FAST FOR A JUST PEACE The doctor in the cathedral (e.-S For two weeks Christian conscientious objector Dr Ivan Toms has been living off water alone. Staff Writer SYDNEY DUVAL reports
A LONG silent walk feeling,” he says. “I see food as one of the joyous rituals of through a darkened St life, something to be appreci George’s Cathedral takes ated and shared.” you down to the crypt where a young man is fast All his time is spent in the ing for a special cause. cathedral where he fasts, sleeps and talks. Time is set You will meet a new kind aside for him to pray and of monk. The habit and san meditate alone. dals have been replaced by denims, jogging shoes and a He believes that his fast, fisherman’s jersey. and the fast of those in sym For two weeks now Chris pathy, has prompted other tian conscientious objector churchgoers to realise that Dr Ivan^pns, who runs the they must do something about the crisis South Africa is in, Sacla clTmc at Crossroads, even if to fast for a day. In his has been living off water view whites are also part of alone. the struggle for a just He has lost 6kg - 5kg in country. the first week — and though his weight has been stable the ‘Sharing’ past few days he expects it drop again in the final week “We are fasting as a way of of his three-week fast. sharing in the suffering of the From his cell-like room, townships,” he explains. “We where nearly 900 supporters hope that a little act of com have called on him since he mitment will lead people into began fasting for a just peace a deeper commitment to in South Africa and the remo changing things. The support val of troops from the town so far and the broad appeal of ships, Dr Toms talks modest our End Conscription Cam ly of his existence on water paign have been very encour alone. aging. “It’s very nice to know “The fast ends on Monday, there’s only one week to go,” October 7, the anniversary of he says in a voice hoarse troops entering townships for from taHttg to 70 visitors a the first time. We call on peo day. ple to fast in solidarity from 8pm on Sunday until Monday “The big thing is I’m now evening when they are urged weak and feeling it. It’s hard to join us in a rally for peace to get up in the morning. at the City Hall.” Where I shower is two flights up. By the tim e I get to the Dr Toms is a committed lay top of the stairs my muscles churchman of the Church of ache and I’m very tired. I the Province. He grew up in have to rest. Durban where he went to school. He became aware of ‘No stamina’ Gandhi and his Phoenix settle ment north of Durban much “This lethargy is creeping later. over me. I’ve no stamina. You could say I’m feeling like With his blue eyes, fair hair many old people feel. At and solid frame Dr Toms and night my mind does not Gandhi are worlds apart in switch off as it used to. I lie physique and colour — but in there quite a time before I spirit there are affinities. fall asleep. ” “Our fast is a creative, non He thinks about food, but violent, passive way of high with a new perspective. He lighting things for people realises how important it is here,” he says. as a part of life. Weak as he is, water alone Pictur*: PIERRE OOSTHUYSEN, Th«-Air8u “Food should not be thrown is enough to put iron in the together and eaten without soul of Dr Ivan Toms. Dr Ivan Toms . . living off water alone for a just peace. ,1 I !
I Support “A number of people have contacted me to say they are fasting for shorter Five in periods in support of our campaign,” Mr Steele; caretaker at the Gandhi settlement outside Durban ‘troops and a member of the End Conscription Campaign, said in Durban. f In 1980 he spent a year in detention barracks for re ouf fusing to do his national man Ho fight’ •• service, and was released Staff Reporter from nearly two weeks' police detention late last THE chairperson of the protest week after a Supreme End Conscription Cam Court judgment ordered paign in the Western that he, and two other peo Cape, Mr Mike Evans, is ple detained with him, be “more determined than fast released by the security ever to fight for the re police. lease of detainees” Mr Steele said his fast was following his release By SHAUN HARRIS being strictly monitored by from Pollsmoor Prison FIVE people In different doctors, and he didn't in yesterday afternooni tend to harm himself in after 15 days in solitary! parts of South Africa any way. are on a “protest fast” confinement “I choose fasting as a form of Mr Evans, who was de-: to urge the Army to protest because it is com withdraw from black tained under Section 29 pletely non-violent, and of the Internal Security! townships. doesn't affect anyone but Act earlier this month; The five men, including a myself,” he said. “And one thing that nobody; said last night he was d e ; medical doctor and the termined to continue! caretaker of a Mahatma can stop you from doing is refusing to eat. Historical fighting for an end to? Gandhi centre, have not conscription and to t£e eaten for a week and plan ly, fasting has been used to fast for at least another by people as an effective system of detention week as part of a national form of protest." without trial. “troops out the townships” Mr Steele is staging his “The worst things campaign. “troops out” protest fast about my experience in They are expecting other at St Anthony’s Catholic detention were the isola South Africans to join ' Church in Durban. tion, th e lack of access to them in a 24-hour fast at news and the constant the culmination of their threat that I could be campaign in just over a kept there indefinitely,” week's time. he said. ‘The basic reason for the fast Mr Evans said he was is simple. We know that convinced his detention, many young South African and the detention of national servicemen do other ECC members in not want to be in the town Durban, was part of a na ships helping the police, tion-wide investigation ana we are calling on the Defence Force to get out into the ECC’s activities. of the townships,” 28-year- old Richard Steele said in 1 Mr Ian Koenigsfest. Durban this week Kenilworth: “I wouldj^ Two students at the Univer like to extend my sup-»i sity of Natal in Durban — port and strength to Dr * Donn Edwards and Steve Ivan Toms and wouldJj Collins — have joined Mr like to call on thinking-v. Steele in his two-week South Africans to join inc* fast. and fast on 7 October.” £ In Cape Town Dr Ivan Toms, nicknamed the “Cross roads doctor" because of the clinic he has run in the squatter settlement for five years, has also fasted for a week, as has Wits student Harold Winkler in Johannesburg. CT Peter Krummeck to fast for peace CONSCIENTIOUS objector Dr Support for Ivan Toms has no illusions that his ON THURSDAY night Peter Krum “I hope to generate an awareness of three-week fast will change the the power of peaceful protest as peace fast meck will join Dr Ivan Toms of mind of the Defence Minister Mag well as demonstrate the need for the SACLA Clinic, Crossroads, nus Malan. When someone suggest pours in and the Rev John Freeth, rector individual involvement,” he said. Portraying Christ in The Passion has ed he fast until troops were with of St John’s Parish, Wynberg, to drawn from the townships, he said: CAPE TOWN. — With fast for a just peace. helped him to experience a kind Dr Ivan Toms halfway of discipline, he said. “I’m not Interested in committing through his three-week (Peter will remain in St George’s “I stopped smoking and prayed a suicide.” fc.O. Z M V C J fast for a just peace in Cathedral for a period of 24 lo t ” Cape Town’s St George’s hours, leaving only to perform in Although he is not a member of the Isn’t It Romantic at the Baxter Cathedral, messages of End Conscription Campaign Theatre. support for the End Cons which has organized the nation cription Campaign (ECC) J After the show on Thursday he will wide fast and prayer vigil, he sup ports the call for the removal of have been flowing in from begin his fast and will leave again on Friday night for his perform police and troops from the town-, around the world. ships. Most of the messages I ance. have been supportive of the ECC and its call for the removal of the troops from the townships as well as for Dr Toms, and Silent Tutu his co-fasters in the cathe Foyer In the foyer of Khotso dral. War Resistors Internat House, outside the chapel where Mr Winkler spends ional said in its message most of his days fasting, is that “the ECC offers one avoids Press a poster with photographs of tl^test hopes for mini- of troops in townships mis.^P the violence in with a quotation by Mr Sooth Africa.” — Sapa. Winkler saying: at start ot “Fasting for three weeks will bring home to BISHOP Desmond me that the person on top Tutu, the Anglican of the Casspir could be Bishop of Johannes my friend, and the one burg, remained silent 24hr fast being shot could be my throughout a Press Witwatersrand who is all religious communi fellow student at Wits.” conference at which he fasting for 21 days. ties,” to take note of the j situation in the town In another statement formally joined an end Rabbi Ben Isaacson of ships. on exhibit, Mr Winkler conscription campaign Johannesburg also joined the Bishop and Mr Winkl “It is also doing some said he faced military fast aimed at bringing er. thing in your body to feel “call-up” on January 13, about the removal of there is something wrong, when he would possibly troops from the town Fasting as there is wrong in socie have to enter the town ships. The Press was asked to ty.” ships. Bishop Tutu, on a 24- leave shortly after Mr He said he was weak hour fast yesterday, Winkler, who is on his but well. He had a bottle On another ECC post avoided the many cam eleventh day of fasting, of mineral water at his er with a map of South Africa dotted with red eras, foreign news tele had made short introduc side. vision teams and report tory remarks to them. images of the Castle in ers present as he sat with Bishop Tutu declined Rabbi Isaacson said Cape Town is headed by the slogan: “Where is the his head bowed and his to sit beneath an ECC that when he awoke yes border now?” hands together, at the campaign banner when terday morning he did not The Press left as friends Khotso House Chapel in asked to do so by a pho feel like eating, but joined Mr Winkler, the Johannesburg. tographer. instead read Chapter 58 Bishop and the Rabbi to He had joined Mr Ha- Mr Winkler said the of the Old Testament begin meditation. — rald Winkler, a 21-year- campaign was a “call for a Prophet Isiah, which Sapa. old social science student time to meditate . . . and teaches about “true fast at the University of the a call on the churches and ing” . “It (fasting) is (done) t a t f t U * to loosen the bonds of BISHOP Desmond Tutu, the Anglican Bishop of wickedness and to let the Johannesburg, will begin a 24-hour fast today in oppressed go free. solidarity with members of the End Conscription “As Jews, we identify Campaign who are fastinj“J as part of a call for the with this cause . . . it is a removal of the Defence F(orce from the townships. spiritual issue,” he said. □ □ □ THE Black Sash yesterday pledged its full support to the “Troops out of the Townships” campaign being conducted by the End Conscription Campaign, and at the same time rejected claims that the ECC was influehced by “external organisations”. The Sash said its support was motivated by “the concern of white women at the increasing militarisation of South African society and the involvement of their menfolk”. □ □ D THE End Conscription Cat.p*i| yesterday estab-
_lished____ an interdenomination .il “i urches Group” P to unite “the many Chr!?: aas wfct have strong feelings of opposition to cotu<: >ntioo”. Worldwide
Staff Reporter DR IVAN TOMS is halfway through his three-week Fast for a Just Peace in St George’s Cathedral and messages of support for the End Conscription Cam paign (ECC) have been flowing in from around the world. Yesterday Dr Toms said he felt “fine” after 10 days of fasting and losing 5 kg in weight. “The hunger pains have gone but I must say I feel a bit old. However, an amazing number of people have come in here to give us support, including many Jewish people during their holidays,” he said. So far 650 people have signed the Fast for a Just Peace visitor’s book at the Cathedral. Among the messages of support are those from the War Resistors International, a federation of pacifi cist and anti-conscription organizations; the Quak ers of Britain and the United Nations; Kirsten Fredslag, the Norwegian division of the Interna tional Fellowship for Reconciliation; the Student Christian Movement of the Phillipines; the US Co alition For a New Foreign and Military Policy; Diakonisches Werk, a German Evangelical church; the Dutch Bishops' Lenten Campaign; and Jubilee, a US Christian organization. Fasts in solidarity Most of the messages have been supportive of the ECC and its call for the removal of the troops from the townships as well as for Dr Toms and his co- fasters in the Cathedral. The War Resistors International said in its mes sage: “The ECC offers one of the best hopes for minimizing the violence in South Africa. Your com mitment to non-violence and justice has won admi ration around the world. In London there was a vigil on September 19 outside the (South African) em bas sy. There will be fasts in solidarity on October 7, including by WRI staff.” Apart from sending greetings to the fasters and the ECC, the Kristen Fredslag sent a letter to the Minister of Law and Order, Mr Louis le Grange, calling for the release of detained ECC members. Jubilee’s message said the fast was “particularly timely, and a visionary response by concerned Rlabbi John G Spiro, of the Jewish Progressive Synagogue in Temple Israel, Greent Point white South Africans at this time”. “Too easily we have seen rage and irrationality (right), hands over a copy of the Days of Awe, the Jewish prayer book used1 on the high take hold of many hearts. Your courage and Chris holy days, to Dr Ivan Toms at St George's Cathedral yesterday. tian commitment is truly a beacon for us.” 23 citizens committed to work for 'just£Lo2JA peace 'V © £»V
CAPE TOWN - Twenty- • Eliminate all forms three leading Cape Town of apartheid and racial citizens including promi discrimination. nent theologians, aca • Create a non-racial demics and civil rights SA based on the concept leaders and the principal of common citizenship for of the UCT, Dr Stuart all. Saunders, have signed “The choice SA faces is statements re-dedicating a clear one: to continue to themselves to work for a move towards a state of “just peace”. civil war or to dismantle apartheid and use the They said that over the resources of our country past year they “have wit to build a SA based on nessed the escalation of principles of justice and violence throughout South democracy.” Africa and a continuing The signatories were: failure on the part of Gov Dr S J Saunders. Sir ernment to make signifi Richard Luyt, Monsignor cant moves to bring about Henry, Roman Catholic a just and lasting peace. Bishop of Oudtshoorn; Mr “We believe that the Michael Evans; Mr Ger presence of troops and the ald Gordon, QC; Mrs Jose use of force will only in Olivier, Professor Nic hibit the establishment of Olivier; Mr H Bernadt; Mr a climate in which a nego John Whitehead; Mrs tiated settlement of SA’s future is possible. Frances Whitehead, Mrs R N Robb; Prof Francis “On this International Ames; Mr D James Bai- Day of Peace we re-dedi- grie; Prof John de cate ourselves to working Gruchy, Dr Charles Villa- for a just peace in our Vicencio; Prof J Leatt; country. To this end we Prof Francis Wilson; Mrs call on Government to: Moira Henderson, Prof • Create the conditions Michael Savage; Mrs D whereby all can freely Cleminshaw; Mrs Di Bish participate in the peace op, Mrs Mary Burton and process. Mr Brian Bishop. — Sapa tention of the yoit^g ‘“ironical in Tear of the Youth e w (f b G r \ ______------gressors eressors in the conflict, but it was really the By Susan Pleming The End Conscription to crush a cam paign should have the choice heid state which was the aggressor, he said l \ l « l & 5 Campaign (ECC) last which called for peace. of joining the SADF. A member of the Black Students' Society ical that in this, the Year of the Youth, ‘SA trying night strougly con On Monday four ECC The ECC was about to University of the Witwatersrand. and of the P > held under emergency regulations had* demned the “severe po members were detained launch a three-week Students' Organisation. Mr Dali Mkoko. said tl the age of 25, said Dr David Webster, of lice harassment” of its in security police swoops campaign to call for ernm ent w-as in a dilemma. e Parents Support Committee, last night to crush m em bers. on the homes of about 20 troops to be removed “They (the Government) are trying to convi ddressing about 400 people at a meeting A statement delivered ECC members. from townships, and right wing that no change is taking place ai ral Methodist Church in Johannesburg in at a protest meeting The statement said members would fast for are also trying to convince the freedom-lovi inst the banning of the Congress of South campaign against the banning of the ECC was a legal 24 hours on October 7 in pie that they will talk to the leaders of the p dents (Cosas). Cosas, held at the Cen campaign working to protest against compul he said. ter said there was more repression in tral Methodist Church, wards getting the State sory military service, Discussing the banning of Cosas, Mr Mko ihen a state of emergency had been de- for peace’ said the State was trying to recognise individuals the statement said. the Government believed Cosas was behi •60. Then, 1 500 to 2 000 people had been township violence. Cosas had, in fact, often n hile under this year’s state of emergency, Father Albert Nolan, a Catholic theologian, criti ed the anger of students, he said. en held. Dr Webster added it was obvious the state of "Is it better to now have those students U cised the media and the State for their “loaded" use st six months, about 650 people had died, emergency was really concerned with crushing the the streets when they do not have any disci of the term violence. le state of emergency had been declared, United Democratic Front (UDF) and abou* 86 per structure to answer to?” he asked. The State and the media had called stone-throwing ;ople had died. cent of those who had been detained were believed to The president of the National Union of Sou and other activities violence, yet they excluded the :er said an “undeclared” state of em er- be members of the UDF, or its affiliated organisa can Students, Mr Brendan Barry, said one word violence when they described any activity of ed throughout South Africa and that the tions. most valuable principles of Cosas was that i treating non-emergency areas, such as He said it was naive to believe the army would the police, he said. “They also exclude the institutionalised violence non-racial body. I Parys, as if they were among the 36 quell trouble in the townships. “Our police have Refering to the recent closure of 454 school of the apartheid system. This misuse of language is tricts. . not had the training to use minimum force in not Western Cape, Mr Barry said the banning o hiding the true reality.” sad reflection on the state of democracy control and our army has even less training,” he Lau done nothing io ijuell trouble in the schoo! Many peopie said the township youtn were the ag iea,” he said. adiu. Troops in SA townships wrong — Bishop Evans CAPEd TOWN — The ifGovernment was putting another nail into the coffin of South Africa every time it sent troops into the townships, the Anglican Bishop of Port Elizabeth, the Rt Rev Bruce Evans told about 170 people at an End Conscription Campaign meeting in Cape Town last night. The meeting, to launch the period of fasting which is the focus of the organisation’s “Troops out of the Townships” campaign, was to have been chaired by Bishop Evans’s son, ECC Cape Town chairman Mr Michael Evans, Mr Evans, however, was detained under Section 29 of the Internal Security Act last #eek, and is still being held. Bishop Evans, who said he was speaking in his personal capacity, said he fully supported the ECC. A person had a right to decide for himself if he wished to be placed in a position in which he might have to kill, maim or injure another hwnan being. Bishop Evans sajd forcing young conscripts to serve in the townships created a “tremendous tension of con science” for thenj. most important reason for getting the troops out of th^ronwships was that a hatred was being built up among young blacks. he said. It was immoral that black people should have to pay taxes which were used in part to maintain the SADF, so that their contribution was turned against them. — Sapa
ECC in new et troops out are beginning to see not By Jo-Anne ColUnge only the SADF but all whites as enemies. s The End Conscription “The non-racial char-j Campaign is renewing its acter of our struggle is demand for the with being so severely under drawal of troops from the mined that a spirit of rec-. townships in a three- onciliation in a new South week programme of talks Africa seems so remote,” and symbolic acts of fast it says. ing in which leading fig m — ------Harold Winkler . . . The ECC says many j ures are expected to join. conscripts are experienc "troops have no place The campaign started ing an acute crisis of con- ■ in the township*". yesterday, on the United science at being forced to Nations International have committed them serve in the townships. Day of Peace, and is ex selves to taking nothing Mr Winkler (21) fin -1 but water for the entire pected to culminate in a ishes his BA degree this mass 24-hour “Peace three weeks. year and faces the call- Fast” on October 7. Mr Steele is currently up in January October 7 is the first detained in Durban and it He said: “Fasting for j anniversary of Operation is not known whether he three weeks will bring Palmiet in which 7 000 is fasting. home to me ... that the members of the security Nobel Laureate Bishop person on top of the Cas- forces occupied the Vaal Desmond Tutu and Black spir could be my brother township of Sebokeng. Sash president Mrs or my friend — or me. Three young men — Sheena Duncan are among those expected to And the one being sjam- Wits student Mr Harald bokked, teargassed or Winkler, Crossroads' Dr join the fasting. The ECC is concerned shot could be my fellow- Ivan Thoms and pacifist student from Wits.”______Mr Richard Steele — that township residents ECC launches 4 fast protest by at ECC man’s
v iU , By JEREMY MAGGS honty to interfere on THE End Conscription church property. The man Campaign yesterday then left launched a national The SA Police liaison of ______versity "Troops Out Campaign ' ficer tor the Eastern Cape, students in Durban have which is scheduled to last Lieulenant-Colonel Gerrie begun a fast in protest at three weeks. van Rooven. confirmed last the detention of Mr Rich night that the Security For the duration of the ard Steele policeman had been at the campaign the Port Eliza Mr Steele was t- church hall because he fasted for a fortn, beth branch of the organ wanted to have certain part of a national cam isation has planned that one discussions” with Mr paign for a just peace in person will fast each day at Msutu South Africa and calling St Augustine's Cathedral in The Troops Out Cam for the army to be with Central. paign was also launched in drawn fram thf town “Each faster will drink Grahamstown, Cape Town, ships. Although he was water only for 24 hours or Johannesburg. Durban and detained last week longer, as a sheu- of person Maritzburg yesterday under Section 29 of the al c'ommitn eace as Internal Security Act. Another event planned members of the End well as a protest against during the campaign is a th e^k sen ce of the South Conscription '■•’mpaign debate betweeen the ECC (ECC) are ci i.at he Afr^Sn Defence Force in and Mr Ken Owen, an asso the tow ns!.in the East will contim ue fast in ciate editor and columnist detention ern Cape," Miss Janet Cher for South African Associat ry, chairman of the Port Mr Michael Lin. ed Newspapers on the sub the conscription actiu.. Elizabeth branch, told a ject Is the ECC’s call for group on the Durban Press conference troops out of the townships campus, said that he had She said those fasting a justified one'’”. heard Mr Steele speak would coiae from different The debatt;. which is open and “felt 1 should fast affili='''s and supporters of to the public, will fcte held in myself to highlight his thi sign including the the f’ort Elizabeth City detention" Since Mr B1 e PFP youth Hall next Wednesday Steele's detention, Mr Giaaf has taken only brai.v... .anous churches, On the last day of the conscripts and mothers of water He has been campaign there will be a joined by three other stu conscripts nation wide "Fast for dents Just before the I’rcss IV,icc Iroin 8pm on Octo "i. ECC has orga conference commenced, a ber ti to 8pm on October 7 ni‘ ■ u national fast for television cameraman, Mr All those who participat >. j.i»t peace which be Prince Msutu was ap ed were invited to donate gins in Durban on Sun proached by a man who the money they would have day, September 22. and identified himself as a Ser spent on food to a fund to continues until October geant Faku from the Secur aid those who had suffered 7, During this pen Police as a result of SADF action there will be daily Wv: grammes at St Anthonv s An Eastern Province in the townships, Miss Cher Catholic Church in H^kd reporter witnessed ry said ban to highlight the }S m -f>ing grabbed by ■ Ministers of the Algoa Christian Leaders Commit theme — Justice in the m— troops out The Catholic Bishop of tee 'Anglican, Methodist. Port Elizabeth the Right Presbyterian and Congre Rev Bishop John Murphy gational churches) yester then intervened and toid day voiced their support for tht man that be had no au iht- ihrif week fast Why w ere fasting forpeace
MORE than seven years separate violence, but we are specific Harald Winkler and Richard Steele, Three members of the End focusing on the SADF, because Conscription Campaign have both fasting for peace. That seven are focusing on us, on our lives, begun lengthy fasts in years could be a generation. support of the "Troops out of the SADF that conscripts, and w Winkler is a 21-year-old Wits the townships" campaign. both males and conscripts." student who takes a practical approach BARBARA LUDMAN spoke to He had intended to begin fastii to issues, seeing two or more sides to two of them in Johannesburg detention, but was released on Fr most questions. this w eek. came to lohannesburg for a wed Steele, 28, released by court order and began his fast — up to four on Friday after two weeks in of water a day, half of it mil detention, belongs to a different water — on Sunday night. world, where things are possible Brought up as a Baptist, he sp solely because they're right — where year in the US at a Mennc a '’truthful act" has "natural seminary after his release f correlations". detention barracks, and two me Winkler is fasting as a way of with the Movement for a New Sot communicating with conscriptees, He returned in late 1983 becaus> churches and black communities most said, "I learned what I needed i affected by military patrols. He sees was time to come back." his fast as a way to re-integrate the When he heard there was a nee spiritual and the political, but also as someone to run the Phoe "good political strategy". Settlement, Gandhi's memorif Steele says his decision to fast was Inanda, he volunteered. He is cu "quite a natural choice", given his as well as caretaker but prefer? total commitment to non latter designation, the notior violence."I'm just being,” he says. caring. There is little enough to "People can respond to me on the level for since the settlement was atta they choose." in August — just a clinic which s« Steele spent 1980 in detention the black community. barracks for refusing to serve — for He saw the attack on the settler what he calls choosing to "non- a symbol of non-violence, as evid cooperate". of frustration, a lack of cohesion, Winkler has applied to the SADF Richard Steele, also fasting manifestation of tremendous st for classification as a religious to get the "Troops out of the confusion, fear and anger. objector, a move, he says, that is only to w n sh ip s”. Pictures by Paul But he did not react violently Weinberg, Atrapix possible because of the stand Steele commitments are complete. took five years ago — which is where oppressed to change the system. Like Winkler, he's a vegetaria the generations come together. "I personally would prefer to seek but he would not eat meat in a s After Steele's heavily-publicised peaceful ways to change South situation, because, he says, case, a Commission of Enquiry Africa," he notes, "and try to avoid ... conviction springs from a rever recommended grounds for CO status violence. However ... I can afford to for life. Other reasons — his h beyond membership of a "peace espouse non-violence because I am and his concern for world hungei church". It is on personally religious privileged; little violence is being a waste of resources — are and fairly — but not strictly — done to me." secondary. pacifist grounds that Winkler applied He is quick to point out that he, It is the same with non-violence to do community work, rather than Steele and Cape Town Dr Ivan Thoms commitment is absolute. combatant service, when he is called are not the only people committing "In order to be able to kill an< up in lanuary. themelves to lengthy fasts for peace. person, you first have to kill a pi Winkler, whose background is "Some people are doing it in a quieter, yourself," he says. "I would n Lutheran, plans a career in the personal way,']^ways. draw suffering and stress onto m church, studying for a bachelor's But that is no^recessarily his way. than cause other people suffering degree in divinity at Unisa where, he "To quite a large extent, I'm doing it stress through my actions and my says, one can follow a non- for the effect," he says. "The ECC "Fasting functions as a light denominational course. decided on this strategy, and I thought He takes a pragmatic approach to it was a good one. I see a fast at this it absorbs violence rather issues. He is a vegetarian primarily particular time in a country under an perpetuating it, and then earths it. out of a concern for the waste of Emergency good thing to do, "To me, this is something resources in feeding livestock rather because it's ba^K lly very difficult to happens naturally. It's not i than people, but would eat meat in a stop a fast. Even detention cannot stop someone goes out to absorb viol social situation rather than hurt the it." But any truthful act has4 its na person who offered it. And from a personal point of view, correlations. When you plant flo' And in his application for religious "I see this fast as an opportunity to you get natural beauty. You don't Harald Winkler, who has eaten no solids for a week now, for effect. You do it because objector status, he does not claim to have more time to integrate social talks to a group this week about why he is doing it.______hold firmly to the principle of non analysis and my personal beliefs. I've truthful and it's good and it's righ violence. He concedes that if his house been going through a rapid time of "But I have got a particular "Eating," he says, "is one of our "I'm not haranguing people were robbed, he would probably becoming politically aware and I feel understanding of Christianity that most basic social actions. Meals are a words or weapons," he says. punch the burgler on the nose. that to some extent that has become doesn't try to be apolitical but is aware time of fellowship and sharing "Violence generally gener He argues the "just war" theory separate from my values and my faith. of Christianity's social and political together. Also, in South Africa, food violence in response, but the; which, he says, has a long tradition in One has grown more quickly than the dimensions." and the lack of food are important another option, total vulnerabili the Christian Church — and then other. In one way only, Steele is also a elements in people's lives. There is see the birth of Jesus as a su states that actions the SADF is taking "Although I'm in a movement which pragmatist. He favours fasting as a massive starvation in the rural areas example of that option. It is a in Namibia, Angola and South African tries to combine both aspects, I feel way of communicating because it is and the cities." strong one. It cuts that spirt townships do not meet any of the my focus has been on the political side accessible. "It is something anyone can Fasting, then, is "an action that violence and it challenges others criteria, "all of which must be of things, learning about myself as do," he says. comes from the centre. It is a way to moral level to make a choice." fulfiiicd far the war to.be deemed someone with political responsibility. It is also "a radical stopping, reach into the centre of ourselves." • The ECC has called for a just". How one relates that to God, to the life stepping out and becoming aware of There are good things at the centre, hour peace fast on October Indeed, he notes that he does not of Christ is much less articulated. the way we live our lives. but also "the pain of our society. We the anniversary of the first categorically reject all forms of "I don't think the majority of people "We are socialised to follow certain need to feel that, to weep with that of troops in the townships violence, distinguishing between in the mainline churches would do habits. If you're able to step out of that pain, and respond in a creative way. year. violence used by the state to enforce what I'm doing, for the reasons I'm habit, even for 24 hours, it gives you a "One crux element of the violence in For details of camps the status quo and violent acts doing it. It would be seen as too chance to look at the other habits you our society is the SADF," he says. events, see public meetings performed as a reaction of the political. are following." "We are aware of the other kinds of page 24i can be detained indefinitely. The houses of four Johannes burg ECC members were raided U .2 O o c -3 o E c Q 0 and material was taken. g c 5U C £ S. LU j= « _ ’3 * £ r3 In a statement the Johannes CL u £ ZJ .52 > o — y. O — burg ECC said “the ECC is a legal y . > - 3 «-< r rs C c -C • . P 0 3 ~ c ' H c- 3 '£• > 3 E 5 c ^3 £ campaign working for a change in oo & 3 -o c c a j J 2. c c -C the law relating to conscriptions in C *5 £I - £ 3 _>"-a c jx a - - 73 0 u - CL “5 1- =5 ^ « oj a> o Q.vC SA. The campaign is premised on o o S & y d ^ o a> SI o o Q u. * C - ■S) -C 0 the fundamental belief that indi ■y>M: Q- &■V 3 = .b- >- v .S r3 JC viduals should have the freedom 3 a 5 o 00 a. ■S's c w 0 C Commenting on the raids an ■s. C I § '5 g r3 Give Peace ECC spokesperson said that it is « 2 u DC -2 O h u- J Z < D-'G ^ 3 c E •y. 0 C- ironic that the state is clamping down on an organisation whose a Chance call is for peace. It is not the first E ° IN CO-ORDINATEL) pre-dawn time that ECC has experienced raids around the country, mem this kind of repression. Their Nat I bers of the End Conscription ional Conference in January was c cz E • Campaign were detained and ma raided, and shortly before the '<£ O terial confiscated by the security Peace Festival in June, the visa of ^ Ofj II police. guest speaker Cardinal Arns was iu Mike Evans, chairperson of the withdrawn by the SA authorities k.S. o C 5 S Cape Town ECC, as well as three and an ECC organiser was de X ■si members of the Durban ECC, tained. Anita Kromberg, Richard Steele In support of those people faced and Sue Britton were detained with a defence force which under section 29 of the Internal upholds apartheid, ECC has re s Security Act. committed itself to call for an end This gives them no access to law to conscription and a just peace in <*
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Size: 80 x 83 x 46 cm Colours Red & Blue eleased detainee £asts ■■ joins nation-wide campaign to get troops to withdraw from townships END Con scription Cam paign worker Richard Steele after his release from de tention He is to begin a two- week long fast today as part o f a cam paign to g e t troops to with- dra w from the released detainee Susan Brittion as she is reunited with her three daughters. From left are Mandy (18), Colleen town ships. Graham (23), Mrs Brittion and Fiona (15). Picture: Morris Reddy Internal Security Act don’t think they are being cruel for Now he would begin his fast in pri help those people to be free in them of Reconciliation, said: “I feel great the sake of being cruel. I think they are vate while visiting his family in Jo selves, free of their paranoias and about being out, but I feel very anx f Law and Order, the caught in the story that is being fabric hannesburg but would continue the fast fears.” Police and the Divi- ious about the people still in detention. ated that this country is under threat.” in St Anthony's Catholic Church in Mr Steele said after a few days in cr of Police for Port It was not a pleasant experience. They The security police had never physi Durban from Tuesday night. detention he had taken a decision not en leave to appeal treated me with kid gloves because I cally molested her but had “bullied” Mr Steele said he felt anger and con to co-operate with security police inter ent. was white and a woman.” her for the first few days and reduced cern about his “ brothers and sisters rogation.'He had discussed broad philo a sc the three detainees her to tears several times. still in detention”. sophical and moral issues with them but The special treatment was “unfair”. hey had been treated “The worst thing was being locked He also felt “a great compassion for would not respond to questions about rity police, but they Miss Kromberg said if detention was into a cell — I hated it, being locked the security police and an urge to reach his own activities. cty of black detainees the result of working for peace then in alone for hours and hours. out to them. They weren’t ogres to me, “I live my life publicly and I felt if They expressed com- it was “alright to be in there”. “The thought of those still in deten they were just human beings. they thought I had broken the law, irity police. tion makes me feel very, very sad but “I was in those offices against my they should lay charges against me and ■ The public has been invited to join in Oiakonia worker and almost glad that I shared something of will but they chose to go into those question me publicly in court. I’ve got the just peace and “troops out” fast for an, said it was “ac- what they are going through.” barred rooms and spy on people day nothing to hide.” 24 hours at a stretch. Those who fast pity” the security po- Mr Steele, an End Conscription after day. They were stopping my nor will be asked to donate the money they The security police threatened to Campaign worker, said be would start mal life unfairly, cutting me off from would have spent on food to a South .1 1 started being ques- leave him sitting alone in his cell “for his two-week long water-only fast on my friends and family unfairly. They African Council of Churches fund guys are just caught ever” because of his stand. Sunday night. He had intended to start had the moral responsibility for locking which will be used "to assist the vic propaganda and they the fast for peace and a withdrawal me up. Miss Anita Kromberg, regional sec- tims of SADF actions in the town at they are saying. I of troops while in detention. “Part of our liberation struggle is to retarv of the International Fellowship ships^______Detainee BKKSS This week he started his three- Police w eek fast in Cape Town’s landmark St joins 21 / land George’s Cathedral only metres away from the Houses of [troop Parliament — for a day fast % “just peace”. He is drinking only i action: water. “I still feel good but I’m sure it for peace Dr Ivan will be different ^ £ > / at / 6 S ' after 20 d ays,” he DETAINEE Richard Steele has laughed. pledged to fast as part of the "Troops i Toms has “The ECC has two out of the townships campaign", demands — for a despite being held by the Security seen it just peace and for Police. the withdrawal of He will be one of three people troops from the .around the country who are holding a I from the townships. three-week ’’fast for peace". Others — “And we think that including Bishop Desmond Tutu, Dr ‘other side’] | Collection Number: AG1977 END CONSCRIPTION CAMPAIGN (ECC) PUBLISHER: Publisher:- Historical Papers Research Archive Location:- Johannesburg ©2013 LEGAL NOTICES: Copyright Notice: All materials on the Historical Papers website are protected by South African copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise published in any format, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Disclaimer and Terms of Use: Provided that you maintain all copyright and other notices contained therein, you may download material (one machine readable copy and one print copy per page) for your personal and/or educational non-commercial use only. 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