March 4,1986
THE LANCE
Page 7
President Perkinson Reflects on Visit to South Africa
By Randa "Panda" Richards
After a briefing in Washington
0 C„ President A.P. Periinson ven
tured to South Africa. Along with ten
others, Perlinson visited cities in
cluding Johannesburg, Pretoria,
Namibia, Angola, Cape Town, and
Durban, the first three being the
capitals of South Africa. The purpose
of the trip was to find out exactly
why all of the fighting is going on
over there. The ten day trip was a
great learning experience.
The group talked with all of the dif
ferent people in South Africa. There
are approximately twelve to fourteen
distinguishable tribes. Black radicals,
black moderates, white government,
political officials, white businessmen,
and representatives of the radical
right are just a few of the groups that
President Perkinson conversed with.
Apartheid, or the policy of racial
segregation, is only part of the pro
blem. Blacks have no citizenship
whatsoever therefore causing the
fighting. They are treated immorally
not to mention unfairly and immensly
dishonest. It's no wonder they are
arguing with the government.
The black communities' houses
are more like shacks and their educa
tion is inadequate. Perkinson also
commeted, "I think there's a
possibility of fixing it; there doesn't
have to be a war or revolution." The
end to apartheid could be a big start
for both blacks and whites.
President Perkinson and the other
ten members of the group left for
Pretoria on November 22, 1985. This
was the day after police had opened
fire on fifty-thousand protestors just
out side Mamelodi. The incident left
twelve black people dead. When the
group arrived, the people were ready
to tell their stories. Even though the
majority of South Africa is against
apartheid, the white government
won't let it go. But the blacks are
more than willing to work with the
government. It is now up to P.W.
Botha, President of South Africa, to
either announce the end of apartheid
or let the shameless fighting go on.
Perkinson also pointed out that the
situation is so complex that we as
Americans could never begin to
understand it unless we experienced
it ourselves. The media is very often
censored so that the whole truth is
not allowed out. His feelings are
strong for the innocent people who
have been caught up in this
disasterous predicament.
Because Perkinson and others
have actually seen the way things are
in South Africa, they feel the United
States should help as much as possi
ble. Perkinson is quoted as saying, "I
want the U.S. to follow a middle-of-
the-road policy/which is not very
popular. But it may be the only way
to a sane, non-destructive solution to
the problem."
(Editor's Note: Students interested in
learning more about South Africa,
its people and problems should sign
up now to attend a South African
Seminar on March 15th. For infor
mation contact Stuart Brantley
(ext. 435), Mary Lee Rice (ext. 213),
or Dr. Bob Martin.)
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