YUSUF MOHAMED DADOO
[This statement was issued by Dr. Dadoo following the proclamation
of the first large group areas in the country. It appeared in Johannesburg
on the eve of the all-in conference on group areas convened by the
Transvaal Indian Congress for August 25 and 26.]
In time of crisis there are invariably timid, faint-hearted people
who panic and, like a drowning man, clutch at any straw.
We, too have
such people in our midst. The proclamation of group areas in the
western suburbs
has sent them running helter-skelter
in all directions shouting: "Accept residential segregation," "Accept
Lenasia," and in the words of a certain rich Indian landlord:
"We have
no alternative but to accept Lenasia as a residential township
and to trust that
the Government will deal fairly and honestly
with us in regard to the preservation of trading rights."
With the proclamation of group areas there is no doubt that our
people face a very critical situation.
What are we to
do? Accept the cowardly advice of those who say "accept
residential segregation first and negotiate with the Government for
the preservation of trading rights and means of livelihood?" Voluntarily
and willingly go to Lenasia now?
This would be
tantamount to presenting the Government with an accomplished fact.
What more
does it want! Once we have moved our homes from existing
localities it will then be mere child's play for the Strijdom
Government to close down our shops, businesses and all legitimate
avenues of making a decent and honourable living.
Those who hope
to "negotiate with the Government for the preservation
of trading rights" are living in a fool's paradise. The
aim of the Group Areas Act is clear for all to see. The report of
the inter-departmental committees appointed by the Nationalist Government
in 1948 which forms the basis of the Group Areas Act, states in clear
and unambiguous language:
"The fundamental theme of the evidence throughout the years
has been and still is repatriation or, failing which, compulsory
segregation..."
Thus to hope for negotiation is an illusion. Harbouring such nebulous
notions can only lead to vacillation and confusion among the people.
It can only have the disastrous effect of weakening and disrupting
the so far successful, united stand of the community against the
Group Area Act.
Any weakening of our stand or any sign of panic on our part will
serve as a source of encouragement to the Government to proclaim
further group areas and press on with its policy of apartheid.
The critical situation calls for vigorous and energetic measures.
We must not go to Lenasia or any other group areas set aside for
our people. We must forge a strong bond of solidarity between landlords
and tenants in the common struggle for existence, by calling upon
Indian landlords to cease charging goodwill money and exorbitant
rents.
We must seek the co-operation of all men of goodwill and of all
democratic organisations in forming local and regional vigilance
committees for the purpose of defending the legitimate rights and
opportunities of all sections of the people irrespective of race,
colour or creed.
We must enlist
the support of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and trade
union organisations
in a mighty campaign to prevent the
country's economic progress and welfare being disrupted by
the application of the Group Areas Act and the apartheid policy of
the Government.
We must take
our full and rightful place in the mounting campaign against every
facet
of apartheid throughout the country. What happens
in a year or two years' time will be determined by how effectively
and courageously we discharge now the tasks enumerated above.
