The All-African Convention came into being as an answer by the
Native People to the Government's unjust Native Bills. It was born
from the resentment and disgust which were felt by all Africans
at the manner in which they they were treated by their white "guardians" in
this country.

Representatives from all over met in Bloemfontein in a militant
spirit determined to create a united front against the slave morality
and mentality ofthese Bills, determined to voice their disapproval
and to create a fighting organization to win freedom for the Native
people in their own homeland.
The All-African Convention met with the blessing and goodwill of
a united people.

They expected great things oftheir Convention.

So far the All-Afïican Convention has not fulfilled any of
the expectations of the masses who support it.

It is true that the tide of feeling which mounted against the Government
has receded after the excitement of the passing of the Native Bills.
It is true that not sufficient time has passed for Convention to
achieve its full organisational strength.

It is true that there are a great many factors which excuse the
comparative inactivity of the Convention since its inception.

But already a great weakness is apparent in the composition of
the All-African Convention, and a weakness which will prove fatal
to the Convention if it is not quickly remedied. The All-African
Convention is not sufficiently representative of the Native masses.
Its leaders do not address themselves to and confide in and consult
the people who gave them their prestige and their power.

Without the active support of the masses the All-African Convention
will go the way of the I.C.U. and African Congress, empty shells
making a noise without substance.

The coming elections for the Senators, Members of Parliament and
Members of the Representational Council are now exercising the
minds of the masses. The excitement of an election campaign is
gathering force and gives the Convention a chance to bring the
masses into action.

The elections must not be the subject of political intrigues amongst
the leaders. They must not be cut and dried affairs in which the
personal choice of the leaders is forced upon the All-African Convention.

It is necessary for the Convention to formulate its election platform
and plan of campaign. The Convention's platform must be based on
the grievances and demands of the Native people. In the forefront
is the demand for land and the demand for liberty. Bread for the
African People, and freedom ofmovement and rights oforganisation
are the first essentials.

The plan of campaign of the All-African Convention must give a
lead to the Native people how to achieve these demands. It must
clearly point out that the election of Senators and Native Representatives
will not help the Native people. Only mass demands and demonstrations,
mass organisation and a militant spirit will shake the Government
out of its stupid, selfish, reactionary attitude towards the Natives.

The record ofBritish and Boer Imperialism is too black and consistent
for the Naltve people to hope to achieve anything by appeals to
fair play, justice, etc.

Only the organised, determined might of a united people will win
bread and freedom for the African masses.

The candidates, therefore, must be chosen not as worthy, respectable
citizens who will persuade and win over Hertzog and Co., and do
wonders in Parliament, the Senate and the Native Representational
Council. The candidates must be chosen as militant fighters for
the rights of the Native people; not men who will have tea with
Hertzog and use soft words in the Council, but men who will work
in the reserves, in the locations, amongst the African masses.

Whoever is acceptable to Smuts and Hertzog is not acceptable to
the masses or the African Convention. The only men acceptable are
proven fighters and men who will speak with the weight of the organised
might and threat of the Native masses.

The life ofthe All-African Convention depends on the mass work
it will do, and the quality ofthe candidates it chooses for the
coming elections. Ifit nominates opportunists and collaborates
with the government it will lose the interest and support of the
masses. If it nominates militant candidates who believe in mass
action, who will organise and lead the masses, it will grow from
strength to strength as the rightful leading organisation ofthe
native, as the organisation which will be in the forefront ofthe
inevitable
coming fight for bread and liberty for the African masses.