T 0 Southern i\fric-a~ume 7,~-723X) Japuary-wruarv 1997

Southern Africa Network-ELCA 3560 W. Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60624 phone (773) 826-4481 fax (773) 533-4728

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

First PersonCompanion SynodsNews BriefsReflections

page 2page 3page 5-6page 7

TEARS, FEARS, AND HOPES:Healing the Memories in South Africa

Pastor Philip Knutson of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, reportson a workshop he and other church leaders attended.

"The farmer tied my grandfather up to a pole and told him hemust get rid of all his cattle .. .! was just a boy then but I will neverforget that .. .! could have been a wealthy farmer today if our fam­ily had not been dispossessed in that way." The tears streameddown his face as this "coloured" pastor related his most painfulexperience of the past to a group at a workshop entitled"Exploring Church Unity Within the Context of Healing andReconciliation" held in Port Elizabeth recently.

A black Methodist pastor related his feelings of anger and loss atbeing deprived of a proper education. Once while holding a service tocommemorate the young martyrs of the June 1976 Uprising, his con­gregation was attacked and assaulted in the church. What hurt most,he said, was that the attacking security forces were black.

The workshop, sponsored by the Provincial Council ofChurches, was led by Fr. Michael Lapsley, the Anglican priest wholost both hands and an eye in a parcel bomb attack in Harare in1990. In his new book Partisan and Priest and in his presenta­tion he said that every South African has three stories to tell.

"What was done to me; What I did; and What I didn't do."The workshop, which brought together more than one hundred

church leaders from diverse racial and theological backgrounds,was hosted by a large white Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) con­gregation. In the plenary discussion, several black speakersexpressed their frustration with white people who are not attend­ing the open hearings of the Truth and ReconciliationCommission (TRC) as it meets in towns and cities around thecountry. "Are you serious about reconciliation?" they asked.

One white DRC dominee stood up and pleaded for understandingand patience. "It is not easy for us to get our congregations to makethis paradigm shift," he said. A black pastor replied in exasperation.''We have been patient for long enough. We could have demandedNuremburg type trials and severe penalties, but we opted for aprocess ofreconciliation and even amnesty. What more do you want?"

"Many white people have the perception that the TRC is onlyopening old wounds and will increase division," another whiteminister added. Fr. Lapsley waved one ofhis metal ''hands'' in theair and asked, ''Where is the verse in the Bible that says we mustforgive and forget? We are people who remember. What weremember shapes our actions and who we are. The Old and NewTestament speak of redemptive memory. 'Remember when youwere salves in Egypt' and 'Do this in remembrance of me.'Forgiveness is not easy or quick. It is big, painful, and difficult.

continued on page 4

Southern Africa Page 2

Ten Signs of Hope in South MricaWe asked Tom Witt, Southern Africa advisor for the

Center for Global Education, to reflect on his visits toSouth Africa. We also encourage readers who want tovisit Africa to consider a travel seminar with Tom.

"How was your trip," they ask, expecting a less-than-30-second answer.

"Did you get to meet with Mandela?""No, he's quite busy," I politely respond."Are there signs of hope there?"

J don't know where to begin. So much of what I'veseen in my dozen visits during the past six years is fullof pain. Even though Nelson Mandela is the President ofthis New South Africa, the legacy of apartheid is over­whelming: I see massive unemployment and increasingcriminal violence; an educational system that has left amajority of the population hopelessly behind; the juxta­position of wealthy walled-in suburbs and barely-roofedsquatter camps; a fearful and mostly racist white popu­lation still interested in maintaining its privilege, and adevalued currency that threatens economic growth.

Yet, in spite of the overwhelming problems, I do seemany small and large signs of hope as I continue to visitthis country. Here are just ten of them:

1. The Truth & Reconciliation CommissionIn pursuit of national unity, one of the most impor­

tant provisions of the South African constitution was fora Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). TheTRC was created out of a belief that the truth concern­ing human rights violations of apartheid cannot be sup­pressed or simply forgotten, but must be recorded andmade known. Only by dealing with the violence of thepast can South Africans move honestly forward to a newfuture. So, during the past year the wounds ofthe coun­try have been re-opened as incredible stories of torturekilling, and abuse have been flowing out of regionalhearings where victims of apartheid violence are able tocome before a commission and publicly be heard.

Probably the most difficult function ofthe Commissionis to make recommendations about reparations to thosewho have suffered harm as a result of human rights vio­lations. It is quite moving to hear the stories of such indi­viduals, who often do not wish vengeance, but may wantsomething as simple as counseling or reimbursement formedical expenses, or a proper burial or knowledge aboutthe whereabouts of their loved one's body, or a plaque orstreet sign that acknowledges the struggle and loss thattook place during those years.

Another branch of the committee considers applica­tions for amnesty from individuals who volunteer tofully disclose their participation in acts which mightresult in legal prosecution. Slowly, stories of abuse are

surfacing from the other side-the side of the perpe­trators; even those higher police and governmentleaders who now appear to have given the orders forraids, killings, and bombings are beginning to comeforward. While there are certainly many who wishthere were no TRC, and others who feel it doesn't gonearly far enough to right the wrongs, it seems to methat this South African model is one that makes a realcontribution to the consolidation of democracy and thedevelopment of a culture of human rights in a countrythat is still traumatized by apartheid violence.

2. Commission on Restitution of Land RightsSix years agp, when I first travelled to South

Africa, I met Mzamo Mathe, a church worker for theNorthern Natal Province Council of Churches basedin Ladysmith. Because he provided assistan~e andadvice to people who had been forced off their landMzamo was constantly on the run-not only respond~ing to daily crisis in the surrounding communitieswhile trying to make ends meet on his meagersalary-he was also dodging police arrests, harass­ments, and death threats to himself and his family.

I know it is truly a new South Africa when I nowmeet Mzamo Mathe as a representative of the newgovernment's Commission on Restitution of LandRights. Ironically, his work is much the same today asin 1990-still trying to help people who have had theirland taken away from them. But now he and the peo­ple for whom he advocates have the power of the lawbehind them, and land claims are now being broughtforward and settled by the courts.

3. Bartel Arts CentreThis alternative community-based arts centre is a

model for any urban area. Located along Durban'sharbor, the Bartel Arts Trust (BAT) Centre attemptsto meld drama, dance, music, literature, craft produc­tion, sculpture, painting, print making, film and pho­tography into one multi-purpose home for the arts. Itcombines training, education, performance, entertain­ment, studio space, retail outlets, exposure, and sup­port for community-based artists. The building'sresource centre serves the arts communities and is ameeting point for visitors interested in the arts. Thecentre has a stated commitment to celebrate multi­cultural diversity in a country which, like the US, hasspent millions on highbrow opera houses and muse­ums that cater mainly to the white, wealthy elite. TheBAT is lively throughout the day-and in the evening,one can see a community-based dance troupe, or strollthrough one of the several galleries of art exhibitions.Others might listen to jazz in the centre's restaurantwhile out on the deck overlooking the harbo;Durbanites of all colors find a gathering place to haverefreshments and relax.

Page 3 Southern Africa

4. Philani Nutrition Rehabilitation CentreAn estimated million people live in Khayelitscha, most

in tin shacks-a vast, sandy dumping ground created by theprevious government for blacks who were to remain on thefar outer edges of Cape Town beyond the view of whites,coloureds, and foreign tourists. Poverty, unemployment,instability, and political conflict are central to life here.

Sitting in the middle of this massive stretch of shacksis the small Philani Centre with very limited goals. Itprovides nutritional help for mothers, child care andeducation for their children, and an employment projectfor community women who have become brilliantweavers of simple yet beautiful rugs made from strips ofcloth left over from a nearby sweatshirt factory. We'vebrought many groups of Americans to this center. Eventhough it is difficult to break the Xhosa-English lan­guage barrier, visitors are impressed by how these oth­erwise destitute women have become so quickly empow­ered to become skilled crafters, create products, marketthem, and begin to run their own cooperative businessproviding crucial income to needy families.

5. ACCORDA recent delegation of ours met with Vusa Gounden,

the director of the African Centre for the ConstructiveResolution of Disputes (ACCORD), an NGO based inDurban that works on conflict resolution. Vusa related tous the contributions that Africa can make to better humanrelations. Its tradition of valuing relational orientation tohuman togetherness (e.g. ubuntu)-all are signs of hopethat indigenous African approaches have something toteach the rest of the world about mediation and the con­structive resolution of disputes. ACCORD is activelyinvolved all over South Africa in training governmentleaders, police, youth, and women's groups in preventingconflicts and developing a culture of peace amidst violence.

6. Ecumenical Advice BureauIf there were ever two church workers who deserved

to be comfortably retired, it is Beyers Naude andWolfram Kistner. Yet, because of their unending com­mitment to the transformation of their society, theyspend their so-called retirement years (both are in their70s) running a voluntary ministry called the EcumenicalAdvice Bureau. Their wisdom, commitment, and analy­sis are signs of hope for the many foreigners who areprivileged to meet with them. Beyers and Wolfram faith­fully and effectively advise hundreds of individuals andorganizations, encourage others in their work, raisemoney, churn out helpful analysis papers on the signs ofthe times, and push the church to play an important rolein overcoming the legacy of apartheid.

Most recently, they assisted with the development ofthe Ecumenical Service for Socio-EconomicTransformation, a new church-based agency (headed byRev. Molefe Tsele) that will provide churches with infor-

mation, knowledge, and education about poverty andeconomics. It is one of the new powerful ways that thechurch will need to operate in this society--educating itsown people about economic justice, and helping society atlarge to evaluate economic policies and programs basedon a goal of justice and equitable distribution of wealth.

7. Tsoga Environmental Resource CentreAs soon as you enter the township of Langa, you

sense that there is something different going on here.Unemployed townspeople are hard at work haulingrocks and hoeing dirt on the parkways and plantingflowers and shrubs as part of a comprehensive "green­ing" project. This black community, one of the oldest inCape Town, is well organized. The Tsoga ("wake up" inSotho) Environmental Resource Centre is an importantcentre of activity as people pick up seedlings to beplanted at their homes. A recycling program, a rarity inSouth Mrica, is already in place here. An organic com­munity garden grows vegetables which are sold at rea­sonable prices to residents. Women and children haveattended classes on everything from literacy to aware­ness of environmental rights, sustainable development,and "environmental apartheid" (they know it's no acci­dent that major sources of pollution and toxic waste inSouth Mrica are located near black communities). Theenvironmental movement-once only the domain ofwhite people focusing on conserving wildlife-is finallybeing shaped by black communities.

8. Simunye Development ProjectTwo years ago, the area of Thokoza where we drove

though was a "no-go" war zone; mostly burned-out hous­es are just now being rebuilt. ANC people once livedhere, but were regularly attacked by "Self ProtectionUnit" members of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP);about half-mile away, homes of the IFP supporters were

Southern Africa Page 4

attacked by ANC "Self-Defence Units." But now, becauseof the work of Mr. Thami Sethebe and others fromSimunye Development Project, we are safely escorted bytwo 20-year-old former fighters-one from IFP and onefrom the ANC-who both work for the local police depart­ment. Together they and other youths like them from bothpolitical parties patrol this neighborhood and help drasti­cally reduce the violence in the entire area.

9. District Six MuseumThe term "museum" doesn't adequately describe this

place. It's more of a "people's collective historical remem­brance" that actively involves all those who step inside,particularly those who grew up in this District 6 of CapeTown, which was brutally cleared out in the 60s afterbeing declared a whites-only area. Located in an oldchurch which was a place of resistance during theremovals, the museum recalls the vibrant multiculturallife of District Six before the removals. A painfulreminder to South Africans of how one community wasdestroyed in the midst of Grand Apartheid, the museumhas become a place of healing and reconciliation formany from the District who have been allowed to recalland name their place in history.

10. Trauma Centre for Victims ofTorture and ViolenceLocated in District Six itself, it is one of 60 such cen­

tres around the world, helped significantly by Danish taxmoney specifically set aside for aid to torture victims.There should be 60 in South Africa alone, but there areonly two. This Cape Town centre is headed by FatherMichael Lapsley, a former antiapartheid activist and him­self a victim of a letter bomb which took both his arms andan eye. He and others who staff the Centre work as coun­selors and healers for the thousands of South Africanswho have suffered from all kinds ofviolence, including theabuse and torture inherent to apartheid. The centreassists those who have returned from prison and exile andfind it difficult to re-enter a new society, they counsel bothchildren and adults who have been victims of abuse; theyeven counsel those who sit on the Truth andReconciliations Commission and are overcome by listen­ing to hundreds of painful stories each week.

The Center for Global Education at Augsburg Collegeregularly organizes educational travel seminars to SouthAfrica which visit places and people like those mentionedabove. The next scheduled trip to South Africa is June18-July 2, 1997; other travel opportunities are beingscheduled. For descriptive brochures, applications ormore information, contact the Center at 1-800 /299-8899or e-mail: globaled@augsburg.edu

Tears, Fears and Hopes (continued from page 1)

It is not just saying sorry butalso making restitution. It is apackage deal."

One participant mentionedthe recent statement of the DRCin the Eastern Cape on the TRC.The document is very candidwhen it says:

"...While we still try to denythe fact of serious transgressions,it becomes more and more clearthat more people were involvedthan had been thought to be thecase....Most of the people areAfrikaans speaking and a greatnumber are members of theDutch Reformed Church...They were heroes who receivedmedals for some of their deeds. Now they are branded asthugs and villains. How do we (as the DRC) guide themthrough this period?"

The statement ends by calling on its members, "tobecome involved in the work of the TRC, to listen to andattend sessions ofthe TRC, and as Afrikaners to look anewat our own history. True liberation will come if and whenwe confess our guilt. The past should not impair us forev­er."

Jacques Pauw, a young Afrikaner journalist, recentlyproduced a two-hour TV documentary on Eugene de Kock,known as "Prime Evil" by his apartheid government deathsquad cohorts. While everyone is shocked to hear thedetails ofthe atrocities, Pauw states, "It is very importantthat every white person takes responsibility for theactions of Eugene de Kock because he did it in our name."

As more and more military and police members comeforward with their stories of death and destruction alleyes are on the former leaders of the apartheid govern­ment who are now being subpoenaed to appear beforethe Amnesty Committee to testify on their role in sanc­tioning these gross abuses of human rights.

Towards the end of the workshop people talked aboutthe way forward. The black participants again extendedan invitation to their white brothers and sisters: ''Youare asking for time and understanding to deal with thetruth....but remember you do not have to do this alone.Here are your brothers and sisters."

The world is watching South Africa to see ifwe will beable to break the cycle of oppressed becoming the oppres­sor. The government set up the TRC but the Holy Spiritblows where it will. It is a tremendous challenge to all thechurches to participate in the healing of the memoriesand the reconstruction of a new society. We all need toremember and be reminded, so we don't do it again!

Amelia's story

Though tiny for an eleven-year-old, she was ahealthy child when she came to this spot in thebrush to collect dried leaves and firewood. Early thatmorning her grandmother had woken her up andsent her out to collect wood, telling her that if shereturned empty-handed she would not have her"chima", a kind of maize puree, a staple food here.She looked up at a big tree and wondered how toreach those branches hanging down. She jumped.Then she was thrown up in the air, fell down, hit theground and passed out. On a beautiful sunny day inNovember 1994, Amelia became the latest, but by nomeans the last, victim of mines in Mozambique.

When Amelia was born in 1983, she had both herparents, two sisters and a brother. They were verypoor and lived in a thatched hut, with only one fielddeep in the bush. One day in February 1987, a groupof soldiers stormed into their place, ransacked it anddragged her parents away begging and crying. It wasto be the last time she saw them. Her sisters andbr0ther managed to run away. The villagers took herto an aunt in Machava-Trevo, a village near Maputo.Later she found out that her father had fallen sickand been killed and that her mother had died.

. Finally she was put on a train to Moamba, where hergrandmother lived. That's where she was livingwhen tragedy struck yet again.

Amelia woke up in excruciating pain, pain she willnever forget. Her tiny body was soaking wet. Sheknew it was blood. She tried to open her eyes andlook around, but she couldn't see a thing. Was shein a dark room? One of the voices she heard aroundher was saying that she'd stepped on a mine, thather body was blown to pieces and her eyes badlyhurt. The villagers had carried her to the main roadon foot, then by car to the Moamba hospital andthen immediately to the Central Hospital in Maputo.Now she understood why she could not see them.Then she remembered her legs. "Where is my leftleg?" It was missing. So were the fingers of her lefthand. Thoughts whirled in her head. "What am Igoing to do now that I'm disabled and blind?" Shebroke down and cried.

* * *It's been seven months since the accident happenedand Amelia has been recovering well, slowly butsteadily. She now has artificial eyes and an artificial

limb with which she is learning to walk with thehelp of a white cane she taps around her. In spite ofall she's lost, Amelia has learnt one thing: to go onwith her life relying on her other senses. She haslearned to identify people by their voices and to lis­ten carefully to the sounds of nature. Birds singing,it must be sunny; thunder, there will be rain, and soon.She is full of determination and learns quickly.When she received her white cane she immediatelymeasured it with the span of her remaining hand.She makes friends easily and readily shares her foodwith other mine victims.

* * *Since her arrival at the hospital months ago, nobodyhas visited Amelia and her remaining family's where­abouts are unknown.

* * *With the help of the Cruz Vermelha Mocambique(the Mozambican Red Cross) we managed to traceAmelia's relatives. We asked her if she wanted to paythem a visit, and then arranged for a car to take usthere. The whole village turned out, as if there werea circus in town. Amelia's fifteen-year-old sister wasthere. She was the only one who greeted her, heldher hand and talked with her. After an hour or so weheaded back to the car. Amelia was happy. She saidgoodbye to her sister who promised to come andvisit her in the hospital. In the car on the way backAmelia said, after a long pause, "Now my relativesand the whole village know that I am still alive andwell." After heaving a sigh of relief, she fell into adeep sleep. Perhaps, secretly, she'd been waiting forthis day for a very long time.

On our way back, signs of reconstruction could beseen along the road. Mozambique has changed. Thewar is history now, and peace has been restored.Beside me Amelia slept, clutching her white cane,her only constant companion. She's lost both eyes,a hand and a leg - all irreplaceable. Will she ever for­get the war? People have told her the fighting inMozambique is over, but her struggle for survival hasjust begun. She is only twelve years old, blind anddisabled. She has no real family and no idea whereshe might be taken tomorrow.

Delegate, JCRC orthopaedic centre

I

Angola 1995, Mine clearance in a country like Angola is tedious, dangerous and likely to take decades, even if adequate fundingbecomes available © ICRC/Grabhorn

Angola © ICRC/Grabhorn

© ICRC/Grabhorn

Children, often unaware of the danger of mines, are among the most vulnerable of potential victimsOnce injured, they require sustained medical care as their amputated limbs continue to grow

Photos, quotes, and stOI)' in this insert froman International Committee of the Red Crossspecial brochure on landmines.

Page 5

SOUTHERN AFRICA NEWS BRlEFS

Southern Africa

Rights Undermined in ZambiaHuman Rights Watch/Mrica charged that numerous

human rights violations before Zambia's November 18vote seriously undermined the legitimacy of the elec­tions and set a negative tone for the country's develop­ment over the next several years. In the parliamentaryand presidential elections, the Movement for MultipartyDemocracy won a majority and President FrederickChiluba was returned for a second term. The votemarked the second multiparty election since 1991, whentwenty-seven years of authoritarian rule under KennethKaunda was ended.

The human rights group reports that although Zambiamade overall progress towards respect for civil and politi­cal rights since 1991, the progress appears to havestopped and the Chiluba government increasingly sup­presses criticism. An independent newspaper, "The Post"has been under particular attack. In February, 1996police arrested three of its editors and banned an editionbefore its distribution because it reported that the gov- .ernment was secretly planning to hold a referendum onthe constitution without giving the public time to prepare.The day's on-line edition was also banned, making it thefirst act of censorship on the Internet in Mrica.

(Africa Policy Information Center, 11 /27/96)

New Political Party for South Africa?Bantu Holomisa, a former official ofthe ANC is explor­

ing ways to create a rival political party in South Africa.Mr Holomisa said, "Strong views have been expressedthat I should launch a new political party that would notonly protect civil liberties but also ensure that there arechecks and balances in our new democratic order." Fewpolitical experts see Holomisa as a serious threat to theANC which garnered more than 60 percent of the vote inthe 1994 elections. Its largest opponent, the NationalParty, appears to be floundering, and the InkathaFreedom Party has been unable to extend its support out­side its base in the province of Kwa-Zulu-Natal.

(New York Times, 10/10/96)

Landmines Update• FONGA, a forum of national NGOs in Angola,

reports that they are in the process of starting an AngolanLandmine Ban Campaign, made up of national and inter­national NGOs. The campaign will develop strategies toinfluence national and international opinion and prepareto gather signatures and other· direct strategies for a ban.

• Following the 4th International NGO LandmineConference in Mozambique (see p. 7), UNICEF will hosta workshop on coordination of mine-awareness activities.

• In a November statement to the press, the SouthMrican Campaign to Ban Landmines condemned "back­yard landmines sales" after learning that one of the

largest newspapers in Johannesburg was carrying adsfor selling landmines as "do-it-yourself protection" forSouth African home owners. The Campaign noted thatthe incident raised serious questions about the safety oflandmine stockpiles under the authority of the SouthMrican Defence Force.

• In September, the Zambia Campaign to BanLandmines was launched.

• On November 4, US Ambassador MadelaineAlbright, accompanied by Senator Patrick Leahy, intro­duced a landmine resolution to the UN GeneralAssembly. The resolution, with 84 co-sponsors, urges thestates to "purse vigorously" an international agreementto ban the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer ofantipersonnel landmines "with a view to completing thenegotiation as soon as possible." A vote was held in theFirst Committee on the resolution and passed 141-0 with10 abstentions. No African countries abstained.

(landmine update, 11 /15/96)

Women and the TRCChurches and NGOs were urged to motivate and sup­

port women to testify to the Truth and ReconciliationCommission (TRC). A special hearing for women to givetestimony in a supportive environment was held inDurban in October. The nature of violations againstmany women, such as rape and sexual abuse in detention,may have prevented them from going public because theyfeel shamed by what was done to them. Women wereinvited to approach the TRC individually or as a group.They could make statements privately to staff of theCommission, or request to take part in the hearings.

(Inselelo, 10/96)

GM to NamibiaThe proposed government purchase of more than

800 General Motors (GM) vehicles at an estimated costof N$136 million will be linked to what is believed to bethe largest US investment in Namibia since indepen­dence. The GM vehicle assembly plant, set to be built inWindhoek, should be up and running by June, 1997 andwill employ an estimated 70 Namibians. The success ofthe plant will determine whether it could expand to pro­vide GM products for the entire Mrican continent.

(The Namibian, 11 /8/96)

~'I-..-' .' ~,.." :'~!I.~,,~\ t"f ~l• , ,,~.~~," 11I1,p'".. ...

Southern Africa Page 6

SOUTHERN AFRICA NEWS BRIEFS (continued)~"Y""~~~

CCN: Proclaiming God's GraceA high-powered delegation from the Council of

Churches in Namibia (CCN) is seeking a meeting withthe Namibian Government to discuss plans for the 1997detainee conference. New CCN President, BishopKleopas Dumeni of ELCIN and CCN General Secretary,Rev. Ngeno Nakamhela, will head the delegation whichhopes to clean up any misunderstandings over the con­ference and discuss church-state relations.

The CCN theme for 1997, "CCN 1997: Proclaimingthe Year of God's Grace" will be launched on January26 with an ecumenical service in Windhoek. Accordingto a report from CCN's recent annual general meeting,"The program will tackle the pain and sufferinginflicted on our nation and its people by the war byinvolving those who have been affected, including spe­cial interest groups, ex-combatants, politicians, andex-detainees as well as survivors from Cassinga andother tragic events."

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia(ELCIN) issued a statement endorsing the CCN as theright church-body to deal with the issue of ex-detaineeson behalf of its member churches. Bishop Dumeni sug­gested the conference be a small one involving onlythose who violated human rights inside and outside thecountry and those who suffered in the process. TheELCIN said it would not promote steps "likely to disturbthe precious peace prevailing in Namibia."

(The Namibian, 12/6/96)

Tutu: Work for Debt ReliefAnglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu of

South Mrica asked American church leaders to devotethe same effort they put into dismantling apartheid intohelping the nations of Mrica find relief from cripplingforeign debts. "Now that you have helped rid the worldof the scourge of apartheid, the next moral campaignshould be this foreign debt. Give the people the chanceto begin again."

Most Mrican economies are growing by two to threepercent annually, but most of the growth is being usedto pay interest on international debt and is not benefit­ting the countries' inhabitants.

The Archbishop proposed a six-month moratoriumon debt repayment, during which time countrieswould be asked to demonstrate democratization,respect for human rights, demilitarization, and thatthe money saved is being used directly for the good ofthe people. The debt of the countries meeting thesecriteria would be forgiven.

(National Council of Churches Release, 11/19/96)

INDIGI NOUS PI 01'1 F.:S

Another dam,another way of lifeNamibia's Himba threatened

NAMIBIA'S achievements in building and sustaining a multi­racial democracy out of a war-ravaged country have beenremarkable, but there is evidence that the worldwide 'dashfor growth' has at last arrived. A government-sponsoredhydroelectric scheme on the Kunene River now threatens

the Himba people, a tribal minority known for their egalitarian,sustainable lifestyle. Having survived the war largely unscathed,the irony is that peace now promises to tear their ancient way oflife apart.

The Himba, a cattle-raising pastoralist people, live in Kaokalandon the Angolan border close to the beautiful Epupa Falls, the site ofthe proposed darn which would flood their land, destroying theirpastures, burial sites and everything they need to survive. Whilstthey are a nomadic people, they do not travel vast distances like theBushpeople, but confme themselves to a relatively narrow, fertilearea dominated by the river. When the grass grows thin, they moveon, although often the old and the dying stay behind, provided withfood and water by their families as they await death. Tall stoneburial mounds can be seen throughout Kaokaland. When tribemembers pass a mound, they pick up a stone and add it to the pile,as a mark of respect.

The proposed dam could, by submerging 464 square miles ofessential dry-season grazing, displace more than 4,000 Himba inNamibia and flood their burial grounds. If a site lower down theriver is chosen - as seems increasingly likely following protests bySurvival International and other organizations - the impact on pas­ture and other land resources would be less extreme. But with anestimated 3,000 workers brought in, nearly all from outside theregion, a 'temporary town' would arise on Himba territory with dis­astrous consequences for their health and social stability.

So far aid donors have had little enthusiasm for the scheme,regarding it as an unnecessary extravagance, but Namibia's govern­ment sees it as a symbol of progress and independence. It seems

likely that the government will tum toprivate donors. Campaigners

against the dam have beenalarmed by sightings ofTaiwanese business­

men in Kaokaland.They believe thatTaiwan's businesscornmunity wishesto compensate forits past associa­tions with SouthAfrica's apartheid

regime by sponsor­ing development pro­

jects in the region.The Epupa Falls

Project would cost $800million. For Namibia,this will mean manyyears of debt, but forthe Himba it maymean extinction.

Olivia Adamsl

Survlvallnt~1

11111.

Page 7 Southern Africa

CALENDAR OF ACTION AND REFLECTION K~XXXXXXXX]

February 25-28, 1997Pray for all those gathering in Maputo

Mozambique, for the International NGO Conferenceon Landmines. Pray for vision as strategies and foradvocacy and country campaigns as well as regionalinitiatives are planned.

Southern Africa

The Consequences of Our Actions

Before we "planted" the mInes, could we notpIcture our parents "harvestIng" on the sameland? Or were they too far away?

Before we "strewed" the mInes, could we notpIcture our wIves "collectIng" firewood fromthe same area? Or were we unmarrIed?

Before we "posltloned" the mInes. could we notpIcture our chlldren "frollcklng" In the samefield? Or were they not yet born?

And now our parents can no longer tll/ the soli;our wIves can no longer gather; and our chll­dren are without hope.

The consequences of our actlons.

Joe MorettiJesuit Refugee Service

Southern Africa Network-Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (SAN-ELCA) is comprised of indi­viduals, synods, organizations, and congregations who are committed to learning about and advocatingfor justice in southern Africa. The network also works toward ending racism in South Africa and the US.

r-------------------------------,STAY CONNECTED!

C'J Yes, I want to become/remain part of the Southern Africa Network - Evangelical Lutheran Church in\!}o America and receive the newsletter, Southern Africa, regularly. Enclosed is my annual membership fee.

__ Individual ($25)

__ Synodical Group ($50)

__ Organization/Congregation ($100)

Here is an additional contribution

__ I would like to order FREEDOM TO WALK: Advocacy/Action kit on Landmines in Africa ($22)

Name Day Phone _

Organization Eve. Phone _

Address _

City, State Zip _

Please return to: Southern Africa Network-ELCA, 3560 W. Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60624 (312) 826-4481L ~

Southern Africa Page 8

NETWORK NOTES

The Department for Colleges and Universities of theDivision for Higher Education and Schools provided

a small grant so we could send this newsletter to allELCA College and University Academic Deans andChaplains. We thank James M. Unglaube for workingwith SAN in this way.

To date 131 "Freedom to Walk" Action/Advocacy kitsabout landmines have been distributed from the

SAN office. They are being used in schools, SundaySchools, women's groups, and youth retreats. Contactthe SAN office or use the order form on page 7 to getyour copy.

F ree resources: we will send you copies of recent issuesof the SAN newsletter to distribute at synod assem­

blies, community meetings, or any place good peoplegather. Phone, e-mail, or write the office your request.

Congratulations to SAN member Bud Day and othersin Flagstaff, Arizona who assisted in getting a land­

mine resolution to the Flagstaff City Council where itwas unanimously passed. Your City Council could benext-contact SAN for sample resolutions.

The International Anti-Racism Network Project ofCrossroads Ministry reports that working commit­

tees have been set up in South Africa and the UnitedStates to prepare for a six person research team of anti­racism trainers from South Africa, the US, andGermany which will visit the three countries in Spring,1997. It is anticipated that a working committee willsoon be formed in Germany for the same purpose.

Southern Africa is edited by Joan Gerig.Layout by Carol Thompson.

Resources:"The Story of Father Michael Lapsley: Priest andPartisan, A South African Journey" by MichaelWorsnip (ISBN 1-875284-96-6) is distributed by TheTalman Company, ($14.95) information by Tel: 212/431­7175 or Fax:212/431-7215.

"Batnwn: Death of the Innocents," and"Superman: Deadly Legacy" DC Comics. Sociallyresponsible comics produced by DC comics to raise pub­lic awareness about the impact of landmines. Availablewherever comic books are sold.

"To Dream a Nation:South Mrica MterApartheid"is a video documentaryon mode;n South Mricaas seen by Americansgrasping its meaning forthe first time. The videois a useful tool in educat­ing anyone planning tovisit South Africa. 57

-min. Available for $60 +$3 postage;tel:916/483-1417 oremail:chmajb@csus.edu.

Southern Mrica Network-ELCA3560 W. Congress ParkwayChicago, Illinois 60624

NON PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #5755CHICAGO,IL

Address Correction Requested