44 Self-Govt. For Bantu Aim In South Africa”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30480, 30 June 1964, Page 2

44 Self-Govt. For Bantu Aim In South Africa”

“In spite of what Mr Isingoma believes, the Government of South Africa is trying to work out a policy of self-determination for its peoples, both black and white, and is endeavouring to educate the Bantu people so that they will be able to govern themselves,” says Mrs Joan Sandison, in reply to the statement, printed on Saturday, from Mr F. K. Isingoma, a delegate from Tanganyika attending the International Student Conference.

“Mr Isingoma considers that my statements on apartheid both ‘miscalculated and unfortunate.’ Judging by the inaccuracies in Mr Isingoma’s remarks, I think he, as an open-minded student, should regard my statement as fortunate, as it afforded him an opportunity of learning the facts of the policy of apartheid,” Mrs Sandison writes.

“I am at a loss to understand why Mr Isingoma feels my remarks should not have been made by a person who has lived in South Africa for 16 years. I note that he comes from Tanganyika, and I am wondering if he ever lived in South Africa himself,” writes Mrs Sandison.

“I presume Mr Isingoma is not aware that the South African Government has the most comprehensive education system in all Africa. There are some 28,000 Bantu school-teachers, and 2000 more are becoming qualified each year. “In the past 11 years, some 2500 new schools have been built for Bantu children. There are three Bantu universities, and it will be from these students that will come the future leaders of the Bantu people. “There are agricultural schools where Bantu men are trained in scientific farming methods. Education and Health “The primary and secondary schools are controlled by boards and committees of Bantu parents. The progress made in Bantu primary, secondary and university education far exceeds that in any other African state or territory.

“Health services for the Bantu ■ are costing the Government some £2O million a year. Millions are spent to fight tuberculosis. Some 25.000 beds are available in Bantu hospitals. These services are practically free for the Bantu, whereas the white population pay top fees for all hospital services. There is no such thing as ‘social security’ for whites. The Department of Health, the Department of Bantu Administration and welfare organisations are conducting campaigns to combat malnutrition. There are 8000 Bantu nurses and 70 Bantu doctors.

“In the past 14 years, £57.5 million has been appropriated from State funds for the building of 214,810 Bantu houses. Slums have been bulldozed and the occupants reaccommodated in new townships. In addition to

this enormous expenditure, the Government is undertaking the task and expense of developing the Bantu territories.

“Mr Isingoma claims that the aim of the South African Government is to ‘destroy the indigenous population and replace it by the white minority.’ I think the facts and figures I have quoted rather contradict his statement. Contrary to world opinion, therefore, this country is trying to improve the economic status of its Bantu population. If this were strictly a battle for white supremacy, there would be no such consideration for, or outlays on, Bantu education, health or housing. “The three million white population are making economic sacrifices to uplift the

Bantu population, and they should be rewarded with understanding, rather than criticism.

“Although much must still be done to provide the Bantu with better education facilities, higher wages, more houses and more extensive health services, they are nevertheless, better fed, clothed and housed than indigenous peoples in the rest of Africa. “For some considerable time, orators have been having a field day in their denunciation of South Africa’s racial policies. Many of those who speak so venomously have no first-hand understanding of that country or of its problems, yet they assume the right to criticise apartheid.

“It seemed to me that the time had come when somebody should attempt to put South Africa’s position into clearer focus. Consequently, when I was interviewed by ‘The Press,’ I gave an outline of the South African Government’s policy in order that the public should be able to form their own opinions.”