SOUTH AFRICAN’S VIEWS ON RACIAL PROBLEM

Press, Volume C, Issue 29695, 13 December 1961, Page 6

SOUTH AFRICAN’S VIEWS ON RACIAL PROBLEM

“The racial problem is not a South African problem. It is a world problem, concentrated in South Africa.” This was said yesterday by Mr J. H. Forsyth, a deputymanager of Africa Explosives and Chemical Industries, Ltd., who was visiting the city with his wife during a holiday tour of New Zealand Most of the world's population were non-Europeans., no longer accepting European rule without question. It was inevitable that as they progressed towards European standards of living they would demand equal treatment. Europeans must accept this, he said. Mr Forsyth’s company was founded by Cecil Rhodes' 58 years ago. About 30 miles from Cape Town, it manufactures explosives, chemical fertilisers and sprays, and cloth for car and furniture upholstery. It employs 1700 natives, 800 Europeans, and 100 coloureds (of mixed bloods) The ambition of most of South Africa’s 10m natives was to live as Europeans. Mr Forsyth said. “However, the levels of development among them are so varied that persons who have not lived in the country just cannot appreciate the difficulties involved m solving this problem.” he said. “Many natives have reached European standards and live as Europeans do. but the vast majority is just beginning to learn and adopt our ways" “Amaking Progress" Native progress over the last 50 years had been amazing, said Mr Forsyth, but he felt that it would be at least another 50 years before the native population generally would reach white standards of development. "Although there are several million natives living in the cities with no tribal affiliations. the remainder are still divided tribally,” he added. The South African Government prefers that the natives remain as far as possible in their own territories while they Were working their way to European standards of living. “Though half the European population supports apartheid, the other half does not. But it must be recognised that the present Government has done more to provide housing, schools, and hospitals for the native population than any other European government anywhere in the African Continent.” he said. Throughout the country, employers were recognising that native wages must be increased, and were doing so. Hie general trend was to provide the best possible conditions for native employees. Mr Forsyth said that his factory provided hostel accommodation and a free and voluntary night school, which was attended by about 10 per cent, of the natives.

“They come to us, in most cases, completely illiterate. We teach them to read and write and do basic arithmetic, as well as train them in the work. Training in accident prevention is strongly emphasised, and courses in first aid are also provided.” Families Left Behind Housing for families was not provided. “The men have always had the tradition of leaving their families behind in |he native territories, a tradition encouraged by the Government, which is; very much against bringing native families to live in the European urban areas of the Cape Province,” said Mr Forsyth. There were not enough jobs to support families, nor schools and housing for them, in these areas. In these circumstances children would grow up to be criminals. However, son followed father in taking employment with the company and the numbers staying 20, 30, and 40 years were increasing each year. The native population w'as extremely backward in agricultural techniques. “By tradition the native is not interested in fanning, regarding it as women's work and moving ,on as one area can no longer support his needs. Here, again the Government is doing much to eradicate this attitude by setting up agriculture schools in the territories.” Mr Forsyth said that South Africa's withdrawal front the Commonwealth had not so far made any difference to every-day life. It had been accepted philosophically. "When it .comes down to tin tacks, in any country, it is getting on with one’s own life and job that counts," he said. “In spite of its complex problems, South Africa remains & pleasant and Interesting country to live in."