Report by George M. Houser, Executive Director Emeritus, American Committee on Africa, about his four-week trip to South Africa in February and March, 1991. This was 37 years after his previous trip in 1954, after which he was declared a "prohibited immigrant." During his 1954 trip, Houser was tailed by police and picked up for interrogation when he was in the company of banned Africans. During his recent trip, Houser visited many historically significant places: Robben Island prison; African townships of Soweto, Alexandra, Guguletu, and Crossroads; Sharpeville; and the African township of Mpophomeni in Natal that had suffered Inkatha attacks. Houser says sanctions against South...
Report by George M. Houser, Executive Director Emeritus, American Committee on Africa, about his four-week trip to South Africa in February and March, 1991. This was 37 years after his previous trip in 1954, after which he was declared a "prohibited immigrant." During his 1954 trip, Houser was tailed by police and picked up for interrogation when he was in the company of banned Africans. During his recent trip, Houser visited many historically significant places: Robben Island prison; African townships of Soweto, Alexandra, Guguletu, and Crossroads; Sharpeville; and the African township of Mpophomeni in Natal that had suffered Inkatha attacks. Houser says sanctions against South Africa should not be lifted until a clear agreement has been reached with the government. The report discusses President F.W. de Klerk, the Group Areas Act, Populations Registration Act, Archbishop Tutu, integration of beaches, Leon Wessels, Trevor Manuel, United Democratic Front, Yusuf Cachalia, Dutch Reformed churches, non-racial sports associations, South African Rugby Football Union, South African Indian Congress, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa William Swing, unemployment, African townships, Alexandra, Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, Conservative Party, National Party, Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB), Eugene Terreblanche, Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Beyers Naudé, Christian Institute, ZANU, ZAPU, Inkatha Freedom Party, an All-Party Conference, Benny Alexander, Helen Suzman, Boy Geldenhuys, Frank Chikane, Walter Sisulu, Chief Buthelezi, KwaZulu Legislative Assembly, Centre for Adult Education, University of Natal, the United Democratic Front (UDF), Chief Maphumulo, Nabs Wessels, Cowley House, Joe Slovo, Democratic Party, Black Sash, Transvaal Rural Action Committee (TRAC), Civic Association of Southern Transvaal, Legal Resources Centre, Pietermaritzburg Agency for Christian Social Awareness, South African Council of Churches, and South African Workers Congress. • Is South Africa Really Changing? • Is the Struggle Over? • Is There Serious Conflict Ahead? • Can The Whole Process Break Down? • What Hope For A Peaceful Transition To a Democratic State?
