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Mobilization Against Apartheid

Soweto Day Mobilization June 16

The violence of the apartheid system is once again being brought to our attention. The United Nations has designated 1978 as International Anti-Apartheid Year.

In New Zealand, the principal focus for action in this year will be the Anniversary date of the June 16th Soweto uprisings.

On this day, 10,000 black pupils took to the streets of Soweto in protest against the compulsory use of Afrikaans in schools. It was to become a turning point in African resistance to apartheid.

During the preceeding weeks, schools had ground to a halt as several thousand schoolchildren went on strike. The South African Students' movement organised a mass demonstration of some 30,000 students on June 16th. They were stopped by the police throwing tear gas, although the march was peaceful and without incident. A policeman fired into the crowd and Hector Petersen (aged 13) died from a bullet in his chest.

The exact death toll on that day is unknown but in the ensuing week 176 were killed and over 1200 wounded. The anger of the black parents turned on the instruments of their opression - police, Bantu Affairs buildings, rent offices etc.

What had originally been an issue of education, became a nationwide struggle of solidarity to throw off the chains of apartheid. White students who took to the streets in protest received the same savage reply from the authorities. By August 4th, the solidarity of the students and workers resulted in a "Stay at Home" and another mass rally of 80,000 people. Again the rally was broken up by police bullets.

By September the movement had spread and the largest political strike in South Africa's history occurred. Over one million black and coloured workers participated. The Government's reaction to such evidence of solidarity has been severe. Trade Unionists, student leaders and particularly journalists have been imprisoned or banned. Changes to South African law have made it easier to enforce white supremacy. People can now be held without charge, without trial, indefinitely.

Soweto was a watershed the world could not ignore - black children dying for opposing apartheid, dying for their freedom; their parents' and the black communities' unified response; and the clear unequivocal determination of Vorster's government to maintain white supremacy, no matter how many were killed and brutally murdered.

On September 12th, 1977, Steve Biko, aged 30, 'died' in detention. The world was outraged at the murder of this patriot and many others previously, who were in prison. In the fiercest attack on opposition organisations since the banning of the ANC and PAC in 1960, the South African government banned 18 organisations, including most groups in the Black Consciousness movement, on October 19th, 1977.

The anti-apartheid movement in New Zealand is asking you to show your support for four major aims and to participate in the June 16th activities.

It is not enough that we saw and were outraged by these atrocities at the time. The world must show its solidarity with the black people of South Africa. They, the black peoples, must know when they risk their lives in the struggle, that the world is with them.

"In Wellington the Wellington June 16th Committee is organising action for and leading up to the day of the mobilisation. Activities planned so far include a Picket on South Africa Day (May 31st) outside the South African Consulate in Molesworth St; open meetings on May 24th and June 7th at Trades Hall in Vivian St, starting at 7.30 pm; and a march on June 16th assembling 6.30 pm outside the Town Hall in Mercer St. We are also planning to screen the UN film "The White Laager" on May 24th and 25th. For further information contact Harold Merriman, mobe organiser, PO Box 9695 Courtenay Place, or phone 859-246."