CHICAGO-ALEXANDRA SISTER COMMUNITY PROJECT Minutes of Steering Committee Meeting, Feb. 9, 1992

Contents: Present • Introductions • 1. DePaul Trip to Alex • 2. Chris Benner's Report • 3. Chicago-South Africa Business Exchange • 4. Media Committee • 5. Mary Ntingane's son • 6. 1992 Soweto Day Walkathon • Minutes of Steering Committee Meeting, February 9, 1992 held at First Church of the Brethren in Chicago. The minutes says those present were Jahahara Harry Armstrong, Chris Benner, Jim Block, Matthew Block, Holly Campbellm Basil Clunie, Slim Coleman, Larry Cruz, Dany Fleming, Michael Freedberg, Ruth Fuerst, Joan Gerig, Connie Hall, Harry K. Hall, James Halstead, Lisa January, Melvin Johnson, Sophie Makhubu, Marguerite M. Malloy, Eloise B. Marshall, Sello Mkalipe, Eben C. Smith, Tayani Suma-Tyehimba, Carol Thompson, Kamnu Tyehimba, and Mark Weber. The minutes say Jim Block and James Halstead of DePaul University gave a report on their trip to Southern Africa, with emphasis on their time in Alex with the ACO; they would like to organize on-going activities at DePaul, working in conjunction, with the ACO; in the short-term, the faculty members would like to initiate a drive for funds, books, and equipment. The minutes say longer-term projects mentioned include a scholarship program for ACO people to DePaul; training people at DePaul to go to Alex to help train local people there in specific skills; correspondence courses; working with teachers in adult education; placements for teacher training in Alex; a community library for Alex; arranging the "twinning" of local grammar schools with schools in Alex. The minutes say Chris spent the last year in South Africa, facilitating Sister Community ties; he stressed that the civics will continue to play a central role in the process, and thus the importance of the ACO as a leading civic. In the US, groups such as ours must move beyond isolating the apartheid regime to more pro-active support of the development process in South Africa, e.g. housing, local government, etc. The minutes say Tayani Surna-Tyehimba explained that the group here is composed of non-profit organizations and community groups who met with South African business people last June; their hope is to share information on community banking, facilitate training in business and marketing skills, and enter into collaborative business ventures. The minutes say the discussion emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating the business contacts made in South Africa; resources are available to help keep up to date regarding events in South Africa, including the Weekly Mail available at Synapses, and the Peacenet updates; the Project will try to make the Peacenet updates available to those who are interested. It was also noted that other Chicago businesses and investors might support grassroots projects and the ACO. The minutes say Slim Coleman responded to Mzwanele's request to promote the work of the Media Committee; the problem has been lack of organization. The minutes say it was noted that the structure of the Project, with its support committees, was only approved by the CCISSA board a few weeks ago; thus, a support committee only moves forward when there are people who take responsibility; the group heartily welcomed Slim's acceptance of the Media Committee chair, and will hear his proposals for the Media Committee at the next Steering Committee meeting; he noted the need to coordinate the use of the Cudahy Grant, and the need to keep the Chicago media informed of events in Alex. The minutes say clarification of the support committees' structure will be discussed at the next meeting as well; the active support committees should be ready to give a report on their membership, structure, and activities at the next meeting. The minutes say Joan distributed reports from Alex regarding the disappearance of Mary Ntingane's son on January 13th; We have been requested to phone the Wynberg police, demanding an investigation, since hit squad or security police involvement is suspected; Melvin will do follow-up phone calls to those who had met Mary last year; we will send $350 to them to use for newspaper ads or other costs. The minutes say on Friday, Feb.14th, Mary will speak by phone with Stan West on WVON; an appeal for funds should be made. The minutes say the Walkathon is scheduled for June 13th, with a focus on women in southern Africa; half of the funds raised will go to the Alexandra Women's Congress, and half to women's groups in Mozambique; Carol noted that CCISSA is on -a very tight budget, and hopes to recruit 100 new members. The minutes discuss Alex (Alexandra Township), ACO (Alexandra Civic Organization), the ANC (African National Congress), CCISSA (Chicago Committee in Solidarity with Southern Africa), and Mzwanele Mayekiso.