DOCSLIB.ORG

Political Organisations Must Be Unbanned Aparth5id

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Political Organisations Must Be Unbanned Aparth5id Tu^g.q.- 7-»g b'SCu^i'on ALL POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS MUST BE UNBANNED The banning of organisations is the single most important cause of political violence in South Africa. When an anti-apartheid organisation with thousands of members and supporters is denied any channel for peaceful opposition, it will inevitably take up arms. The majority of South Africans do not recognise the government's MIRGE,NUSAS and ECC. Printed at 131 Main Lr Road, Obs right to rule, let alone to ban their organisations. The widespread support for banned organisations indicates clearly that there can be no peaceful change until and allowed to take their rightful place in the democratic political life of our country. Without freedom of association there can be no peaceful c'hange. APARTH5ID MUST BE DISMANTLED Apartheid and the entire system of minority rule is an unjust and illegitimate process, and it is the root cause of all the violence in South Africa. The majority of South Africans have indicated their determination to rid themselves of apartheid, and play a role in determining the future of South Africa. The government has made adjustments to apartheid, but insists on determining South Africa's future on its own terms. The government insists on remaining in power, while the majority of South Africans refuse to acknowledge its right to rule as a minority government. Peaceful change will only be possible when apartheid in its entireity is dismantles, and there is a recognition that the only legitimate government in South Africa is one based on the will of all South Africans established in a single democratic process. AS SOUTH AFRICANS WHOSE DEEPEST WISH IS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN OUR LAND, WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO WORKING TOGETHER TO REALISE THESE PRECONDITIONS. LET US MAKE PEACEFUL CHANGE A REALITY !________ Nl is NO WAR IN N AM IBIA South Africa's illegal occupation of DID YOU KNOW? Namibia • There are over 90 000 SADF troops in Namibia. • The Namibian war costs Namibia has been illegally under which people live) among occupied by South Africa since South Africa more than R2 m Africans is one of the highest in every day. 1966 when the United Nations (UN) the world while infant mortality It costs about R1 m to kill ended South Africa's mandate and among whites is one of the lowest. ordered South Africa to withdraw one SWAPO guerilla (SABC The official figure for the current fig u re ). from the territory. International housing shortage in the townships • 10 000 Namibians have died law recognises the United Nations is 380 000, but independent in the war since 1966. This Council for Namibia as the legal research puts the figure at roughly represents 1% of the entire authority, and in turn the UN; three times this amount. The population. recognises the South West African chronicle of poverty is endless, yet • In 1980 PW Botha announed People's Organisation (SWAPO) as South Africa continues to use much that R3 000 had been spent on the sole representative of the needed financial resources on "infrastucture and defence" people. Yet South Africa continues illegally occupying neighbouring to rule by force. De facto Namibia territory. in Namibia. Since then the is occupied by South Africa with figure has increased the northern areas under military substantially. control. the withdrawal ot Cuban troops from neighbouring Angola. At present South Africa is again SWAPO, and initially South Africa, "Only when we are granted accepted UN resolution 435 in engaged in negotiations regarding our independence will the 1978 which detailed the steps that the withdrawal of the South African struggle stop. Only when were required for South Africa to Defence Force (SADF) from our human dignity is withdraw from the territory. Namibian territory. Should South restored to us, as equals of However, South Africa went on to Africa remain intransigent the the whites, will there be kill 700 mostly women and implementation of resolution 435 peace between us. children in the Kassinga raid into and Namibia's independence will "We believe that South Angola and then to hold internal be stalled yet again. Africa has a choice - either elections which did not have the to live at peace with us or to participation of SWAPO and other The cost of maintaining South subdue us by force. If you representative groupings. Africa's illegal occupation is choose to crush us and enormous. Millions of rands are impose your will on us then spent everyday on this war while Pressure continues to be exerted on The people of Namibia should be you will not only betray our South Africa by the international the majority of South Africa's left to conduct free and fair trust, but you will live in community and many attempts have people live under some of the worst elections as outlined in resolution security only as long as been made to force the conditions in the world. The infant 435 while South Africa's soldiers your power is greater than implementation of UN resolution mortality rate (IMR is widely should be performing a truly ours." 435. A stumbling block has always accepted as being an accurate national service which benefits the SWAPO leader been South Africa's insistence on indicator of the social conditions majority of people in this country. Andimba Toiva ja Toiva THE EFFECTS OF WAR "If we saw a well-built kaffir we'd know he was a terr. If he had soft feet that would prove it beyond doubt, at least if we were out in the bush, because who else wears shoes? Sometimes you could also see marks on his shoulders or his waist from the webbing. "We'd interrogate him, and if he was stubborn he could have trouble. Maybe we tie him to the front of the Buffel and do a little bundu-bashing. Feel it? Why should I feel it? I wasn't on the front of the Buffel. "If he's still okay when we get tired of driving around maybe we give him a ratpack (a seven-day food supply, containing corned beef, chocolate bars, ’dog biscuits’ etc.) and tell him to shut up. "Sometimes they shout and shout and complain and then we have no choice, we have to finish him off. Sometimes he's finished off before we stop driving. Then we just untie him and farewell." (SADF soldier, Frontline August 1985) Two former South African National Serviceman were sentenced to 22 years and 18 years respectively by the Windhoek Supreme Court for the murder of an Ovambo- speaking civilian, Mr Sebastiaan Lukas, in northern South West Africa. At about 8 p.m. on February 9 1985 they saw Mr Lukas (40) walking through the sorghum field and took him into custody because they thought his movements had been "suspect". They ordered Mr Lukas to squat on his haunches, and they stepped five to eight paces away, swung around and opened fire on him with their army issue R4 automatic rifles. (Citizen 29/10/85) Fast for a Just Peace Today, the 17th of September, is International Day of Peace. It is also the first day of a three week fast by Dr Ivan Toms, prominent Cross­ roads doctor. Can we celebrate peace when our country is in a state of turmoil, when South Africa is at war with itself? We should, with Ivan Toms, dedicate ourselves to resolving conflict and working for a just peace. AT SCHOOLS IN CAPE TOWN... A t "w h ite " schools, classes in the Pupils like yourselves have been morning andijport in the afternoon sjamboked, teargassed and shot at remain unaffected by our country's w ith rubber bullets and live conflict. A t "coloured" and ammunition. Now all the "colour­ "black" schools teachers and school ed" schools in the Western Cape pupils have been protesting against have been closed down by the the state of emergency. Their government, leaving many pupils protests have been met by police unsure as to whether they can and army violence. write their matric exam. TROOPS OUT CAMPAIGN The presence of the SADF in the The ECC has launched a “ TROOPS townships aggravates the state of OUT CAMPAIGN" calling for the conflict in our country. The pres­ withdrawal of the SADF from the ence of the SADF in the townships townships. is a declaration of war against the township residents. Young con­ As an act of personal commitment scripts are forced to participate in to peace. Dr Ivan Toms will fast the township war. The withdrawal in St George's Cathedral from of troops from the townships is an September 17th to October 7th. essential pre-requisite for any Ivan is a conscientious objector serious attempt to find a peaceful and a doctor at the SAC LA Clinic solution to our country's conflicts. in Crossroads. Church leaders and prominent individuals will fast with Ivan throughout the period. "Fasting has a long political and Christian tradition. Therefore as a Christian conscientious objector and a member of the ECC, I have chosen to fast in order to protest against the oppression of blacks in what is now civil war. In a situation like this where young men are expected to fire on fellow South Africans, the very least we can call for is that individ­ ual conscripts be given the right to decide not to go into the town­ ships." Dr Ivan Toms What can we do? You can join the Fast for a Just Peace — October 6-7 for 24 hours. Visit Ivan in St George's Cathedral from 17th September — 7th October to chat to him.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • May Publisher 06
    FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN NEWSLETTER May 2006 information processing in the nervous system." Dr. Wood qualified in Inaugural Lecture medicine at UCT, and is now based at Oxford University in the “How the brain-mind works: Lessons from the departments of anatomy and genetics. His talk concerned the several anxiety disorders. “ types of recently recognised "small RNA" molecules and their functions, Professor Dan Stein. 17h30 Wednesday 10th May, and the application of RNA interference technology as a potential Learning Centre treatment for disorders of muscle and nerve. The day was well RSVP [catering]: [email protected] attended, and the neuroscience community got to know and interact with each in a way that will stimulate collaborative research work. Cardiology at the limits 8th annual Cardiology at the Limits meeting, 2006. New UCT Executive Director: The Annual Cardiology at the Limits meeting has by now become somewhat Development and Allumni Affairs of a legend. Opened by our Dean, Dr Jim McNamara has been appointed to Professor Marian Jacobs, who pointed the position of Executive Director: to the long history of collaboration Development and Alumni Affairs. Dr between the Hatter Institutes of the McNamara is Deputy Registrar and Project University of Cape Town and University Director of the Integrated Student College London, based on a lifelong Information System (ISIS) Project. He has friendship between the Directors, extensive experience in university namely Lionel Opie and Derek Yellon. administration, including alumni relations, Then followed Professor Mike Spyer, Dean of Medicine at University business management, and sales and marketing. College London, who gave his blessing to the meeting.
    [Show full text]
  • The Doctor in the Cathedral (E.-S for Two Weeks Christian Conscientious Objector Dr Ivan Toms Has Been Living Off Water Alone
    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.
    [Show full text]
  • The Issue of Conscientious Objection in Apartheid South Africa: Growth of the Anti-Conscription Movement
    The Issue of Conscientious Objection in Apartheid South Africa: Growth of the Anti-Conscription Movement http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.nuun1989_09 Use of the Aluka digital library is subject to Aluka’s Terms and Conditions, available at http://www.aluka.org/page/about/termsConditions.jsp. By using Aluka, you agree that you have read and will abide by the Terms and Conditions. Among other things, the Terms and Conditions provide that the content in the Aluka digital library is only for personal, non-commercial use by authorized users of Aluka in connection with research, scholarship, and education. The content in the Aluka digital library is subject to copyright, with the exception of certain governmental works and very old materials that may be in the public domain under applicable law. Permission must be sought from Aluka and/or the applicable copyright holder in connection with any duplication or distribution of these materials where required by applicable law. Aluka is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to creating and preserving a digital archive of materials about and from the developing world. For more information about Aluka, please see http://www.aluka.org The Issue of Conscientious Objection in Apartheid South Africa: Growth of the Anti-Conscription Movement Alternative title Notes and Documents - United Nations Centre Against ApartheidNo. 9/89 Author/Creator United Nations Centre against Apartheid; Committee on South African War Resistance Publisher United Nations, New York Date 1989-11-00 Resource type Reports Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) South Africa Coverage (temporal) 1957 - 1989 Source Northwestern University Libraries Description "The present paper deals with the growth of the South African anti-conscription and anti-war movement.
    [Show full text]
  • At the Limits of Spatial Governmentality: a Message from the Tip of Africa
    Third World Quarterly, Vol 23, No 4, pp 665–689, 2002 At the limits of spatial governmentality: a message from the tip of Africa STEVEN ROBINS ABSTRACT Urban studies scholars drawing on Foucault’s analysis of govern- mentality have investigated how urban social orders are increasingly more concerned with the management of space rather than on the discipline of offenders or the punishment of offences (Merry, 2001). This paper examines the ‘rationality’ and efficacy of spatial governmentality in post-apartheid Cape Town, and shows how the city has increasingly become a ‘fortress city’ (Davis, 1990), much like cities such as Los Angeles, Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro. These ‘global cities’ are increasingly characterised by privatised security systems in middle class suburbs, shopping malls and gated communities (Caldeira, 1999). These spatial forms of governmentality draw on sophisticated security systems comprising razor wire and electrified walls, burglar alarms and safe rooms, as well as vicious guard dogs, neighbourhood watches, private security companies, and automated surveillance cameras. On the other side of the race and class divide are urban ghettoes characterised by growing poverty and everyday violence. These socio-spatial inequalities continue to be reproduced despite urban planning initiatives aimed at desegregating the apartheid city. Although the media and the middle classes highlight the dangers of crime and violence, they tend to ignore the structures of inequality that fuel the growth of crime syndicates and violent drug economies that are reproducing these urban governance crises. Given the diminished resources of the neo-liberal state, the policing of middle class residential and business districts is increasingly being ‘outsourced’ to private security companies.
    [Show full text]
  • {J.C.T. Report Td N.C,-» March
    {J.C.T. REPORT TD N.C,-» MARCH C o n t e n t s s 1. Number of active 2. M o r a l e 3. Security 4.. Eepr£0&i0H 6. 5 wears b. Drierttatioir) VJeek- G e p o / V 7. E.CC 's pa/bicipat?6>H iv\ • g. Ineewal ^duMtion ard 'Training 9. Contact Sabcmirt/i Q & p o f c 10.Culture GukxOw\vv\ Qepovv ii- M edio Qu Iocomm Pepovc 12 . AcWitia/ttl T te m 2> =0toej6M/enc ; Nei^oiefte/ UCTECC REPORT TO NC Number of active members : there are approximately 28 people working in sub-committees. Morale : the year started off well for us with an impressive stall during Orientation Week, but the procedure for incorporating new members failed. Our first GB was a slight disaster which resulted in old members (particularly those in leadership positions^)} feeling very low and un-inspired. With Gary's assistance we held an 'old members' meeting to plan our term more thoroughly as well as to boost morale. Our spirits were up again after our participation in the Rag procession and a very successful second GB. The highlight of the term (internally) was our weekend away to plan the national campaign. It resulted in all members feeling excited and enthusiastic about our potential to be an effective, cohesive campaign on c a m p u s . Security : the constant flow of activists through ECC made it fairly difficult to develop a security consciousness. After a session on security at the weekend away, members understood the need to practise security measures and are taking it seriously; there was even a request for a guidelines/tasks list to be written up in the event of activists being detained.
    [Show full text]
  • Fast for a Just Peace End Conscription Campaign
    Columbia College Chicago Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago End Conscription Campaign Orlando Redekopp Collection October 2017 Fast for a Just Peace End Conscription Campaign Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.colum.edu/ecc Part of the African History Commons, and the Military History Commons Recommended Citation End Conscription Campaign, "Fast for a Just Peace" (2017). End Conscription Campaign. 23. http://digitalcommons.colum.edu/ecc/23 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Orlando Redekopp Collection at Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. It has been accepted for inclusion in End Conscription Campaign by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. 0 .-. ­-- Africans. It is yet anothet step to uphold apartheid at all costs." "Fasting is a time-honoured Christian 3 Week Fast For A Just Peace tradition, being used for personal "In a situation like this where.young men cleansing, and also for a whole nation to The central thrust of the ECC's "Troop-a · . are expected to ti re on fellow South reflecl on Its situation, mourn its out of the Townships" campaign, wilt be. Africans, the very least we can call for is sinfulness, and petition God for a 3 week fast for a just peace. Spear­ that the individual conscript be given the help. Having grown up in a Christian heading this fast will be Dr Ivan Toms In right to decide not to go into the family 1have come to know fasting as an Cape Town, and Harold Wlnkler in townships." · effective means of purification and Johannesburg.
    [Show full text]
  • Objecting to Apartheid
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by South East Academic Libraries System (SEALS) OBJECTING TO APARTHEID: THE HISTORY OF THE END CONSCRIPTION CAMPAIGN By DAVID JONES Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS In the subject HISTORY At the UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR GARY MINKLEY JANUARY 2013 I, David Jones, student number 200603420, hereby declare that I am fully aware of the University of Fort Hare’s policy on plagiarism and I have taken every precaution to comply with the regulations. Signature…………………………………………………………… Abstract This dissertation explores the history of the End Conscription Campaign (ECC) and evaluates its contribution to the struggle against apartheid. The ECC mobilised white opposition to apartheid by focussing on the role of the military in perpetuating white rule. By identifying conscription as the price paid by white South Africans for their continued political dominance, the ECC discovered a point of resistance within apartheid discourse around which white opposition could converge. The ECC challenged the discursive constructs of apartheid on many levels, going beyond mere criticism to the active modeling of alternatives. It played an important role in countering the intense propaganda to which all white South Africans were subject to ensure their loyalty, and in revealing the true nature of the conflict in the country. It articulated the dis-ease experienced by many who were alienated by the dominant culture of conformity, sexism, racism and homophobia. By educating, challenging and empowering white citizens to question the role of the military and, increasingly, to resist conscription it weakened the apartheid state thus adding an important component to the many pressures brought to bear on it which, in their combination, resulted in its demise.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Health Association of South Africa
    Newsletter of the Public Health Association of South Africa Issue 11 2 0 0 8 This issue of the PHASA newsletter advertises the forthcoming 4th Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) Conference in Cape Town in early June, and the workshops that precede it; and draws attention to a 2-week WHO course Promoting Rational Medicines Use in the Community, during the University of Western Cape’s School of Public Health Winter School in July 2008. We look at three audit reports highlighting the high death rates amongst mothers, babies and children each year in South Africa. We publish the Declaration of the National Consultative Health Forum on Primary Health Care, at the Birchwood Conference Centre, Gauteng, April 2008; we note the recognition of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) as a Group on Earth Observations (GEO); we promote the remarkable book by Professor William Pick, which recalls his personal history in the midst of extraordinary transformations in South Africa; we publish an obituary from the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) on Dr. Ivan Toms and we draw attention to the long-awaited report on burns, now available from the World Health Organisation. p. 2 p. 8 The 4th Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) Declaration of the National Consultative Health Forum on Conference will be held from 2-4 June 2008 at the Southern Primary Health Care, at the Birchwood conference centre, Sun Cape Sun, Cape Town, South Africa, preceded by seven Gauteng Province, April 2008, . workshops.The theme of the conference, in keeping with the 30th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration, will be: ‘Making p.8 Alma Ata principles a 21st century reality: What will it take?’ The At the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) theme will enable critical review of the progress that Southern symposium in Brazil in September, the World Federation of Africa has made in terms of providing health care for all.
    [Show full text]
  • PO BOX 7315 Roggebaai 8012 25 June 1987 Dear ECC, Re : LAGQ
    PO BOX 7315 Roggebaai 8012 25 June 1987 Dear ECC, re : LAGQ participation in Ivan’s CO campaign We are writing to you at this late stage before Ivan’s campaign moves into -full swing because of our extreme concern about the way in which ECC has dealt with the issue of Ivan’s gayness. The positive feedback on the issue during Ivan’s national tour and the intensifying campaign against Ivan and one of our members have brought the issue to a head. We are fully aware that this campaign has a particular focus and that ECC is a single-issue campaign. We agree that the conduct of the campaign needs to be determined by political criteria. As progressive lesbians and gays we are acutely aware of the interconnections between various strands of the struggle towards a democratic SA. We perceived this particular campaign as one through which we could express our support for your efforts at challenging the system. We believed that, because of the particular juncture of the personal and political issues around which this campaign is based and the crucial role of Ivan who is gay, we (LABO and ECC) could work towards a common objective without negating the particular focusses of each. LAGO is finding it extremely difficult to participate with full motivation in the ECC campaign group in an atmosphere where there is a lack of mutual respect, especially on ECC’s side. We believe that the following are some of the ways in which this has manifested itself: * failure to consider the deep effects, political and personal, of your refusal to allow Ivan to deal with his gayness as an integral part of his personal and political development, * the situation of the argument regarding potential losses in terms of stereotypical generalisations ie.
    [Show full text]
  • Support Ivan Toms End Conscription Campaign
    Columbia College Chicago Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago End Conscription Campaign Orlando Redekopp Collection October 2017 Conscripts Need Alternatives: Support Ivan Toms End Conscription Campaign Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.colum.edu/ecc Part of the African History Commons, and the Military History Commons Recommended Citation End Conscription Campaign, "Conscripts Need Alternatives: Support Ivan Toms" (2017). End Conscription Campaign. 7. http://digitalcommons.colum.edu/ecc/7 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Orlando Redekopp Collection at Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. It has been accepted for inclusion in End Conscription Campaign by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. CONSCRIPTS NEED ALTERNATIVES • • I I I I j j j l ' II n many respects Ivan Toms is like any other ordinary white South because there was no food or work there, were being attacked daily IAfrican. Born in Germiston, raised in Durban -where he captained by these officials. Old women and babies were being left in the rain his rugby team and was deputy headboy in an illustrious school and cold of a Cape winter because, to the South African government, career - Ivan eventua lly graduated as a medical doctor from the they should not have been in Cape Town . When the women held University of Cape Town in 1976. onto the flimsy branches that formed the base of their plastic From there it was into the army where he was comm issioned to the shelters, this constituted a 'riot' . Rubber bullets, teargas, sneeze rank of lieutenant. And like many of our young men in uniform, Ivan powder and police dogs battered the people into submission and we entered the SADF reluctantly.
    [Show full text]
  • CIVIL RESISTANCE in SOUTH AFRICA, 1970S to 1980S Learning from Leaders Across a Range of Anti-Apartheid Organisations
    GRADE 12 CIVIL RESISTANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA, 1970s TO 1980s Learning from leaders across a range of anti-apartheid organisations. Learning from leaders across a range of anti-apartheid organisations Black Sash, Food and Canning Workers Union (FCWU), End Conscription Campaign (ECC) and United Democratic Front (UDF), with reference to Liz Abrahams, Mary Burton, Ashley Kriel, Ivan Toms and Nelson Mandela. Cover image: © Rodger Bosch 2 City of Cape Town LESSON PLAN OVERVIEW: FOR THE EDUCATOR Civil resistance in South Africa, 1970s to 1980s Learning area: Social Science (History) Grade: 12 Curriculum link: Civil resistance in South Africa, 1970s to 1980s Learning outcomes (LO): These outcomes are Assessment standards (AS) drawn directly from Curriculum Assessment according to CAPS: Policy Statements (CAPS) LO 1: Historical inquiry AS 1 to 4 LO 2: Historical concepts AS 1 to 3 LO 3: Knowledge construction and communication AS 1 to 3 CONTENT LINKS: Looking back at: Current: Grade 9: Turning points and civil resistance Grade 12: Civil resistance in South Africa, Grade 11: Segregation as the foundation 1970s to 1980s for apartheid, and the nature of resistance to apartheid Context: The activities are designed to introduce learners without (and even those with) access to additional history materials to civil resistance in the apartheid era. This includes the growing power of the trade union movement, various responses to Botha’s “reforms”, the ECC and Black Sash, and the international anti-apartheid movement’s “Free Mandela” campaign. ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES Activity aims: Learners will learn to: • collect information to fill in the broader picture; • select relevant information; • analyse and weigh up conclusions reached or opinions about events or people from the past; • engage in debate about what happened, and how and why it happened; • use evidence to back up an argument in a systematic way; and • understand that different persons, communities or countries choose to remember the past in a certain way.
    [Show full text]
  • Editor's Choice
    EDITOR’S CHOICE Ivan Toms: Political and gay activist Challenges include relating to new drugs and cutting- edge technology that have the potential to extend or save Few people are recognised as having influenced society. lives. Taylor examines the evidence and finds that cost- Ivan Toms, who died prematurely from a curable illness, utility analyses are not the panacea for allocation of scarce meningococcal meningitis, was someone who made a positive resources they are often proclaimed to be. Nevertheless impact on society.1 One’s first impression of Ivan was of a small reservations about quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) in man with a ready and impish smile. He had a self-deprecating prioritising of scarce resources should not detract from their air and an infectious sense of humour. But on important value in informing price negotiations between funders and issues he had a steely resolve to do what he considered right, manufacturers. regardless of the consequences. In the 1980s, at the height of apartheid’s excesses in clamping Risky sexual behaviours of high-school down on dissent, Ivan risked life and limb to confront police and soldiers hunting down their victims. His experience of the pupils brutality of the people carrying out state policies led him to The high and increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS among defy his statutory SADF camp call-up. This defiance resulted South Africa’s youth suggests that prevention efforts need to in his being jailed for 21 months in Pollsmoor Prison, where be re-examined. Frank and colleagues4 investigated the risky he was sexually molested and raped.
    [Show full text]