South Africa

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 18

South Africa

Sir,—Your editorial on the tenth anniversary of the Soweto uprising will delight supporters of the South African Government. You imply that the country is moving towards a black auto cracy with nothing but chaos on the horizon to replace the “white-dominated democracy.” Of course, a steady, peaceful dismantling of the apartheid system would have been infinitely preferable to a violent upheaval, but it is too late now. Black African leaders from the time of Chief Albert Luthuli onwards have pleaded with the outside world to apply sanctions and boycotts to hasten the change. A succession of people from South Africa have come to New Zealand to say why it is important to take such actions, despite acknowledged hardships. Yet in the one sphere where we could exercise real influence, namely rugby, we fail miserably. It is only relentless inside and outside pressures that have wrung changes from a very reluctant Pretoria.—Yours, etc., W. R. SYKES. June 16, 1986.