Documents: Africans Respectfully Submit"

DOCUMENT 39c. Proceedings and Resolutions of the Governor-General's Native Conference, 1925 [Extracts] (Published in Native Affairs Commis­sion [Union] Report for 1927)

Prime Minister's Address.

General Hertzog addressed the meeting on the following lines:--

"Unfortunately I shall not be present at this Conference for any length of time and I wish to say a few words to you. Possibly there may be questions put to me for enlightenment, and if I have time this morning I shall answer them with pleasure. Unfortunately I have to be elsewhere at 11.30. Consequently if I am not in a position to give the necessary explanation, I hope to have the chance at a later opportunity.
"This Conference is meant to ascertain the feelings of the Natives in connection with Native administration, concerning which it is possible that proposals will be placed before Parliament at the next Session. The matters which are being brought to attention will be of great importance and in certain respects far reaching.

"Before I speak about them, I shall say a few words about the constitution of this meeting.

"This Conference consists of twice as many members as its predecessors. In addition other methods have been followed in choosing the delegates. It is not necessary for me to state the principles in accordance with which the Government has acted in this matter. But I may say, shortly, that the desire was to reach every portion of the Native people and above all where possible to place the Natives in a position to send their own delegates.

"As I mentioned at Smithfield I hope that in a short time this Conference will by law become the Union Native Council with most of its delegates chosen by the people. Its duties will be weighty and important.
"This Conference is therefore the forerunner of the future Union Council which I have no doubt will be of great use and power. But the extent of its utility will depend on how the delegates show their ability: If they play to the gallery or don't look to the benefit of the people the Council will fail. The Native population is looking for leaders; and, these should be progressive not retrogressive. In the choice of leaders will depend how much the true interests of the Natives will be served.

"With my parliamentary experience, I have found that long and beautiful speeches are not always fruitful.
"The Native is in general a good orator and, in addition, he has a natural talent for debate. It is necessary for you therefore to know in the first place how to consult with each other, how to give advice, but at the same time how to take advice. If you do this there will be no necessity to look for eloquence. This will come of itself without your seeking for it, and when it comes it will beautify the fruit of your work.

"Be assured that the whole country has its eyes fixed on what may be done here, and let me assure you that the eye of the white man is on this meeting, not because of any ill feeling, towards you, but because he desires that you will attain the blessing and the happiness of the Native people.

"I feel certain that you have placed great importance on the views I voiced in my address at Smithfield.
"Now I wish to say at once that the reception of those views by the press as well as by other portions of the people--whites and blacks--has given me great pleasure.

"This gives me proof of how the whole of South Africa are in agreement that this problem must be solved, and also that the whole population is ready to think over it long and earnestly before taking action. This is as it should be.

"The Native problem is the most difficult one with which South Africa has to deal. Every earnest suggestion for its solution deserves consideration. And I feel convinced that South Africa is ready to give consideration to what I have proposed, and, at the same time come to some definite decision in the matter.

"I wish to repeat here what I said at Smithfield: I feel convinced that it is best both for the Native and for the European that so far as the occupation of land is concerned the Native should be separated from the European. This is the plan followed in the Transkei where one finds the most favourable conditions in so far as Natives are concerned.

"That is also the view put forward by Government Commissions and by nearly all writers on Native matters. And I feel convinced that this is also the opinion of the great majority of the Natives. But if there is to be territorial segregation then provision must be made for the necessary land. How that will be obtained I will not now go into. But 1 will say that according to the administration begun by ohe former Government there is no reason why the necessary ground cannot be obtained for the Native, whether by purchase or lease. What the necessary additional land will be has already been fixed in general by two Commissions and I have full confidence that I shall be in a position to place proposals before Parlia­ment which will extend the Act of 1913.

"I have mentioned 'purchase' and 'lease,' because the Native must clearly understand that no land is to be given by the State. But that the opportunity will be given to him by means of purchase or lease to enable him to acquire a reasonable extent of land in addition to what has been reserved for him.

"I wish here to emphasize that it is clear to me that there is a misapprehension about this matter. There are Natives as well as Europeans who seem to think that the Act of 1913 intended to make a free gift to the Natives of the land described by the Beaumont Commission. That was never the intention, nor is it the present intention.

"The Native must endeavour, just as the European does, to obtain land by means of purchase or hire. Where he has not the means the State will lend him the assistance in so far as he deserves it and the State is able to do it.

"I want you to know that the policy is the same as has been the case in the past. Where the Natives need land and wish to buy the Government has stepped in. I may inform you that for this year an amount of £50,000 has been placed on the Estimates for the purchase of farms in the Glen Grey District. For these, Natives will pay rent in the usual way.

"Further the Native must be assured that he will have the right to extend by purchase or hire the land already reserved for him.

"That is an implied right under the Act of 1913 and he must therefore be placed in that position, in other words, the Native must up to a certain point extend his territory, but this he must do by acquisition in the usual way possibly with the Government's help.

"I hope he will be placed in that position by legislation which I intend to lay before Parliament.

"Local Councils will be constituted on different lines within the Native Areas according to circumstances, development, national character and habits. While therefore in certain cases a Council will be constituted of Native Chiefs, there will be others consisting of Chiefs and representatives of the people. An eye will have to be kept continually on the progress and development of the Natives in such areas.

"So far as the duties of these Councils are concerned, these will naturally depend in each specific case on the capacity of the Council to deal with matters. As a guide all such matters will be entrusted to the Council as they have the power to deal with satisfactorily.

"I wish to add that these Native Areas will never become the independent or semi-independent states of which some Natives sometimes speak. The Native Areas will be under the leadership of the Government, more or less on the lines of municipalities or divisional councils amongst Europeans with defined rights and responsibilities.

"Then there will be further a Union Native Council which will in the course of time be charged with very responsible duties in regard to the affairs of Natives, what may be described as the Natives' Parliament.
"Some Natives doubt whether these different councils will ever be created. They point out that although five years have elapsed since the Native Affairs Act was passed by which provision is made for Native councils no such councils exist as yet. This is due to the fact that, according to the opinion of the late Government not sufficient provi­sion was made in the Act for the proper control by Government of the finances of these councils. As this omission has since been remedied by the Native Taxation Act there can no longer be any reason why these councils should not be established. That the Government takes these councils seriously is proved by your presence here to-day. There was no obligation on the Government to increase the number of delegates of this meeting, or to bring about improvements in the method of selecting them. This has been done solely to give the Natives a larger number of delegates in the consultations on these questions.

"I wish to assure you that the creation of Native Councils is an essential part of the Native policy of the Government.

"Therefore nothing surprises me more than when I see that according to some Natives it would be the policy of the Government to divide the Natives among themselves and to throw them back into the ordinary tribal system.

"Now I come to the question of the field of labour for Natives within Native Areas.

"Within a Native Area a Native ought to feel at home. So far as he is concerned, therefore, there should be no limitations within his area except those which exist in a well-managed community. As I have already said, it is my object that, so far as the Native is capable to do so, he will himself lay down the rules according to the demands of civiliza­tion, which will suit him. I not only desire that he shall be his own legislator within his own house, but he must also control his own administration by means of Native effort. Within these areas there will be opportunity for the Native statesman as well as for the Native civil servant. The employment of the European must be the exception, and as a general rule no white person shall be em­ployed for work for which a Native can be found.

"In European areas conditions will natu­rally be the opposite to a certain extent. Where the European is almost wholly excluded from doing work in Native Areas it would not be right to place the European in his own area in a position of unrestricted competition on the part of the Native. Both have the right to protection; and the question to me is to give this protection in such a manner that justice shall be done to both.

"To obtain this end the basis for the employment of Europeans within white areas must be extended in favour of the European, so that, within his own areas, he will always have the assurance of obtaining employment -- as will be the case with Natives in the Native areas generally. It is for this reason that I will continue to support the Colour Bar Bill. It does not appear to me to be anything more than reasonable to restrict the activities of the Native in regard to certain matters.

"I come now to the question of the Native vote. As regards the arguments for and against the position in the Cape, I must refer you to history. It is clear that the arrangement which was come to in 1909 was only a compromise. Now we must accept it as a fact that the European portion of our population is against the enfranchisement of the Natives on the same basis as themselves. The European feels, quite rightly, that the right to vote is the fruit of centuries of civilized government and that he is the result and the heir of a civilization in which the Native does not share. The Euro­pean is, however, prepared to agree that the Native should determine the method and personnel of the Native Council but, in the matter of Parliament, the European insists that this is a matter in which he alone shall have the say.

Meanwhile it must be admitted that there are certain Native interests indissolubly bound to those of the European and because Parlia­ment is entrusted with the management of these interests it is felt that, in so far as the Native is concerned, there should be repre­sentatives in Parliament to speak and act on his behalf.

"My proposal is that there should be seven Europeans in Parliament entrusted with the care of Native interests. These will be elected directly by the Natives independently of the white vote. These seven members will represent the whole Native population and will be able to speak and vote on all subjects except those affecting the principles of parliamentary representation.

"I have been told that the retention of the Cape coloured vote and its extension to the coloured people of the Northern Provinces is the least satisfactory of my proposals so far as the Native is concerned. It seems to me that this is a point of greater interest to the coloured man and to the European than to the Native. In the Cape there exists a large number of coloured people already in posses­sion of the vote. They owe their origin to the white man. They speak the language of the European. They live among Europeans and share their outlook and philosophy in a measure totally different from what we can expect from the Native. Like the European they possess no tribal Chiefs and no tribal laws. It is therefore impossible to deal with them in the same way as the Native, or to give them separate councils or separate areas. They can best justify their existence where they are to-day and all I propose is that the rights possessed by them in the Cape will not be confined to the Cape.

"It is incorrect to say that the Native will be worse treated by this proposal. There is a difference in the treatment but that is a difference which is calculated on the needs and interests of two different classes of the population. I hope you will agree with me that there is no injustice done when different grazing is given to sheep than that given to the cattle.

"I am anxious that the views of the Natives be heard on these weighty problems. I have decided therefore that next year after the various Bills have been laid on the table of the House, this Conference will again be sum­moned to discuss the Native problems raised by them in an effort to reach a solution whereby the interests of both Natives and Europeans will be safeguarded.

"My wish is that this will happen eventually to the general satisfaction of all.

"It has been said, I understand, that the search to-day for a solution is the result of fear. That may be so. But then I must also say that this fear has its origin in reason and prudence not in cowardice."

The Prime Minister then withdrew from the Conference, and it adjourned until 11.45 a.m.

At this stage the Prime Minister accom­panied by the Minister of Finance entered the Conference.
Mr. Jabavu moved:--

"That this Conference thanks the Prime Minister most sincerely for his courtesy in opening the proceedings of the Conference, for his lucid explanation of his policy, this being the first occasion for a Prime Minister to address us, for his visit to the Native Territo­ries, and for granting us this additional visit."

Speaking to the motion Mr. Jabavu said that General Hertzog was the first Prime Minister to take the trouble to travel exten­sively among his (the speaker's) people in their own homes. He thanked the Prime Minister cordially for all his trouble and his usual courtesy in listening to their representations.

Amongst the items on the agenda were some having direct reference to the Natives Land Act of 1913 and which involved the principles of segregation. With regard to the matter of segregation the Natives had never been consulted about it directly. Possibly there was no need because the Natives are the ruled. But in their humility they would like to offer a suggestion: if the academic theory of segregation is desirable, the logical thing is to begin with territorial segregation as the indus­trial and political aspects are dependent on it.

If the Natives were taken away from industries, they should have territories to which they could go.
If political segregation were contemplated, the Natives should have their own Magistrates and the machinery of self-government. As a voter in the Cape he had always exercised his vote to further the protection of his own interests which were involved with those of the European.

The Natives had been told to develop on their own lines, but when the Europeans came they found us developing on our own lines which they then judged to be a danger to civilization. The Natives were therefore removed to industries to learn the dignity of labour and to assimilate themselves to European civilization.

Now the Natives had to go back to their own civilization and develop along their own lines. That was logical, if territorial segrega­tion were applied, for the land question overshadowed all other questions.
The Natives also wanted an opportunity to confer annually. At the present moment their time was too short.

They would also like to see the resolutions passed in the Annual Conference tabled in the House of Assembly for then the members would at least be familiar with Native views. Thus there would be direct communication between them and Parliament.

Mr. Plaatje in seconding the resolution thanked the Prime Minister for allowing the people of Griqualand West to have a repre­sentative at the Conference. He praised the administration of the Prime Minister. Al­though some of the Natives desired a separate Minister of Native Affairs they had no sympathy with this proposal in Griqualand West, for the sympathy of the Prime Minister was necessary in Native Affairs.
He thought that General Hertzog must have used much "lampoil and electricity" in the study of Native Affairs, and if the Native now got a "brand new white fellow (splinternuwe Duusman)" it would be a long time before the latter would learn the "A.B.C. of Native Affairs," and in the meantime their clock would stop.

He was of opinion that seven members were too few to represent the Natives.General Hertzog, in reply, said he was very pleased to be present at the Conference that morning and to be able to reply to any grievances and to thank them for his reception.

He was attending not for the purpose of exercising his authority but as a representative of the Government and to see that as far as possible the desires of the Native population are granted.

He acknowledged that many of their griev­ances were justified, but even the Europeans had grievances.
As regards the presence of the Prime Minister at the annual Conference he could not be present the whole time but he would attend each Conference for a reasonable time as long as he was Minister.

He agreed that the Conference should be held annually.

He favoured the idea that the Conference Resolutions might be laid before Parliament, but unfortunately no Government could allow all classes of documents to be laid on the Table by every body or society as this would mean too many papers would have to be considered.

The period usually allowed for the meeting of the Conference would be increased, but the length of time must always depend on the business to be discussed.

He thought that the Natives agreed with him that they should be represented in Parlia­ment only by members elected by themselves.

The land question had been raised and it had been said that if segregation is to become an accomplished fact the Natives must have the requisite extent of land and security in respect of that land. This ought to be the case.

As to the size of the land it depends on the meaning attached to the term segregation. They knew that some people were of opinion that segregation means separate land for Euro­peans and separate land for Natives, and that the European must keep to his own territory, in which the Natives would not be allowed and vice versa. The people who support this, desire that there should be two kraals -- one for the sheep and the other for the goats. This would not happen unless it was in the interest of either the Europeans or the Natives. If that had been his intention he would have been accused of depriving the Native of every opportunity of advancement.

His proposals were largely identical with the Natives Land Act, 1913. By that Act the Native could work in towns and in the country for wages, and, this was also his own suggestion.

He wanted to make increased provision for the Native who worked on the farm not for wages but for the right of staying on the farm, but he wanted to prevent abuse of such provision.

The Act of 1913 had already limited the right of the Native to obtain land, and he would not allow the Native to be deprived of the land set aside for him by that Act. It was felt at the time of the Act that not enough land had been so set aside for the Native and a Commission was appointed to determine how much more land could be earmarked for him as a compensation for his right of settling in any area of which he had been deprived.

Unfortunately, although two Commissions have been appointed both Natives and whites offered such strenuous opposition that the Government decided to leave matters alone.

He felt that the Act of 1913 contemplated that the Native should have undisputed rights to land within certain areas and it was time that this should be given effect to.

In regard to the size of the Native Areas and their position in the Union it was no more than right that the recommendations of the Commission should be considered.

He considered that the new areas should be adjoining or as close as possible to the land already reserved for Natives. The size must, however, be considered in relation to the segregation scheme.

He was busy considering methods of securing more ground. He had nearly completed his task, and he would explain the scheme to the people during the next parliamentary session.

With reference to councils the law of 1920 makes provision for them and they will come into existence in five or six months' time whether his scheme was accepted or not.

The extension of Native territories was contemplated under the Act of 1913 and it seemed to him to be necessary, for it was one of the first duties of the Government to see that the interests of the Natives should be considered as far as possible. There were many Natives in the towns but they formed a small proportion of the Native population. He felt that the Natives throughout the Union were fully justified in demanding the assistance of the more educated and developed Native of the towns.

Under the Bill brought before Parliament and rejected by the Senate, there was no curtailment of the Native's industrial activi­ties, but their activities would be dependent on subsequent proclamations by the Gover­nor-General, who might decide on the industries in which the Natives were to be allowed to participate, but certain industries would be reserved for whites and certain for Natives.

Referring to Mr. Plaatje's remarks he doubted whether one race could take over the civilization of another, each had to develop its own. They might approach each other, and he hoped the time would come when the Natives would assimilate European civilization.

Criticism had been offered that seven members were too few to represent the Natives in Parliament but on the other hand some Europeans thought the number too many. He thought seven sufficient and asked them to remember that there would be an Annual Conference and the seven members would be compelled to bring forward its Resolutions in Parliament. He did not think the Northern Provinces would agree to more than seven representatives.

Mr. Mahabane asked for an assurance that land set aside for Natives should not be taken away for white settlement. This had happened in the cotton areas in Zululand.

He asked if arrangements could not be made for Natives to obtain loans from the Land Bank.
The Prime Minister replied that the Land Bank could lend money to Natives or Europeans, but unfortunately the Bank wanted security which the Natives were unable to give.

If the Natives could not buy land they could hire it from the Government.

The land reserved by the Act of 1913 could not be taken away from the Natives except by a special Act passed by Parliament.

Mr. Dube pointed out that land at Amanzimtoti had been taken away from the Natives without their knowledge for the pur­pose of white settlement.

The Prime Minister replied that only a small portion of land at Amanzimtoti had been expropriated by Parliament itself for certain necessary development. For that land £ 30,000 had been paid to the Natal Native Trust and the money was to be used to purchase other land for Native occupation.

The Conference adjourned from 1 p.m. to 2.15 p.m.

The Chairman invited the submission of motions.

Mr. Jabavu moved, seconded by Mr, Sikiti:

"That the period of the Conference be extended from three days to six days." Agreed to. Mr. Jabavu moved, seconded by Mr. Sikiti:

"That the Minister arrange to send the agenda to the members at least 30 days before the meeting of Conference." Agreed to. Mr. Jabavu moved, seconded by Mr. Sikiti:

"That the Minister should place the resolu­tions of this Conference on the Table of Parliament previous to the introduction of legislation on any Native question." Agreed to. Mr. Thema moved, seconded by Mr. Zibi:

"The Government having recognised the fact that it is in the interests of South Africa that Natives should be provided with facilities for higher education in this country, and having translated this recognition into action by financially supporting the Native College at Fort Hare, it is the opinion of this Conference that the Government should be urged to seriously consider the matter of raising the standard of education in the Transvaal and
Orange Free State so as to enable the existing Training Schools to prepare students to enter the Native College without having to go to Institutions in the Cape and Natal.

Alternatively that the scheme suggested by Dr. C. T. Loram in his book "The Education of the South African Native* should be put into operation, namely, that Provincial High Schools should be established in each of the Provinces of the Union for the purposes of feeding the Native College with students."

Agreed to.

Mr. Zibi moved, seconded by Mr. Morosi:--

"That legislation by which it is proposed to place the Native question on a more stable basis should be made conditional on a clear statement of the Government's policy in regard to land for Natives throughout the Union."

Agreed to.

Mr, Fenyang moved, seconded by Mr. Singqandu:--

"That in order to relieve the congestion of the Seliba Reserve Government be requested to buy the farm "New York" and adjoining farms belonging to Europeans, and bounded on all sides but one by the Native Reserve, as an additional Native Area where Natives may buy or lease land."
Agreed to.

Mr. Mahabane moved, seconded by Mr. Plaatje:--

"That in the interests of the moral and tribal integrity of the Bantu races of the Union of South Africa this Conference respectfully recommends that Native Chiefs or Headmen be appointed in terms of section one (5) of the Native Administration Bill in such Non-Native Areas of the Union where a desire for such appointment exists."

Agreed to.

Mr. Fenyang moved, seconded by Mr. Plaatje:--

"That the heads of families residing in Thaba 'Nchu   Native   Reserve  holding temporary and other similar certificates be allowed to fence their residential sites."

Agreed to.

Chief Sioka moved, seconded by Mr. Kumalo: --

"That the Conference strongly appeals to the Government that when sending out the
Native Affairs Commission to enquire into any matters affecting Natives same should consult leading Natives' opinions as well as Europeans'."

Agreed to.
Chief Senthumulo moved, seconded by Mr. Thema:-
"That the education of Native children, especially the sons of chiefs, should be made compulsory in the Transvaal."

Agreed to.

In closing the Conference Major Herbst wished the delegates a pleasant journey home. The session had been short, but much work had been done.

The Bill which they had discussed was most important and far reaching -- and, as the Conference consisted not only of educated Natives   but   also   of   the   backward representatives, progress was necessarily slow. He hoped their homes would be blessed with good rains.

Dr. Roberts said they would pardon him if he stated that he regarded the Conference as the child of the Native Affairs Commission. He was pleased with it and when he looked back on the 'small beginning four years ago and saw its size to-day he was very gratified.

He congratulated them on the manner in which debates had been carried on.

One of the delegates had thought that the members were at fault in not speaking at the Conference. As far as he was concerned he intended no disrespect but he had realized that the time allotted for the Conference was short and there were quite enough able men among the delegates to keep the discussion going. Further he wished the considerations and conclusions arrived at to go forth as those of the Natives themselves.

General Lemmer said he was pleased to say a few words now the Conference had finished its labour. He agreed with Dr. Roberts as to the members of the Commission taking part in the discussion. Their decisions should be arrived at without the influence of the Commission which found it necessary sometimes to disagree with the views of the Conference. He was content with the work which had been done by the Conference. It was not complete, but it could be completed.

The Act of 1920 contemplated consultation of Natives regarding legislation which affected them and every one taking part in the Conference knew that that body would slowly and gradually increase.

Everyone wanted to see a solution of the Native problem and when both Europeans and Natives come together and reasonably discuss difficulties a solution will be nearer.

He hoped that when the Government put its legislative proposals before the Natives they would not blindly throw them aside but give them the most reasonable consideration.

Dr. Loram said that the first impression which the Conference had left on him was how necessary education was for the Native people. Anyone who tried to prevent their obtaining it was no friend of the Natives.

The second impression was that in a gathering like this how quickly people im­proved with practice. There were the old stagers from the Transkei who showed their skill at once.

The third impression was how quickly people got together in a meeting like this.

Mr. Mahabane moved a vote of thanks to Major Herbst for the able and impartial manner in which he had presided over the Conference.

He admired the progress which had been made since the inception of the annual con­ferences. This year's Conference was a good augury for the future.

In the past it had been believed that white men could not sit in conference with black people, but this Conference proved the contrary. He was hopeful of the future and his hope was that black and white should work together to bring about a great South African country with no divisions of race and colour.
Mr. Singqandu seconded the motion.

Major Herbst expressed his thanks.

The Conference closed.

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