Power to the people-or negotiated settlement?
1990 1990-06Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 21 →
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International Rally on the 50th anniversary The Azanian People's Organization (AZAPO), for example, held its national congress in early March in Johannesburg, with over 7000 people in attendance.
AZAPO, according to one of the resolutions adopted by its congress, "is a massbased people's organization with a socialist orientation and outlook ... and a flag-bearer of the Black Consciousness philosophy masses."
One of the organizations closely allied to AZAPO is the Cape Action League. Like AZAPO, the Cape Action League puts forward a socialist alternative for the Black masses of South Africa.
We are printing below major excerpts De Klerk's speech of Feb. 2, 1990, the release of Nelson Mandela, and the direct discussions between the government and the African National Congress (ANC) show that the question of a negotiated settlement is firmly on the agenda.
But what does this mean for the oppressed Why the talk of white fears and not Black fears, or workers' fears? Any modification of this demand is not designed to cater to "legitimate fears" but to illegitimate privileges! Is de Klerk prepared to accept this very simple but basic demand?
We must now also ask: Is the African National Congress/Communist Party bloc prepared to accept less than "one person, one vote in a unitary state?"
State power cannot be separated from political power. In simple terms, state power is exercised through government structures, the police, and the army. If talks are to be about a New South Africa, do we expect the Old State to carry out the wishes of the New Government?
The people of Tokoza and Botshabelo, shot and teargassed during recent demonstrations, know very well that the old police force are as brutal as ever, regardless of the