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Document 10 - Letter from Nelson
Mandela to Sir de Villiers Graaff, leader of
the United Party
23 May 1961
Sir de Villiers Graaff,
Leader of the Opposition,
House of Assembly,
CAPE TOWN
Sir,
In one week's time, the Verwoerd Government intends to inaugurate
its Republic. It is unnecessary to state that this intention has
never been endorsed by the non-white majority of this country.
The decision has been taken by little over half of the White community;
it is opposed by every articulate group amongst the African, Coloured
and Indian communities, who constitute the majority of this country.
The Government's intentions to proceed, under these circumstances,
has created conditions bordering on crisis. We have been excluded
from the Commonwealth, and condemned 95 to 1 at the United Nations.
Our trade is being boycotted, and foreign capital is being withdrawn.
The country is becoming an armed camp, the Government preparing
for civil war with increasingly heavy police and military apparatus,
the non-white population for a general strike and long-term non-co-operation
with the Government.
None of us can draw
any satisfaction from this developing crisis. We, on our part,
in the name of the African people – a majority
of South Africans - and on the authority given us by 1 400 elected
African representatives at the Pietermaritzburg Conference of 25
and 26 March, have put forward serious proposals for a way out
of the crisis. We have called on the Government to convene an elected
National Convention of representatives of all races without delay,
and to charge that Convention with the task of drawing up a new
Constitution for this country which would be acceptable to all
racial groups.
We can see no workable alternative to this proposal, except that
the Nationalist Government proceeds to enforce a minority decision
on all of us, with the certain consequence of still deeper crisis,
and a continuing period of strife and disaster ahead. Stated bluntly,
the alternatives appear to be these: talk it out, or shoot it out.
Outside of the Nationalist Party, most of the important and influential
bodies of public opinion have clearly decided to talk it out. The
South African Indian Congress, the only substantial Indian community
organisation, has welcomed and endorsed the call for a National
Convention. So, too have the Coloured people, through the Coloured
Convention movement which has the backing of the main bodies of
Coloured opinion. A substantial European body of opinion, represented
by both the Progressive and the Liberal Parties, has endorsed our
call. Support for a National Convention has come also from the
bulk of the English language press, from several national church
organisations, and from many others.
But where, Sir, does the United Party stand? We have yet to hear
from this most important organisation - the main organisation in
fact of anti-Nationalist opinion amongst the European community.
Or from you, its leader. If the country's leading statesmen fail
to lead at this moment, then the worst is inevitable. It is time
for you, Sir, and your Party, to speak out. Are you for a democratic
and peaceable solution to our problems? Are you, therefore for
a National Convention? We in South Africa, and the world outside
expect an answer. Silence at this time enables Dr. Verwoerd to
lead us onwards towards the brink of disaster.
We realise that aspects of our proposal raise complicated problems.
What shall be the basis of representation at the Convention? How
shall the representatives be elected? But these are not the issues
now at stake. The issue now is a simple one. Are all groups to
be consulted before a constitutional change is made? Or only the
White minority? A decision on this matter cannot be delayed. Once
that decision is taken, then all other matters, of how, when and
where, can be discussed, and agreement on them can be reached.
On our part the door to such discussion has always been open. We
have approached you and your Party before, and suggested that matters
of difference be discussed. To date we have had no reply. Nevertheless
we still hold the door open. But the need now is not for debate
about differences of detail, but for clarity of principle and purpose.
For a National Convention of all races? Or against?
It is still not too late to turn the tide against the Nationalist-created
crisis. A call for a National Convention from you now could well
be the turning-point in our country's history. It would unite the
overwhelming majority of our people. White, Coloured, Indian and
African, for a single purpose - round-table talks for a new constitution.
It would isolate the Nationalist Government, and reveal for all
time that it is a minority Government, clinging tenaciously to
power against the popular will, driving recklessly onward to a
disaster for itself and us. Your call for a National Convention
now would add such strength to the already powerful call for it
that the Government would be chary of ignoring it farther.
And if they nevertheless ignore the call for a Convention, the
inter-racial unity thus cemented by your call would lay the basis
for the replacement of this Government of national disaster by
one more acceptable to the people, one prepared to follow the democratic
path of consulting all the people in order to resolve the crisis.
We urge you strongly to speak out now. It is ten days to 31 May.
Yours faithfully
[Signed] Nelson Mandela
NELSON MANDELA
All-In African National Action Council
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