The schools boycott reported in the last issue of FOCUS (p.14) was strengthened and extended. By early October it was estimated that 200,000 students were affected. Throughout the country a boycott of classes was organised in the continuing campaign against Bantu Education, with students holding meetings in defiance of the ban on gatherings. In Soweto the campaign was extended by students calling for the resignation of teachers and by mid September some 450 out of 750 had resigned, the aim being to dismantle Bantu Education from inside and force the authorities to abandon it in favour of a non-discriminatory system. The World newspaper gave prominence to the boycott campaign, which may have been one of the reasons for its banning. Boycott action was also strong in the Pretoria townships, where it was linked to the rejection of the forthcoming 'independence' of BophuthaTswana.
Police action against the boycott has been frequent and often fierce, but appears not to have quelled the students' determination. Recent events include the following:
Evanot, Vereeniging, 8-12 August. Demonstrations and arson attempts at three high schools. About 250 students arrested. (W 11/17/24.8.77)
Soweto, 14 August 66 young people arrested and charged with public violence at the funeral of a girl student.
Soweto, 16 August Police raid on Orlando West High School (W 17.8.77).
Soweto, 25 August Boy shot dead by police outside Jabulani High School.
Port Elizabeth, 30 August. Memorial meeting at Cowan High School for student killed in 1976. 22 arrested and convicted of illegal gathering at a special court (W 31.8.77).
Mdantsane, East London, 30 August. Large meeting at Ngcelawana School broken up by police.
Soweto, 9 September. Several schools raided by police, students beaten with sjamboks (W 7.9.77).
9 September. Youth dies of buckshot wounds after police break up meeting at Diepkloof School (RDM 13/15.9.77).
Umtata, 16 September. Boycott followed by arson attack on hostel at Cwebe School near Ngqeleni. 46 arrested and sentenced to corporal punishment. (W 16.9.77)
Nelspruit, 4 October. Police arrest 125 students demonstrating outside high school. (GN 5.10.77)
Sibasa, Venda, 4 October. Demonstration of 5000 school students in stadium followed by march through town, setting up of road blocks and attacks on the Venda Legislative Assembly and houses of bantustan officials, including that of the White Secretary for Justice. Police arrest 180 students and two are thought to have been killed. Venda authorities close 35 secondary schools and order 12,000 students home. (RDM 5.10.77; GN 6.10.77).
Mahla, Gazankulu, 4 October. Police arrest 135 students following march and arson attacks on school and white headmaster's home. (RDM 5.10.77)
Pretoria townships, 4 October. Mass march broken up by police, with 33 arrests. (RDM 5.10.77)
Grahamstown, 5 October. Police arrest 96 students after march with 'offensive placards'. (RDM 6.10.77)
Grahamstown, 12 October. Primary schools boycotted. (RDM 14.10.77)
Thabong, Welkom, 13 October. Police arrest 71 students after boycott meeting and attacks on headmaster's home. (RDM 14.10.77)
New Brighton, Port Elizabeth and KwaNobuhle, Uitenhage, 12-13 October. Extensive boycott and attempts to obtain teachers' resignations followed by destruction of houses belonging to headteacher and former BAAB official. Police break up demonstration using guns and Hippo personnel carriers. Many arrests. (RDM 14.10.77)
