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Soutii Africa Moves Against Black Opponents

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Soutii Africa Moves Against Black Opponents No.2 AMERICAN COMMITTEE ON AFRICA• 305 E. 46th St., New York, N.Y. 10010 • (212) 838-5030 FALL 1977 SouTII AfRicA MovEs AGAiNsT BlAck OppoNENTS The South African government, in a __8UW__QRT GROWSEORBANKCAMJMIGN mQv_ei:ksig_n~dtQ_!;!lLrninate aJLrnrm:1in_-__ ing opposition, has shut down the country's largest black newspaper and Union and church groups continue to timates that US bank loans to South outlawed the leading black organiza­ lead the way in withdrawing money Africa total about $3 billion, or one­ tions. Among the 19 groups banned are from 58 US banks which are targets of third higher than previously believed. the Black People's Convention and the a campaign to end all bank loans to The number. of organizations par­ South African Students' Organization, South Africa. ticipating in the campaign has grown both outgrowths of the black The United Radio, Electrical and to nearly 50. Among recent additions consciousness movement whose Machine Workers Union withdrew a $4 are several black organi;ations includ­ leader, Steve Biko, died in detention on million payroll account from Chase ing the Black Theology Project, the Sept. 12. Manhattan Bank in mid-September, Black Students Organization of At least 50 people were arrested and while the Sisters of Charity of New Columbia University, and the Black an unknown number banned as part of York removed its accounts from Citi­ Church Studies Program at Colgate­ the government's sweeping action on bank. The Fur, Leather and Machinery Rochester Divinity School. Oct. 19. Those arrested included six Workers (FLM Joint Board) also has As one indication of rising national members of the Committee of 10, a withdrawn all of its accounts from New interest, more than 100,000 fliers have group seeking self-government for York banks with South African connec- been distributed by COBLSA to date. Soweto. · tions. In communications to President In another major development, the THE DOMESTIC CONNECTION Carter and Secretary of State Vance, United Automobile Workers and In California, the issue of bank loans George M. Houser, ACOA executive District 31 of the United Steelworkers to South Africa has been linked with director, said that by its actions, "the of America, the largest Steelworkers that of redlining, under which policy white minority government has local in the country, both voted to banks close off entire areas-generally demonstrated its defiance of recent US withdraw all deposits in banks with poor and non-white-from loan consid- and international appeals that it begin ____ 5o_u:tb_Africanconnec::tions ___ -~---_eration.________ _ a -dialogue with its black -political The Committee to End Bank Loans The California campaign has also re- leaders, aimed at a transformation of to South Africa (COi3LSA), whose form- ceived a boost in the form of growing South African society." mation was initiated by ACOA, now es- interest in the creation of a state- He added," AH attempts to appeal to (continued on page two) South African reason have proven futile. The US must implement an · effective policy commencing with an immediate suspension of diplomatic relations and moving toward actively STEVE BIKO discouraging all economic ties with South Africa." Th~ American Committee on Africa notes Rep. Andrew Maguire urged with sorrow and anger the death in deten­ measures be taken to "disentangle the tion of Steve Biko, outstanding young South US" from South Africa. These, he said, African leader and a prime mover in the should include the suspension of organization of the black consciousness Export-Import Bank loan guarantees movement. A personal recollection of Biko for US corporations engaged in South by Tim Smith, a member of the ACOA African operations. executive board and executive director of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Respons­ In South Africa, Beyers Naude, ibility, may be found on page 2. director of the ecumeriical Christian (continued on page two) South Africa (continued from page one). A PERSONAL MEMORY of STEVE Biko By Tim Smith Institute, which was among the organ­ izations banned, said the government's I first met Steve Biko in 1968 at a conference of the University Christian action "can only hasten the end of the Movement in South Africa. At that time all student organizations that were present regime." Naude, who was multi-racial were white-dominated. The theme of Black Power was sweeping the himself served with a five year banning US and the seeds of the black consciousness movement were growing in South order, added, "It is a sad and terrible Africa. day for South Africa." Steve Biko along with Barney Pityana, another leader in the black conscious­ Percy Qoboza, editor of the World ness movement, led in the formation of a black caucus at the UCM meeting. the banned black newspaper, wa~ Before an audience of slightly shocked white liberals, they argued that whites unable to comment because he was could not properly understand the issues that dominated the lives of the blacks arrested and taken to prison shortly present. Soon after, the South African Students' Organization was founded. before a scheduled news conference at Steve Biko continued in the leadership of the black consciousness movement which he was to give his views on the as its base and power grew. He and the movement's other leaders were acutely aware of the need to dismantle apartheid, and not simply to make cosmetic closing of his paper. He is the first changes. He was also clearly conscious of the role that foreign investment and major South African editor to western governments played in buttressing South Africa's racist status quo. Both have been detained without trial. the South African Students' Organization and the Black :People's Convention Under South African law, he could be specifically called on foreign investors to withdraw, arguing that their presence held indefinitely. was not contributing to meaningful social change. South African Minister of Justice Many have spoken eloquently about him, but perhaps none more prophet­ James T. Kruger justified the govern­ ically than white newspaper editor Donald Woods, just after Biko was detained ment's actions -as necessary -to "the last year: maintenance of law and order." "Make a note of the name Steve Biko and remember it well. One way or Charging that the banned groups another it will be writ large in the South Africa of tomorrow. were part of "an attempt to cause the desired confrontation between black '' He is not the first potential prime minister to be detained without trial in this and white," he warned that further country-but I hope they treat him well while he is inside, because he has a measures may be taken. remarkable memory. And so have his friends." The Vorster regime's actions were widely interpreted as a reaction to black protests which began with the BANK CAMPAIGN Soweto uprisings in 1976 and which ( continued from page one) CALENDAR SALES SOAR accelerated with the death of Steve owned bank. Bank loans to South More than 1,500 anti-apartheid poster Biko. Despite South African Africa have been cited as one example calendars have already been sold, and government denials of responsibility, of the type of bank activity which orders are pouring in at the rate of up Biko's death sparked widespread would be precluded by such a bank's to 40 a day. The 1978 calendar, one out­ internal and international condemna­ existence. growth of a recent poster competi­ tion of the continuing,brutality of the Substantiating COBLSA's contention tion sponsored by ACOA, contains 12 regime in dealing with its opponents. that many US loans go directly to prop full-color posters and is available at a The moves were also seen as part of up the South African regime, Bank of cost of $4.00. Proceeds go to the Africa an effort by the Nationalist Party to America, headquartered in California, Fund to support its work on behalf of gain white conservative support in recently acknowledged that among its victims of apartheid. upcoming elections. $188 million in loans outstanding to Groups of posters from the compe­ Not since the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa as of early 1977, a signifi­ tition continue to be exhibited around 1960 has South Africa demonstrat­ the country in locations ranging from cant number were granted "to cover ed such fear of its black popuiation. the Cambridge, Mass. YMCA to the balance of payments deficits." That incident, which marked the first University of Minnesota. COBLSA is continuing to work out major confrontation between blacks Posters may be reserved for future plans for a National Day of withdrawal and whites, led to the banning of the showings by contacting Raphael Gould, to be held sometime in late winter or leading black political movements of ACOA director of special projects. Par­ early spring. that time, the African National ticipating groups must pay transporta­ For further information, contact Congress and the Pan-Africanist tion costs (about $25 for 10 to 20 posters) COBLSA coordinators Prexy Nesbitt of Congress.• ACOA or Gene Jones of Clergy and and are also asked to make a contri­ Laity Concerned (198 Broadway, NY bution, determined by ability to pay, to NY 10007). • help defray expenses. ■ BACK AT WORK George Houser, executive director "U.S. corporations and banks have nearly $2 billion invested in South Africa a substantial prop for the apartheid system. These companies take advantag~ of ACOA, is bac_k at work after under­ of legalized wage discrimination under which black workers are paid less than going successful surgery in September. ""€iite work~rs for equivalent wo~k. Apartheid provides a powerful incentive for His illness brought expressions of con­ IJ~ companies to make South Africa a haven for_ runaway plants.
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