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10/15/1960 - South Africa: The Noose Tightens by Smith Hempstone Jr.

NOT FOR PUBLICATION INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD hvvhctober SH P O Box South Africa The Noose Tightms Malindi Kenya Mr Richard H Nolte Institute Current World Affairs adison Avenue New York N Y Dearr Nolte The Nairobi office South African High Commission fairly oozed hostility would least weeks I would lucky I I cable costs about twice commercial application reply could telegraphed difference The Sharpeville shootings couple everybody unfriendly toward biased uninformed individual American journalist By plane leave weeks later arrived I requested authorization Salisbury before Union The people South African High Commissioner office Salisbury polite friendly could nothing issuing authority Pretoria Anyway would cable Pretoria requesting action application There answer I suggested trifle discourteous Pretoria South African foreign service least acknowledge receipt Salisbury cable Another cable dispatched requesting immediate answer A reply application under consideration After squatting haunches another Pretoria I called American Consulate General could rather would assistance To utter complete astonishment acting Consul General cable embassy Pretoria requesting query appropriate South African authority status application This cooperation unusual about I should after picking myself floor I closer He Silver Star miniature buttonhole brand direct action somehow reminiscent I asked chance Marine He But arines produced tangible results couple Northern Rhodesian African patriots doused white woman small daughters gasoline alight I north festivities working Congo before returning Salisbury Wonder wonders seven weeks after application ready The High Commission office asserted hoped I would South African Information Depart assistance I might while Union I pointed considerable opportunity assistance during seven weeks I contacted asking expedite matters suggested halfway efficient police state could finger oster journalists decision nature within hours reminded seven cooling exercise calculated enhance feeling placid uncommitted journalist We friends I High Commission terms It first flight Union northern Transvaal looked hilly broken O00 ground level You conscious mountains hills driving through unless memory playing tricks dominate country lasting impression great treeless plains broken there rocky hillocks From country seemed stretch endless waves crumpled beige colored hills The sight yellow thread winding through lonely house sitting unusual enough create impression The total impressi loneliness immense eroded beauty Africa seemed crouched ready spring foolish enough venture interior sight solitary homesteads curious heart wrenching emotions The immense beauty washed pique Dr Verwoerd I under stood again sources passionate warped feeling physical being Africa which possesses Afrikaners least Dr Verwoerd again Orwellian reception Jan Smuts Airport Unlike procedure international airports denied watching fellow travellers pelltical connotation bluffing fruit through Customs jesting immigration officials rapid release family You immense yellow doors marked No Exit English Afrikaans while South African passengers ppear through three unmarked doors which light bulbs flash white light doesn flashes white woman disappears through never again You almost expect sickening smack truncheons Thus comes somewhat surprise comes confronted nothing terrifying courteous efficient officer anxious gathering makes small about crazy visas passport stamps wishes pleasant South Africa sends The South Africans travelling people Germans Dahomeyans Nyasalanders which reason outside world seems enigma hence arrival friend relative international flight Jan Smuts occasion squads venerable oldsters scrabble large young faces young women almost large equally faces descend traveller encased gesticu lating humanity As consequence there three mammoth airport I secure front beside driver white course Johannesburg lovely twilight evening The countryside leading brown splotched darker colors trees bushes light leaves burning The bracing seemed autumn evening northern Virginia As approached lights signs street lights combined throw which reflected clothe whole The streets jammed Africans hurrying catch trains which would their African their homes As usual particularly women smart ubiquitous uniform young urban African Union brown raincoat black beret laughing chattering other Saturday their least theirs The seemed little dressed quieter purposeful On street corners penny whistle bands composed Africans lustily extracting pennies packets Each surrounded black bodies perhaps whites fringes Africans jiving It I remembered I always memory reality marry I checked dumpy hotel railway station where Kitty I stayed partly financial reasons partly because I desire destroy illusion continuity belonging Oddly enough which produced acquaintance novelist SH Alan Paton Durban huddle other Liberal Party preparation party annual conference following Cape Town Paton unchanged still preoccupation focused laces lined small mouth spectacle supporting screwed perfect imitation smelling something rather He recognized chatted moment elevator Things never worse several Transvaal Liberal leaders under detention young Peter Brown SH successor party president Brown pride offered conditional release refused The lights South Africa going bridges being burned doors slammed He hopeful future suffering misery South Africa before fu_udamental change could place He obviously annoyed having arrested April sweep which netted opponents apartheid scores underground scuttling sanctuary 1yond Union borders I slipping humorous which contained regret It became obvious I going accomplish Johannesburg A around disclosed offices African National Congress Pan African Congress closed offices Tambo andela Oliver Tambo Nelson andela SH ANC leaders andela arrested April Tambo country Robert angaliso Sobukwe former structor Bantu languages Witwatersrand University heads PAC demonstrations which ended Sharpe ville massacre The Communlst largely practical purposes Johannesburg physician Yussuf Dadoo Indian I known before escaped Tanganyika Bishop Reeves another acquaintance Johannesburg beginning rather empty I walked Commissioner Street shabbier business section offices Drum The Golden Post hoping Cecil Eprille edits mightbe white leaders still large Cecil enjoys enormous capacity whisky small moustache large stutter seemed nervous usual S S S Sorry Smith I fidgeting gnawed pencil Even I could I I would Those still outside spend night sleeping different place their riding trains It In newsroom I African staff nowher tight Most whltes I wanted African contacts obviously weren going running The foreign journalists Time Life AP country uncooperative UP willing unable their staff country after Sharpeville reporters barely unpack contacts The USIS officer nothlng value offer Next I turned local press I known Aubrey Sussens night editor Bloemfonteln Friend which Kipling edited New llned story indicat political correspondent theanDilY M A phone duced invitation dinner Sussens America grant under standably enough interested about States getting names addresses there discussing formal state emergency under which South Africa living When I eouldbring conversation around local scene coneerne forthcoming republican referendum English speaking South Africans fundamental problem racial conflict White South Africans Afrikaners English possess amazing capacity delusion nowhere parent republic question Sussens English South Africans seemed million whites referendum population which African Coloured Indian Will ballot course Verwoerd Nationalists would their drive republic Monarchists reason although Afrikaners outnumber South Africans English descent liberal Afrikaners United Party members those within Dr Verwoerd National Party alarmed extremism hence reject republic They point although Nationalists power since until general election muster plurality popular A legal loading rural where Nationalists strongest competent Job gerrymandering United Party urban areas Nationalist victories possible Even United Party would unquestionably polled votes Natienalistm candidates UP constituencies In referendum every republican worth every Natlenalist first The republican campaign plain black white signs reading simply NO plastered across countryside vlgerems emarchists reckon least million balletm which could I Although Afrikaners wlthlm UP obviously Verweerd policies wouldn there emotional republic almost strong Nationalists It course century Transvaal Orange Free State independent republics while Natal Cape British colonies South Africa unity achieved smashing Paul Kruger republics Despite efforts conciliating groups liberal Afrikaners prime ministers Louis Betha Jan Smuts republican tradition alive Afrikaner people powerful sense exclusiveness stimulated their religious political leaders It bloodless Afrikaner indeed republic A second factor weighing Nationalists favor feeling among monarchists people pronounced opinion against public lasting significance Dr Verwoerd plainly stated should referendum employ other means proclaim republic This reference thirds parliamentary majority through which could proclaim republic legislative In addition there widespread whispering campaign effect republican toughs knowing votes reprisals against republicans There truth communities political filiation neighbors common knowledge prevent timid monarchists voting Lastly since British Prime Minister Harold Mac millan Cape Town change speech earlier there growing sense isolation among South Africa whites They realize Unio expect little outside support racial policies This means South Africa fight alone fight since least white ppula supports white supremacy although disapprove Dr Verwoerd application theory survival white population united The exchange Governor General President large political price physical survival What worry whites South Africa apply readmissiom Commonwealth republic Dr Verwoerd already promised white states Ghana India block If economic Union would considerable In million worth goods Britain total exports Even maintain these markets after exclusion Commonwealth South Africa would trade preferences worth million But persomally I think repmblic Verwoerd Afrikaners coupled feeling republican referendum victory would prolong embitter relations tween Afrikaners English South Africans adition other factors mentioned above number voters lower UP expects victory probably votes Dr Verwoerd The referendum takes place October Aubrey Sussens ample opportunity invite The followimg I Jan Smith moderate Afrikaner associated Japie Basson National Union Movement Afrlkanerdom hated writes Nationalist daily column Johannesburg Star under pseudonym Jan Burgher NUM seems South Africa survival offer possible alternative National Party It become increasingly obvious Dutch Prime inister whose proudest boast seven bathed African intention deviating Union racial policies After inister Native Affairs under StriJdom Verwoerd something design implementation those policies To admit wrong unworkable would political suicide Verwoerd Even after would assassin bullets close range Rand Fair Spring Prime inister there would change government approach The principal parliamentary pposition group United Party Sir Villiers Graaff SH which holds seats House Assembly future Its sharp rejection republic stigmatizes Afrikaners without whose support party electoral victory party South African renegades The Progressive Party talented Afrikaner surgeon named Jan Steytler acceptable white voters It formed dozen liberal P broke UP Although Progressive Party believes maintenance white civilization guarantees protection fundamental rights irrespective color creed This their attitude toward republic damus Progressives white electorate Since Progressives elected under UP label Steytler party leader Cape their getting capacity never tested their organizational suspect The Liberal Party polled votes elections about chance winning alone forming government Dr Verwoerd being elected president English Speaking Union If there alternative Dr Verwoerd haired Japie Basson Afrikaner draws inspiratio Henry Allan Fagan South Africa enent jurist loved Afrikaner novelists Fagam after retiring Chief Justice Supreme Court wrote calling Dr Verwoerd policy rigid apartheid hopelessly impractical When thousands letters poured asking political party Fagan referred writers Basson broke Nationalists expelled party Opposition Independent Basson comes blistered plains South West Africa broke Nationalists because their sufficiently dynamic stand Commonwealth relations their failure greater realistic affairs African continent their curtailment personal liberties Although could hardly deScribed radical which fortunate political future Basson would South Africa million Coloureds direct representa House Assembly Urban Africans would given voice House Basson favors development native reserves their total excision economic country Most important party Afrikaner inspired favorably disposed toward republic And these facts NUM possible alternative Nationalists Basson support difficult gauge It probably considerable among three Dutch Reformed Churches Afrikaner intellectuals Afrikaans speaking industrialists But Jan Smith stressed virtually impossible Nationalist armor until republic achieved The attainment republic after great which Nationalists together their fight power Ones achieved political alternatives least possibility Further serious racial trouble could bring Nationalists Basson waiting It become I wrung about I could Johannesburg since Nationalist politicians Cape Town closing session House Assembly But before heading Durban where I hoped thinking South Africa Indians I wanted I could about Union state military preparedness Aside brutality Sharpeville episode struck sloppiest disciplined demonstrations milltary operations which I heard What I wanted trained military observer opinion ability South African security forces withe armed rebellion Fortunately I someone Pretoria could I think understand individual professional officer brilliance called Piet Pienaar which Most people prefer making journey between Johannesburg Pretoria which course South Africa administrative capital The costs takes considerably cleaner But I always enjoyed train It takes through parts which never these Just unsightly urban areas through which American railways serves sharp reminder which exists between races coach practically empty while Africans jostling other crowd allotted And miles flash flash hardly South African railway joeybut stand station plastered signs calculated remind there worlds belong smaller privileged signs separating platform between whites whites signs proclaiming blanks blanks signs warning Africans entrance whites cross tracks overpass But there always African children playing along tracks small platforms officiousness their counterparts everywhere whole pleasant You Pretoria railway station residential statue Paul Kruger believed world still stands festooned pldgeons middle whleh forms center there little disturb Sunday quiet which seems Pretoria matter Pienaar ushered house poured drink I never South African habit drinking brandy business Pienaar opinion Africans lacked three elements necessary successful revolt effective leaders communications weapons He least South Africans studying Russia being trained guerrilla leaders He could vouch authenticity however It reported Russian submarines which presumably these agents cases explosives communications materials ashore Again thiswas reported responsible sources personal knowledge landings They fetched however during World War II Nazis landed least Afrikaner dreams becoming local quisling The coastal defense forces which Pienaar consisted bombers obviously inadequate guard country coasts But Africans obtaining weapons within Union itself anyone realizes Paradoxically these bought stolen Commandos local defense groups which predominantly composed Afrikaners The Commandos little discipline rifles government To whites these units temptation resell their Africans price almost irresistible Very repor Commandos recovered Pienaar This indicated recelvin organiza disciplined hidden weapons caches commi piece These siEns discipline oraniza Indica receiving group probably Communis eonnec African oranlza which undisciplined honeycombed informers To potential threat rebellion Pienaar described Union flabby military sense There virtually standing regulars chair borne administrators technicians In addition introduction politics since Nationalists resulted lowering morale parallel efficiency Afrikaners little combat experience promoted heads those South Africans incidently Nationalists fought Western Desert officers retired country Rhodesian forces Military thinking South Africa centered around assumption would fought Union South Africa would expeditionary force overseas other Commonwealth troops Con sequently South Africa enough vehicles including Centurion tanks armored corps field But potential largely theoretical because equipment balls there enough staff divisions Estimates required activate corps exceed since I talke Pienaar South African government selling Centurions abroad presumably assumption threat state within borders Baeklng regulars O00 Aetlve Citizen Force equilent National Guard ACF members serve three weeks training exerelses force experiences personnel every Behind ACF Commandos organized groups They little rifle associations although given training grenades maehlne Lastly there force which handful bombers about fighters which discovered Korea close ground support missions transports There paratroop units Rhodesia training borne outflts The brunt revolution Pienaar pointed least first eruclal would taken police force backed reservists Half these police Africans armed spears clubs whose dependability might become suspect particularly events seemed going against government The backbone force Saracen armored South Africa dickering France purchase French model These proved effective opposed determined armed olotov cocktails streets could easily death traps As indicated their record blood letting police disclpllned force Service popular English speaking South Africans starting salary poorer class adolescent Afrikaner pretty indeed interested The force under authorized strength white recruits joined since grade education There units organized police small detachments scattered countryside small posts where afford little protection abiding succeed acting provocative influence extremists Despite recent efforts reorganization Pienaar stated security forces appallingly I amazed For nation determined sword South Africa seems wield rather blade After thanking Pienaar I caught train Johannesburg straight South African Airways office ticket Durban What place I thought first might unusual I encountered similar situations SAA offices Durban Cape Town written problem Africanization civil service public corporations Black Africa parallel problem Afrikaneriza which I never written about occurs Union Prior Nationalist victory civil service staffs public corporations predominantly English speaking This matter prejudice against Afrikaners matter prejudice against black Africans elsewhere continent education urban experience competently administrative problems Since Nationalists quite understandable crash program Afrikaners civil service public corporations In first eight months instance glance civil service appoint ments reveals there times Afrikaner names English names In Judiciary judges Afrikaners Afrikaans speaklng If judge experiences three occasions Afrikaner clerks South African Airways would inclined Afrikanerization proceeded without considerable efficiency On three occasions clerk write ticket minutes Once I charged I under charged On occasion nearing session solution sight clerk obvious agony I worked price ticket This exactly thing doing primitive parts West Africa After uneventful night green hills Natal I checked Durban Plaza Hotel which offices Joe atthews SH I assumed His ffices G R Naldoo H Drum photographer revealed although atthews father picked Joe escaped Basuteland Ismall SH inside Durban beginning Johannesburg I gratefully accepted invitation dinner G R There notherDphotographer there drank cheap brandy listened G R while curry cooked Since I G R acquired first goatee Both which pleased He experienced difficulties during waves arrests perhaps because Drum The Golden City Post insist their employees steer elear Like South Africans liberal persuasion G R shame faced about being Jail I understand I arrested third manfully called While greasy curry G R using other employing pieces bread Indian fashion G R Durban Chief Albert John Luthuli president African National Congress Ismail Meer Dr G M Monty Naleker president South African Indian Congress hiding mewhere Durban Almost everybody interest jailed George Raft would G R where Naicker would could eanwhile asked would I ceremony following night marking beginning ahatma Gani daughter pretest against arrests Although hardly seemed front material alternative seemed cooling heels hotel I accepted The evening drove through tumbled green sugar fields Natal little colony which Mahatma presided century There printing press where paper houses yellow stucco We right small cottage where ceremony being It candles filled seams about forty people I count I would there about Indians Afric Europeans including Alan Patch present Fatima Meer there Naicker those present women G R majority wives detainees There several pictures ahatma Some Indians their shoes before coming The majority Africans Europeans remained I remember thinking those barefoot looked natural others Alan Paton padding around socks looked rather silly Fatima asked Patch service several passages Bible Then there Hindu chants which created eerie impression flick ering candle light After African Come Back Africa nationalist anthem Zulu ahlgh clear voice That there ceremony It quite moving Ne leaving Mrs Gandhi plump irritable She hispered G R fasting The I called Denis Hurley Catholic Archbishop Natal strapping handsome early The Archbishop I before guarded Times difficult admitted noticed increase Catholic sentiment strong South Africa If anything religious tensions easing perhaps result increase racial tensions None priests arrested April sweeps although understood Anglican ethodist clergymen He concerned priests marriage officers state If people different races priest asked married refuse because state forbade Could condemn lived together On other priest performed wedding license would withdrawn state The Archbishop God would married His lacked sanction state But rlesthood difficult position It necessary position marriage offlcrs Things better followed G R unable produce Dr Nalcker I unsuccessful attempt chase other quick footed Indian African leaders I packed South African Airways ticket boarded plane Cape Town The flight memorable I first aboard which enabled outside clear board I mould Natal coast flight south There Indian aboard plunked himself aisle As roving steward leaned Indian which I sitting reserved would I taking another I started argue remembered I could I sitting Indian which wOuld smash whatever pride steward unsubtle statement Indian I moved After East London I another outside For unknown reason pilot ropped hundred flight Port Elizabeth skimming beaches rising suddenly swoop headlands scattering cattle grazing shore I paper shark fisherman suspended thinking going crash jumped Even pilots South Africa seemed In Cape Town I checked fairly grubby hotel which advantage being The looked lovely weather bracing clear looked could reach touch square Table Mountain which rises behind business section It Union G Jubilee harbor British French Portxguese warships there celebrations But nobody Cape Town ancient liberal tradition celebrating In Anglican Archbishop Joost Blank Dutch keeps running battle artheid because God honor stake protest march muffled drums following morning I quickly touch Tony Dellus political correspond Cape Times Victor Norton editor ZaC Progressive Party P Dick Ross Colored leader Pat Imncan editor Contact Liberal Party mouthpiece editors Burgher hadnotmethimbefore remember Influi entlal Afrlkaner daily All gloom Delius turned prize which received written during Jubilee Detainees Emergency Fud situation reached point where could longer solution nation problems All attempt separate peace conscience That I prize money Strength thing National Party understands Moral suasion useless Ufortunate cards They quite ruthless quite stupid South Africa experience disaster after disaster Victor Norton called Senate previous month apologize quoting disparaging remark about august members equally despondent Where asked At contact between races becoming imperative every Nats remove pitiful vestige native representation parliament whites indirectly elected speak native interests House Assembly The pressure Press becoming intense every If Verwoerd republic through House quickly The whole situation intolerable Zac Beer Dick Ross gloomy Neither could signs Nationalists weakening Almost everyone South Africa admits today Nationalists fundamental mistake alienated million Coloureds always sided whites removing common voters applying apartheid But neither Beer Ross thought Nts intention granting anything token concessions Coloureds Even Die Bgher admitted South Africa future bright All world against because understand problems We mistakes course Personally I think Coloured policy wrong Bu It either Bantu This fight Personally I think But before allow light western civilization Africa In contrast everybody Pat Duncan practically exultant It think things Quite opposite The Nationalists every weapon their armory crush resistance South Africa failed Nearly people Duncan there before because feelings still cannot break spirit You remember Philip Kgosana former Cape Town University studen protest march The other I letter prison He I somewhat tired spirit I happy They never break And expendable others forward places They cannot enough jails South Africa everyone believes freedom There blood misery eventually things United Nations The danger liberals thrown their Africans strong enough defea Communiss freedom comes That western nations accelerate freedom I thought Pat words morning I watched Archbishop Blank O00 silent marchers unsmiling through center Cape Town The sullen muffled drums sounded footfalls The noose tightening I boarded plane South Africa Sincerely Smith Jr P S The referendum produced 958vs republic against Pat Duncan jailed refusing reveal information Contact story Communist Party activity South Africa Received New York October