“Message to Those Staying At Home”: Joint Statement by Dr G. M. Naicker and Chief Albert J. Luthuli, April 1958

Message To Those Staying At Home: Joint Statement By Dr G. M. Naicker And Chief Albert J. Luthuli, April 1958⁶³

Those who will be staying at home in accordance with the decision of the National Workers` Conference are called upon to observe the following instructions and directions strictly and in a disciplined manner.

 1. Whatever provocations you meet from the police or any other source, observe rigidly the policy of non-violence which the Congress has always advocated. The exemplary discipline observed by the bus boycotters of the Reef should be our guiding star.

2. Those living in compounds are earnestly requested that if they are escorted to work, they should offer no resistance, in the true spirit of non-violence.

3. People must stay at their homes for their safety, in order to avoid provocation by the police and others organised by those who are against us.

4. Expect intensive police raids for passes and beer in locations but let not these intimidate us.

If arrests take place in large numbers don’t plead guilty and DON’T pay admissions of guilt, but contact your lawyers immediately.

5. Nurses, doctors and those employed in hospitals must stay on duty.

6. Re: Victimisation. We call upon all workers of all races to be prepared to rally to the support of any worker who may be victimised, and we ask them to hold themselves in readiness to take part in any effective protest against such victimisation, even if it means the boycotting of the products of any firm which is guilty of victimisation.

This non-racial political demonstration is not directed against any employer. It is the expression by the voteless and democratic peoples of South Africa in a concrete manner of their abhorrence and condemnation of the tyrannical policies of the Nationalist Party.

7. WE REMIND YOU OF THE CALL ALREADY ISSUED NOT TO DO ANY SHOPPING ON MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, AND TO STAY AWAY COMPLETELY FROM THE BEER-HALLS, BARS AND BIOSCOPES.

8. We understand that the authorities are endeavouring to hold a meeting of indunas from different firms where certain so-called "African leaders" would be present.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT WILL BE SAID THERE WILL NOT BE IN YOUR INTEREST BUT WILL BE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE AUTHORITIES.