■ % s
? . SECHABA JANUARY ISSUE 1982
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
P.O. BOX 38, 28 PENTON STREET LONDON N1 9PR UNITED KINGDOM TELEGRAMS: MAYIBUYE TELEX: 299S55ANCSAG TELEPHONE: 01-837-2012
CONTENTS SEND YOUR ORDERS NOW TO SECHABA PUBLICATIONS P.O. Box 38. 28 Penton Street, London N1 9PR
ALL ORDERS OF TEN OR MORE COPIES - 50% DISCOUNT EDITORIAL: KINDLY INCLUDE A DONATION WITH YOUR Unity in Action i ORDER IF POSSIBLE SAMPLE COPIES OF SECHABA AVAILABLE ON ANC: REQUEST IF ACCOMPANIED BY A POSTAL ORDER n 70th Anniversary 3 (OR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WITH STAMPSI n TO DEFRAY POSTAL COSTS □ □ IOJ CONGRESS 8 D ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS □ MURDER OF A PATRIOT: USA and CANADA (airmail only) *12,00 0□ Griffiths Mxenge 10 ELSEWHERE £ 6,00 □ SINGLE COPIES □ DEATHS IN DETENTION 13 USA and CANADA (airmail only) « 3,00 □ ELSEWHERE £ 0,50 D APARTHEID MERCENARIES: □ In the Seychelles 14 LISTEN TO □ RADIO FREEDOM Q US SOLIDARITY 16 VOICE OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL □ □ MATERIAL AID: CONGRESS AND UMKHONTO WE □ □ Workshop 17 SIZWE □ □ PAGES FROM HISTORY: RADIO MADAGASCAR □ John Langalibalele Dube 18 shortwave 49m band. 6135 KHz-8-9 pm daily □ □ □ RADIO LUSAKA □ LETTER TO THE EDITOR 23 shortwave 41 m band, 7.3MgHz-8,30 to 9am daily □ □ POEM 26 RADIO LUANDA □ shortwave, 40 & 30 m bands; □ OBITUARY: medium wave 27,6 m band -7,30 pm daily □ aO Nomava Shangse 31 RADIO TANZANIA □ shortwave 19 m band, 15.435 Khz □ COVER: official A N C logo for 8,15 pm-Sunday, Monday. Wednesday, Friday; 70th anniversary. 31 m band —6,15 am Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday a
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□QaaaQDQDDaDa0aGQaDaaoonQaDna Editorial
UNITY . . IN • ■ ACTION4 •
The ANC has dedared 1982 a year of subject to exactly the same exploitation. Unity in Action. On the occasion of the Whilst we do not overlook these aspects, 70th anniversary of the ANC this is a fitting we do not emphasise them. Our task is to tribute to the founding fathers of the strengthen these forces, to broaden and ANC. These men and women achieved a deepen their outlook. What is foremost lot — during their life time — and therefore in ' our thinking is the cause we represent left us with a legacy which we cherish. and in the pursuance of our goal the We should remember that the idea of the question of further deepening the cohesion formation of the ANC was democratically of these forces is of vital significance. Unity adopted: it was put to a vote and passed in action means unity of all those forces unanimously, with loud cheers, all delegates that stand against Apartheid, racism and standing. It was a popular decision. There colonialism regardless of their class back was more to it. The formation of the ANC ground. It also means a relentless struggle meant an establishment of African political against racism, anti-communism and opinion as an autonomous factor in its tribalism. It means grappling with the * own right in South African politics. daily problems that face - our people in Since then much has happened inter factories, on the farms, in the Bantustans, nationally and nationally. The working at universities and in the battlefield. It plug! within our country has become a means efficiency, quick reaction and dynamic component of the liberation response, humility and understanding. These struggle; the C-P. played and still plays an are aspects of shat we call discipline. But important role in our liberation struggle; there is more to it — political awareness, the Indian and Coloured communities understanding of our situation and its have identified with the African people; solution. We must study the Freedom the Freedom Charter was adopted; Charter. As Oliver Tam bo has said: Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing “In summary we can therefore say that of the ANC is using a new type of weapon an urgent and continuing task that faces against the white minority rule; a growing the African National Congress is and has number of white resisters — including been the unification in action of all the war resisters is gradually coming closer black oppressed people, whatever their to the positions of the ANC and numerous class origin, to fight for victory of the organisations have emerged recently among democratic revolution. The ANC and its the black oppressed masses. allies also have the task to build up the It is these forces the ANC is appealing democratic movement among the white to for unity in action. We aware that inert people and to strengthen the bonds of are many problems to overcome. Some oi unity between the white people and the these organisations do not share our outlook oppressed majority, in one common struggle — but they adopt anti apartheid positions. for theliberation of this majority, We should also remember that each people Organisationally the enemy seeks to and indeed even each locality has its own destroy the ANC and its allies physically, historical experience — and this may to ensure that no force exists within the influence in one way or another the form country that has the influence and capacity of unity in action. We should not forget to mobilise and unite the South African that these various forces have not been democratic forces. In place of the genuinely organisation* and leaden of oui we- hare put forward the perspective of a people, the enemy ia trying to createand democratic South Africa bringing to the fpontor his own to replace those whom fore the truth that Is the the patriotic duty years o f extreme and brutal reaction bite of the entire people to rid our country of the tyrannical rule of the radst-fasoint Jailed to destroy. ____ In the struggle to build up the strength regime. This is a perspective and an and raise toe level of unity of the increment orientation which must, necessarily infuse a n d fire the will of all the national and for national liberation, the African National C o n m i relies t o t and foremost on the forces whom we have already described as haring an objective interest in the victory fact that the cause we represent is just and meets the fundamental aspirations of the of the national democratic revolution”. of oui people. Consistently, therefore
2 Mandela and Nana Sita • Unity in Action ANC 70th ANNIVERSARY
South Africa was conquered by force and and later the combined forces of Boer it today ruled by force. Whether in reserve and British were checked in their advance — or in actual employment, force it ever however, superior aims helped them to present. This has been so ever since the slowly push the indigenous people of South white man came to our country. In order Africa back beyond the Great Fish River, to fully appreciate the political and social occupying part of their ancestral land. significance the ANC expresses, the necessity Yet, as was the case throughout the country, for the type of organisation we have today, our people were never conquered by the we have to look into the past; we have to Boers. look into the history of the contact between In order to continue their march into African people and the whites, in South the interior the Boers were forced to change Africa, a bitter fcnd grim story o f national course, to turn northwards and abandon struggles and historically unbroken and the easterly direction they originally self-sacrificing resistance against foreign intended to follow. Wherever the Boers invasion, plunder and political, economic went, they met fierce opposition. They and social domination. We have to look were fought and defeated in Natal, Basuto into the past to see what forces forged and land (now Lesotho) and in the Eastern inspired the formation and functioning Transvaal and were reduced to roving of our national liberation movement bands of brigands. Had it not, in fact, been European settlement in South Africa for the arrival of the British forces the Boers dates back to April 6th, 1652. Because of would eventually have been defeated in the intrusive, predatory and aggressive -their quest to occupy, dominate and enslave policies of the invaders, disputes which our country. As it 8 the Boers never ruled soon led to war ensued. Having defeated any section of the African people, managing the Khoisan people who inhabited the to merely levy tributes from the small and Cape Peninsula, robbing them of their land, weaker tribes. When they arrived in the their livestock and frequently their lives, Cape every inch of our country was the settlers devoted themselves for a brief occupied. It was not a ‘no man’s land’. spell to farming the fertile land. However, The arrival of the British forces in South disagreements soon arose between the Africa at the beginning of the 19th century farmers and the Dutch East India Company marked a qualitative and quantitative over economic and political policies and change in the resistance struggle, immensely the amount of control the Company had strenghtening the forces of colonisation and over settlers. Some left the Peninsula and oppresnon. With their overwhelming gradually penetrated the interior until superiority Is arms and numbers of well- they reached the Cape Western Plateau, trained men, they were able, after grim and an area inhabited by the Xhoaa-speaking bitte): battles, to eventually subdue all section of the African people. In the Cape military opposition to their fraud designed alone 9 wars of resistance against white to colonise and exploit our country and encroachment were waged covering a time people. Effectively, the defeat of the span of almost 100 years. First the Boers Bamhata Rebellion in 1906 brought to a dote this first, 250-year phase of resistance in. 1892 was tantamount to widening the and set the stage for the handing over of battlefront started by Tile, the administration of the country to local This period saw the emergence of young whites by British imperialism. There is a African intellectuals who came from mission direct connection between the Bambata schools established throughout the country. Rebellion of 1906 and the formation of the ANC six years later. . Defeated militarily and totally disarmed, robbed of their land by foreign Invaders, denied any say in the government of their country, our people realised that new ways had to be found to continue the struggle. Old forms of organisation and methods o f struggle were becoming outdated and proving inadequate to meet the new conditions and situation. The people were looking for new forms of organisation and learning new methods of struggle, methods of fighting without the spear or gun; they were learning the ways of mass meetings, demonstrations, deputations, protests, passive resistance and even strikes. The need for African unity in the face of a common enemy and common problems — a need long recognised by far-sighted African leaders, was forcibly brought home with - the promulgation of the Act of Union in 1910, when the government under General Louis Botha moved to consolidate white hegemony within the system established by the SA Act, uniting the formerly embittered feuding sections of the whitje minority. The formation of the ANC on January 8, 1912 was not an accident of history, it was a logical development of history, a continuation of the anti-colonial struggle of our people which began with colonialism They helped in establishing the early beginn- itsetf. O f course it did not all happen over- ings of what later developed to be an African night. There were many factors which led press. They wrote articles in English and to the formation of the ANC, African languages. . and therefore helped The develop the African languages. The introduction of Christianity in South Africa first political organisation formed was led to an emergence of Black Christians Imbumba yama Afrika (Union of Africans) who later rejected the white Christian In the Cape in 1882 which advocated values, formed their own independent African unity as opposed to denominational churches with new concepts and values, diversity and plumed representations to The first of these black converts to form white authorities. In 1884 two additional an independent church was Nehemiah organisations were formed , again in the Tile who played a significant religious and Cape, namely the Native Education Associa- political role. He formed the Thembu tion and the Native Electoral Association Church in 1883 in the Transkei. The which were concerned mainly with electoral founding of the Ethiopian Church by politics — In those days Africans In the Rev M_M. Mokone on the Witwatersrand Cape could vote. , But it w u during the Anglo-Boer w 1908) or from the ‘aboriginal natives of and immediately after the Treaty of South Africa, resident ifa the Transvaal’ Vereeniging in May 1902 that concrete (October 22, 1908) and resolutions of the steps wew taken by Africans to form a South African Native Congress (October morement which would devise some method 1908), give us an Insight into the problems of presenting grievances and complaints and grievances o f the Africans who showed of Africans to the government. This growing an acute awareness of the magnitude of awareness and consciousness of a need for their disabilities and a sharp antagonism a political organisation of Africans on a to any continuation of the political system broader basis led Martin Lutuli, Saul Msane of the Boer Republics. and Josiah Gumede to meet Harriet Colenso These petitions (the Transvaal Native to discuss the formation of an African Union collected 3,764 signatures) asked political organisation. In July 1900 the for a common roll franchise throughout Natal Native Congress was formed and its South Africa plus separate representation first secretary was H.C. Matiwane and the for the mABt of the African people unable Chairman was Martin Lutuli — whose to qualify for this. Within 4 months these nephew, Albert Lutuli, was later to become organisations held congresses. The draft ANC President-General. Martin Lutuli was South Africa Act was discussed at these rhuirman for 3 years and was replaced by meetings. Resolutions deprecating the colour Skweleti Nyongwana and Lutuli became bar and the failure to extend the African vice-chairman. Local committees managed franchise from the Cape to the north were local affairs and the object and intention passed. It was - from these regional of Congress was to represent the whole conferences that 60 elected delegates came African community in NataL to Bloemfontein to attend the South African In the Eastern Cape in 1902 Africans Native Convention on March 24-26, 1909. close to the East London newspaper Izwi The South African Native Convention Tjh.nfai and therefore oppoeed to Jabavu’i ' consisted of delegates from the Cape Imvo Zabantsundu and his pre-occupation Colony,* Natal, Transvaal, Orange Free with European politics founded the South State.and Bechuanaland (now Botswana). African Native Congress. The tasks of this Rev Walter Rubusana, leader of the Cape organisation were to co-ordinate African delegation of the South African Native activities in the Cape Colony, particularly Congress, chaired the convention and was in connection with electoral politics. The elected president of the Convention. H e y political orientation of the SA Native discussed those clauses of the draft Union Congress is contained in a statement of Act which related to African and coloured its Executive in 1903: “Questions affecting people. These resolutions which attacked the Natives and Coloured People resident the racism inherent in the Draft Act were in British South Africa’. The Native delivered to the Governors and Prime Vigilance Association of the Orange River Ministers of the 4 colonies (Cape, Natal, Colony presented a testimony before OFS and Transvaal) and to the British the SA Native Affairs Commission on High Commissioner for transfer to the September 23, 1904. What is striking, but Secretary of State for Colonies. If the not surprising if one takes into account the Draft Act was not amended, a deputation ethnic composition of the province, is the was to be sent to England. The delegation ‘non-tribal’ composition of the leadership was to comprise Rev Rubusana, president of thl< organisation,, that is, judging by the of the Native Convention, T.M. Mapikela delegation which saw the Native Affairs of the Orange River Colony and D. Dwanya Commission. of the Cape Congress. The Transvaal Native These testimonies and petitions to Congress appointed Alfred Mangena who King Edward V II, eV from the Native was already in London and instructed him United Political Associations of the Trans to “work in co-operation with the other vaal Colony (April 25, 1905) or the Orange delegates’. W.P. Schreiner was invited to River Colony Native Congress (June 1906), join them and Tengo Jabavu represented or the Natal Native Congress (October his tiny Cape Convention. The Coloured community w it represented by Dr regarded In the absence of a political organisation of their own which could Abdurahman, leader of the African People’* voice their grievances and aspirations, the Organisation while . Advocate Gandhi - Africans started to work towards unity for represented the Indian community. This common action and to educate themselves, defiant deputation waa later to be dis towards promotion of mutual help, a feeling appointed by the attitude of the British of brotherhood and a spirit of togetherness. government, which once more deliberately Pixiey ka Isaka Seme, who became the ignored the express wishes ■ of the biacjt convenor of the - January 8 meeting, was population of South A frica.. / in fact impatient about the formation of the ANC. In October 1911 he wrote: I t is conclusively urgent that this meeting JANUARY 8 - AN HISTORIC DAY should meet this year because a matter Which is so vitally Important to our progress This new spirit of the need for an African and welfare should not unnecessarily be organisation and the awareness of the postponed by reason of personal differences identity o f interests of the African ethnic and selfishness of our leaders.’ In what groups in South Africa grew rapidly and seemed to be a statement of policy or an young African radicals became more item on the agenda of the coming meeting — convinced of the need to organise them the central theme of his contribution — he said: The demon of racialism, the aberra selves along these new lines. The African tions o f theXhosa-Fingo feud, the animosity students who were studying abroad in that exists between the Zulus and the America and Britain were inspired by Tongas, between the Basotho and the activities of our people at home, and every other Native, must be buried and they in turn Inspired them with new ideas. forgotten „. We are one people! These But the main reason for the formation of divisions, these jealousies, are the cause the ANC was the humiliation, deprivation of our woes and all the backwardness and and indomitable urge to freedom of the ignorance that exists today’. African people. Their practical experience Thus on January 8, 1912, when the of two and a half centuries of oppression ANC was formed. Seme gave the keynote speech. After the opening speeches were and struggle, climaxed by the Bambata made the gathering sang Tiyo Soga’s Lizalis’ ■ Rebellion of 1906, proved that the old Tndinga Lakho Thixo, N k o s i yenyaniso, methods of struggle were no longer suited (F ulfil Thy Promise God, Thou Lord of to the new situation. The drive to unity Truth). and political organisation along modem Seme, seconded by Alfred Mangena, lines was given a powerful impetus by the moved that the assembly should establish economic integration of the 4 British the South African Native National Congress. colonies under the hegemony of imperialism He was unanimously supported. A committee was appointed to draw up a and the Rand mining millionaires, and constitution. George Montsioa suggested finding political expression in the projected that 7 paramount chiefs be appointed as formation of the ‘Union of South Africa’ Honorary Presidents of the SA Native and the transfer of effective power into the National Congress (the ANC).- Thus the hands of the European minority. conference resolved that 2 houses, the The South African Act of Union which Upper and the Lower house, should be was passed by the British House of established. The Upper House consisted Commons in 1909 and ratified by theby the of Dalindyebo of the Them bus, Montsioa South African white- Parliament on May 31, of the Barolong; Lewanika of Barotseland (part of Zambia); Letsie II of Basutoland 1910 — the anniversary date of the Treaty (now Lesotho) who was elected President of Vereeniging, signed in 1902, at .the of the Upper House; Khama of Bechuana- conclusion . of the Anglo-Boec War, land (now Botswana); Mardane of incorporated, as its central, key provision, Pondoland and Moepi of the Bakgatla; a colour bar clause that precluded all blacks Dinizulu, the Zulu chief who was deposed from being eligible to become members of and exiled to the Transvaal by the British Parliament. was also included. The Executive of the Faced with these problems and the fact Lower House, the executive proper, 6 that their interests had been totally dis consisted of Rev. John L Dube, President; Solomon T Plaatje, Secretary; Ptxley ka local organisations on the practical means T u t. Seme « u elected Treasurer, Thomas of implementing their vision o f African Mapikela of the Orange Free SUte became unity and the fight against white SDeaker and Montxioa. Recording Secretary. domination. These resolutions could only Rev. Mqobill of the Wesleyan Church be Implemented in the course of the became Chaplain-in-chtef with Rev. H R struggle. Ngcayiya, President of the Ethiopian Church as his Assistant. The Rev. Walter Rubusana, SIGNIFICANCE OF JANUARY 8TH Meshack Pelem, Sam Makgatho and Alfred Mangena were elected vice-presidents. The formation of the ANC on January The first National Executive Committee 8th 1912, signified the birthday not only consisted of ministers of religion, lawyers, of the ANC but also of the nation. The an editor (Plaatje) a building contractor ANC was the people’s ‘Union of South (Mapikela), a teacher and estate agent Africa’ — a rejection of. the European/ (Makgatho) and an interpreter, teacher and White Union, and the ANC was assigned Native labour agent (Peiem). These are the task of being midwife in this process people who went through mission schools, of national rebirth and regeneration. The 5 of them studied abroad (USA and Britain) formation of the ANC meant the creation and others bad attended conferences of a loyalty of a new type, a non-tribal overseas. These men were prominenent both loyalty, a loyalty which was inherently in local political organisation and nationally. anti-colonial and in the course of time They were relatively young, in their thirties developed to be anti-imperialist. This was and eariy fifties. The four provinces were an act of national salvation, a continuation ■ under new historical conditions — of the anti-colonial struggle of our people which began with colonialism. The ANC was formed to represent not just the over whelming majority of our people — important as that is — but exactly that section of the population which had ' experienced nothing but violent legislation from the government, especially since 1910. In the 70 years since the formation of the ANC much has happened. It is not our task to related that story here. One thing we can say with certainty is that the original task of uniting and leading to freedom the African people has expanded and changed — today the ANC is faced with the task of organising and leading all the oppressed people — African, Indian and Coloured — and to win over to its banner all democratically-minded whites. Today the ANC is a genuine people’s organisation; it enjoys the support and represented on the Executive. The chiefs confidence of the people whom it1 leads; were honoured in accordance with African ■it is viewed by the masses of our people tradition. They represented the rural masses, as the product of their sacrifices, the who, in any case, were then the majority inheritor and continuation of the revolu of the people. tionary experience and traditions of the At the inauguaral conference of the oppressed people as a whole; the people’s ANC eleven papers were read and the leader ana organiser. The activities and topics ranged from discussions about thinking of the founding fathers and their schools burning current issues of ‘Native’ successors laid the firm foundation on labour, segregation, the land question and which our young men and women in the the ‘Squatters’ Law. To conclude the ranks of the ANC and our people’s army, proceedings John Knox Bokwe’s ‘Give a ' Umkhonto we Sizwe, are harassing the Thought to Africa’ was sung and the enemy on all fronts, taking firm strides delegates returned to report back to their down our freedom road. IOJ CONGRESS
On October 19 to 22, 1981 the ninth down new tasks in these spheres. The Congress of the International Organisation Congress devoted considerable attention to of Journalists met in the magnificent the question of activating international historic Hall of Columns of the House of solidarity in defence of journalists Unions in Moscow. Kaarle Nordenstreng, persecuted for their progressive ideas and the Finnish President of the IOJ opened activities. the Congress and stated: The massive growth and influence of the “This is the largest and most IO J over these last 35 yean is due to the representative meeting o f journalists ever fact that the IO J encourages the formation held anywhere”. of national and regional organisations The truth of these words was underlined of journalists; it upholds the principle by the deliberations and discussions at the of professional and ethical missioD of Congress. journalism in society; it encourages and appreciates the tradition of meetings Discussions and Deliberations between international and regional organisa tion of journalists and declares its willing In Moscow there were 194 delegates and ness to seek also in the future the possibility more than 200 observers and guests. % of establishing beneficial relations with the organisations of journalists from 89 Brussels-based International Federation of countries were represented as well as a Journalists, which broke awav from the number of regional and international IOJ during the dark days of the cold war, organisations and institutions. the International Union of Catholic Press The Congress met in plenary sessions and other organisations, in the interest of and in three sections which dealt with: understanding among nations. 1. The IO J’s contribution to No serious and responsible journalist strengthening peace, security and cooper can afford to ignore the IOJ moreso that ation amongst nations; it is the largest single international organisa 2. The New International Information tion of organised journalists in the world. , Order; The IO J provides a forum for discussing 3. International solidarity among . such important issues as the development journalists. of journalism in the non-aligned world A total of 72 participants took the floor and the New International Information* in these discussions. Order which, briefly stated, means the In these discussions the exceptional attempts by the tricontinental world and responsibility which journalists bear in its allies to reorganise the world media the present and complicated international business and to wrest media control away situation was emphasised as well as the duty from the handful of US, British, French, of journalists to fight against any excuses West German and Japanese companies for and defence of aggressive wars and the which enjoy a near-monopoly of news- arms race. From its establishment information and technology, particularly as immediately after the War, the IOJ regards the countries of Africa, Asia and strengthening peace, mutual understanding Latin America. and cooperation among nations; the fight for national liberation; abolition of Western Reactions colonialism and racism and the establishment of * new, truly democratic The problem with western counties is that international information order and laying news, information networks etc. have to the I" Mt media and improvement of heavily come under Intensive technical means of communication in our Investment - » profit-making medU burin— . This i* part of the Imperialist part of the world does not help much to solving the major question, which Is a politcal offensive with the aid ofelecfrom® o n e .Who do the mass media serve? Who corporations. There is also the politick anile. The New International Information owns them? Are they reflecting the aspirations of the masses? Order has evoked a violently hostile response The question of “plurality of views from Western governments and the major is alien to African tradition where people media multinationals. The U.S. government discuss and discuss until they agree. The even threatened to cancel its wbventions whole argument on “media freedom as to the UNESCO budget (25% of the total) t basic human right falls flat when one UNESCO New If presses ahead with the considers that the controllers of the world International Information Order proposals. communications business are obviously the There were many of these pressures. best qualified to protect it. Last May the U.S. funded a major seminar What about the abuses of power by held under the auspices of the Voice of multinational communications media or the Freedom Committee at the Talloires campus barrage of hostile propaganda from TV of representatives of “independent news transmitters owned by the multinationals. media” comprising bodies like the American Surely “freedom of journalists” does not Newspaper Publishers’ Association, the necessarily mean privatisation of state- International Federation of Newspaper owned and controlled media; it does not Publisher* and the major western news mean the right to fire the entire staff of the agencies declared war on UNESCO. Big Tf.f. broadcasting service, state-owned news business interests which dominated papers and government information service. Talloires warned that they would Cght any Nor does it mean the introduction of the “proposed curbs on press freedotn , citing most unethical journalistic practices. the Helsinki agreement of 1975 as their In other words what the IOJ is saying new found bible. These media multinationals is that the problem of journalism cannot pledged themselves to foster the agreement be left to technicians who happen to work to V “freer flow and wider dissemination for multinationals. Technology is only part of information of all kinds, to encourage of the problem. Supplying technology is cooperation” and the signatories warned that they would “vigorously oppose any like laying gas or oil pipelines. This becomes more obvious when one interference with this fundamental nght considers that most African countries « id would insist that the press and the receive information — even on their own public were assured of access to “all sources countries — from foreign news agencies. of information". Some former colonial countries still have What is interesting is that while the telephone links with neighbours through Declaration of Talloires attacked media the former colonial powers. The media control by government agencies and supported a variety of “independetly world is more than a trade union affair improtant a s that is - it is wider and perhaps owned news media - “the deal to m i att even more political: the journalists and countries should aim for^ — it paid tribute cinemascope people are involved in one of to the Importance of advertising as * the most sensitive issues as opinion “consumer service" and in providing Wn.nriai support for a strong and sell makers". sustaining press. __ . What about the readers who are supposed IO J and Africa to be the source, guide and financial backers The IO J has attracted a new generation of of a democratic press? Slogans like “without journalists especially in the non-aUgned financial independence, the press cannot world and unliberated countries like South be independent” do not help much to Africa and Namibia. At the IOJ Congress solve our problems In Africa. The emphasis in Moscow 21 new organisations were on toe introduction of new technology admitted u new mem ben of the IO J. Document which aet out the main directions The participation and pretence of African o f the organisations activities in the coming delegate* was impressive. The delegates period. Kaarle Nordenstreng was also visited the V I Lenin Mauaoieum unanimously re-elected President o f the and placed a wreath there and on another IOJ and Jlri Kubka as Secretary General occasion a wreath was laid at the glare of The IO J Congress offered us an o f the Unkhown Soldier at the Kremlin opportunity to meet other journalists who WalL are suffering the same evils of Imperialism — The Congress also heard nports of the for example in El Salvador there b recorded IO J Professional Commission; Coordinating the highest number of missing and dead Committee tor Training and Profesdonal journalists -- and what is more, the IOJ Qualifications of Journalists from Develop gives us practical assistance for our work ing Countries and a report of the Committee as journalist* of the liberation movements for Study and Documentation. The 5 and newly independent countries. Of Congress reports were approved course besides this technical assistance, unanimously. ideas are more important. It was decided that In addition to the Indeed at the IO J Congress one felt two existing permanent IOJ Commissions — that there is a need to mobilise even those the Professional and Social - two mote forces living on the wrong planet — the should be set up: the IOJ Commission for imperialist world — because the earth has Journalist Training and the Commission for been fruned into a global or tribal village. Study and Documentation. The editorial There is need for communication and the commission presented a draft Orientation IO J is the best forum.
MURDER OF A PATRIOT Griffiths Mxenge
'They can kill hundreds of Mxenges and Born in 1935 in King William’s Town, the struggle for liberation will not stop Mxenge was to embark on a life of service at all". These defiant words were spoken to his people and t o this end he battled ^ -by the widow of Griffiths Mlungisi Mxenge, to acquire specific skills. In 1961 he got outstanding Durban attorney and freedom his B.A. at the University of Fort Hare fighter. and the next year began his LLB at the The nation’s mourning of Griffiths University of NataL But his political involve Mxenge was only tempered by the outrage ment was to hamper the course of his ' felt about his vile murder. On November studies. * 25 hia? mutilated body was found near Griffiths Mxenge was detained under Umlazi Cycling Stadium in Durban. the 180 day law in 1966. In 1967, he was Mxenge’s # disapearence followed on the sentenced to 2 years on Robben Island for poisoning of his families pet dogs and furthering the aims of the banned African visits by the Security Police during which National Congress. On release he was able he was questioned about allegedly being to complete his legal studies. But in 1973 in possession of ANC funds. This was by his freedom was once again restricted when no means the first time Mxenge had faced he was served with a five year banning 10 the terror of the racist state. order. Three years later when the whole REMEMBER 11 of South Africa was aflame, Mxenge w u On the night o f the 19th of November detained for 103 days under Section 6 of in the South African dty of Durban, agents the Terrorism Act when he refused to o f the Pretoria regime brutally amarinated give state evidence in the trial of Harry Griffiths Mxenge. Gwala and 8 others. Using knives, the murderers wen not During the last five years of his life. content just to take away the life of this Griffiths Mxenge was deeply involved outstanding patriot. In unbridled savagery, in the struggles of his people. As attorney they extensively mutilated his bee and he acted in many political trials including cut off his ears. the cases of Mdluli and Mohapi who were The massacre of our people in Mi to La murdered in security police detention. in January the murder of Joe Gqabl in He was also a leading figure in the highly Salisbury in July and now the assaainatlon successful anti-SAIC campaign, treasurer of of Griffiths Mxenge are a sign of the despera the Durban Release Mandela Committee tion of the enemy who Increasingly finds and active both in trade union resurgence himself unable to stop the forward march iand the students struggle against apartheid of the people, the ANC and the popular education. He was a founder member of army, Umkhonto we Sizwe. the South African Democratic Lawyers These acts of brutality can only serve Association. to strengthen our determination to free More than 3,000 people paid tribute ourselves. Through his martydom Griffiths to the contribution made by Griffiths Mxenge has set us the task to destroy Mxenge at the memorial service held in the apartheid regime sooner rather than Durban. The coffin carrying his body was later. draped in the colours of the ANC and bore The African National Congress in its a nameplate which read • LONG LIVE entirety convey its condolences to the CONGRESS. Bishop Desmond Tutu read wife and family of our late comrade and the sermon and speakers included Albertina pledges its oneness with them at this our Sisulu, Ntatho Motlana, Thozamile Gqwetha hour of grief. and M J. Naidoo. As we lower our banners in memory of The crowd listened to telegrams of a great son of our people, an outstanding condolence from the ANC including one revolutionary, we renew our vows that we from its President Oliver Tam bo. Speaker shall give no quarter in the noble struggle after speaker dismissed the enemy’s to rid our country of the murderers and propaganda which had made the ludicrous tyrants that illegally rule our country and Haim that the ANC was responsible for people. Mxenge's death in connection with the Farewell dear brother and comrade. missuse of ANC funds. At a special press Your sacrifice is not in vain. conference called by Mrs Victoria Nonyamezelo Mxenge, his widow denied this lie created by those ultimately responsible for his death. Griffiths Mxenge leaves his wife and children Mbasa and Nomhle. They arc not alone in their grief. As Victoria Mxenge said of her husband "... he achieved a lot. H« not only had the courage of his convictions but he passed on this courage to many who will continue to flffht for the freedom in which he believed”. Below we print extracts from the statement of ANC President O.R. Tam bo on the murder of Griffiths Mlungisi Mxenge.
• ' i DEATHS IN DETENTION
By 1978 the toll o f patriots murdered in Against this background, the widespread security police detention was at least 50. detentions carried out by the Security A torrent of international protest appeared Police throughout South Africa at the end to have caused a hill in these crimes. But of last year, should serve as an alert to the over the past two years evidence gleaned international community. More than 100 from political trials shows an increase In people are being held incommunicado the severe torture of detainees. In four under Section 6 of the Terrorism Act cases since 1980, this has led to deaths in alone. It is clear that systematic and brutal detention. torture b being practised in these cases in On November 12, 1981 Tshlfhiwa an effort to crush the upsurge of resistance Mhofhe died two days after his detention throughout the country. In South Africa by Venda security police. A former leader committees have been set up to rally behind of the Black People’s Convention which the detainees. It is crucial that this solidarity was banned in 1977, Mhofhe was arrested extends world wide. along with 14 others after an armed attack The deaths in detention in the bantustans carried out on a Venda police station. He are a painful reminder of the meaning of was reported to be in excellent health so
The attempt to stage a coup is the and were subjecting the mercenaries to Seychelles to overthrow the progressive withering fire. government led b f President Albert Rene Under fire the mercenaries bravado did at the end of November last year, once not last long. Reportedly, a few of the again demonstrated the apartheid regime's gang ran away into the mountains but aggressive intentions towards independent most decided to run back to their master Africa. as fast as they could, and for this purpose As the facts unfolded of the bungled they hijacked an Air India Boeing 707 attempt, it became ever clearer that behind which had just landed at the airport. the nearly 50-strong gang of mercenaries, The air pirates forced the pilot, at stood the South African apartheid regime. gunpoint, to fly to Durban, with all the What actually happened in this attempted passengers on board. coup, and how was the ugly face of the The mercenaries dragged one dead fascist regime exposed as the originator of member of their gang with them — it was the scheme? later revealed that he was a South Sfrican The mercenaries’ “mission" began on army reservist November 24, when 45 white men gathered On arrival at Durban, the fascist regime in a Rand coach in Johannesburg. It was staged a . pretence by “arresting” the later to become apparent that the gang mercenairies and taking them to Pretoria were on a mission where, if they succeeded for “questioning” . they would be heroes, but if they failed The regime immediately began a they would be disowned. They stopped that propaganda campaign to deny its own night in Ermelo. Involvement in the coupt attempt. By the time they reached Swaziland President Rene called for the gangsters they were posing as members of a fictitious to be returned to the Seychelles to face beer-drinking club on the way to play a triaL rugby match. The apartheid regime responded by * They flew from Swaziland to the releasing 39 of the 44 returned mercenaries, Seychelles, with a stop over at the Comoros brazenly saying there was no law under Islands, where it appears they may have which they could be charged. picked up their arms. Fascist police minister Louis Le Grange Certaily when they reached the Pointe said “You tell one what laws they broke Laroure airport that afternoon of November in South Africa. They only shot out some 25, they had concealed weapons with them. windows and ran around in the bush”. They attempted to pass through customs However the regime, in a bid to distance as tourists on the way to play a rugby themselves from the gang, announced that match, but alert customs officials decided to five of the group were to be put on trial, check one of the suitcases. It did not take including the gang leader, Colonel “Mad them long to discover weapons concealed Mike” Hoare, the notorious international within the suitcase. mercenary who resides in South Africa. The other members of the gang panicked But it soon became clear that this “trial” and grabbed their weapons and attmpted would prove a farce. The five were immedia to take over the airport. tely released on bail. They arrived at the This they were temporarily able to do, court, joking with the security police. but crack units of the Seychelles security Then they were charged, not with the 14 forces soon had the airport surrounded serious charge of hijacking, but with the relatively minor charge of kidnapping. involvement. Numerous suggestion! and And when the magistrate' announced accusations were made In the western the ball for the fire, the mercenaries In the press about who was behind the coup best tradition of a US southern States attempt lysch-trial, produced the exact amount What is dear for all the world to see — R30,000 - in cash from a suitcase. not have been involved, the South African Just at the time the regime announced apartheid regime dearly was. it could not charge most of the conspirators, The Seychelles government has revealed and was giving this kid glove treatment that the gang intended to stage their coup to the “leading” five, it launched mass the day after their arrival at the airport raids, detaining scores of progressive trade They would apparently have seized unionists, student and coommunity leaders, the entire political leadership of the country under Indefinite detention laws. who would have been at a central committee The apartheid regime refused to release meeting in the capital. Simultaneously the names of the 39 who were freed, but the gang planned to capture the main they had, like the other five, left their radio station and to broadcast tapes saying passports behind in the Sechelles. that deposed president Mancham had And also in the Seychelles, five taken power. mercenaries had been arrested by the President Rene has called for a UN Seychelles government. These five included inquiry into the attempted coup. And at some who had apparently escape bom the the UN, the Seychelles delegate recalled airport, and some who were already on that 3 yean ago, the US and six West the islands when the other mercenaries European states had agreed to halt flights arrived. to all states which refused to put hijacken It soon became dear that a number of on trial. the mercenaries were serving members of However the West, particularly Thatcher’s the South African security forces — tome Britain, has shown no eagerness to impose of the notorious Reconnaissance a ban on flights to South Africa, and Britain Commando. - and the US appear willing tc allow the The Seychelles government displayed one apartheid racists to get away with hijacking. of the captured men to the press, Martin The UN, OAU and progressive nations Dollinchek, who admitted that he was must force the Western supporten of a serving member of the South African apartheid to carry out the international intelligence service NLS, the successor to agreements reached in Bonn and the Hague BOSS. on hijacking. In the Seychelles, President Rene told For, as President Mugabe pointed o ut a meeting of several thousand that the five the coup attempt in the Seychelles has mercenaries would be put on trial' soon. once again revealed the true' intentions of He demanded that South Africa also put South Africa in regard to independent the escaped mercenaries on trial too. Africa. President Rene also thanked the Soviet This is another example of international Union and France for promptly responding terrorism about which the ANC has to his government’s call and sending constantly warned. It is another example warship* to the Mahe port, in case the of export of counter-revolution and racist racists’ tried another attempt. South Africa is acting as-a policeman of the It was now apparent, even to South whole region, destabilising the whole area Africa’s apologists in the West, that with and terrorising our people in the country. serving members of the apartheid regime’s The wounds of innocent Namibians and security forces in the group, the apartheid Angolans have hardly healed, the massacre regime must have known about the attempt of our comrades in Matola in Mozambique to overthrow President Rene, and must and of Joe Gqabi still fresh in our memories, have be*n involved in the attempt. now they are inflicting fresh wounds on the The apartheid regime continued to people of Seychelles. mount a propaganda offensive to deny We say this is enough! US SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE
“We urge the people of the United States to join the people of the world in demanding that the struggle be carried to a new level — the comprehensive and mandatory economic, military, diplomatic and cultural sanctions of South Africa, including an effective oil embargo.' We have a special responsibility to play and are charged with a unique responsibility. It is our government that keeps apartheid alive, feeds it, oils it, and arms it The heroic people of the ANC and SWAPO are destroying apartheid from within, but only we can end our government’s pact with racism, which if not obliterated, will destroy ux aZZ. -This conference proudly takes up this fight and joins the peoples of the world. ” (from the New York Declaration, October 1981)
For three dayi a thousand USA citizen*, of support the struggle unconditionally, or all colours and of all ages, met in Conference get out of the way.” to express solidarity with the liberation The Hon Shiriey Chisholm US Congress, struggles of the peoples of Southern Africa. said: “Our government has to make a Delegates representing labour, professional, choice between profits and human beings”. religious, civil rights, local community, Relating the horrifying experience of women’s, students, political, media and watching Cross Roads being bulldozed solidarity groups from virtually all states when she visited South Africa with a fact of the USA participated in the Conference finding mission of the Congress she made at the Riverside Church, New Uork City it clear. “It has to be the armed struggle” to from 9 to 11 October 1981. bring about change. ICSA initiated the conference which was Comrade A. Nzo led the ANC delegation convened by a broad based preparatory and the Secretary for External Relations, committee in co-sponsorship with ANC comrade P. Mueshihange, headed the and SWAPO. Congressman Ron Dellums SWAPO representation. The UN Special was president of this committee and Committee against Apartheid and the attorney Lennox Hinds its chairman. Council for Namibia endorsed and supported The Conference heard statements, studied the Conference. For the first time in its documents on USA links with apartheid, history, all the forces in the USA engaged discussed in commissions which were in opposing their government’s open and followed by action workshops to draw up secret support for apartheid were brought an extensive programme of action. together in a powerful coalition. “The struggle in Southern Africa is their A standing ovation acclaimed the New struggle, it is not for us to decide how,” York Declaration. The proposals for an said Cleveland Robinson, secretary-treasurer action programme, including the trans District 65 UAW. “So-called leaden who formation of the -preparatory committee come from South Africa, walking tall here into a continuation committee to coordinate in the USA, and then return to South further action was adopted. Africa without harassment are not leaders. (for a full report and complete text of the There is no difference between true leaden New York Declaration see ICSA Bulletin In exile and the people inside. We must NO **15 from 30A Danbury St, London Nl) Collection Number: AK2117
DELMAS TREASON TRIAL 1985 - 1989
PUBLISHER: Publisher:-Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand Location:-Johannesburg ©2012
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.
People using these records relating to the archives of Historical Papers, The Library, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, are reminded that such records sometimes contain material which is uncorroborated, inaccurate, distorted or untrue. While these digital records are true facsimiles of the collection records and the information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable, Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand has not independently verified their content. Consequently, the University is not responsible for any errors or omissions and excludes any and all liability for any errors in or omissions from the information on the website or any related information on third party websites accessible from this website.
This document is part of a private collection deposited with Historical Papers at The University of the Witwatersrand.