African Activist Archive

Speech delivered by Bernie Dinkin, Education Director, Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union, and the Philadelphia Area Labor Against Apartheid Committee. Dinkin says there can no longer be any illusions as to the intentions of the South African regime in light of recent development; armed with a facade of reform and tacit encouragement of the Reagan Administration, the Pretoria regime has unleashed a reign of terror against those struggling for basic democratic values. Dinkin says the victims of apartheid some from every sector of society; but increasingly at is the new black trade union movement, with all its growing strength and appeal to South African workers, which has been singled out for repressive measures. Dinkin says the key to change in South Africa lies within that country and will be determined by the black majority; however, international action can help accelerate progress towards democracy and justice; a new course of action, emphasizing not only rigorous sanctions and boycotts against South Africa, but also support for the new black unions, is needed to pressure Pretoria. Dinkin says the Labor Committee denounces South Africa's destabilizing aggression against neighboring countries, and concurs with ICFTU in condemning the established by Pretoria of an internal administration in Namibia in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 435. Dinkin says let this also be our message to the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - - - it is fine to have Bishop Tutu speak at your University, but it is an outrage to continue the policies of investment in apartheid. The speech discusses the South African Allied Workers Union, Thozamille Gqweta, Isaac Ngcobo, Sam Kikine, Sisa Ngikelana, the Sullivan Principles, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), trial, treason, death by hanging, CUSA, AZACTU, and Constructive Engagement. [Note: two names are spelled incorrectly; the correct spellings are Thozamile Gqwetha and Sisa Njikelana.]

African Activist Archive

[Brothers and Sisters I bring you greetings of solidarity from the Philadelphia Area Labor Against Apartheid Committee]

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