Qoboza--a Role for the U.S.

South Africa's leading black journalist, Percy Qoboza, 40, recently spent five months in prison for his political convictions; nonetheless, he remains a man of moderation who prefers reconciliation to violence. Although there is growing resentment among radicalized blacks of foreign support for the Pretoria regime. Qoboza argues that the U.S. can still exert helpful pressure on South Africa-- primarily through U.S. corporations that do business there -- in such a way that his country would not become further isolated and its white population more deeply antagonized. Qoboza, whose crusading black-oriented daily The World was suppressed at the time of his arrest, is now editor of a new journal, the Johannesburg Post. Last week, at TIME's behest, he offered this view of what the U.S. can and should do about South Africa today:

If the international community is going to play any meaningful role in assisting this country to become a just society, it must bear in mind that the level of resistance among the Afrikaners will rise sharply if external pressure should be mounted against them. The temptation to dictate specific solutions to South Africa must be avoided. Whatever pressure is exerted must be directed simply to ward bringing all parties together around a conference table.

The Afrikaner suffers from an acute persecution complex. He believes his existence is threatened and that there is a worldwide conspiracy, piloted by the forces of international Communism, which has as its main objective to drive him into the sea. Therefore, his sensitivity must always be borne in mind, and he must be left with ample space in which to maneuver with dignity. Driven into a corner, the Afrikaner will take up arms and will leave a trail of destruction all along the way. What is more, he will leave this country in chaos and ruin.

A bloody racial confrontation is what we are all battling to avoid, and I believe deep in my heart that we can succeed. It is clear that my own people will not be satisfied with crumbs from the tables of the privileged classes. They will want full participation in the decision-making processes of their country. There is, however, the temptation in the minds of many people to believe that the situation is so hopeless that violence is inevitable. We must resist this view with all our might. We must refuse to surrender to this sense of hopelessness.

To impose economic sanctions on South Africa would be to acknowledge total abandonment of a peaceful and negotiated settlement. What is more, the creation of economic chaos here would expedite the very thing we are all trying desperately to avoid: a bloody racial confrontation.

There are other, less dangerous but effective ways in which pressure can be brought to bear. The Administration can play a crucial role in accelerating the processes of change by increasing pressure on the U.S. corporations operating in South Africa. They must be compelled to play a far more active role in helping to remove the wails of discrimination in our country. Far too many of these corporations have spoken some very good words but continue to drag their feet when it comes to meeting their obligations, seemingly content to reap the profits extended to them by a system that exploits the majority of the country's people.

If this global pressure can be brought to bear on South Africa, you will have played a responsible and creative role in averting a major disaster. What is more, you will have helped South Africans to find each other. Perhaps in time this country could become a shining example of brotherhood among the races and could play a decisive role in eradicating the true enemies of man in Africa--ignorance, disease and hunger. This is a dream many of us have. It is this dream that has brought us into conflict with the government, but a dream nevertheless that we pray will one day become a reality.

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