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W. H. RAMSBOTTOM |
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The action of the African National Convention, in rejecting, after long
and anxious deliberation, the compromise suggested to them, is being criticised
by many people as "foolish", and the Natives are being blamed
for not jumping at what is represented as a generous offer. May we put
another point of view, and plead for a more sympathetic and understanding
consideration of the Natives' action? . . . . But the usefulness or otherwise
of the present Cape Native franchise to the Natives is not the most important
point at all. The fundamental ground on which the Natives, and especially
their northern representatives, refused to accept the compromise, is that
the abolition of common citizenship (without regard to skin-colour) is
contrary to the best interests of the whole country. There is every reason
to think that the principle of segregating Native voters into separate
voters' rolls would, in time, be extended to other Non-European groups,
thus forcing on the people of South Africa a political division into racial
groups. And these groups, on virtue of this very division, would be forced
into puyrsuing purely sectional interests, often in bitter antagonism
to each other. Each group would think its own interests different from,
and opposed to, the interests of rival groups. The scheme of separate
voters' rolls on racial lines thus contains within itself the seeds of
endless and growing hostility, friction, and inter-racial strife. Were
the Natives wrong in rejecting it? We affirm that they were not only not
wrong: they were absolutely right. It is to the credit of their leaders
that, in this critical hour for South Africa, they showed a fine grasp
of principle and statesmanship. |
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