Is South Africa headed for Black majority rule?
1990Michael Schreiber 1990-02Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 1 →
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The diplomatic maneuvers of the South African government is no guarantee of Black majority rule. .Has South Africa become a "kinder, gentler" nation? Many political leaders from Washington to Paris to Moscowwant us to believe it.
The Bush administration has heaped praise on South African President F. W. De Klerk, who presents himself as a champion of reform. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Herman Cohen, speaking in Johannesburg on Jan. 24, declared that De Klerk has "a commitment to fundamental change" in South Africa.
De Klerk's white-minority regime won Malcolm X See story back page.
even more applause from Washington when it announced last month that African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela would soon be released from jail. This follows the release of seven other ANC leaders in October and is seen as a key step toward producing a "negotiated settlement" with Black liberation forces.
As proof of De Klerk's willingness to negotiate, U.S. leaders point to his recent announcements that some forms of racial segregation will be abolished But the Bush administration neglects to point out that De Klerk's promises of reform have only been made under the pressure of a deteriorating economy (resulting in part from international sanctions) and a heightened struggle by Black workers and students.
Police violence continues
Depite his alleged "commitment to fundamental change," De Klerk has not hesitated to call in police and troops to break up protest demonstrations and strikes.
Anti-apartheid groups and Black trade unions launched a militant "defiance campaign" last summer to counter government bans on their activity. Rallies and sit-ins against apartheid segregation were attacked by police with attack dogs.
In September, widespread opposition was mobilized against the racist elections for the tricameral parliament. About 3 million workers stayed away from work. Again the government clamped down. On the night of the election, 23 people were killed in police attacks in the Capetown area alone.
Several militant strikes have also shaken the De Klerk regime. Police were sent in to break strikes in the steel mills, hospitals, breweries, food markets, and railways. In one confrontation, nine rail workers were killed.