Sadtu supports call for summit on violence at schoolsTeachers’ union, Sadtu has supported the Young Communist League’s call for an urgent summit to be convened by the Minister of Education to:* develop workable responses to the current problems faced in schools* identify underlying causes of violence and anti-social behaviour* work out a staffing formula to ensure that all schools have basic security staff with adequate fencing, lockable doors and alarms* work on programmes to influence behaviour at school – eg conflict management, counselling, human rights education, sports and cultural activities* clarify guidelines on random searching and drugs testing and the role of educators* discuss how to deal with disruptive learners that goes beyond the Minister’s proposal to ‘send them home to their parents’
SACP registers as a political partyThe SACP has dismissed reports that applying to register as a political party meant it was on its way to leaving the alliance.Instead it said that it had done this in order to receive political donations in terms of the Electoral Act.
BIKO LOVED US DEARLYAyanda BillieHISTORY is a living story that you cannot swerve, even if it’s not written, it stays there until others discover it. But if the memory fades, the story will lose details and the essence of its life. 29 years ago Biko died in Pretoria in a holding cell. Do we know the detailed story of this saint’s death like the road of Jesus to the cross? Can we still remember what Biko stood for? If we do, how come when you are wearing a t-shirt with Biko’s face or carrying the book, “I write what I like”, some of our learned brothers and sisters look at you as if you are a dangerous person. Why? One lonely bus stop is named after him. Is his life to be celebrated by Azapo only or by the South African nation especially black people for whom he had unwavering love? Steve Bantu Biko died at the hands of security police on September 12 1977. He was born in King William’s Town on December 18, 1946. * August 18 1977 Biko was arrested with Peter Jones outside King Williams town. The next day he was taken to Port Elizabeth in the custody of the security police under the command of Colonel Pieter Johannes Goosen.* He was kept naked, manacled and not allowed out of his cell for 20 days* A magistrate visited Biko on the 2 September (1977). Biko complained about the conditions they were keeping him under. He asked the magistrate “is it compulsory that I be naked?”* September 6 1977 he was taken to Room 619 Sanlam Building for interrogation.* Chained and handcuffed in Room 619, he was beaten until his brain was damaged on September 7.* From September 8, 10 different doctors examined Biko amongst them were Dr Ivor Lang, Dr B J Tucker and Dr Hersch. But the police wanted Biko in the dock.* On September 11 in the morning the police took Biko from the hospital bed back to the cell. He was sent to Pretoria in the back of a van. On September 12, Biko died, unattended. He died a lonely death on a mat on a stone floor in a prison cell.I Write What I Like, is a book of Biko’s testimony of his deep love for his nation, what is being black and the way to reclaim our pride and respect. This man deserves more than commemorations. The names of all our icons and martyrs like Tambo, Hani and Phama, should be carried high. They should not have dusty squatter camps named after them. If we do that time will judge us as cruel.
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