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INTRODUCTION:
1. The year 1950 was a turning point in the political history of the African people in this country. It was marked by a number of events which took place from the beginning of the year. These events indicated a new political outlook on the part of the African people. The events showed quite clearly that the conditions under which the African people live have become intolerable and that the masses are marching far ahead of the leadership. The gravity of the developments among the masses is no doubt a serious one to the leadership of the African people.
2. The 1949 Conference of the A.N.C. adopted a Programme of Action which was to serve as a guide to the African people in the struggle for liberation. The Programme of Action indicated a definite form of struggle for the African people and reflected a new attitude towards the oppressor and demanded the National Independence of the African people as a nation.
INTERNATIONAL SITUATION:
3. Since we met in our annual Conference last year the international situation has shown serious developments. The conflict between West and East has become sharper as never before, which conflict endangers world peace. As a result of which the Korean soil has now become the battlefield.
4. Your National Executive issued a statement on the question to the effect that the creation of the artificial "38th Parallel" was not in the interests of the Korean people. The attitude of the African National Congress is that the Korean people are competent to solve their own problems.
SOUTH AFRICA:
5. The policy of the white rulers in South Africa has undoubtedly aggravated the relations between the whites and the Non-whites. The Nationalist Government has this year gone a step further towards tyranny and the establishment of a police state by introducing two most notorious laws namely the Group Areas Act and the Suppression of Communism Act.
6. The Group Areas Act is designed to intensify the policy of Apartheid to which the Nationalist Government is wedded. It is intended to ruin the Indian community economically and to divide the African people into tribal sections thereby weakening their political solidarity in their fight for national liberation.
7. Although the Suppression of Communism Act purports to be directed against Communism in general and the Communist Party of South Africa in particular;
we are satisfied from a study of the provisions of this Act that it is primarily directed against the African and other oppressed people and is designed to frustrate all their attempts to work for the fulfillment of their legitmate demands and aspirations.
8. The African people and other democrats have demonstrated their opposition against such stern measures.
COUNCIL OF ACTION:
9. The National Executive met on the 10th February 1950, in Johannesburg. The Council of Action was appointed having as its Chairman Dr. Moroka, and four others....
RIOTS:
On the 29th January, the police raided Newclare and assaulted some Africans and arrested certain others. This was resented by the people of Newclare. Consequently a fight ensued resulting in the death of two Africans. President General and a number of members of the National Executive visited the area and addressed a big meeting. On the same date a riot also took place in Benoni and in Durban. A statement was issued by the WORKING COMMITTEE on these incidents. On the 13th February another riot occurred in Newclare which also resulted in the death of one African. On this day some shops were burnt. This second riot took a turning point against Asiatics. Members of the Working Committee worked very hard with the co-operation of the other Provincial and Local leaders. A Telegram demanding the withdrawal of the Police was sent to the Minister of Justice after which the District Commandant summoned a meeting between his Department and the Local leaders of Newclare. The Secretary-General attended as an observer. The leaders insisted on the withdrawal of the Police. The Police were withdrawn and the trouble was over.
MAY DAY.
On the 26th of March 1950 a Conference was convened by a body called the "DEFEND FREE SPEECH CONVENTION"—a body consisting of the AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (TVL.) BRANCH, (TVL) INDIAN CONGRESS, A.P.O. and the COMMUNIST PARTY (JOHANNESBURG DISTRICT). Dr. J.S.Moroka presided at this Conference. This meeting decided, among other things, to observe "MAY DAY" as a "Freedom Day" when people were advised not to go to work in the Transvaal. On April, 1950, MR. C.S. RAMOHANOE, the Transvaal-President, issued a statement asking the Branches of the Transvaal not to participate until a ruling was given by the National Executive. On April 24th, the following statement was issued by the Working Committee:
"The Annual Conference of the AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, held in Bloemfontein last year adopted a Programme of Action to be carried out by Congress Branches throughout South Africa. There has now been established in the Transvaal the Defend Free Speech Convention, which has decided on and is carrying out its .own Programme of Action."
"May Day", however, was observed.
In the afternoon of the 1st May, the Police opened fire, using stern guns and other weapons, wherein 19 Africans lost their lives and 30 others were wounded in the following areas: - BENONI, ORLANDO, ALEXANDRA and SOPHIATOWN.
NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST AND MOURNING.
On the 14th May, 1950, an Emergency Conference was summoned by the Working Committee of the A.N.C. which was attended by the following Organisations: S.A.INDIAN CONGRESS, A.P.O., A.N.C.YOUTH LEAGUE, COUNCIL OF NON-EUROPEAN TRADE UNIONS and the COMMUNIST PARTY of SOUTH AFRICA. The delegates for the A.A.C., who attended as observers, were refused admission.
After a lengthy discussion on the "Unlawful Organisations Bill" (now "The Suppression of Communism Act") and the "Group Areas Bill", the Conference decided that the matter be referred to the respective National Executives of the Organisations represented for their considerations.
An Emergency meeting of the National Executive met at Thaba 'Nchu on May 21st, 1950. After three hours discussion on the "Unlawful Organisations Bill," it was unanimously agreed that there be a National Day of Protest and Mourning, as a Protest against these Bills and other discriminatory measures. The date to be fixed by the President-General in consultation with other National Leaders who had attended the Emergency Conference on the 14th May,1950. Subsequently the President General of the A.N.C. Dr. J.S. MOROKA, declared JUNE 26TH, 1950 as a "NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST AND MOURNING '', followed by the following leaders: -
Dr. G.M. Naicker, President of the S. A. I. C.
Mr. S.M. Rahim, President of the A.P.O. and
Mr. I. Horvitch, Chairman of the C.P. of S.Africa.
A vigorous campaign was launched throughout the country calling upon the people to observe this historic day.
A Co-ordinating Committee was formed with its Head-quarters in Johannesburg. The functions of this Committee were to direct and conduct the campaign.
While we did not achieve the desired results on this historic day, we, however, feel quite satisfied that the people of South Africa are behind us. This was demonstrated by a complete stoppage of work at Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Durban, Ladysmith, Evaton and Alexandra Township. Partial stoppage of work took place at the following centres:— Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand, Danhauser, Bloemfontein, Grahamstown, Capetown and other centres. In the face of such a short period hardly a month between the disastrous "May Day" and the National Day of Protest, yet the Africans responded to the clarion call of the National leaders of our Non-European people. The response was very poor in the Transvaal. Police intimidation during May Day; also, fieldworkers did not come up to expectation.
THE AFTERMATH OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST AND MOURNING.
The people of Durban suffered most, in that about a thousand workers were dismissed from employment. The Co-ordinating Committee was responsible for the payment of maintenance grants for the victims for the first six weeks at the Unemployment Benefit rates which cost the Committee about £ 500 per week. This was well handled by the able leadership of the Natal Co-ordinating Committee. Payments are still being made to those who have recently been dismissed by the Municipal authorities. There is also the case of Chief Walter Kumalo who has been victimised by the Government because of the prominent part he played during the campaign. The campaign has cost the Co-ordinating Committee more than £ 10,000, some of the liabilities thereof have yet to be met.
A number of our field workers were arrested in all parts of the country. Some of the cases are still pending. This is an indication that the struggle is not over. Our people behaved extremely well on the 26th of June in spite of the intimidation by the police. It must be taken into account that this was the first attempt at a political strike on a national scale by the Non-European people of this country. We must therefore compliment our people for their solidarity and loyalty in the cause of the struggle for liberation.
ORGANISATION ADMINISTRATIVE WORK
Following are the number of meetings held by the various Committees during the year:
National Executive Committee,
5 Working Committee,
8 Council of Action, 2
Both the President-General and the Secretary-General have visited all the four Provinces during the year. The Treasurer-General, the Secretary for the Council of Action and some members of the National Executive have visited some of the Provinces.
Our organisation, as you all know is based on the division of the National organisation into four Provincial branches. I have pleasure to state that there has been a general increase of membership throughout the country and new branches have been established in various places.
ACTIVITIES
TRANSVAAL
This Province has handled the Compulsory Endorsement and evictions of Africans in some of the farms. The protest against the carrying of passes by women revived the women's section. The Youth League tackled the educational aspect and has played a leading part in the establishment of a National School in Sophiatown. Among other things handled this year are the riots at Newclare and also the victims of the May Day tragedy. The Youth League has started a Bulletin known as the "LODESTAR".
CAPE
This Province is fighting hard against the introduction of the pass system. Kimberley is fighting the matter in the Supreme Court. Queenstown has successfully fought against this measure and its victory has raised the prestige of Congress in the area.
The Cape has also a bulletin for educating their members, something which must be encouraged in all the Provinces. This bulletin is known as "ILIZWE LAM" (My country). The Port Elizabeth branch has been very active and wound up the year by a mammoth Youth Rally which was attended by the President-General and some members of the National Executive and also by people from various Provinces.
NATAL
Natal is on the march in spite of its internal difficulties. The Youth League has been busy throughout the year and has tackled vigorously the introduction of passes for women. It assisted the Provincial Secretary in raising funds for the case of Chief Walter Kumalo. Like other Provinces it has also started a bulletin known as "VUKAYIBAMBE" which is published in Zulu.
O.F.S.
The situation which had developed in the Free State as reported in the last Conference was settled amicably by the Province at its Conference held early in October by the election of office-bearers and Committee members. The newly elected President and Secretary are very responsive to instructions from the head office. During the Witzieshoek incident the President was on the spot.
Having dealt with all the Provinces, your Executive will be failing in its duty if it does not put on record the wonderful work which has been done by the four branches viz. Port Elizabeth, Newclare, Springs and Durban Youth League. The standard of these branches must be the example to all the branches of Congress throughout the country.
ORGANISATIONAL DIFFICULTIES
1. The machinery of Congress leaves much to be desired. A subscription of 2/6 per member per year cannot be expected to maintain an organisation like Congress. In order to carry on the struggle we require sufficient funds.
2. There is a general negligence of duty on the part of the officials of Congress. Positions are used as positions of honour, there is no response to correspondence and instructions.
3. There is lack of faith in the struggle and of course we lack propaganda organs such as the press.
4. We are denied freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of movement.
These are the difficulties which Congress has to solve sooner or later.
REMEDIES
a) A resolution to the effect that Congress members must pay a monthly subscription of a 1/- in the urban areas and 6d in the rural areas was further considered by the Executive and it is suggested that the Constitution must be amended accordingly.
b) Political education will help the co-ordination and co-operation of all branches of Congress which is necessary and essential.
c) Strict discipline must be enforced. This too must be inserted in the Constitution.
d) Congress must devise ways and means in this Conference of taking an advantage of the "Inkundla Ya Bantu" which the directors are willing to offer to us on reasonable terms.
e) On the freedom of speech and assembly, the Programme of Action provides an answer, on the item of civil disobedience. In other words, the National Executive will have to consider the question of how soon it can put this into operation, as it is the only remedy for the situation.
f) Literature to supply to Provinces and branches will have to be done by the head office. This method will not only be cheap but will be more effective. The policy of Congress must be translated into vernacular so as to enable every Congressite to know what Congress stands for and what it is.
In conclusion I submit this report on behalf of my Executive with the hope that it will receive the attention it deserves, from every delegate in this conference. I believe that if Congress is to be a force in the liberation of the African people in this country, then it must of necessity put its machinery in order. It must teach its members responsibility and the division of labour.
The gravity and the seriousness of the situation must be fully realised. Loyalty to the ideals which we stand for and the spirit of sacrifice must receive paramount importance above all else.
Africa's cause must triumph.
MOVING TOWARD DEFIANCE