- white political parties is likely to support this. The otha at this lates in Parliament on the heard to admit that, in a y wishes it uthu Buthelezi, president "Here we go again," I NP, HNP and CP all are opposed and the NRP of Inkatha and Chief Min- heard one of my white basis of race and colour . "generic sense," the ANC ut a dream . were "freedom fighters". refused to sign the Buthelezi Commission Report for him - ister of KwaZulu, is seen South African colleagues They used to describe South Africa as the pole- Did this remark herald a on those grounds. (The NRP may be snore flexible ink like him as among the few remain- cry. "Our Government has ing of his breed with whom cat of the world. Then they possible shift in the Ameri- today for reasons discussed below) . It is sim- just gone and done what it It is easily predictable that the Indaba will not white South Africa may loves doing and doing best were content merely to can Government's policy many harsh towards South Africa? produce agreement on a system of representation . nust face up negotiate . - shooting itself in the give the smelly animal a quiet brush-off and leave it Or was Dr Crocker C : Natal, as a semi-independent part of South Afri- :kens come The much-vaunted foot." Natal option, commonly Of course, Mkhuseli alone. Not so any more . sending out an early sig- ca, would need substantial financial support from nal for the death of "con- the central Government if it wished to pursue more rs of harsh- referred to as the Natal Jack has since had his ban The death sentence has been passed on Dr Ver- servative engagement .?" egalitarian policies (such as in education). srtheid rule, Indaba, is of more than lifted . No thanks to Mr le passing interest to those Grange but lots of thanks woerd's quaint invention. Typically, the man who The alternatives of much higher regional taxes nt can now or reduced standards for currently privileged groups reaping the I met during my trip. They to the Supreme Court What's more, overseas ob- must be running out of seem to think it may be which overruled the Minis- servers will not accept the sticks and carrots with would simply reduce substantially regional invest- what they which to persuade the Pre- ment and create economic stagnation in Natal . ng all these the one option that may ter's decision. hollow declarations by yet save South Africa from And, with an unbelieve- Government spokesmen to toria regime to mend its It is, in reality, virtually impossible to follow the Armageddon that lies able naivete, they still ac- the effect that the monster ways remained as vague as radically different social policies in different re- it. The rest . `ever. Newsmen are said to sing world ahead . cuse Western newspapers is dead gions of one country without radical controls on the e who have But they are not over- and TV stations of unfair- I told a US audience have left the briefing shak- movement of people and resources between regions . ly optimistic . ly picking on South Afri- that, in my view, no ing their heads in utter be- It is unlikely that a National Party central Gov- osed this wilderment . ugnant and They cite the Govern- ca. amount of costly Govern- ernment would collect taxes from all parts of South able system ment's intransigence and With such Government ment advertising and prop- If outside observers be- Africa to pay for a Natal option which, in any case, It is defini- reluctance to break com- bungling and ineptitude, aganda-peddling would lieve, as they no doubt do, they cannot accept ideologically. pletely from the hardened need they really wonder convince us, the victims of that South Africa is Thus even if the other problems were overcome ir . And so aflame, then equally they mounts and apartheid mould . Some why this country is receiv- apartheid, that it is dead . I the Natal option is economically a non-starter . ~eid brigade give it the thumbs down on ing such a merciless drub- said that the death of believe that Mr Botha and The above arguments suggest strongly that a the basis that Mr Botha is bing? apartheid and its final bur- his Cabinet colleagues are Natal option or a joint legislature will not arise jugular. fiddling like Nero returned not, according to his track Most whites find it easy ial rites must be an- . They from the forthcoming Indaba. Why then are so many +isit to the record, prepared for whites to accuse Western nations, nounced and performed by believe that the reform people and organisations generally to share power especially America, of us blacks, and not by any- measures of which so nited King- much is being said nowa- jumping on the bandwag- of a group meaningfully with the double standards and hy- body else. on? and white blacks . pocrisy when they fire The onslaught against days will amount to nothing as long as the basic Many, certainly, have journalists So we all wait and see away at the South African South Africa's iniquitous what will become eventual- regime . They readily point system is intensifying, not apartheid structures re- not thought through the conferred main in place ing Ameri- ly of "KwaNatal". to America's own recent decreasing . The demon- . issues in depth . s from the Is the US media out to history - not a very strations outside South An so, of course, say all of us. Below I have listed onic media. get South Africa? was the happy one, it must be ac- African embassies no three other hidden agen- Harvard topic of one of the numer- cepted - of troubled race longer make the big head- das which could explain Cambridge, ous panel discussions dur- relations. lines of a few months ago. otherwise inexplicable s, and the ing our US visit. To which Government apologists Nevertheless, one gets support . s - you we, the visitors, responded here and abroad refer ad the feeling that things are South Afri- almost unanimously thus : nauseum to the racial riots moving, that the people out

vuun~u ui nn wan vrvn~au. .e P4 L1 rrovinciai The Indaba will seek consen- lministration and all The public has been invited tc~ e other participants in sus on proposals to be put to the Government on creating a attend the first open session or e Indaba . the Indaba at the Durban City From the late single legislative body to govern venues onward there a combined area of Natal and Hall on Thursday. is been a series of KwaZulu at second-tier level . This lasts one hour, from loam, oves to restructure Among the list of acceptances and there is room for 120 specte ata an wa u u tore . ~litically, socially and are; onomically in a way The Afrikaanse Sakekamer Tickets will be available in tht at might set a pace i n (Natal region), the Afrikaanse foyer at the Church Street en e process of national Handelsmstituut, the Black Allied trance to the City Hall from h an . form . The Lombard Workers' Union, Coloured Ad Hoc to 2 .15pm on Tuesday ant id Buthelezi Committee, Durban City Council, Wednesday . )mmissions are the Durban Metropolitan Chamber of The rest of the talks will tic ost publicised rtiatives of this kind . Commerce, Inkatha, Inyanda held in secret . To date, the co-hosts of Indaba, the KwaZulu formal links between the Democratic Front is, confidence in thei overnment and the Key man at this KLA and a and just as time will constituencies; the lac atal Provincial Council, newly-appointed Sweek's KwaNatal show how important of a power base. eve achieved at least Indaba is Chief the ANC Over decades th if of their three phase Provincial Executive will be . Man9osuthu Mission-in-exile is . Government in practit an for restructuring the What is clear is that IL'laelher the trite left and ideology hey ovince . A Strategic Buthelezi, Chief the powers of a Regional to them is little or engendered suspicion olicy Group (SPG) Services, Council in Natal Minister of KwaZulu great, in combination its divisive policies . If th insisting of Natal MECs will be considerably less they are now a siege Indaba is a prototype f~ ud KwaZulu Cabinet and President of that those of the fated factor and you must conciliation - a sort Ministers has already NPC and in no way Inkatha . It was the recognise this fact ." mini national conventio : en set up . equivalent to those of the Buthelezi This kind of statement, - there are terms to h The formalising of KLA . Commission which made within weeks of an met, such as th ~ese links through a Thus progressive invitation to Cosatu to complete dismantling int administration laid the foundation attend an Indaba, is apartheid, the release quires the passing of an organisations are being invited to participate in for the talks hardly conciliatory or political prisoners an t of Parliament . Thus what they see as a suggestive of an open detainees, and th delegation of the SPG Government ploy to settlement patterns, agenda. unhampered return o kited Minister of urbanisation, and the introduce a structure Inkatha's call for exiles . onstitutional development of a Inkatha it is worth remembering Cosatu . It is not which would give form workers to rally on May Chief Buthelezi ha evelopment and substance particular political Secretary-General Dr that the constitutional surprising that when such but no to black 1, to launch the new said that if the ANC fanning, Chris Heunis culture . Furthermore, the Oscar Dhlomo has said thrust of the Commission organisations are Inkatha-inspired trade olitTCaTas ' IUons. legalised, it would lt (1 March 11 . His sheer complexity of land the Buthelezi is towards something presented with an union Uwusa - a union -It is ironic that the fragmentation between necessary for them t ssponse was not NRP, already moribund Commission is not called "consociational invitation from the designed to oppose and ismissive or Natal and KwaZulu necessarily a part of the democracy" which finds KwaZulu Government, prove their nation, in national politics, voted draw support from constituency throng favourable. makes the territorial and agenda for the Indaba, it most workable they hesitate to accept . Cosatu - is likewise Such joint itself out of provincial racial administration of democratic process . P a power by supporting the and that, in any case, it example in Switzerland The KLA and Inkatha's confrontationary in the (ministration, however, apartheid more obviously would need considerable where the disparities dual role as bantustan the same argumen new constitution during face of a Chief Buthelezi wool about things like roads, absurd in Natal than in updating to be of between interest groups government and consensus-seeking :alth and the Parks the 1983 referendum - a other parts of the have to prove hi constitution that immediate relevance . are minimal -- unlike bantustan initiated Indaba . oard and is not country . In view of the number Natal. popular movement may constituency outside centralises power away One senses Cosatu the bantustan structur . ~ncerned with any Most important, the of particpants who have When the Indaba have been ameliorated in being ensnared in a :tension of democratic from the administration province is popularly on which his claim to at any level that is accepted the Buthelezi begins those the past by their postures similar trap as that legislative powers that deemed to have avoided Commission in principle, organisations which are as "liberators of the democratically responsible to an which befell the Progs determined constituen( fight erode apartheid the national patterns of however, it seems likely least beguiled by the people" and as a bulwark during the referendum : electorate . conflict that plague the currently rests . here it is most Without a sense of it will be the central Buthelezi Commission, of opposition to to be politely offered itrenched, like the rest of South Africa . document around which bantustans or white independence from South participation in an The Indaba, like ti coup Areas Act, the clear, long-term alternatives for solving the But groupings on the consensus over the provincial politics will Africa . unacceptable structure Convention Allianc . opulation Registration crisis the Government Left generally reject a legislative future of not be there . Apart from Events in the past few and then castigated for contains the seeds of i ,a. seems now to be more pieceme al federalis type Natal and KwaZulu will conservative opposition, years, the past one in declining. own demise, if it does The main aim of the interested in considering soluti€On in favour of be thrashed out . these are such particular, have For the UDF, it seems recognise tip ndaba is to reach a regional initiative that dealing with the It looks as though the organisations as Cosatu, increased antagonism that constant villification historically-determine insensus on the creation might bring federalism dismantling of apartheid Indaba will be a meeting Cusa, the UDF, Azapo, between Inkatha and by Chief Buthelezi over opposition of progressi Singla lagi t . zhit,ive to the forefront as an op- and the restructuring of about updating the the NIC, the PAC and the most other populist the past year and the groupings . od y South Africa in a unitary Buthelezi Commission in ANC. . &t ., i e morn n.t tion for South Africa's organisations . More victimisation of It seems to be seekii, atal and KwaZulu have state . an obviously political recently antagonism has future . Who will be left at the members of the UDF by a rationalised efficie . dither the constitutional In this sense the An examination of the context . Indaba with a claim to centred on Inkatha's Inkatha members in and stabilising mode )wer. create _a. • ' nt Indaba may be seen as a list of organisations There is now sufficient extensive popular or opposition to the major Durban's major regional independence . i gis five bod or . .,a .ay national experiment . The invited to participate in interest in the Buthelezi democratic support or an trade union organisation, townships have added to order to be credible ac larity about the future choice of Natal as a the Indaba shows that the Commission in both organized constituency? Cosatu . their historical democratic beyond ti f . _.p_no .v .i nc i a 1 "political laboratory" is most likely area of national and provincial Only the KLA, Inkatha In a speech to reluctance to negotiate lminist opinions of newspaper .lions. enhanced by a supposed consensus lies in the government and business and very peripherally, industrialists on March with Inkatha . popular white opini~ . . The central Natal distinctiveness . interest groups that were spheres for it to throw off the PFP 18, Chief Buthelezi said : Of course, it will be and KLA ambition, 11 . overnment has not yet Natal provincial signatories to, or its academic cloak. Bantustans are, of . ' Time u~ill show itoty suggested that the failure Indaba needs to begi idicated how the boundaries do overlap interested in, the If, as is contended, the course, inimical to the important they of progressive without the designs of egional Services with regional features Buthelezi Commission, Buthelezi Commission principles of (Cosatu) are, just as organisations to defunct Provincial Coo ouncils will come into such as population some now in different will be the central organisations like the time will show how participate in the Indaba dl or a controversit aeration or what the distribution, land guises . t document of the Indaba, UDF, ANC, Azapo or important the United betrays a lack of Inkatha-, ontrolled KL.A I nese iaKs~ ;,ontain the seeds of their own demise . . . GEORGINA STEVENS explores the reluctance of organisations on the left to participate in the KwaNatal Indaba N Indaba sounds like a goad idea . It suggests there is a traditional African way of doing things; a kind of a African communalism that can be evived through a good-natured open-ended A'hat around the fire, that will go on until the un rises and wise compromise prevails . It might then seem querulous to question, in Ldvance, the prospect of a get-together etween all sorts of isparate groupings specially if, as is stated, be agenda is open and ie vote of each invited interest group" is equal that of any other . The Indaba hosts, the fatal Provincial Council nd the KwaZulu overnment, are at pains i stress that the vote is THE organisers of the Kwa- of of primary ZululNatal Indaba said 31 of 40 nportance. The aim is organisations invited to take part reach consensus where had accepted. Dssible and only to take And the National Party and vote when necessary. Tucsa were sending observers . But given the spectre Nine organisations had said f white Natal's blind they would not attend the his- cceptance of the toric talks. ricameral Parliament, Some had told newspapers ith its legacy of they would not attend. piralling black pposition, State Among the organisations )pression, and violence, which have declined to attend are the African National Con- ne should think irefully about what lies gress, the Azanian Peoples' Or- ehind the public ganisation, the Conservative ~stures of the KwaZulu Party, Cusa, Cosatu, the PAC and egislative Assembly, the United Democratic Front. to Natal Provincial dministration and all The Indaba will seek consen- Le other participants in sus on proposals to be put to e Indaba . the Government on creating a From the late single legislative body to govern wenties onward there a combined area of Natal and Is been a series of KwaZulu at second-tier level . oves to restructure Among the list of acceptances atal and KwaZulu are: ilitically, socially and ~onomically in a way The Afrikaanse Sakekamer at might set a pace in (Natal region), the Afrikaanse e process of national Handelsinstituut, the Black Allied form . The Lombard Workers' Union, Coloured Ad Hoc Qd Buthelezi Committee, Durban City Council, Dmmissions are the Durban Metropolitan Chamber of ost publicised itiatives of this kind . Commerce, Inkatha, Inyanda To date, the co-hosts of e Indaba, the KwaZulu formal links between the . Key man at this Democratic overnment and the and just as KLA and a week's KwaNatal stal Provincial Council, newly-appointed show hour i~ we achieved at least Indaba is Chief the elf of their three phase Provincial Executive will be . Mangosuthu Mission-in- an for restructuring the Whether the What is clear is that Buthelezi, Chief ovince . A Strategic to them is Dlicy the powers of a Regional Group (SPG) Services, Council in Natal Minister of KwaZulu great, in coy insisting of Natal MECs they are not id KwaZulu Cabinet will be considerably less and president of that those of the fated Inkatha . It was the factor and misters has already NPC and in no way recognise this en set up . equivalent to those of the Buthelezi This kind of The formalising of made within w ese links through a KLA. Commission which Thus progressive laid the foundation invitation to int administration organisations are being attend an Ii quires the passing of an for the talks hardly concil o Parliament . Thus invited to participate in delegation o the SPG what they see as a settiemen` matte*ns suggestive of

eir e . . . LENS ance of or- left to par- latal Indaba

good idea. It traditional igs ; a kind of that can be open-ended on until the evails . question, in et-together p Thirty-one organisationsor. accept

the invitation to discussTHE organisers of the a Kwa- nChamberw of dealCommerce . Zulu/Natal Indaba said 31 of 40 The Islamic Council, Kwa-Loge, organisations invited to take part KwaZulu Canegrowers' Associa- had accepted. tion, KwaZulu Government, La- And the National Party and bour Party, Natal Agricultural Tucsa were sending observers . Union, Natal Association of LACs . Nine organisations had said they would not attend the his- Natal Chamber of Industries, toric talks . Natal Municipal Association, Some had told newspapers Natal Provincial Council, Nation- they would not attend . al Peoples' Party, New Republic Among the organisations Party, Peoples' Congress Party, which have declined to attend Progressive Federal Party, Pieter- are the African National Con- maritzburg City Council, Reform gress, the Azanian Peoples' Or- Party, Regional Advisory Com- ganisation, the Conservative mittee, SA Hindu Maha Sabha, Party, Cusa, Cosatu, the PAC and SA Sugar Association/SA Cane- the United Democratic Front . growers, Solidarity, the National Council of African Women . The Indaba will seek consensus on proposals to be put to The public has been invited to the Government on creating a attend the first open session of single legislative body to govern the Indaba at the Durban City a combined area of Natal and Hall on Thursday. KwaZulu at second-tier level . This lasts one hour, from 10am, Among the list of acceptances and there is room for 720 specta- are: tors . The Afrikaanse Sakekamer Tickets will be available in the (Natal region), the Afrikaanse foyer at the Church Street en- Handelsinstituut, the Black Allied trance to the City Hall from 11am Workers' Union, Coloured Ad Hoc to 2 .15pm on Tuesday and Committee, Durban City Council, Wednesday. Durban Metropolitan Chamber of The rest of the talks will be Commerce, Inkatha, Inyanda held in secret .

between the Key man at this Democratic Front is, confidence in their • constituencies; the lack and a week's KwaNatal and just as time will pointed show how important of a power base. Executive Indaba is Chief tile AVC Over decades the Mangosuthu Jfission-in-exile is . Government in practice Whether the time left dear is that Buthelezi, Chief and ideology has ~f a Regional to them is little or engendered suspicion of ncil in Natal Minister of KwaZulu great, in combination its divisive policies . If the iderably less and president of they are now a siege Indaba is a prototype for factor and you must )f the fated Inkatha . It was the conciliation - a sort of in no way recognise this fact." mini national convention those of the Buthelezi This kind of statement, - there are terms to be Commission which made within weeks of an met, such as the invitation to Cosatu to ogressive laid the foundation complete dismantling of s are being attend an Indaba, is apartheid, the release of _r:ic :rate in for the talks