SOWETO: Nelson Mandela has condemned the attacks on the people of Indian origin in the Natal Province by tribal elements Opposed to the Indian community’s involvement in the African National Congress and the mass democratic movement.
Mandela stridently criticized those responsible for the racist attacks while addressing more than 120, 00 cheering and singing people at an ANC rally at the soccer city stadium on Tuesday.
I am deeply saddened,” he said, “That this type of situation against the Indian community is developing in Natal.”
“I would like to urge an immediate end to this type of racial friction. We must remember the Dadoo-Xuma-Naiker pact,” he said.
Mandela was referring to the agreement on African Indian friendship reached between the late former leaders, Yusuf Dadoo and Monty Naicker, with the ANC’s A.B Xuma after the outbreak of African Indian riots in Durban in 1948.
That riot in 1948 was incited by Whites who were opposed to Indians taking over major businesses in Durban.
The racial incitement now is the work of the Inkatha Tribal movement, led by Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Mandela also condemned the violence in the Natal Black townships which has been raging for the past four years.
“The different organizations, the United Democratic Front, Coastu and Inkatha must revive the peace process at local, regional and national levels to end the violence. We must put an end to this type of nonsense,” he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 23, 1990
