THOMAS MTOBI MAPIKELA

That your Petitioners humbly protest against the summary prohibition imposed under the Natives' Land Act, No. 27 of 1913, against the acquisition by Natives of land either in freehold or leasehold except in so-called Native areas, pending the adoption by Parliament of the report of the Commission appointed under the Act. . . That the hardships, afflictions and disabilities referred to arise out of evictions---and these are continually taking place---from farms; and, as the allocation of Native areas will not be complete until Parliament has adopted or otherwise dealt with the report of the Commission appointed under the Act no provision has been made for the land to which Natives evicted from farms may proceed, and the hardship is that while the law is being carried into effect so far as eviction is concerned, the equally important part of the Act in regard to settlement on Native areas is inoperative owing to the Commission not yet having reported. . . That up to now many of our people have qualified themselves for the practice of professions and in various branches on industry, arts, and science have proved themselves thoroughly capable, but the effect of the Act is to hinder and hamper any further progress in the directions indicated.

- Thomas Mtobi Mapikela, "THE PETITION: To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly of the Union of South Africa in Parliament Assembled", Ilanga lase Natal, May 15, 1914. (The Petition also co-signed by John L. Dube, Sefako M. Makgatho, Solomon T. Plaatje, Saul Msane, Allan Kirkland Soga, and Walter B. Rubusana).