S.A. students supported

By Tony Jaques

Support for protesting South African students has been sent "on behalf of all the 26,000 university students in New Zealand" by the President of NZUSA, Mr John McGrath.

A telegram was addressed to Mr Clive Nettleton. Vice-President of the National Union of South African Students (which does not represent all South African students, but only those attending English-speaking universities. Students at Afrikaans-speaking universities belong to a different national body which opposes the protesters.)

The text read "NZUSA representing all 26,000 New Zealand University Students is disgusted by the actions of de Klerk and University Council regarding recision of Mafeje appointment and declares full solidarity with your valiant protests."

The protest began when the South African Government successfully exerted pressure on the Capetown University Council to rescind the appointment of Mr Archie Mafeje. a black African, who had been appointed to a senior lectureship in Social Anthropology.

Students and staff at South Africa's English-speaking univcrsities objected to this move as an infringement both of academic freedom and university autonomy.

A sit-in was staged at Capetown University, and students from Witwatersrand University went to Prime Minister Vorster's residence in Pretoria to present a document, which he declined to accept. The "anti-government" students were there seized by "pro-government" Afrikaaner students who shaved the heads of the group who had dared to speak out against the government's action.

A letter was sent by John McGrath on August 21 to Senator Jan de Klerk, South African Minister of Education, expressing similar sentiments and concluding "The sheer contempt that we feel on this issue is strongly reflected throughout New Zealand and this Association would emphatically urge you to invite the University of Capetown to reinstate Mr Mafeje and to give the universities of South Africa an assurance that you will not interfere with their autonomy or their Academic Freedom."

A further letter was sent by-Mr McGrath to Mr Clive Corder. Chairman of the University of Capetown Council, on behalf of the 26,000 students in New Zealand conveying concern over erosion of freedom and democracy and expressing the hope that "your Council will take the strongest of stands against this latest outrage forced on you by the Minister of National Education.

"The pressures upon you are appreciated but your immediate reinstatement of Mr Mafeje will do much to restore international faith in the probity and courage of the universities in South Africa."