SOUTH AFRICA

For the first time there are encouraging signs that the end may be in sight for the racist apartheid political system in the Republic of South Africa. On February 12, ANC leader Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years of confinement. Many political prisoners were released and most political, labor and social organizations were "unbanned," including the ANC. Additionally, South African president F.W. de Klerk called for negotiations with the ANC and its allies in the "mass democratic movement" (MDM), negotiations that would lead to the elimination of apartheid.

The response of the ANC and the MDM has been to agree, in principle, to negotiations with the de Klerk government. Mandela and the ANC have said that the government must first remove remaining obstacles to free expression, lift the state of emergency and release all remaining political prisoners.

The government's response has been to put forward certain conditions before it will agree to these demands. And there are other developments in South Africa that continue to obstruct the negotiations, most notably the continued violence in the Natal province between supporters of the United Democratic Front and the Zulu-based INKATHA political movement. There is also the danger that violence by right-wing white organizations that oppose de Klerk's policies may retard the transition process.

Despite these disturbing developments, it appears that a process has begun to bring an end to the undemocratic and racist policies that have for so long kept the black majority of South African citizens repressed and exploited. The ANC and the MDM movement have stated as their objective to establish a democratic system in South Africa based on the principles of one man, one vote and respect for all members of society. One official of the ANC described the current situation as "the beginning of a process that hopefully is going to result in a peaceful resolution."

Regrettably, there are no corresponding signs of change and revitalization in South Africa's educational system. It remains separate, divided along "color" lines, and unequal. The ratio of government education spending for white children to black children is approximately 6 to 1. The Bantu Education Act, which was established in 1953 with the purpose of lowering the standards and quality of education for blacks, is essentially intact.

Ever since schools became a battleground for the anti-apartheid struggle following the 1976 Soweto uprising, little serious education has occurred in the black townships surrounding major South African cities. Many South African leaders worry that a whole generation of students has lost a chance for even a basic education.

A 1990 AFT delegation to South Africa found that conditions for black teachers in the public education system are worsening each year. This is especially true for teachers in the township school systems hardest hit by student strikes and unrest as well as for teachers in rural areas. Salaries are declining in real terms, school facilities in many black areas match those in the poorest of underdeveloped nations and there is a shortage of even basic school supplies such as chalk, pencils and paper.

It is hoped the condition of education will improve with the elimination of apartheid. The first demands of black educators and black and non-racial teachers organizations are for the elimination of the Bantu Education Act and the creation of a single department of education for all South Africans. Teacher leaders are also Pushing for the elimination of laws that restrict teachers from forming unions.

Except for the emerging teachers movements, the organization of teachers has been divided along racial lines that correspond to the separate departments of education. In the last two years the non-white and non-racial teachers organizations began a process to unify all such organizations into a national structure. While there remain many differences between these teacher organizations about the structure of the national body, the teacher unity movement should help to accelerate the necessary changes in the education system.

In the meantime, there are a wide range of organizations, projects and movements that are striving to improve education for black South Africans. Most of these groups are members of the National Education Crisis Committee (NECC), a national body composed of teachers, students, parents, unionists and community leaders. These organizations have initiated a variety of projects including the creation of new curricula for blacks, literacy campaigns, alternative schools and special tutoring centers, all designed to fill the gap left by the government Bantu education system:

RESOLVED, that the AFT support the elimination of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic society in South Africa; and

RESOLVED, that until apartheid is abolished and universal suffrage with one person, one vote, is established, the AFT reaffirm its position in support of economic sanctions against South Africa and the policy of disinvestment in companies that continue to invest in that country; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT urge the Congress and U.S. government to maintain strong economic sanctions against South Africa until all requirements in present U.S. legislation are met and to provide appropriate financial and technical aid to the anti-apartheid struggle; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT encourage and assist its international trade secretariat, the International Federation of Free Teachers' Unions (IFFTU), to seek ways to strengthen the teacher union movement in South Africa and to find appropriate measures to help the teacher unity movement; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT seek ways and funding to support the efforts of South African teacher organizations and other education projects to help improve black education in that country; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT seek ways and funding to support and to establish assistance and cooperative programs with schools and local counterparts in South Africa; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT vigorously support passage of H.R.21/S.507, the Dellums-Simon Comprehensive Sanctions bill.