Columbia College Chicago Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago Coalition for Illinois Divestment from South Africa Cheryl Johnson-Odim Collection (CIDSA) Documents

Winter 1986 CIDSA Update, Winter Issue Coalition for Illinois Divestment from South Africa

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Custom Citation Coalition for Illinois Divestment from South Africa. "CIDSA Update, Winter Issue" (1986). Cheryl Johnson-Odim Collection, College Archives & Special Collections, Columbia College Chicago.

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Cheryl Johnson-Odim Collection at Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. It has been accepted for inclusion in Coalition for Illinois Divestment from South Africa (CIDSA) Documents by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. WINTER ISSUE 254 CIDSA UPDATE Coalition for Illinois' Divatmtnt from South Africa -- ~F 343 S. Dearborn, Suite 919, Chicago, IL 60604 312-922-3915 ,~,, / ANC President Visits Chicijo • African National Con- dent Tambo said in speaking about gress (ANC) President the people of South Africa and the Oliver- Tambo s poke at people of the United States, that, Operation PUSH in Chica- "unity is best fostered and sustained go, Illinois Qn Saturday, in struggle." He said "there can be no J anuary 24, 1987 in part of greater friends than those who find a nationwide tour to garner themselves in a trench of struggle support for the South Afri- exposed to the hazards of struggle, can liberation movement. who might even perish together or President Tambo thanked win together. Today we feel that the American people for sense of unity with our brothers and the work they had done in sisters on this continent." President Oliver Tam.ho, president of the African National creating a climate in which Tambo continued by adding that the Congress, at the meeting for Chicago actlvista. With him are NedMnwizana, ANCU.N. representa­ federal sanctions against Continued on page 3 tive (left) and Robert Starks of the Free South South Africa were passed The complete text of this·meeting Abica Movement, Chicago (right). by the U.S. Congress. Presi- is inside. Illinois State Legislature Passes Bill On .January 13. 1987, the Illinois th rough the I 970s. S uch ongoing thanked for thei r leadership and hard State Legislatu re passed a pension education of Americans on inter- work on this issue. fund bill which in cl ud ed an anti- national concerns, part ic ularly on Finally, Illinois action is not an apartheid provision. (Complete text U.S. foreign policy in different re- isolated event. To date, ove r 18 states, follows.) At this mo ment , when the gions. is crit ical. 35 cities and 100 universities and crisis in South Africa continues to Second, while the action taken by collcgeshavemovedtowardsdivesting escalate, the bill's passage is signifi- the leg isla1ure represents a ve ry limited their monies from South Africa. There cant for three reasons. restriction on the investment of 11- is growing anti-apartheid sentiment First. this action results from much linois public pension funds in South in small towns and big cities, church educational and organizing work on Africa-related firms, the original bill sanct uaries and union halls, hi gh southern Africa among people across which proposed total divestment was school classes and university lounges Illinois. For nearly four years, the ultimately weakened through legisla- across the nation, and a ll over the Coalition for Illinois Divestment from ti vc compromi se to only provid e for world. The a nti-apartheid movement South Africa (Cl DSA). along wi th limited future investment. However. has reached the point where each the F ree South Africa Movement of the bill's passage in a conservative additional substantive action against Chicago, has worked with state lcgi- mid western state lik e 11\ inois is right- the a partheid regime has a multiplied slate rs and labor, church and com- full y claimed as a victory fo r ant i- effect. munity leaders to bring about the apartheid ac1i vists. Anti-apartheid activists in Illinois divestment of Illi nois state pension State legislators Carol Mosley Braun, are not satisfied with the legislature's funds. This move ment developed from Woods Bowman, Alan Greiman, nominal action to reduce our eco- the work of many organizations which Wyvette r Young, Anthony Young, nomic support of South Africa. How- supported the struggles for ind epen- Emil Jones a nd Art Turner, among ever. we do see it as a step in the right dence in other Afr ican countries o the rs, must be recognized and continued onpage6 Next CIDSA General Membership Meetings: March 8, April 5, May 3 • Access Living, 815 W. Van Buren, Chicago, IL CIDSAHosts NdiJimani Cultural Trou'pe

On December 4, 1986, CIDSA WELCOME hosted the Chicago tour of the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe of Na­ TO mibia. This was the first tour of the 21-member troupe in the United States. Other stops included New York city ' and the San Francisco Bay area. The Troupe, based in Luanda, Angola, was sponso red on this tour by the Washington Office On Africa, the United Nat ions Council for Namibia and the South West African People's Organization (SWAPO). The Chicago tour began with a reception at Mayor Washington's office, and the Ndilimani (which means Dynamite) Troupe was per­ sonally greeted by Mayor Washing­ ton. Other stops on the tour included visits to the Bennett Elementary School on the far south side of and Linda Murray of the Hyde Park members of Operation PUSH, the Chicago, the Hyde Park High School, School. CIDSA also wishes to acknow­ Washington Office on Africa and the the Du Sable Museum of Afro­ ledge the help and support of staff Lutheran School. American History, Operation PUSH, and a concert at Chicago State University. Ndilimani's performances included singing, dancing, music and poetry, and concentrated on informing audi­ ences of Namibia's struggle to free University offilinois itself from South African occupation. One drama which they performed recounted the South African mas­ sacre of Namibians at Kassinga a few Votes to Divest years ago, and their songs, poetry On January 14, 1987, the Univer­ the portfolio, while only about $3.3 artd dance performances strongly sit y of Illinois trustees voted to divest million in eight companies in the showed their resolve to create a free the university's stock portfolio of portfolio will be affected by the Namibia, so that such atrocities neve r an y companies that do business in divestment policy. The university's occur again. South Africa. The board of trustees portfolio is worth several hundred The troupe was housed by the voted 6-2 to divest starting May 3 I, million dollars in total. Lutheran School of Theology during I 987 and to allow I 8 months, until Throughout the state, people have its visit. The tour concluded with a December 31 , 1988, for the university worked to achieve divestment by the visit to the Trinity United Church of to complete the process. University. The divestment debate Christ and a luncheon at the house of Some have viewed the vote as only has been going on for at least the last Lucille Graham. "partial divestment" because the decade. The Divest Now Coalition While CIDSA coordinated much uni versity wi ll maintain its invest­ was in the forefront of this struggle of the Chicago tour, it wishes to ments in compani es such as General on the U of I campuses for the last acknowledge the invaluable work of Motors Corp. and IBM Corp. which fo ur years. Last September, the many people and organizations which have an nounced their withdrawal divestment proposal was defeated by helped to make the tour a success. from South Africa. Companies which a 5-4 vote. With the election of Several of the most instrumental have withdrawn continue to finan­ Judith Ann Calder of Chicago and were Velma Wilson of the Mayo r's cially profit by selling their South Charles Wolff of Elgin to the board Office of Cultural Affairs, Covak African subsidiaries to local investors in November, the scales were tipped Williamson of the Anti-Apartheid and collecting licensing fees. U niver­ in favor of divestment. Both Calder Student Alliance, Tina Johnson, sity investments in G.M. and IBM and Wolff voted for the divestment Sharon Adams of the Bennett School account for more than $14 million of policy. ANC President Visits Chie&gO continued from page I would be exteme, but th at the past in th e passage of the federal sanctions groups which have brought the South fe w years have prepared the South legislation. President Tambo at 70 African peoples' causes to the public African people for any type of yea rs old was very energetic and have set examples forothers. He said violence. inspirational. Although, trave ling and "you have swelled our numbers and Tambo was we lcomed and cheered speaking all day, he in sisted on having multiplied our strength." by hundreds of enthusiastic support- the eve ningmeetingwith anti-apartheid ers at Operation PUS H. Financial supporters. Tambo said that the people of contributions of over $20,000 were South Africa know that "we shall be raised forthe ANC. A representative Visiting with President Tambowere free ." They are not bribed by the of Chicago Mayor Harold Washing­ Ned Mnumzana, Chief Representa­ reforms iss ued by the Botha regime ton read a proc lamation from the ti ve of the ANC for the Observer because .. you can't reform a crime mayor designating January 24, I 987 Mission to the United Nations. John and apartheid is a crime." He said as "South African Freedom Day" in Makathini, Director of the Inter­ that the people have totally ignored Chicago. The mayoral representative national Office of the ANC, Barbara the reforms and are seeking total also gave Preside nt Tambo the ke y Masakela, sister to mu sician Hugh liberation. President Tambo said that to the ci ty of Chicago. Masak.eta, Jomo Asomo aide to Mr. Botha can now "only rely on the gun, At a meeting with anti-apartheid Tambo, Edward Mcau aide to Mr. but his own experience has shown gro ups and acti vists in tfle evening at Tanibo, and Cassius Make, Director him that the gun does not work, so Northeastern's Ce nter for Inner Ci ty of In fo rmation fo r the ANC. Mr. he knows he has lost the game." Studies, President Tambo again em­ Mnumzana, Mr. Makathini and Mr. Tambo predicted that the violence in phasized that the groundswell of Make are, along wit h President the period immediately preceding support from the people of the U.S. Tambo, members of the ANC Na­ the demise of the apartheid system has been very significant and resulted tional Executive Counci l. Text of Oliver Tambo's address to Anti-Apartheid activists at the Center for Inner City Studies on January 24, 1987 Comrades, future acti vists, friend s, the wi ll of the people anymore. We peace and those who li ve by violence you inspire us. We welcome the th ink that is how we came to have the upon blacks and other oppressed opportunity to be he re now and to sanctions bill adopted by Congress; people. We are on the thres hold of a say to you, personally. to each one of because congressmen and senators gigantic struggle and we in vite you you, how very much we appreciate reflected on the bill at the desire and and warn you to gear yourselves for the support you have given us with demand of their constituents: it was that moment. We shall need your such great enthusiasm; to assure you you. suppo rt more than we have do ne up that with yo ur support you have These are great days in southern to now. And with that support, con­ given us strength, determination, and Africa, because we feel we have frontation cannot last. the certainty of knowledge that we reached the point when we know the So it is important th at the vari o us are on the wi nning sid e. goals for which we are fighting have stratege ms that we are adopting which We feel, in southern Africa, that truly come in sight. And morale is are aimed at divestment, and sanctions however huge may be the armories high, the morale is good. Resolve is and all sorts of pressure directed that those who are keeping them­ mi ghty. And the end res ult, those against th e regime-those strategems selves in power wit h the barrel of the who have sought to perpetuate them­ should be followed and implemented gu n, it is we the people who must in se lves in power, now understand that with great vigor. the fi nal analysis determine the des­ their days are num bered. We believe tiny of our cou ntry, and we have the it's not going to be long before we Once again, I should like to say power to do so becau se yo u are can talk abo ut th e destruction of th at we are most happy to be able to there. With your various activities, apartheid as an accomplished fact; see you, meet you, and kn ow who it and by your individual participation, but we believe th at in that brief is, phys ically, persona ll y, who has you have given us the impression period whic h stands between now gi ve n us support which has brought that the level of support in the United and the collapse of that brutalsystem­ us so near to the end of a long States among the people, among the in that brief period-there's going to struggle which for the ANC has been black people especiall y, has grown so be a most vicious conrrontation be­ going on for the past 75 years. Thank much that not eve n Reagan can stop tween those who seek freedom and you. President Oliver Tambo: Questions and AnswersPage 4 1. Gatscha Buthelezi and his brand of As seen from South Africa, he has west does not like this. They think assassins have declared war on the lost all prospects of the national leader­ they're going to lose everything if that ANC and the UDF We see that ship he has aspired to, in earlier years. happens. They can\ trust the blacks to they'vimurdered children as young as And he is associated, fully and com­ exercise power intelligently. And there­ two years old. Do you think that he's pletely, with the enemies of the people. fore they don\ approve of the line that sincerely misguided or is he a manipu­ Is he misguided? He is very intelli­ the ANC is taking. Gatscha Buthelezi lated willing traitor ofthe struggle and gent. Has he simply decided to be a makes himself available as one who is the African people? traitor? We think his great love of prepared to compromise the interests power, the vision of himself as the and future of our people. And, they T AMBO: It is a very good question. greatest leader in South Africa, tower­ are building him because he is usable. In a sense he is a puzzlement to us. ing above all and sundry, has drawn They could destroy him overnight if Because he studied so very well. He him into the arms and the clutches of they though he had become dangerous was a loyal militant member of the the enemy who is now using him to them. youth league of the ANC in his youth. . against, and tantalizing him with this He followed the guidance of the leader­ power. He has a personal weakness of 3. We here have experience with gov­ ship. We even put the idea to him that hypersensitivity to criticism and oppo­ ernment intelligence against blacks, he should form Inkatha, which he did; sition, so opponents must not only be such as the COINTELPRO program and he launched it with the colors of opposed in , words; they must be run by J. &igar Hoover. To what the ANC-black, green, gold-he sang destroyed physically. All this serves extent is counterintelligence and in­ the anthem of the ANC, and slogans the enemy. Well, I don\ think that formants used to a/tempt to destroy of the ANC, and we thought he was your perceptions of his role fall far off the black struggle in South Africa? going to tum the bantustan over which the point. It's a matterof how precisely, he was put in charge into a force for but I think you are talking a language TAMBO: You see, our enemies have liberation. When he started it looked that makes sense to all of us in South means. They bribe poor people on the as if this was going to be the case. And Africa today. one hand; they can give you a fortune­ so, we maintained contact with him. and they say, 'If you serve our purpose, We had discussions with him and met 2. Continuing with Buthelezi, it is if you work for us, we11 give you a him in different parts of the world­ really puzzling that the West would fortune. But if you don', we1l kill Europe, Africa-and consulted with consider him a "freedom fighter" and you.' This is what they call giving a advice and commented. consider ANC and all ofthe rest ofthe person an offer they cannot refuse. So And then at some point something liberation groups as terrorists. Espe­ these agents are people who have been went totally wrong, and he saw him­ cially with this latest atrocity commit­ given an offer they could not refuse; self as a great soldier, fighting in ted by his people. Why, then, is one and they are used as provocateurs, to defense of the racist regime-fighting man considered a "terrorist " and create conflict from among ourselves, the ANC-a campaigner against the another considered a "freedom fighter?" and it's done with great intelligence, ANC. That has become his preoccupa­ subtleness. Much of the conflict, for tion, opposed the UDF, because the TAMBO: The general position of example, that you hear about, is UDF relates correctly to the ANC. what was called the West-let me relate engineered, is organized. We will Anything hat has to do with the _ this specifically to the Federal Republic overcome it, because our cause rises struggle of the people, he has opposed, of Germany, Britain, the United States above the machinations of the enemy. actively. And, when argument did not administration-at any given time, they We will overcome it; and it's going to help, he has resorted to great violence. are looking for a puppet that they can be a constant feature that appears He preaches nonviolence when he is use against the interests of the liberation from time to time, in various degrees talking about relations between the struggle; at any given time. And, if of intensity. At the moment we are oppressed and the oppressor; between they can find one, who is responsive, seized of this problem, it is there in the violence of the apartheid regime they train him, they use him. It's not South Africa. They are setting black and the people that it has persecuted. that they believe he's a leader of South against black, in order to divert the His attitude toward the regime is one Africa, because they know-their own struggle from concentrating on them, of pacifism; it is non-violent. But when research and intelligence tells them­ and dispersing from among the victims he relates to the opponents of that that he has reduced himself to a local, of their own domination. regime, his own black brothers, his at best tribal, leader-not a national violence knows no bounds. Lawyers leader. But he serves a very useful set have been killed, members of these of purposes. He serves the purposes of Thank you. These groups assembled groups, many children have been dividing us, for purposes of divide and here reminded me of the United killed, and this latest was just one rule. And this is why they have taken Democratic Front, which is an assem­ more instance in a long string of an interest in him. bly of numerous organizations, and I killings perpetrated by people over The ANC is committed to the total begin to feel as if I am in South Africa whom he has control, and whom he destruction of the apartheid system. with members of the UDF. Thank you can order to his needs. We seek power for all our people. The for these gifts. 5 BLACK PRESS INSTITUTE HOLDS Page MEDIA DIALOGUE ON SOUTH AFRICA The Chicago-based Black Press South African reporter for the Dallas generally, from the Black commu­ Institute held a Media Dialogue on Times-Herald; Jan Carew, chairman nity. should be used more widely. South Africa, 6 November 1986, at of the BPI Executive Committee and Commenting on the purpose of Howafd University. Participants visiting Professor at Hampshire the Dialogue, Prof. Jan Carew said, discussed strategies and made recom­ College; Jacqueline Williams, former "It was an important small conference mendations to keep the issue of Youth Director, South African to deal with the overt and voluntary South Africa before the American Council of Churches; and Gabu suppression of information on South public and to prod the news media to Tugwana, a Black South African Africa. What made it so important avoid language and interpretation reporter for the alternative newspaper were the positive suggestions that biases in reporting on the accelerating New Nation in Johannesburg. were made, which bode well for liberation struggle there. Tugwana, who is in this country to follow-up activities." The session opened with a series of meet with the press, was enthusiastic The working groups and their background talks on South Africa about the Dialogue. He said , " I have chairmen were: " Gathering News news reporting, from there and in the been all over mee.ting with different Under Censorship," Mikel Holt U.S., and updates on the situation in press people, but this is the group I (Editor, Milwaukee Community front-line states. was looking for." Journal and representative of the In his opening remarks, BPI Pres i­ After the morning hackground NNPA) and John Woodford (BPI dent Edwaro Palmer reminded the talks, participants met to prepare Board); "Disseminating News on group that media coverage helped their recommendations. which were South Africa," Dennis Schatzman the civil rights movement in the of two types. One se t enjoined the (Executive Director of the NABJ) I 960's. "It is in the interests of fairness U.S. press to cover the liberation and Prof. Carew; " How Does This and the liberation movement in South movement in South Africa fairly. Relate to Us?" Prof. Robert Starks Africa that we keep South Africa on Typical of this category was the (Black Political Scientists Assoc.), the television and in the newspapers reommendation to the U.S. press to Dr. Frank Morris (U. of Md.), and in America," said Palmer. interview ANC and U.S. anti-apart­ Dwight Kirk (CBTU). Speakers at this one-day working heid representatives on any story in All the working groups agreed session included Daniel Schechter, which South African government that it was important to develop ABC-TV producer of "20/ 20;" Joe officials are interviewed. independent sources of information Davidson, a Wall Street Journal Another in this category said U.S. on South Africa. reporter who covered South Africa; journalists stationed in Southern Earlier in the day, Kenneth and Kenneth Longmyer, U.S. State Africa should be based where they Longmyer told the group that Black Dept. Legislative Management Offi­ have access to information from Americans have a duty to help deter­ cer for European Affairs. anti-apartheid sources as well as to mine how the U.S. behaves in foreign Schechter; who helped produce South African government sources. communities. "One of the greatest the record "Sun City," said he is A third said the U.S. press should contributions Black Americans can more concerned about .. the press ban in vestigate any sanction-busting make," Longmyer said , " is to get in the U.S. and what U.S. people activities and look into the rumor U.S. foreign policy on the right believe than about the one in South that South African intelligence agen­ track." Africa." He thi"nks American audi­ cies are operating in the U.S. Co-sponsors of the Media Dia­ ences only see personalities such as The second type of recommenda­ logue held in Howard University's Bishop Tutu, Winnie Mandela, and tion called on the BPI to initiate a Blackburn Center were The Nation Alan Boesak, but do not hear about number of monitoring and resource­ Institute, the Association for Educa­ grassroots movements. sharing activities on South Africa, tion in J ournalism and Mass Com­ "How many people know about linking them to issues of concern to munications, Citizens Action, the COSATU (Coalition of African African-Americans. It was suggested Black Political Scientists Associa­ Trade Unions), ANC (African that information a nd speakers on tion, and the National Council for National Congress), UDF (United South Africa and foreign policy Black Studies. Democratic Front)?" Schechter asked. When these organizations are CIDSA Changes Meeting Place reported on, Schechter maintains the CIDSA's monthly meeting general mem- able to attend CIDSA meetings without the descriptions are "never free from berabip meeting Is now located at AcceN barrier of a non-acceulble buildlng. Fur­ jargon." He fOntends it is typical to Living, 815 West Van Buren, Chicago, ther, CIDSA will make IDterpn,ten avail­ hear the ANC referred to as "Mos­ DIIDola. AcceN Ltring Is a IOcl.al aemce able at meetings for the hearing lmpaiffll If agency for disabled IDdlvidualo and Is Ora Schub at AcceN Ltring (312) 226- cow-based." located ID a buildlngwhlch Is acceulble to 5900 Is notified ID advance of the meeting. Other speakers we re Damu Smith, everyone. The CIDSA Steering Committee CIDSA Is ftrJ grateful for the coDSid­ Executive Director of the Washing­ changed the meeting location so that any- eration and cooperation shown WI over the ton Office on Africa; Cecilie Counts, one who ,rlshed to participate ID diftot- :,,,an by Frank Rolen and othem at U.E. d!!• TransAfrica; Mark August, a Black meat and anti-apartheid work would be Hall. the former CIDSA meeting location. 'I' Page6 CIDSA Changes Focus In M ay 1986. C l DSA had a major the o rganizati o n. ing o f C ID S A on S und ay, March 8. victo ry when the city of C hicago This will pro bably be o ne of the 1987, 6 p.m. at 8 15 West Ya n Buren, passed a substa ntive anti-a partheid most important decisio ns that we C hicago, Illino is. C all the C l DS A ordinance. On January 13, 1987, th e make. In ord er to make it truly office with your com ments if you Illinois legislature voted to divest re presentative o f o ur membership we canno t attend that meeting. T he Illino is pensio n funds from South need eve ryone's input. We a ll real ize S teeri ng Committee wi ll present a Afri ca related businesses. In li ght o f the need to continue to work for a p roposal fo r the future directi o n o f these d evelopments. C IDSA must free So uth Afr ica. Ple ase join us at C IDS A at the March meeting. now decid e the future directi o n of the March general membership meet- Illinois State Legislature Passes Bill (con'tJ direction. We must and will continue ness or ownership of any firm , cor-. (4 ). "loan ".shall mean any transfer or to push fo ward- in new and stronger po ratio n, en tity . .rgcncy. associatio n extensio n of funds o r cred it o n the ways - to make sure that the people o r unit. grou p o r co ll ect ive trusl. basis o f a n o bl igatio n to repay, o r struggling fo r freed o m a nd j ustice in partnership or joint ventu re, which any ass umption o r guara ntee of the southern Africa know that the people invests in, has a ny ownershi p interest o bl igation of a nother to repay an of Illino is a re on their side. In the in pro perty of, o r has a ny outstanding extensio n of funds o r credit; "" the long run, their side is the same side as loan to a pro h ibited ent ity, o r (ii) real Republic of South Africa"sha ll mean those struggling for racial a nd eco­ o r tangib le pro perty located in the the Republic of South Africa o r a ny no mic justice in this country. Rep ublic of S o uth Africa, until such territo ry underthe administratio n of time as the United Nat io ns certifi es the Republic of South Afr ica; a nd Text of Legislation that the system of racial discriminia­ " p rohibited entity" sha ll mean (a) the (4) M ake any loan o r investment ti on. commo nl y known as apartheid , Republic of South Africa, (b) a in its indi vidual nonfiduciarycapacity is a bo lished. Th i~ paragraph (4). natio nal co rporation o f o r any other aft er J a nuary 1. 1987 to a p ro hibited however, shal l not reLJuire the liquida­ corporatio n organized under the laws entity, o r in vest any employee o r tio n o f a ny investment in ex istence o f t he Republic o f South Africa , o r employer contributions received un ­ on J an uary I. 1987 of any such (c) a company, firm, co rporation, der such retirement system o r pensio n retirement system o r pe nsion fu nd o r ent ity, agency, associatio n or unit, fund after J a nuary I. 1987 in any (i) a brogate, o r require the accelerati o n grou p or collecti ve trust, partne rship stocks, bond s. notes, units of bene­ of principa l paymenh under, any o r jo int ve nture which m a kes new ficial ownership, certificates o f de­ contract for a loan in ex iste nce o n invCs tments in the Republic of South posit o r other similar o bligations, J a n uary I, 1987 10 a prohibited Africa and of which the fid uciary has securities o r evidences of indebted- ent ity. For purposes oft his paragra ph knowledge.

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