JOHN ru.NIEL I N EARLY 1 9 6 3 ON THE ROLE AND FUTURE OF NQ3AS
v
i M
KI3SAS
I n t r e d u c t i o n ; This speech has no r e a l t i t l e A s I a d d t o you i n my b r i e f i n t e ^ d d c t o r y Address t o t h i s Seminar, I described t h i s g a t h e r i n g
a s a f a c t o r y of i d e a s - a p l a c e where thoughts on NUSAS c a n be t e s t e d , accepted or r e j e c t e d today, I want t o a n a l y s e t h e s t u d e n t s i t u a t i o n i n t h e country, examine where NUSAS i s going, analyse f u t u r e t r e n d s and throw out some of the i d e a s «f those who know the e r g a n i s a t i o n well as t o where NUSAS should go i n the futurejfcll t h i s i n r e l a t i o n t e t h e p o l i t i c a l s i t u a t i o n i n t h e c o u n t r y .
This speech i s a c o n t i n u a t i o n of t h e debase amongst NUSAS l e a d e r s which has been conducted s i n c e Congtess L i s t year and almost c o n t i n u a l l y
during the p a s t few days as t o NCSAS' l i m i t e d Xfectdveness i n South Africa today and how t h i s can be remedied.
An Analyses ef the South African S t u d e n t Scene.
No. of s t u d e n t s i n South Africa i n 1967.
White African Coloured I n d i a n 67,294 1,880 931 2,294 T e t a l i 72,399 T o t a l Non-White: 5,105
Of t o t a l s t u d e n t s undergoing U n i v e r s i t y t r a i n i n g i n South A f r i c a , o n l y 7% a r e non-white of 81% of the p o p u l a t i o n 1% a r e r e c e i v i n g p e s t -
graduate e d u c a t i o n , of 19 of the p o p u l a t i o n , 93£ r e c e i v i n g p o s t - graduate education.
There can be nothing anywhere i n the world t o match those f i g u r e s i s r e f l e c t i n g sheer p r i v i l e g e for a p a r t i c u l a r group w i t h i n a s o c i e t y .
Of the 67,294 white s t u d e n t s undergoing U n i v e r s i t y education i n South A f r i c a , 20,552 a r e a t English U n i v e r s i t i e s a f f i l i a t e d t o NUSAS and 24,579 a r e a t Afrikaans U n i v e r s i t i e s a f f i l i a t e d t o ASB.
I have excluded 22,000 s t u d e n t s a t UffiS&i which i s a f f i l i a t e d t o n e i t h e r o r g a n i s a t i o n .
Of the 5,105 non-white s t u d e n t s undergoing University education i n South Africa: , 966 (19S&) a r e a t c e n t r e s a f f i l i a t e d t o NUSAS. None a r e
studying a t c e n t r e s a f f i l i a t e d t o the ASB.
Of t h e othor c e n t r e s a f f i l i a t e d t o NIEAS,2,500 a r e white and 210 are non-white.
What.are the conclusions t o be drawn from t h e s e f i g u r e s ? ( 1 ) NUSAS teday r e p r e s e n t s over 23,000 s t u d e n t s .
Of t h e s e 22,000 are white and 1,176 a r e non-white.
(2) The ASB represents more s t u d e n t s than do NUSAS b u t t h i s does not
•rite them more of a fetional Union than we a r e . In f a c t , i t does n o t i n anyway a l t e r t h e i r s t a t u s as a s e c t i o n a l o r g a n i s a t i o n .
NUSAS s t i l l remains t h e only National Union i n South Africa because i t ropreoBnte a l l s e c t i o n s of the s t u d e n t community and i s open t o
a i l s t u d e n t s . I t i s a l s o the only South Africa s t u d e n t o r g a n i s a t i o n
accorded i n t e r n a t i o n a l r e c o g n i t i o n through t h e ISC,
(3) Tho g r e a t n a j « r i t y cf non-white s t u d e n t s a r e n e i t h e r i n NUSAS or ASB and a r e n o t r e p r e s e n t e d by any o r g a n i s a t i o n . They a r e v o i c e l e s s
even i n the s t u d e n t s p h e r e .
(4) HU3AS i s an o r g a n i s a t i o n which i s c e r t a i n l y n o n - r a c i a l i n a t t i t u d e b u t we must p a i n f u l l y accept tjie r e a l i s a t i o n t h a t we a r e f a r l o s s
m u l t i - r a c i a l than we t h i n k we a r e . NU3AS i s composed of 22,00 w h i t e s and 1176 non-whites. I t i 3 t h e r e f o r e a white-dominated o r g a n i s a t i o n ; t h i s i s r e f l e c t e d . i n the composition of the e x e c u t i v e , only one of the p r e s e n t t e n on the exec, i s a non-white s t u d e n t . There has never been a non-white P r e s i d e n t of MUSAS.
(5) Despioe what I have s a i d above, NUSAS i s s t i l l one «f the l a r g e s t n p n - r a c i a l o r g a n i s a t i o n s i n South Africa though probably no l o n g e r
the l a r g e s t n o n - r a c i a l s t u d e n t o r g a n i s a t i o n . This mantle i 3 now probably worn by the U.C.M.
(6)NUSAS has t o operate i n a s i t u a t i o n of overwhelming p r i v i l e g e . Studont Organisations in South Africa i n 1968
Afrikatmse Studente Bond (ASB).
Founded 1933, broke up 19-40-45, r e s t r u c t e d 1948.
C e n t r e s : Afrikaans U n i v e r s i t i e s and T r a i n i n g C o l l e g e s . Numbers: Represent between wl,000 and 29>000 s t u d e n t s . A f f i l i a t i o n : N a t i o n a l i s t P a r t y .
Policy: C h r i s t i a n - N a t i o n a l and a p a r t h e i d , v i o l e n t l y - anti-lJlBAS.
African Students A s s o c i a t i o n (ASB)
Founded: I 9 6 0 / 6 I , collr.psed 1964; r e s t r u c t e r e d 1967.
Centres: I n d i v i d u a l enrolment, aminly Joburg s c h o o l - c h i l d r e n : supporters a t F o r t Hare and UNKB.
Numbers: 1 500 A f f i l i a t i o n : -
Policy: U n i - r a c i a l i n composition b u t n o n - r a c i a l i n outlook; a t t i t u d e t o WUSAS origd*o3Lly h o s t i l e ; today more understanding.
3. South African Students Union: (SASU) Founded : 1967
Centres: IKT. Stellenbooch, P.E. ( ? ) lumbers: - 200
Affiliation: UP-Prog
Hfiiiox: "Eynamic Moderation"; apposed t o extremism of NUSAS and ASB.
Open t o non-whites.
L. South African Students Organisation: (SASO) Founded: 196?
C e n t r e s : DBS, ?E.
lumbers: Very small
Aff^J^^tion: Sight-wing conservative
Policy: English^-frikaan3 r e l a t i o n s . Whites t n l y . 3 . Foderal Students Organisation (FSCj
Founded: 1966
Centres: Wita (attempted) Numbers: t 2*0
A f f i l i a t i o n : United P a r t y
ffolicv : English-Afrikaans r e l a t i o n s ; white l e a d e r s h i p ; open t o a l l r a c e s .
6. . ^ t i o n a l Union of South African Students ft?!USA3) Founded: 1924
C e n t r e s : English U n i v e r s i t i e s , non-white c o l l e g e s . Training Colleges braiiohes.
lumbers:
Policy: A n t i - a p a r t h e i d , n o n - r a c i a l , Declaration of Human R i g h t s ; r a d i c a l i n South Africa terms b u t bready l i b e r a l .
Conclusion:
l ) 3U5AJI i s most r a d i c a l of whites and most e f f i c i e n t of a l l . Z) Mwre dynamic though smaller than ASB.
3J Various s p l i n t e r groups are small, powerless and d i s o r g a n i s e d .
4-) Main motivation cf s p l i n t e r groups i s a ) removal of KOSAS t j c l e a r f i e l d so t h a t they can dominate English s t u d e n t market b j Once t h i s i s done, they w i l l drop t h e i r open membership d l a u s e , adept a "whites only" t a g end mere towards a c l o s e r a f f i l i a t i o n with ASB i . e . w h i t e - u n i t y .
5) AS3 has no r e a l opposition on i t s campuses.
6) NUSAS does have opposition on i t s campuses which r e s u l t s ; n P
t i g h t e n i n g up of the o r g a n i s a t i o n and g r e a t e r e f f o r t and efficiency d i r e c t e d t c ensuring t h a t HIBAS continues t o dominate t h e i r
campuses.
The Power S t r u c t u r e of NUSAS.
NTBAS i s , as you know, a f e d e r a t i o n of SRCs and l o c a l b r a n c h e s . These 20 SRCs and branches form NUSAS . P o l i c y implementation i s l e f t t o t h e SRCS-: p r a c t i c a l a d m i n i s t r a t i o n t o t h e Local Committees*. Congress decides p o l i c y and what p r a c t i c a l programmes a r e t o be followed. I t e l e c t s t h e executive who a d m i n i s t e r t h e departments of iJUSAS.
Obviously, i n t h i s s t r u c t u r e , t h e most powerful i n d i v l d u i i n t h e O r g a n i s a t i o n s.3 t h e P r e s i d e n t . Though he i s r e a l l y only the chief a d m i n i s t r a t o r of t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n , he i s , i n f a c t , i t s king as w e l l . He can b r e a k t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n and, t o a c e r t a i n e x t e n t , make i t . He dQTotes h i s f u l l - t i m e e n e r g i e s t o t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n and a s p i r a n t
P r e s i d e n t and V i c e - P r e s i d e n t r e q u i r e h i s endorsement i f they a r e t o have any hope of s u c c e s s . He i s u s u a l l y well-informed, a r e a s o n a b l e
speaker, good s o c i a l mixer, must be able t o s u r v i v e w i t h o u t any s l e e p a t a l l . In s h o r t , NUSAS must dominate h i s e x i s t e n c e , h i s p r i v a t e l i f e has t o be v i r t u a l l y abandoned and, i f he i s married, he
needs a very t o l e r a n t wife.
The next most powerful s o t of i n d i v i d u a l s i s t h e SRC P r e s i d e n t s who c o n s t i t u t e t h e Standing Committee. This group meets fowr. times
" r ; t h e P r e s i d e n t i s i n c o n s t a n t touch with a l l of them and he r e l i e s on them f o r c o n s t a n t s u p p o r t , d i r e c t i o n and information*
Tpxt i n l i n e , comes the e x e c u t i v e . They wield power i n t h a t they can d i c t a t e t h e p a c e : No work from t h e e x e c u t i v e , l i t t l e on campuses e t c . The P r e s i d e n t i s i n c o n s t a n t touch with them a l l , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e V i c e - P r e s i d e n t and V i c e - P r e s i d e n t f o r I n t e r n a t i o n a l R e l a t i o n ^ * From t h e ranks of t h e exec and Standing Committee t h e next P r e s i d e n t invorinbly emerges. In terms of t h e c e n t r e s , where does the power
Ho? T r a d i t i o n a r y , t h e two c e n t r a l powers i n IJUSAS have been UCT and Wits; I t i 3 X T and W i t s , who have provided t h e b u l k of NUSAS
oxoo members, have given a n impetus t o IIUSAS p o l i c y , and have, a t t i m e s , hold policy back.
Botwecn 1962-65 t h e r e was a marked change i n t h e power s t r u c t u r e with OT, UWE, F o r t Hare t h e r e a l l e a d e r s of p o l i c y .
At Congress i n 19&4, 10 of t h e 18 s t u d e n t s e l e c t e d t o the exeoutive woro from Natal c e n t r e s .
In i960, "there was a sharp r e v e r s i o n with Wits dominating t h e l e a d e r s h i p p o s i t i o n s and with UNNE p r o v i d i n g much of t h e p o l i c y d i r e c t i o n . I n
the 1966 executive e l e c t i o n , 9 of t h e 18 s t u d e n t s e l e c t e d t o t h e oxonutive were from Wits. T h i s remains t h e p o s i t i o n todRy: Wits,
IJ1TE leading. They a r e l i k o l y t o continue t o l e a d though t h e r e
nro signs t h a t t h e dcoadful 5 year malaise a t UCT i s ending. P o s i t i v e li'iidorahip i s merging from UCT and t h e r e i s a n encouraging number of
joorig Ifeadors emerging. Rhodo3 t o o , i s l i k e l y t o be f a r more i n th« forefront of FC3&S f o r a t l e a s t t h e next y<:ar.
Th» PrftMflnt P o s i t i o n nf MKAS.
U t m, ^Bynfl HlF.fc:; a a i t stands tod^v.
IrW th-» government, h o s t i l i t y i s tremendous and undiminishing. T h i s nnft niifiifootod i t s e l f i n bannings, d e p o r t a t i o n and d e t e n t i o n s e t c . of
!M I*™' Overall, when one considers t h e e v e n t s of the p a s t 5 y n a r s , M»AS na* proved t o a very v«i-,£._c o r g a n i s a t i o n and i s today i n a
g P j y e y powerful p o s i t i o n . I n many ways, I t h i n k i t i s miraculous Uwt IWAB hoa survived the i n v d v e m o n t of two former P r e s i d e n t s
( i 9 6 0 , 1961 and 1962) and numerous s t u d e n t s i n s a b o t a g e , the 90-day
d o t o n t i o n of tho 1964 P r e s i d e n t , banning of 1966 P r e s i d e n t , d e p o r t a t i o n of the 1968 P r e s i d e n t - e l e c t , the banning of other executive members and a d v i s e r s , c o n s t a n t v e r b a l a t t a c k s from tho Government and
c o n t i n u a l s e c u r i t y p o l i c e harrassment. To be able i n 1968 t » organise a p r o t r a c t e d lcadBi,3hip campaign, award more loans and s c h o l a r -
s h i p s than e v e r b e f o r e , e t c i s a r e a l f e a t h e r i n our c a p s . But how l o n g can t h i s c o n t i n u e , i s t h e q u e s t i o n ye must a s k o u r s e l v e s .
L e t us look a t MEA5. Centre bv Centre T r a n s v a a l
In t h e Transvaal t h e r e ore 5 c e n t r e s a f f i l i a t e d t o NUSAS.
( a ) Wits - t h i s is the s t r o n g e s t NCSAS centre, and one of t h e
s t r o n g e s t i n South A f r i c a . There i s a p o s s i b i l i t y of a conservative swing a t the next e l e c t i o n , with t h e
conservative groups becoming more e f f i c i e n t and o r g a n i s e d . I e x p e r t , however, NUSAS t o continue t o dominate the
campus.
(b) JCE - At JCB t h e r e i 3 an a c t i v e L j c a l Committee and reasonably pro-NUSAS SRC. The campus i s , on tho whole, c o n s e r v a t i v e , b u t the l e a n i n g appears t o be towards NUSAS on t h e grounds
cf the many b e n e f i t s which the o r g a n i s a t i o n p r o v i d e s , and because the more a r t i c u l a t e and r a t i o n a l l a a d e r s on tiie campus support the National Union, There a r e dangers however, t o be seen i n t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n of c o n s e r v a t i v e groups on t h e campus
( c ) and (d) _S ached and Johannesburg Correspondence College - The numbers i n t h e s e branches a r e s m a l l ; b u t support
for NUSAS i s s t r o n g , though the s t u d e n t s have very l i t t l e time t o devote t o NUSAS a c t i v i t i e s ,
( e ) P r e t o r i a - The branch a t P r e t o r i a appears t o be q u i t e dead.
Natal
There a r e 6 c e n t r o s i n Natal a f f i l i a t e d t o NUSAS .
( a ) University of Natal. P i e t e r m a r i t z b u r g - The s i t u a t i o n O' the campus i s not good. The SRC does, on the whole,
support NE>AS though many members a r e opposed t o c e r -
t a i n a s p e c t s of the p o l i c y . The s t u d e n t body i s , on t h e whole, conso'-vative and r a t h e r h o s t i l e towards t h e
National Union. I t h i n k t h a t t h e r e i s a d i s t i n c t danger of d i s a f f i l i a t i o n frun NCSAS w i t h i n the next 18 mo-ths.
( b ) UnJvarfrfctar of . f e t a l , fturbsn - The new SRC has j u s t been e l e c t e d and t h e r e i s a good o.-.^.l ?»f opposition t o NUSAS amongst the SP.C a m b e r s * Tr.o l o c a l committee has been very poor i n Vitft l i s t f?w y e a r s though t h e r e are s i g n s of an
improve!.vj:it t h i s y e a r . The campus, on the whole,
appears t o be a p n t h s t i c -awards both NUSAS and s t u d e n t a f f a i r s i n g e n e r a l and ohere i s g r e a t h o s t i l i t y from
the admizrictration towards NtBAS. I would say t h a t h e r e , t o * , thoro i s a danger of d i s a f f i l i a t i o n w i t h i n the next
18 months,
( c ) UNNE- This i s one of the most " r a d i c a l " campuses i n t h e country and t h e r e i s tremendously s t r o n g support f o r NCSAS* Most of t h e l e a d e r s on t h e campus a r e pre—
NUSAS. The SRC on t h e campu3 i s n o t s t r o n g . Th e r e has been s t r o n g opposition t o NUSAS on the campus during
the l a s t few y e a r s . This o p p o s i t i o n i s from t h e " l e f t "
and n o t from the " r i g h t " as on most white campuses. I would say however, t h a t t h e r e i s l i t t l e or no danger what-
s o e v e r of a d i s a f f i l i a t i o n from t h i s c e n t r e f o r some t i m e .
(d) Natal T r a i n i n g College - NUSAS i s weak on t h i s campus. There a r o a few d e d i c a t e d i n d i v i d u a l s who s t r o n g l y s u p p o r t
t h e N a t i o n a l Union b u t t h e y a r e up a g a i n s t a s t r o n g u o l l of a p a t h y . Many of t h e s o l e a d e r s w i l l be l e a v i n g
s h o r t l y , arid t h e r e i s a d i s t i n c t danger of d i s a f f i l i a t i o n w i t h i n t h e n e x t 2 y e a r s .
( e ) SACHED and Dormerton branchos - Though s m a l l i n numbers, t h e netabers a r e keen s u p p o r t e r s of NUSAS and work very h a r d . This i s probably t h e most a c t i v o SACHED branch i n t h e c o u n t r y .
Baa t e r n Capo
There a r o 4 c o n t r e s a f f i l i a t e d t o NUSAS i n t h e E a s t e r n Cape.
(a) Rhodes - The SRC a t "nodes i s e x c e l l e n t , probably t h e b e s t SRC
i n t h e N a t i o n a l Union. There i s s t r o n g s u p p o r t f o r NUSAS amongst t h e SRC members and t h e l o c a l committee i s v e r y
a c t i v e . The s t r o n g e s t f a c t o r appears t o bo t h e mature and s o p h i s t i c a t e d l e a d e r s h i p of t h e SRC and NCSAS, and t h i s has a g r e a t e f f e c t on t h e s t u d e n t body as. a whole. There i s an element which opposes NUSAS, b u t they a r e very
noon i n the m i n o r i t y . The e x i s t e n c e of a s t r o n g branch of the U n i v e r s i t y C h r i s t i a n Movement i s a s t r o n g
l i b e r a l i s i n g i n f l u e n c e .
T h e o l o g i c a l Seminary - S t u d e n t s a t t h e seminary a r e very busy with t h e i r academic c o u r s e s and have l i t t l e t i n e
t o s p a r e f o r NUSAS a c t i v i t i o s# However, t h e seminary i s very pro-NUSAS. In a d d i t i o n , the c o l l e g e a u t h o r -
i t i e s a r e sympathetic t o t h e National Union.
ibeth Branch - The branch h e r o i s i n d i f f i c u l t i e s duo t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y cannot o p e r a t e on t h e i r
campus. Numbers a r e s n a i l and a c t i v i t y i s minimal.
Id) Fort. Hare - There i s s t i l l good s u p p o r t for NUSAS amongst the F o r t Hare s t u d e n t body.
Thuro aro 4 c e n t r e s of NUSAS i n the Western Cape.
W SSL" I would s a y t h i s y e a r i s a c r u c i a l p e r i o d f o r NUSAS on t h e campus. NUSAS has b e e n s t r o n g t h e r e f o r :nany years b u t i n the l a s t 2 o r 3 y e a r s , we have l o s t e
l i t t l e ground t o the c o n s e r v a t i v e body, t h e Independent Students Union. ^ h i s i s evidenced by the f a c t t h a t n number of ISO s u p p o r t e r s have been e l e c t e d t c the
SRC i n r e c e n t y e a r a . The p o s i t i o n appears t o have b e e n reversed t h i s y e a r w i t h NUSAS s u p p o r t e r s winning 3 of t h e 4 s e a t s i n t h e r e c e n t b y e - e l e c t i o n . A new f a c t o r i s t h e
tremendous support f o r NU3AS from t h e new p r i n c i p a l ,
S i r Richard Luyt. I t appears t o o , t h a t t h e r e are a number young s t u d e n t s h e r e emerging a s l e a d e r s on t h e campus,
and most of t h e s e a r e pro-NCBAS, s o I t h i n k t h a t NUSAS p o s i t i o n w i l l be s t r e n g t h e n e d d u r i n g t h e n e £ t y e a r o r two.
W OtttUonboach - The branch h e r e i s weak due t o t h e f a c t t h a t l i k e Port E l i z a b e t h , they may n o t o p e r a t e on t h e campus.
I t ) Sit'JjUQ • Students here are v e r y koen a u ^ o r ^ r o «£ fflEUS, Though thoy cannot undertake a c t i v i t i e s on t h e i r own, ta»y
support a l l r e g i o n a l f u n c t i o n s .
c0rUfg?_ - The campus i s tremendously a p a t h e t i c and the members of the l o c a l committee f i n d g r e a t d i f f - i c u l t y i n organising f u n c t i o n s . I d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t
thuro i s a danger of d i s a f f i l i a t i o n a t t h i s c e n t r e ; our
major problem i s t o keep the NQ3A3 l o c a l committee members from l o s i n g h e a r t .
That, Mr- Chairman, i s my assessment of the various HUSAS o e n t r o s as they stand a t the moment. Now, i f HJS.".S continues on i t s p r e s e n t trend one of two things could occur. There w i l l e i t h e r be
d i s a f f i l i a t i o n s w i t h i n two y e a r s from UNP, OND, NTC and the p o s i t i o n being very s h a t y a t JCE or there w i l l be a right-wing swing with t h e r e s u l t a n t 1*3 S °^ *kc non-Vfhite c o n t r o s .
Of the two p o s s i b i l i t i e s , the second i s the g r e a t e r because the o r g a n i s a t i o n i s white-dominated as I pointed out e a r l i e r and I have seen emerge i n t h e l a s t few years of a p o l o g e t i c pro-NUG;£ISM: A d e s i r e t o pluy d«wn p o l i c y , play up p r a c t i c a l functions and g e n e r a l l y compromise t o t h e r i g h t . The advocates of t h i s who are strong a t UNP claims t h a t t h i s i s a t a c t i c a l move: an attempt t o "schlonter"
the carpus,fool them i n t o supporting KtEAS, This approach I f e a l i s nonsensical, d i s h o n e s t :«.nd d i s a s t r o u s . - I t does not work.
The Holes of NU51S
Mr.Chairman, what I have s a i d up t o now should r e a l l y bo regarded a s nore »r l e s s as an inta-oduction t o what I an g«ing on t o say now:
I want t o give you the various views »f people on the r o l e «f NUSAS, p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e f u t u r e . This has been a c o n s t a n t and continuing
debate i n r e c e n t y e a r s , prompted mainly by ^he d e t e r i o r a t i n g political s i t u a t i o n i n South Africa and tho following r e s o l u t i o n adopted a t th» c e n t r a l and Southern African Students Seminar i n Dar-. es-Salaam i n January 1964:
"Whereas i n various African countries some National Unions of s t u d e n t s , notably NUSAS, i n t h e way «f t h e i r compsotion hardly r e f l e c t the
a s p i r a t i o n s of the majority of the people of t h e i r c o u n t r i e s , and whereas up t o now these unions have been represented by delegates
q u i t e out of touch with the s t r u g g l e s and a c t i v i t i e s of these people, we here r e s o l v e t h a t delegates from sich countries be barred from
p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n N a t i o n a l , Regional and I n t e r n a t i o n a l Student Conferentes, Congresses, Seminars and Assemblies, f o r such unions are n o t competent
t o speak on behalf of the majority of the people of these c o u n t r i e s . "
Let me quote t « you now what our r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a t t h a t conference, Martin Legassik, wrote on the r o l e «f NU3AS a f t e r t h a t Seminar.
"In my p e r s o n a l view, t h e r e i s no s i n g l e s a t i s f a c t o r y s t u d e n t
o r g a n i s a t i o n i n South Africa today; and i n my view t h e r e i s no s i n g l e p o l i t i c a l o r g a n i s a t i o n capable of l i b e r a t i n g South Africa. The two
f a c t s should be considered t o g e t h e r .
" I t i s taken almost as axiomatic i n the s t u d e n t world «f t«day t h a t the student i s an i n t e g r a l p a r t of s o c i e t y
"There are tw» fundamentals for a s t u d e n t movement i n South Africa.
The f i r s t , and «bvious, one i s t h a t i t should r e p r e s e n t the
a s p i r a t i o n s of the majority «f the people. The second i s t h a t i t should be n o n - r a c i a l
"Our aim must be t o regr»up a l l students i n South Africa, and S»uth Africans studying o u t s i d e , who a r e with the l i b e r a t i o n movement i n a l l the b a s i c a s p e c t s of i t s p o l i c y . We must a c t with a genuine d e s i r e f o r the emergence of a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s t u d e n t » r g a n i s a t i o n , and
n o t a d e s i r e t o p r e s e r v e NCSAS or o u r s e l v e s
"We w i l l , t h e r e f o r e , continue « i t h the work w© have done i n p r o v i d i n g education (expanded t o t:uch widor larifls i f p r s s i b l e - i . e . secondary
l i t e r a r y , t e c h n i c a l , e t c . ) ajvi l e a d e r s h i p t r a i n i n g . F c r our o t h e r
r o l e s , we w i l l have t o take r o l e s from the l i b e r a t i o n movement. Our other p o l i t i c a l t a s k w i l l be t » a n a l y s e and t o c r i t i c i s e , where
necessary and from w i t h i n . "
These views I r o j o c t .
Let rara quote t o you t h e views of a n o t h e r former MUSAS l e a d e r w r i t t e n a t the same time a s Legussik gave h i s views on th.-J r o l e of NUSAS.
The words I am t o quote t o you a r e thc3e of Magnus Gunther, a former VPUt, V i c e - P r e s i d e n t of t h e Wits SRC and one of thp only two South Africans t o have 3erv^d on t h e e x e c u t i v e of t h e ISO
" I t must be understood t h a t i t i s thcj r o l e of NUSAS i n t e r n a l l y i n oouth Africa which must be t h e primary c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n d e f i n i n g t h e
futuro of NUSAS. From my p o i n t of view, i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s are s t r i c t l y secondary, and a c o n s i d e r a t i o n and d e f i n i t i o n of WUSAS's
i n t e r n a l r o l e must d e f i n e t h e terras of r e f e r e n c e «f our d e c i s i o n .
"NtBAS's i n t e r n a l r o l e has been defined i n a number of ways:
1. I t i s one ef the l a s t remaining v e h i c l e s of p r o t e s t a g a i n s t t h e f a s c i s t government.
2. I t i s a source of p u b l i c e d u c a t i o n and p u b l i c encouragement i n t h e defence of fundamental freedoms and democracy.
3. I t i s a source of p r a c t i c a l , everyday e x p e r i e n c e i n n o n - r a e i a l i s n . A« I t I s a s o u r c e , perhaps »ne of t h e most e f f e c t i v e i n the c o u n t r y ,
fer the t r a i n i n g ef l e a d e r s .
"In my view, of a l l the f u n c t i o n s , tho c»re a c t i v i t y i s t h a t »f
(•mining l e a d e r s . I t i s t h i s f u n c t i o n which i s b a s i c t o a c o n o i d e r a t i o n Of 8UC008S. As long a s NUSAS can contirnE t o c a r r y • u t t h i s
function through a l l the t r a d i t i o n a l mean3, such as s e m i n a r s , i n v o l v e - Mnt i n p r o t e s t s , involvements i n the decision-making of the Assembly
»nd International a c t i v i t y , NUSAS should continue i n e x i s t o n c e . "
Thwo then are the views of two of NUSAS1 a l e x e r s of the l a t e 1950's Md early 60' s. I want now t o g i v e you the views »f two l e a d e r s
tmlnnd by NUSAS a t a time when i t was more r a d i c a l , more n o n - r a c i a l In orrapooition and more p r e c a r i o u s l y n i a c e d t h a n i t i s today. These
"lowo fcr,) in fn ct those of t h e l a s t cow MJ3AS l e a d e r s who p r e s e r v e
» U U with too NUSAS of tho e a r l y 1960s. They a r e John Spradk and Hjjjwvur, before I give you t h e s e views I want, t o emphasiee r>ne t h i n g :
" « In ft democratic o r g a n i s a t i o n , n o t o n l y / t H a t i t stands f o r
«*wrnoy but i n t h a t i t s d e c i s i o n s a r e taken d e m o c r a t i c a l l y . I t i s
* * t^t> h-eoidont, Standing Committee o r Executive who t a k e s the 0"U«iorw but the "Demos" who d e c i d e . A l l tfiat I <an do i s t o give
U* faote as c l e a r l y as I can. Obviously, c y p o s i t i o n gives me ' i 'Ivllcgo of speaking more and a r g u i n g h a r d e r b u t I have only one
•*U «nd tho smallest branch can cancel o u t my v o t e a t any t i m e .
fliTy d i s c u s s i o n on NUSAS must c e n t r e Around an "understanding
• f the p r e s e n t s i t u a t i o n - i n South Af r i o a . The question ''what NUSAS should do?" must b e r e l a t o d t o t h e q u e s t i o n , "what i s going t o happen i n South Africa during t h e next few y e a r s ? " . T« bo p r e c i s e o>out
t h i s i s impossible b u t i t can be reasonably s t a t e d t h a t wo cannot expect change i n the p r e s e n t s i t u a t i o n f « r some time. For a l l the i n t e r n a t i o n a l p r e s s u r e t h e i n t e r n a l s i t u a t i o n i s more favourable t o
tho p r e s e n t system than i t has been since 1948.
John Sprack on ND5AS
1 . Sprack p r e d i c t s a sharp swing t o the c e n t r e and the adoption »f a
"moderate p o l i c y " , with some SP.Cs adopting a "students as such p o s i t i o n " . 2 . He maintains t h a t t h i s w i l l occur i f the or g a n i s a t i o n i n s i s t j o n preserving c e n t r e - a f f i l i a t i o n .
He advocates: ( l ) an immediate change t o i n d i v i d u a l enr»3oant.
(2) t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n would then change from a p r i n c i p l e d 90S? w h i t e , s o f t l i b e r a l • r g n n i s a t i o n t o a determined 50% or more
non-white o r g a n i s a t i o n , left-wing operating l e g a l l y but as r a d i c a l l y as p o s s i b l e within t h e framework »f t h e law b u t outside the reference
• f white p u b l i c opinion.
( ? ) NUSAS would then have about 2000 i n d i v i d u a l l y e n r o l l e d members.
( 4 ) I n t h i s way NUSAS would r e t a i n iEtKCBational s W o r t - something of waich i t cannot be gauranteed a t t h e i3cnent7
(5) NU3AS would not then h a w t o worry about open c o n t r o l of t h e SRCs b u t would attempt t o assure t h a t i t s members won most «f t h e key p o s i t i o n s .
(6) He advocates t h e handing over of t h e " b e n e f i t ' functions e . g . d i s c o u n t s , vac. employment e t c . t o t h e SRCs, thus r e l i e v i n g Head Office of tho pressure of n o n - e s s e n t i a l work.
( 7 ) He advocates t h e handing over of t h e s c h o l a r s h i p s program© e t c . t o e i t h e r t h e Standing C o m i t t e e or a t r u s t c o n s i s t i n g of t h e p r e s e n t members of tho Advisory P a n e l .
(8) I n order t o finance the o r g a n i s a t i o n a membership f e e of about R4. p e r porson would have t o be l e v i e d .
bftr c r i t i c i s m s of Sprack^ anfl .Legassjlk
1 . Both overlook what a National Union of Students r e a l l y i s and has t o be t o r e t a i n t h e r i g h t t o c a l l i t s e l f a National Union. S n r a c k ' s NUSAS would, i n f a c t be no more than a nation-wide Human Rights Society.
2 . By throwing c e n t r e - a f f i l i a t i o n overboard ono i s throwing away campus committment t o NUSAS through c e n t r a l l y a f f i l i a t e d SRCs. One i s therbby robbing the o r g a n i s a t i o n of much of i t s a u t h o r i t y .
3 . The o r g a n i s a t i o n would, i f i t adopted Sprack!s s u g g e s t i o n s , p u t i t s e l f i n a p o s i t i o n where i t could very e a s i l y be banned and smashed. The NUSAS which Sprack advocates would not have t h e
p r o t e c t i o n of the University a u t h o r i t i e s i n a form «f the University P r i n c i p a l s holding p o e t s sueh/^fonorary Vice-Presidents of t h e
o r g a n i s a t i o n .
U* I v e i y such doubt whether t h i s o r g a n i s a t i o n would be ablo t o c o n t r o l the k e y - p o s i t i o n s on the SRC,
5 . The SRCsare a l j w a d y / v i t n .^frixnistratavc work and i t would n o t be r e a l i s t i c t o expect then t o take on t h e added burden* af NUSAS
p r a c t i c a l work. They could wily do t h i s by employing added s t a f f which would r e s u l t i n g r e a t e r expenses which they would n o t be able t o meet. I n a d d i t i o n , i f NUSAS was t o drop t o i t s p r a c t i c a l work i t would a g a i n rob i t s e l f of a g r e a t d e a l of a u t h o r i t y txxid p r e s t i g e and, i n f a c t , would be n e g l e c t i n g one of a National Union's primal}
o b l i g a t i o n s i . e . t h a t of providing b e n e f i t s for i t s s t u d e n t s . In s h o r t , c(y c r i t i c i s m of Sprack and L e g a s s l k ' s t h e o r i e s ore t h a t they a r e not f i t t e d t o the r o l e which a National Union must perform*
John Daniel on NUSAS
I must emphasise here t h a t i n f a c t t h e s e a r e n o t only rqy views b u t a r e views shared by n o s t of the HC P r e s i d e n t s w i t h whom I have disdussed t h i s n a t t e r and a l s o by those s e n i o r NUSAS l e a d e r s who a r e a t t h i s s a a i n a r .
F i r s t l y , l e t me p u t forward the r o l e s which I see NUSAS as perforoing i n t h i s country:
a ) t h e Trade Union functions - b e n e f i t s for s t u d e n t s e . g . d i s c o u n t s , loans e t c .
b) A corxnuttity p r o j e c t s - e d u c a t i o n a l p r o j e c t s , SACKED e t c .
c) An i n s t n x a o n t of improved s t u d e n t gaverrxxmt - o r g a n i s i n g of
regular conferences on a s p e c t s of s t u d e n t a f f a i r s , symposia on s t u d e n t gorernment e t c .
d) Leadership t r a i n i n g - the t r a i n i n g of young l e a d e r s i n techniques of l e a d e r s h i p and who w i l l provide c o n t i n u i t y of l e a d e r s h i p on the campuses.
o) As Gunther p u t s i t , "A source of p r a c t i c a l , every day experience i n non-racialism". That i s , an o r g a n i s a t i d n providing a platform where white and non-white can meet and s h \ r e i d e a s .
f ) A soured of e d u c a t i o n i h t h e defence of f u n i a n e n t a l freedoms and democracy. This involves NUSAS i n e d u c a t i n g t h e campuses on t h e
mooning of such concepts asr tthe r u l e of law", "academic freedom". This la done through symposia, l e c t u r e s e t c . I t a l s o involves NUSAS i n
protesting a g a i n s t v i o l a t i o n s of thn rifcnts of the i n d i v i d u a l , v i o l a t i o n s r£ uoadomic froodcra, infringements of the r u l e of law e t c .
KJ I n t e r n a t i o n a l r o l e - maintaining c o n t a c t w i t h the world-wide s t u d e n t m o v a n t through i t s a f f i l i a t i o n t c t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Student
Cani'nronoy*
I *fltntd iYP_9 onclus ^ 903
»• Th* above r o l e s can be summarised as f a l l o w s :
mm m r t contimi9 t o 3erve i t s s t u d e n t s , serve tiie c o n - u n i t y , and m r w for the doy when a change w i l l c a w i n South i fric a # This
E J M * w on t o ny main p o i n t . A switch i n emphasis i s required i n
»W» Wo rnwt cease t o concontrato on i s o l a t e d p o l i t i c a l i s n u e s and
* * w * VUT o t U c k t o Apartheid i t s e l f • We r e j e c t a p a r t h e i d i n t o t o ;
we stand for a new s o c i e t y which w i l l be non-racial and democratic.
Everything which apartheid i n v o l v e s , mist not be a p a r t of the new s o c i e t y which wo want t o see emerge.
There has i n the p a s t few years been t0o groat a tendency for NUSAS t o r e a c t t o a given s i t u a t i o n . WQ have meroly concentrated on
staying a l i v e and have reactod t o such things as banning or d e p o r t a t i o n s with p r o t e s t and then have s e t t l e d back and waited for the next tin©
we w i l l have t o p r o t e s t . In s h o r t , wo have r e a c t e d not a c t e d . This must be r e v e r s e d .
NUSAS must become more aggressive, p o s i t i v e , and m i l i t a n t on the
campuses. We must aim t o • b t a i n a g r e a t e r committment t o NUSAS from among i t s supporters and must s t r i v e t o ensure t h a t liUSAS's p o l i c y remains much the samo as i t i s today. We must work t o seo t h a t
NUSAS remains n o n - r a c i a l .
John Xane-Borman, the P r e s i d e n t of the Wits SR°, has advanced c e r t a i n ideas on t h i s theme. These ideas I share and I want t o give them t o you.
1 . Kano-3erman maintains t h a t t h i s now. p o s i t i v e approach w i l l require i n t e n s i v e p u b l i c i t y canpaigns on tho p a r t of IJUSAS. The message of
NUStS must be c a r r i e d t o a l l q u a r t e r s of the canpus. NUSAS t a l k s must be given i n t h e residen CQS> t o tho f a c u l t y c o u n c i l , newspapers, magazines e t c on the campus must bo used t o p u b l i c i s e NUSAS a c t i v i t i e s and p o l i c y . Kane-Berman f e e l s t h ^ t there should bo an annual
campaign on each campus culminating i n a mass meeting i n May of each year a t which the student bodies w i l l be asked t o express t h e i r
continued support for NUSAS p r i n c i p l e s and l e a d e r s h i p as thoy stand a t the tiiae.
2 . Kan>-Berraan f e e l 3 t h a t t h e r e has been i n the p a s t a tendency t o underestimate the s t u d o n t s . I agree with him. For example, we d i d
not e x p e c t the massive support which tho students gave us i n our p r o t e s t a g a i n s t the banning of Ian Robertson, Dr.Hoffenborg and the d e p o r t a t i o n of John Sprack. Further more, few expected ths students a t Wits t o give such overwhelm ng support t o the SRC's stand on
i n t e g r a t e d Rag f u n o t i o n s . My p o i n t i s t h a t i f tho SRC s e t out t o p o s i t i v e l y lead t h e i r campuses and ask for t h e i r support on issues backing them up with sound r a t i o n a l arguments then i n 99 cases out of a 100 t h e students w i l l follow them. This must be the approach which
wo must adopt i n the f u t r r o .
3 . Every e f f o r t must be made t o ensure t h a t the l o c a l committees are highly e f f i c i e n t organisations on the campuses. Tho l e c a l committees must concentrate on e f f i c i e n t l y running many and varied progriumes
so t h a t too canpus i s made aware of tho f a c t t h a t NCSAS e x i s t / S n d that i t e x i s t / a s a dynamic organisation Hooking t o serve the s t u d e n t s .
However, the work of the l o c a l committees must not be our primary cdv..
We must not suppress p o l i c y and play up a c t i v i t y . Our policy i s the most important a s p e c t of the National Union. I'o must not be ashamed about those things f o r which we stnnd. One i 3 never poin? t o obtain committnent t o NUSAS1 p r i n c i p l e s by steppsj^bp>baby''flitting paapai^grf The SRC mu3t be able t o take advantage oi flUSAS image as a dynamic
o r g a n i s a t i o n on the campus and p o s i t i v e l y advocate NUSAS's policy or.
a l l p o l i t i c a l m a t t e r s .
4« Kane-Berman, hovever, makes tho p o i n t t h a t wo must roraeber that the National Union must t o a c e r t a i n e x t e n t take cognisance of student opinion on the campus. We should be prepared t o compromise on issues i f they are secondary i s s u e s . Wo should not seek t o d e l i b e r a t e l y
n l i ^ m t i . 1h© a a s s of atnfonfcfl Iff taking <"'•- obviously unpopular star.a on a secondary ioa»*. , f o r oxariplo t h e Olycplc *JU i-tion. Tula fcypeoC tiling ahoiQd go by thfc board a c l we nuot c o n c e n t r a t e on t h e fxtndanental i s o u t i»e# a p a r t h e i d anrt r a c i a l clscrlBliY,ticn«
5 . Kano-Bornan f u r t h e r s t - t e s t h a t wo nust quit d^fovlir^;, " r a t i o n d d a l n g b.-.ck-podalling and j u s t i f y i n g dcci:;ion.s taken a t congress ucr^ly
because i t i s f e l t t h a t thoy w i l l bo urv*';:'-*J\ar on the c a r o u s e s . Our a t t i t u d e should r a t h r be t h a t t h i s i s what NtEiiS st^ndJ f o r , t h i s i j why NIS/JS has t a k e n the s t a n d , tako or IGJ ve i t .
6. This p o i j i t i v ; and hon&st awj>ro*cI; irrvolvot; c l i i ^ d n ^ t ^ c - : i t r — a f f i l i a t i o n r a t h . - r t h i l l «.a 1 . ' r d t o cv'.optioa cv* i ^ ' d v i d u r . l s»nrofc;;irA.
However, wc i*u_;t n o t bo prepared t o cldr-.-; t o c o n t r - a - j - f f i l i a t i o n a t a l l c o s t o . i f thr«*i;;h t h i ^ :ifcsitiv<-> ap.Tjach we l o s e the support oT 2r:Cs, th~n \*o : u * t -.-.cacpt ifi,- "*-« s i t u a t i o n , s v i t c h t o i n d i v i d u a l t.nroijn^nt and ^r.tir.u~ t o -.dvoc .to »ur n o n - r a c i a l p r i n c i p l e s ,
7. Vie n u s t 3"ok t o pre:;orvo o'>r aon-rr.ci Q. co-rpositi«n. We b c l i o v o i n a non- r a c i a l £*nd d ^ a » c r a t i c South **frJc\ and i f wo b e l i c v u i n t h i s w r.ust see t o i t th . t our own o r g a n i s a t i o n r a n a i n s non-r-vflial.
No n u t g o t used t o t h e i s e a t h n t we •.-•ay havo t o l o s e c e r t a i n c e n t r e s if wc adopt t h i n p o s i t i v e approach. Vo r-u-^t n o t c o . p r « i i s o on an
e s s e n t i a l insue i n orcor t o k.*ep a ri^ht^wing c e n t r e i n the o r g a n i s a t i o n . 8. F i n a l l y , t h e r e i-" one f u r t h e r t]dr\- which needs t c be s a i d h e r o .
I t h i S bcon s a i d before by oth.*r ritE&3 l e a d e r s such as -Tonty P r i v ; r
but i s o t i l l . very r e l e v a n t today. Tvat i s , i f NUS;.S does not convert t o individual enrolment, i t nay face i n c r e a s e d i s o l a t i o n i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y . Wo do not want t h i s t o happen and you can be s u r e IJIBijS w i l l f i g h t
to keep i t s I n t e r n a t i o n a l p o s i t i o n . X quote Jonty D r i v e r :
"i^t the 3ame t i n e , l e t us bo q u i t e ol«?ar t h a t the r o l e of MUS/.S i s
primarily i n South ,'^frica And n e t i a th© Intt-rnati-• aal S t u d e n t Conference JHB£S LMSt do thooA t h i n g s which i t b . l i e v o s a r e r i r h t i n South Africa
nrxi i f li&AS decides to/toem one w-iy,vhc.t happens i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y 1H cf vory minor i - i p o r t f i c e . fRBl& -ust do a l l i n i t s ptwer t o
ccwincu tiso I n t e r n a t i o n a l Student Ifovuvwt ci* i t . - r i g h t e s : : , b u t i t s dVtci.iov;* »ro iUt c'acisious "\lonp".
• y final words are ad< rossi.d to yo.i t h a p a r t i c i p ; n t o i n t h i s Seninar.
ir*/i*3 dc .a not and l.as never sou:;!;^ a brm b u t , i f a banning i<> thr:
coru o'.v.. i'.o- of our p o s i t i v e COT i'l'.t-icnt t o our p r i n c i p l e s wo have nothing
^ V aatevutf, cf. W3 do n o t r-.-g-.rf. a ban w a stigr.'4U
•'r«> yo'i, t'-vj p ' j t i c i - a n t s i n fcho S r i i u -.-dll ccuo tho f u t u r e l c a d e r -
«'ii^ o*? the o r g a n i s a t i o n . Frc»* / o u vr5.ll be r o ^ i i r o d -;Tcat courage, ': (UoatLon i.nd i n t e g r i t y . Year dut; i • c l e a r . I t i ^ t o r-.*t-u-n t o
>tf'j caipu-:3, t c ankt VAO of what yc- have le-*mt ho r o . 1 &Jk fron ym p r a c t i c a l ca:;iituusiit t c M!3_*7., r e t only t o i t s p r i n c i p l e s , o u t t o
it.' positive prof,r-v;vc. Uo require- fro"«. vou crr.irc"? v i ^ . l a n c o arva ''•viie Uon. I b e l i e v e th-4- you v:ir\ :.ot f a i l . ^ J B ^ .
