South African policies

Press, 9 May 1981, Page 14

South African policies

Sir,—Consider saying to the black South African: “You will have equal rights and equal vote.” If someone would explain to me how the blacks would govern South Africa; how the whites would be treated; how many of their possessions they would be allowed to take out of South Africa; which country would permit them to immigrate; what jobs and standard of living they would find in their new country. If someone would explain how the South African resources needed by the rest of the world would be handled; how the South African National Parks would be managed then I would say; “Go for it. Give South Africa to the black man.” To criticise without offering a viable alternative is pointless.—Yours, etc.,

ANDREW HOWAT. May 5, 1981.

Sir,—The significant point in your report of the row which erupted in Pretoria when an all-white school rugby team refused to play against a team which included two black players is that the all-white team “had contravened local rugby policy.” This surely shows the endeavours their rugby officials are making to integrate the different races in sport. Not so many years ago apartheid laws would have forbidden the rugby unions to have such a rule. Of course integration is a slow process, and there will be a few objections to any change. But at least it shows those who have visited South Africa and claim that the different races are being integrated deserve a bit of credibility from an impartial news media.—Yours, etc., P. J. ROBSON.