Transkei’s breaking of links

Press, 14 April 1978, Page 12

Transkei’s breaking of links

The breaking of diplomatic links with South Africa by Transkei is a bold one or a reckless one, depending on the observer’s point of view. Either way it seems unlikely to bring the international recognition which the Transkei Prime Minister (Chief Matanzima) wants. The United States has said that it will not formally recognise Transkei, the United Nations refused to grant recognition when Transkei was formed in 1976 and has since affirmed that policy, and neither the Eastern bloc nor China is likely to grant recognition while all the black African States withhold their recognition. The result of cutting the diplomatic links might be simply that Transkei’s existence, formerly recognised by one country, is now acknowledged by none

Transkei is not financially viable. The report published yesterday said that more than half of its 1977-1978 national Budget of 8NZ270 million came from South Africa. Earlier figures showed that Transkei had a total Budget of R 135 million (SNZI62 million at the prevailing rates), of which it supplied R 22 million (SNZ26 million) from its own revenue and South Africa provided R 93 million (SNZII2 million). Transkei has sparse mineral deposits, as yet not developed, and is able to provide jobs for not much more than half the number entering the work force each year. The population belongs to the Xhosa tribe, and by South African law the 1,300,000 Xhosas outside Transkei have

no citizenship other than that of Transkei. Migrant workers’ wages contribute heavily to Transkei revenue. Chief Matanzima’s appeal to Western countries to come to Transkei’s aid is naively optimistic.

For any other country to recognise Transkei would be to acknowledge the policy of homelands as pursued by the South African Government. It would be to approve the forced resettlement of families and the existence of such laws as the infamous Immorality Amendment Act and the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act which were initially adopted by Transkei. Recognition by any country would bestow an international blessing on apartheid.

Developments are much more likely between South Africa and Transkei. If Transkei allows its territory to be used as a base for the training of guerrillas or as a guerrilla sanctuary South Africa will not stand idly by. If Chief Matanzima’s intention is to buy the favour of other African States or Western States by devoting himself to the overthrow of the South African Government he will surely fail. The United States appears no longer to see its interests served in supporting the present Government of South Africa but will not be using Chief Matanzima in the pursuit of its policy. Transkei is dependent on South Africa and will not be able to separate itself from the fortunes of that unhappy country.