Documents: Africans Acting Alone

DOCUMENT 48c. Resolutions of the Annual Conference of the African Na­tional Congress, May 31, 1924 (Pub­lished in The Friend)

Government Official Native Conferences.

The Congress appreciates the action of the Union Government in summoning periodical conferences of Chiefs and representatives of the Bantu population for the purpose of ascertaining the sentiments of the Bantu people in regard to legislative measures affecting the Native people of the Union.

Congress, however, calls the attention of the Government to the fact that the confer­ences as at present constituted are incapable of inspiring the respecting and commanding the confidence of the Bantu of South Africa.

Congress urges, therefore, that steps be taken to make facilities for the Bantu people, partly through their principal Chiefs and partly through their existing political, indus­trial and agricultural association, to elect their own representatives to these conferences.

The Colour Bar

The Congress, being convinced, after 14 years' experience, that the non-representation of the Bantu population and other non-European communities of the country in the legislative bodies is highly inimical to the eco­nomic, industrial, educational, civil and politi­cal interests of the said populations, resolves to launch forth a vigorous campaign for the removal of the colour bar in the Imperial Act constituting the Union of South Africa.

It was resolved to seek the co-operation of all other non-European associations, political, industrial, educational or agricultural, in the carrying out of the aims and objects of this resolution.

Native Education

Resolved: That, whereas it is desirable and expedient, in the interests of the existence of the Bantu race as a people, and whereas the economic interests of the Union as a whole would be better promoted if educational facilities were brought within the reach of every child in the Union, the African National Congress respectfully, yet strongly, urges the Union Government to take into serious consideration the question of introducing a legislative measure providing for the introduction of a free, compulsory and public system of Native education for the whole Union of South Africa.

Further, that, in the humble opinion of the Congress, the time has arrived when Native education shall be placed under the direct control of the Union; also, that system of native education is desirable which would be better adapted to the peculiar and practical needs of the Bantu people along the lines of the Natal system. Further, Congress urges the creation of an Advisory Council on Native Education representatives of all the authori ties engaged in Bantu education as well as of the Bantu people.

Shooting Of Natives

From the reports of the Provincial Congresses it appears that the cynical shooting of the Bantu people in various parts of the country is still being practised under this, a Christian Government. Congress desires to bring to the notice of the Government the fact that the perpetration of such wanton shooting of members of a law-abiding race like the Bantu, without the authorities taking effective measures for the protection of the Bantu, can no longer be tolerated.

Another resolution urges the infliction of capital punishment on men, White or Black, found guilty of criminal assaults upon women, irrespective of race or colour.

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