The proposed Sister College relationship of University of Michigan with SOMAFCO would make it possible to support the struggle against racial oppression on the international level. Those of us struggling against racism in the U.S. are inspired by our brothers' and sisters' struggle in Southern Africa, which makes us more vigilant in our own struggle against racism. The systematic oppression in South Africa extends from the parliament, to the congregation, to the classroom. Racism there is based on the need for labor, reinforced by the educational system. The South African regime, since 1975, has implemented Afrikaans, the language of the oppressors, as the medium of instruction for Black...
The proposed Sister College relationship of University of Michigan with SOMAFCO would make it possible to support the struggle against racial oppression on the international level. Those of us struggling against racism in the U.S. are inspired by our brothers' and sisters' struggle in Southern Africa, which makes us more vigilant in our own struggle against racism. The systematic oppression in South Africa extends from the parliament, to the congregation, to the classroom. Racism there is based on the need for labor, reinforced by the educational system. The South African regime, since 1975, has implemented Afrikaans, the language of the oppressors, as the medium of instruction for Black students. That decision met with national protest, particularly in Soweto, where Black students portested the whole policy of inferior Bantu education. The Sister College proposal says several hundred students left South Africa in the wake of the student uprisings, with a desire to better equip themselves so they might return home able to contribute to the struggle of their homeland. The African National Congress (ANC) established Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College in 1979 in Tanzania, to educate South Africans living in exile. It offers education from nursery through professional schools. SOMAFCO needs material aid. Due to the high cost of some items in Tanzania, shipping material would be more effective than sending money. A box for donations will be placed at Pronto Printing Center in the Michigan Union. Funds will be needed for shipping costs. The proposal also aims to establish a student exchange program with SOMAFCO and particularly to have students from the University of Michigan go to SOMAFCO. The proposal mentions anti-apartheid coalitions and Alfred Nzo.
