March/April 1987 Number Five

The Newsletter of the STATEWIDE ANTI- NETWORKS of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado

TO BE HEARD IN SEATTLE MARCH 6-8 See Article Page Two VOICES FROM

Reverend Zachariah Hokgoebo and Rabbi Ben The "Voices from South Africa" tOl'.r Isaacson, two of South Africa's most dyna­ is a project of New Jewish Agenda, a mic anti-apartheid leaders, will appear in national organization of which Seattle's Seattle at the end of a six-week tour of KADIHA is a branch. Also cooperating in Europe and the . They will planning for the tour is the Washington address audiences in , churches, (D.C.) Office on Africa, which lobbies the community centers, and colleges in twenty­ Congress on issues relating to Southern three American cities. Africa (see page 5). Reverend Hokgoebo has spent his life According to NJA Chairperson (and in Soweto, as both a witness to the cruel- Seattleite) Bria Chakofsky, "A primary ties of apartheid and a key actor in the theme of the tour will be cooperation movement to bring about its end. He is a between blacks and Jews in the anti­ member of the Soweto Civic Association, apartheid movement. The struggle against which is in continual confrontation with apartheid and against racism is one that the authorities. He is the national unites Jews and blacks both in South organizer of the "Belydende Kring," which Africa and in the United States." consists mainly of dissident non-white Although there was concern that the ministers within the Dutch Reformed Church two clergymen might be restrained from and was founded by Reverend Allan Boesak. leaVing South Africa, they arrived safely Re~erend Hokgoebo played a leading role in in Europe last month. Before leaving, the complilation of the Kairos Document, Rabbi Isaacson underscored the importance which articulates the doctrine of libera­ of strong and united action to end tion theology for Southern Africa, and is apartheid. "They are trying to separate us a co-signatory. from one another," he said. "They have Rabbi Isaacson is the founder of an even built a wall around Soweto. But it anti-apartheid group called "Jews for won't work. We will join together to end Justice," and a close associate of Arch­ apartheid. Our struggle is one." bishop Desmond Tutu. He has been a force­ ful critic of South African government policies since the 1960s, and is known as the most outspoken of South Africa's Jewish religious leaders. He is the founder of Har-El, an independent Jewish is congregation in Johannesburg. He has not "Blood heavy; only criticized government policies of a man with it on his hands apartheid, but has also spoken against the cannot run away." "deafening and shameful silence" of the orthodox rabbis of South Africa, saying Sotho proverb, '~e Jews quite rightly condemned the rest of the world for its silence during the Holocaust. By what right are we to remain silent now?"

2 Legislation: What Next?

A concerned cOllllllunity member recently asked million over five years to SADCC, to faci­ SWAAN, "Now that you've got divestment, what litate economic and social development. next?" However, Congressman Danemeyer of Of course, the work of divestment is California has taken the first step in far from over. Washington State does not reiterating the right-wing policy of support have a divestment bill--yet. And there is for the apartheid government. He has the job of following up on companies that introduced H.R. 340, to give additional promise to withdraw from South Africa, while financial aid to the UNITA bandits in in fact dawdling or making paper transfers Angola. We must act NOW to ensure the of control while business goes on as usual. security of the aid monies that have been But there are other efforts under way. requested for SADCC, and to end support for This report comes from the Washington (D.C.) South Africa's destabilization policies. Office on Africa, dated 26 January 1987: URGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE This week, Congressmen Leland, Dixon, Gray, TO VOTE "NO" ON 340 and others, will introduce legislation to give financial aid to SADCC, the Southern We are working to introduce legisla­ African Development Coordinating Conference. tion that would close the damaging loopholes SADCC is an association of nine majority­ in the present limited sanctions law, pre­ ruled states, which works to improve the vent further U.S. aid to UNITA, and pressure living conditions of the peoples of Southern the U. S. to take the lead in ending South Africa. The major aim of SADCC is to reduce Africa's illegal occupation of Namibia. the dependence of its member states on South Africa. SADCC members have been the victims WASHINGTON STATE: Legislation to divest of repeated South African economic, state assets from companies active in 'South political, and military aggression. SADCC Africa is progressing both in the House and states are: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Senate. t-B 823, sponsored by Wineberry, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Locke, Niemi, O13rien, etc., would re;strict Zambia, and Zimbabwe. state investments in S. Africa active Although these bills have not yet been companies. t-B 1028 would support the use of introduced, and their language is subject to shareholder resolutions on apartheid-related change, NOW is the time to begin alerting issues. This bill would direct a designated state your network about the importance of U. S. official to use shareholder resolutions to financial assistance in the region. encourage the management of that firm to cease operations in S. Africa and Namibia. t-B URGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE 1029 would encourage the state to purchase TO CO-SPONSOR LEGISLATION SUPPORTING S.A.D.C.C. goods and services from companies that are not active in S. Africa (known as selective Congressman Mickey Leland (D-Texas) purchasing). Senate Bill 5658, introduced by will introduce an initiate to provide a Fleming cnJ MCDermott would require state supplemental appropriation of $150 million divestment. over five years to SADCC and other areas, for health care, food production, and other MutHANA: Sen. Bill Yellowtail has introduced emergency needs. Rep. Julius Dixon of Cali­ 56 2114 in the Montana State Legislature. SB fornia will introduce legislation granting 244 wilt prohibit the investment of state fundS $100 million in supplemental funds to SADCC TriTirms doing business in S. Africa. An analysis for transport and other institutional shows the potential impact at $240 million. support. Rep. Bill Gray of Pennsylvania This bill was heard before the State will introduce legislation to give $700 Administration Committee. 3 All national groups shall be protected by The FREEDOM CHARTER was adopted at the Congress law against insults to their race and national of the People, Kliptown, South Africa, on 26 pride; June 1955, as the official program for a The preaching and practice of national, liberated South Africa. It declares: race or colour discrimination and contempt shall be a punishable crime; All apartheid laws and practices shall be That South Africa belongs to all who live in it, set aside. black and white, and that no government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the THE PEOPLE SHALL SHARE IN THE COUNTRY'S WEALTH! will of all the people; That our people have been robbed of their The national wealth of our country, the heritage birthright to land, liberty and peace by a form of all South Africans, shall be restored to the of government founded on injustice and people; inequality; The mineral wealth beneath the soil, the That our country will pever be prosperous banks and monopoly industry shall be transferred or free until all our people live in brother­ to the ownership of the people as a whole; hood, enjoying equal rights and opportunities; All other industry and trade shall be con­ That only a de~cratic state, based on the trolled to assist the well-being of the people; will of all the people, can secure to all their All people shall have equal rights to trade birthright without distinction of co1ouz·, race, where they choose, to manufacture and to enter sex or belief; all trades, crafts and professions. And therefore, we, the people of South Afri,.ca, black and white together--equa1s, THE LAND SHALL BE SHARED AMONG countrymen, and brothers--adopt this FREEDOM THOSE WHO WORK IT! CHARTER. And we pledge ourselves to strive together, sparing neither strength nor courage, Restrictions of land ownership on a racial basis untl1 the democratic changes here set out have shall be ended, and all the land redivided been won. amongst those who work it, to banish famine and land hunger; THE PEOPLE SHALL GOVERN! The state shall help the peasants with implements, seed, tractors and dams to save the Every man and woman shall have the right to vote soil and assist the tillers; for and to stand as candidate for all bodies Freedom of movement shall be guaranteed to which make laws; all who work on the land; All people shall be entitled to take part All shall have the right to occupy land in the administration of the country; wherever they choose; The rights of the people shall be the same, People shall not be robbed of their cattle, regardless of race, colour or sex; and forced labour and farm prisons shall be All bodies of minority rule, advisory abolished. boards, councils and authorities shall be re­ placed by democratic organs of self-government. ALL SHALL BE EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW!

No one shall be imprisoned, deported or ALL NATIONAL GROUPS SHALL HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS! restricted without a fair trial; No one shall be condemned by the order of There shall be equal status in the bodies of any government official; state, in the courts and in the schools for all The courts shall be representative of all national groups and races; the people; All people shall have equal right to use Imprisonment shall be only· for serious their own languages, and to develop their own crimes against the people, and shall aim at folk culture and customs; re-education, not vengeance; 4 The police force and army shall be open to Adult illiteracy shall be ended by a mass all on an equal basis and shall be the helpers state education plan; and protectors of the people; Teachers shall have all the rights of other All laws which discriminate on grounds of citizens; race, colour, or belief shall be repealed. The colour bar in cultural life, in sport and in education shall be abolished. ALL SHALL ENJOY EQUAL, HUMAN RIGHTS! THERE SHALL BE HOUSES, SECURITY AND COMFORT! The law shall guarantee to all their right to speak, to organise, to meet together, to All people shall have the right to live where publish, to preach, to worship and to educate they choose, to be decently housed, and to bring their children; up their families in comfort and security; The privacy of the house from police raids Unused housing space to be made available shall be protected by law; to the people; All shall be free to travel without res­ Rent and prices shall be lowered, food triction from countryside to town, from province plentiful and no one shall go hungry; to province, and from South Africa to abroad; A preventative health scheme shall be run Pass laws, permits and all other laws by the state; restricting these freedoms shall be abolished. Free medical care and hospitalisation shall be provided for all, with special care for THERE SHALL BE WORK AND SECURITY! mothers and young children; Slums shall be demolished, and new suburbs All who work shall be free to form trade unions, built where all have transport, roads, lighting, to elect their officers and to make wage agree­ playing fields, child care and social centres; ments with their employers; The aged, the orphans, the disabled and the The state shall recognise the right and sick shall be cared for by the state; duty of all to work, and to draw full unemploy­ Rent, leisure and recreation shall be the ment benefits; right of all; Men and women of all races shall receive Fenced locations and ghettoes shall be equal pay for equal work; abolished, and laws which break up families There shall be a forty-hour working week, a shall be repealed. national minimum wage, paid annual leave, and sick leave for all workers, and maternity leave on full pay for all working mothers; THERE SHALL BE PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP! Miners, domestic workers, farm workers and civil servants shall have the same rights as all South Africa shall be a fully independent state, others who work; which respects the rights and sovereignty of all Child labour, compound labour, the tot nations; system and contract labor shall be abolished. South Africa shall strive to maintain world peace and the settlement of all international THE DOORS OF LEARNING AND OF CULTURE disputes by negotiation--not war; SHALL BE OPENED! Peace and friendship amongst all our people shall be secured by upholding the equal rights, The government shall discover, develop and opportunities, and status of all; encourage national talent for the enhancement of The people of the protectorates-­ our cultural life; Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland--shall be All the cultural treasures of mankind shall free to decide for themselves their own future; be open to all, by free exchange of books, ideas The right of all the peoples of Africa to and contact with other lands; independence and self-government shall be The aim of education shall be to teach the recognised, and shall be the basis of close youth to love their peole and their culture, to co-operation. honour human brotherhood, liberty and peace; Education shall be free, compulsory, LET ALL WHO LOVE THEIR PEOPLE AND THEIR COUNTRY universal and equal for all children; NOW SAY, AS WE SAY HERE: Higher education and technical training shall be opened to all by means of state These freedoms we will fight for, allowances and scholarships awarded on the basis side by side, throughout our lives, of merit; until we have won our liberty. 5 ALVIN AILEY DANCE COMPANY

HONORS THE MANDELAS

"SURVIVORS" BALLET POHTRAYS (\ELSON & WINNIE MANDELA

The Alvin Ailey Dance Company, called the piece "a leading black dance troupe in the depiction of people trans.for':led by United States, will perform a piece injustice, a work communicating not based on the lives of South Africa's only a personal situation but the anti-opartheid leaders in Seattle in essence of a cause." April. The Alvin Ailey IJance Company. will "Survivors," choreographed in 1986 appear at Meany Theatre ApnI 9­ with music by Max Roach, is an 12. "Survivors" will be performed at impassioned tribute to the profound the Sunday matinee only. For ticket courage and terrible anguish of information, call 543-4880. Winnie and Nelson Maridela. The 6 22nd. ANC representatives spoke, and there were tremendous expressions of solidarity from Updates different countries and movements. In addition to cash contributions, there were pledges totaling over $3,500 for direct support to the ANC. Congratulations to the Seattle Coalition CAMPUSt£WS Against Apartheid for such an inspiring and successful event. Students Against Apartheid at the University of Washmgton meets regularly on Wednesdays at A group of supporters are collecting 5:30 p.m. in the HUB. On April 8th at 8:00 p.m. international recipes to make a book as a in the HUB, there will be a open public forum fundraiser to benefit the anti-apartheid on apartheid with Bishop Tutu via conference movement. Send your favorite recipe, with any call. This meeting is confirmed, however, last special history relating to the recipe, by March minute interference by the South African 15th to: The Recipe Lady, 3010 E. Cherry, government is always possible. Seattle, WA 98122; or call Jeff O'Neill at 723-8656. Sathasivan Cooper of the Zanian People's Organization will speak at the U.W. Mr. Cooper REGIONAL KEPORTS was the Publicity Secretary for the Black Peoples Convention in 1972 and the V.P. of the Colorado & W~ming: Voices From South Zanian Peoples Organization in 1983. Date is lffrica Tour on arch 4th & 5th. AFSC Office not confirmed. For more info., call Phil in Denver has received a Planning Grant from Goldman, U.W. Students Against Apartheid, the Colorado Endowment of Humanities to 543-1852. develop forums on South Africa. The forums will take place in other areas of state, made up U.W. Students Against Apartheid had a of academics and community activists. successful fundraiser in January. The dance ,. benefit raised a nice sum of money that will go Denver divested! December 22nd, the City toward further efforts against apartheid on Council voted 11-2 in favor of divestment. campus. Denver employees have divested funds for their retirement plan, corporately invested in South Universit of Washin ton Extension Lectures Africa and Namibia. WI present a ecture on Southern rica, Monday, March 16, 7:30-9:30 p.m., with Gerald On December 4th, !Jean Farasoni was Bender. Bender is the acting director and released. A delegation of American Friends professor of the School of International Service Committee, Colorado Coalition Against Relations at Univ. of Southern California; Apartheid, National Namibia Concerns and president, African Studies Association; author, eight other civic and religious groups went to Angola Under the Portugese; cCH!ditor, African Bill Armstrong's office to ask for help in the Crisis Areas and U.S. Foreign Policy. release of Farasoni. There is the beginnings of groups against apartheid being formed in COMMUNITY t£WS Colorado and Wyoming. Campus groups are starting to revive. AFSC is hoping to have a Seattle Coalition Against A~theid holds conference of state groups sometime in 1987. weekly demonstrations at the uth African Contact Linda Taylor for more information at Consulate in Seattle on Sundays. Vigil planned (303) 832-4508: at consulate for March 22nd, 1-2 p.m. in honor of Sharpeville Day.

The Coalition organized a Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the African National Congress at Mt. Zion Church on February 7 SWAAN Call is published by the Southern Africa Program of the American Friends Service Committee. Pacific Northwest The t{ev. Mokgoebo: "Religion is regional office. The staff is comprised in crisis. It is polarized, because of AFSC staff and volunteers. on both sides of the war situation Printing by Urban Press (Seattle) in South Africa are people of religion. Today the church, the Send all correspondence to SWAAN Call. synogogue, is called to pay American Friends Service Committee. allegiance to a system of 814 N.E. Fortieth St•• Seattle WA 98105. government which is evil, and an or call 206-632-0500. opposition which is being claimed ***** ** to be 'communistic' opposition." *** Have you joined the Call-To-Conscience network yet? If you need a pledge'card, contact AFSC.

American Friends Service Committee Non-Profit Org. 814 N.E. Fortieth Street U.S. Postage PAID Seattle WA 98105 Seattle, Wash. Permit No. 3438

Regional SWAAN (State-Wide Anti-Apartheid Networks) is comprised of organizations and individuals seeking freedom and justice in South Africa and an end to racism everywhere.