‘Exile’ suggested for S.A. visitors

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 4

‘Exile’ suggested for S.A. visitors

The All Blacks and their supporters who go to South Africa in 1985 would not be allowed back into New Zealand if a visiting African woman had her way. Ms Gertrude Shope, head of the women’s section of the African National Congress at its base in Zambia, said that the refusal of reentry would be one of the measures which should be considered. She agreed that this would amount to exile. If the New Zealand Government was not prepared to take this measure it should consider other measures to discourage the All Blacks from going to South Africa. Trade unions, churches, and others opposed to apartheid could also work together to consider what was most suitable to prevent the tour, she said. “It is very important to stop the tour. If it goes ahead the South African regime will feel less isolated, and whatever money goes into South Africa will help buy one extra weapon 1

to kill our oppressed people.” Ms Shope said that stopping the tour would also make young white people sit up and realise that playing

sport on the basis of colour was not acceptable. A tour would not help greater understanding of South Africa because the tourists would be shown

only the brighter side of life in South Africa and would return to New Zealand brainwashed. Ms Shope, in New Zealand as guest of the Federation

of Labour and Hart, said that the protest against the 1981 Springbok tour had helped the cause of the struggle against apartheid. It had not meant the system changed overnight, but it was a “great contribution.” The proposed review of South Africa’s law against mixed marriages did not mean anything because even if the laws were abolished the system of apartheid would remain. She said she suspected that the motive behind it was to try to cover up scandal involved in “highup” whites having relationships with other races. Ms Shope said that she S'ed trade boycotts South Africa even though she knew that it was the blacks who suffered the most. If it was a method which shortened the time when a blood bath would come than it was a sacrifice which the blacks were prepared to make. “Whether there is a boycott or not they still suffer,” she said. J

Mrs Shope said that South Africa had a 12 per cent food surplus: After satisfying its own needs and exhausting the international market it just dumped whatever was left.Ms Shope also supported the proposal to close the South African consulate in New Zealand. She was born in South Africa but left in 1966 after becoming involved in antiGovernment activities. The A.N.C. was founded in 1912 and Ms Shope, bom in 1925, joined in 1955. Her husband, Mark, is in the manpower department of the A.N.C. in Zambia. Ms Shope was invited to Australia by the Union of Australian Women and has been in New Zealand since Tuesday, meeting representatives of the churches, Corso, Hart, trade unions, and members of Parliament. In Christchurch yesterday she addressed a women’s meeting at which the Mayoress, Lady Hay, was chairman, and a public meeting. She will fly to Auckland’ today before continuing her Australian tour.