. ' VOTING WITH THEIR FEET: WHITE STUDENTS, CONSCRIPTION AND THE BRAIN DRAIN AT RHODES UNIVERSITY. *

Transcription

1 . ' VOTING WITH THEIR FEET: WHITE STUDENTS, CONSCRIPTION AND THE BRAIN DRAIN AT RHODES UNIVERSITY. * JEREMY BERNSTEIN AND FIONA ADAMS I N T R O D U C T I O N T h e N o v e m b e r 1987 m u t i n y b y m o r e t h a n m e m b e r s o-f t h e S o u t h W e s t A f r i c a T e r r i t o r y F o r c e C S W A T F ] o c c u r r e d in th e m i d s t o-f w h a t is b e l i e v e d to be S o u t h A f r i c a ' s l a r g e s t m i l i t a r y i n c u r s i o n e v e r m o u n t e d i n t o A n g o l a. 1 T h i s w a s t h e -first o f f i c i a l i n d i c a t i o n of s i g n i f i c a n t d i s c o n t e n t a m o n g S o u t h A f r i c a ' s t r o o p s of w h o m 40 p e r c e n t a r e n a t i o n a l c o n s c r i p t s. Yet th e p h e n o m e n o n of r e s i s t i n g i n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o S o u t h A f r i c a ' s m i l i t a r y a p p a r a t u s in w h a t e v e r form, is b y no m e a n s a n e w one. A s the c u r r e n t c r i s i s e s c a l a t e s, m a n y c o n s c r i p t s b e l i e v e t h e i r o n l y c h o i c e in i>er prepared for presentation at the 19th Annual Congress of the Association for Sociology in Southern Africa (ASSA). University of Durban-Westville. 6 July r e s i s t i n g c o n s c r i p t i o n is e m i g r a t i o n - w h a t m a n y e x i l e d c o n s c r i p t s r e f e r to as "the c h i c k e n run". T h i s p a p e r e x a m i n e s in g r e a t e r d e t a i l th e social an d m a t e r i a l i m p a c t of c o n s c r i p t i o n. M o r e s p e c i f i c a l l y, it a t t e m p t s to a s s e s s t h e e x t e n t to w h i c h a d e s i r e to a v o i d c o m p u l s o r y m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e in t h e S A D F is a m o t i v a t i n g f a c t o r for m a l e s t u d e n t s in d e c i d i n g to emi-grate. In o r d e r to p r o v i d e a c o n t e x t for t h e r e s e a r c h, t h e f o l l o w i n g i s s u e s ar e o u t l i n e d : f i r s t l y, w h i t e S o u t h A f r i c a n a t t i t u d e s t o w a r d s c o n s c r i p t s ; s e c o n d l y, t h e g r o w t h of r e s i s t a n c e t o c o n s c r i p t i o n ; t h i r d l y, th e s t a t e ' s r e s p o n s e to t h i s r e s i s t a n c e m o v e m e n t, and f i n a l l y, e m i g r a t i o n IS IS W O R K IN PROGRESS AND SHOULD NOT BE QUOTED THOUT THE AUTHORS PERMISSION.

2 95 * CDnseclu * " c e c o n s c r i p t i o n. T h e d i s c u s s i o n is b a s e d on a s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d a t R h o d e s U n i v e r s i t y d u r i n g t h e m a j o r i t y of r e s p o n d e n t s w e r e c o n t e m p l a t i n g e m i g r a t i o n. F i n d i n g s e s t a b l i s h e d that -findings a n d t h e i r s o c i o - e c o n o m i c i m p l i c a t i o n s a r e o u t l i n e d. T h e s e An a t t e m p t «a s a l s o m a d e to g a u g e r e s p o n d e n t s ' u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e a l t e r n a t i v e s t o e m i g r a t i o n, i.e. a n o n - m i l i t a r y -form of n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e. T h e i r u n d e r s t a n d i n g w a s -found t o b e i n a d e q u a t e a n d it is s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h i s is an i m p o r t a n t a r e a -for -future r e s e a r c h. W H I T E S O U T H A F R I C A ' S H E R O On the southern tip of fulminating Africa there is a country fair of many nations where its people work and play and rest in safe security Thanks to those men who fight a ruthless enemy: ft foe whose aim is to destroy all forms of harmony Western deaocracy, respect and sovereignty. find so to all the men who fight to keep our country free we pledge support and sing from every heart our praise. Me stand ber-e united against the enemy who uses all *eans to undermine stability. We thank those who fight them that all of us are free to work, to worship and to build our own destiny.2 in t e r n a l c o h o r t s. T h i s p e r c e p t i o n h a s b e e n f u e l l e d b y t h e S A D F ' s i n c r e a s i n g p a r t i c i p a t i o n in a t t e m p t s t o " r e s t o r e la w a nd o r d e r " i n t e r n a l l y, an d m o r e r e c e n t l y b y its i n v o l v e m e n t in t h e A n g o l a n c o n f l i c t. S o u t h A f r i c a ' s i n v a s i o n of A n g ola, p r e v i o u s l y j u s t i f i e d on t h e b a s i s t h a t it w a s n e c e s s a r y t o c o u n t e r S W A P O ' s g u e r r i l l a wa r a nd to e n s u r e th e s e c u r i t y of th e N a m i b i a n p e o p l e, a r e n o w b e i n g p r e s e n t e d as a b o l s t e r to U n i t a in its f i g h t a g a i n s t t h e M P L A g o v e r n m e n t. T h e M P L A itse l f is v i e w e d as a s u r r o g a t e f o r R u s s i a n a n d C u b a n e x p a n s i o n in S o u t h e r n A f r i c a. => Internal a c t i v i t i e s of t h e S A D F h a v e long b e e n p r e s e n t e d by t h e s t a t e t h r o u g h t h e n e w s m e d i a ( e s p e c i a l l y t h e s t a t e - c o n t r o l l e d SABC) as l e g i t i m a t e a c t i v i t i e s d e s i g n e d to s e c u r e t h e s a f e t y of all S o u t h A f r i c a n s in t h e f a c e of a M o s c o w - i n s p i r e d a n d c o n t r o l l e d total o n s l a u g h t. C o n s c r i p t s, w h o m a k e up 4 0, 0 6 % of t h e S A D F ' s n u m b e r s, - a r e c r u c i a l t o th e S A D F ' s a b i l i t y to c a r r y o u t its o p e r a t i o n s. C o m p u l s o r y c o n s c r i p t i o n w a s i n t r o d u c e d for w h i t e men in 1967 a n d wa s a d m i n i s t e r e d t h r o u g h a b a l l o t s y stem. In 1970, t h i s s y s t e m w a s r e p l a c e d b y an e x t e n s i o n of t h e c a l l - u p t o all w h i t e m a l e S o u t h A f r i c a n c i t i z e n s. S i n c e then, t h e l e n g t h of m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e h a s T h e v a s t m a j o r i t y of w h i t e So u t h A f r i c a n s v i e w t h e S o u t h A f r i c a n D e f e n c e F o r c e <S A D F ) a s a b o d y w h o s e p r i m a r y r o l e is t o d e f e n d an d p r o t e c t S o u t h A f r i c a f r o m a g g r e s s i o n by e x t e r n a l f o r c e s a n d t h e i r be e n increased--from t w e l v e m o n t h s to t w o y e a r s c o n t i n u o u s i n i tial t r a i n i n g, p l u s an e f f e c t i v e t wo y e a r s of camps. T h e c a l l - u p w as a l s o e x t e n d e d to t h o u s a n d s of i m m i g r a n t s f o l l o w i n g th e p r o m u l g a t i o n In- + r m a c o n c e r t d e d i c a t e d to t h e "bo y s " on t h e b o r d e r. HAP) B 9 p 2 SSS 9 r a m m e M i l i t a r i z a t i o n D o s s i e r ( h e r e a f t e r 3 - op. cit. 4 - H A P A 2 pi

3 of th e S o u t h A f r i c a n C i t i z e n s h i p Amendmtsnt A ct of = T h e r e c e n t P r e s i d e n t ' s C o u n c i l Y o u t h R e p o r t r e c o m m e n d e d t h e f u r t h e r e x t e n s i o n of c o n s c r i p t i o n to all p o p u l a t i o n g r o u p s, as d i d a r e c e n t N a t i o n a l M a n p o w e r C o m m i s s i o n (NMC).** A g r o w i n g n u m b e r of c o n s c r i p t s a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s h a v e c o m e to q u e s t i o n t h e r o l e c o n s c r i p t s ' i n v o l v e m e n t in t h e S A D F r e q u i r e s t h e m t o play. A 2 2 yeai o l d w h o w as j a i l e d for t w o y e a r s fo r r e f u s i n g t o d o m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e a r g u e d t h a t C o n s c r i p t s a r e p o r t r a y e d as w h i t e S o u t h A f r i c a ' s h e r o e s b y t h e media, t h e g o v e r n m e n t, t h e S A D F an d a d v e r t i s i n g. A " f a c t u a l " r e p o r t in a m a j o r S u n d a y n e w s p a p e r i l l u s t r a t e d t h i s in t h e f o l l o w i n g way: Since the conflict in this country is a civil not an external war, participation in the SADF is a profoundly political action. Participation does not act in the interests of the nation as a whole, it contributes only to the cause of the dominant inority. A U C T s t u d y i n t o s t u d e n t a t t i t u d e s t o w a r d s m i l i t a r y c o n s c r i p t i o n ft young South African lieutenant Mas flung 'to the ground. Eight bullets ripped into his back-pack. Another bullet tore through the upper part of his right arm. But-bravely he joined the battle, firing at the enemy with his R4 rifle. A SWAPO bullet shattered his right hand. Lt Jan van Deventer refused to give up the fight. He grabbed his rifle in the left hand and continued to return fire. Alongside his close friend, a corporal, fell to the ground. He was dead. The firefight raged on. During the next 15 minutes the officer saw four more of his comrades injured - two seriously. SWAPO, under intense pressure from the accurate South African counter-attack, decided they'd had enough. Dragging three deaj and a number of injured with them, the terrorists fled north - to the sanctuary of the Angolan border.t R E S I S T A N C E T O C O N S C R I P T I O N f o u n d t h a t t h o s e o p p o s e d t o it h a d a d e e p s e n s e of m o r a l o u t r a g e at t h e i m m o r a l i t y of a p a r t h e i d and s t r o n g l y r e j e c t e d t h e p r e s e n c e of t r o o p s in t h e t o w n s h i p s. T h e y b e l i e v e d t h e S A D F w a s w a g i n g an u n j u s t w a r. T h e S A D F ' s a c t i v i t i e s in S o u t h e r n A f r i c a n s t a t e s have, s i n c e t h e i n v a s i o n of A n g o l a, b e e n s e e n as i l l e g i t i m a t e d e s t a b i l i z a t i o n b y t h o s e w h o o p p o s e a p a r t h e i d. Its int e r n a l r.ole is p e r c e i v e d n ot a s n e u t r a l l y d e f e n d i n g t h e i n t e r e s t s of all S o u t h A f r i c a n s, bu t r a t h e r as d e f e n d i n g t h e i n t e r e s t s an d p e r p e t u a t i n g t h e p o l i c i e s of a m i n o r i t y r u l i n g grou p. T he p e r c e p t i o n of t h e S A D F as a f o r c e p l a c e d f i r m l y o n t h e s i d e of a p a r t h e i d ha s b e e n h e i g h t e n e d s i n c e 5 - H A P Al p2 6 - S e e N a t i o n a l M a n p o w e r C o m m i s s i o n : H i g h L e v e l an d M i d d l e Level M a n p o w e r In S o u t h A f r ica: R e c e n t D e v e l o p m e n t s, ( h e r e a f t e r NMC) R e p u b l i c of S o u t h Africa p H A P B 3 p 2 t h e i n i t i a l d e p l o y m e n t of t r o o p s in S e b o k e n g in and b y t h e o v e r t i n v o l v e m e n t of t r o o p s in q u e l l i n g " u n r e s t " in township's 8 - H A P B 8 pi. 9 - H A P Et8 pi.

4 t h r o u g h o u t S o u t h A f r i c a on an o n g o i n g b a s i s s i n c e then. F u r t h e r, t h e s t r u c t u r a l i n v o l v e m e n t of t h e S A D F in J o i n t M a n a g e m e n t C e n t r e s <JMCs) an d o t h e r p o l i c y m a k i n g s t r u c t u r e s ; t h e u s e of t r o o p s to p r o p up d i s c r e d i t e d c o m m u n i t y c o u n c i l s t h r o u g h s u c h p r a c t i c e s as e n f o r c e d r e n t c o l l e c t i o n, and t o i m p l e m e n t a p a r t h e i d p o l i c i e s s u c h a s f o r c e d r e m o v a l s, h a v e a d d e d t o t h e S A D F ' s i m a g e as t h e d e f e n d e r of a p a r t h e i d. In a d d i t i o n, S A D F t r o o p s i n v o l v e d in t h e C i v i c A c t i o n P r o g r a m m e (CAP) a r e s e e n a s f u l f i l l i n g t h e p o l i t i c a l r o l e of " w i n n i n g th e h e a r t s an d m i n d s of t h e p e o p l e. " As p a r t of t h i s p r o g r a m m e, u n i f o r m e d n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e m e n a r e s e c o n d e d to g o v e r n m e n t or b a n t u s t a n d e p a r t m e n t s, w o r k i n g as t e a c h e r s, e n g i n e e r s, d o c t o r s, d e n t i s t s, l e c t urers, a d m i n i s t r a t i v e p e r s o n n e l, an d as i n t e l l i g e n c e g a t h e r e r s. T he C A P is v e r y m uch p a r t of t h e "total s t r a t e g y " d e s i g n e d to c o u n t e r t h e "total o n s l a u g h t ". P r i o r t o the r e c e n t S A D F i n v a s i o n of A n g o l a, it w a s th e e s c a l a t i o n of o v e r t S A D F i n v o l v e m e n t in civil c o n f l i c t, e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r t r o o p s m o v e d i n t o the t o w n s h i p s of S e b o k e n g in 1934, w h i c h p r o m p t e d g r o w i n g r e s i s t a n c e to c o n s c r i p t i o n a m o n g s e c t o r s of th e w h i t e w i t h i n t h e p a r a m e t e r s s e t by S e c t i o n 121 (c> of t h e D e f e n c e Ac t w h i c h m a k e. i t a n o f f e n c e t o " u s e a n y l a n g u a g e, d o a n y a ct o r t h i n g w i t h i n t e n t t o r e c o m m e n d to, e n c o u r a g e, aid, i n c i t e, i n s t i g a t e, s u g g e s t or o t h e r w i s e c a u s e a n y p e r s o n or a n y c a t e g o r y of p e r s o n s or p e r s o n s in g e n e r a l t o r e f u s e t o r e n d e r a n y s e r v i c e t o w h i c h s u c h o t h e r p e r s o n s o r a p e r s o n of s u c h a c a t e g o r y or p e r s o n s in g e n e r a l i s or a r e l i a b l e or m a y b e c o m e l i a b l e in t e r m s of t h i s a c t ". 10 T h e e x t e n s i o n o f c o n s c r i p t i o n t o i m m i g r a n t s h a s r e s u l t e d in a n o t h e r f o r m of r e s i s t a n c e s f o l l o w i n g t h e p r o m u l g a t i o n of t h e S o u t h A f r i c a n C i t i z e n s h i p A m e n d m e n t A ct of 1984, t h o u s a n d s of i m m i g r a n t s b e c a m e a u t o m a t i c c i t i z e n s of S o u t h A f r ica. All t h o s e a g e d b e t w e e n 15 and 2 5 t h e n ha d t o r e g i s t e r fo r m i l i t a r y t r a i n i n g an d t h e f i r s t l a r g e - s c a l e c a l l - u p a f t e r t h e p r o m u l g a t i o n of t h e Ac t s a w t h e i n d u c t i o n of a b o u t 1200 i m m i g r a n t ' s s o n s i n t o t h e SADF. H o w e v e r, b y A p r i l m o r e t h a n p e o p l e had r e f u s e d S o u t h A f r i c a n c i t i z e n s h i p t o a v o i d m i l i t a r y t r a i n i n g, and t h i r t y p e o p l e h a d b e e n d e p o r t e d f o r r e f u s i n g c i t i z e n s h i p. p o p u l a t i o n. R e s i s t a n c e t o c o n s c r i p t i o n is p r i m a r i l y e v i d e n c e d, at an o r g a n i s a t i o n a l level, b y the d e v e l o p m e n t an d g r o w t h of th e En d C o n s c r i p t i o n C a m p a i g n ( E C O, w h i c h w a s s t a r t e d in 1983/84. A l t h o u g h th e E C C r e p r e s e n t s s o m e 5 2 c h u r c h, w o m e n ' s, y o u t h and p o l i t i c a l o r g a n i s a t i o n s, it s p r i m a r y s u p p o r t an d its m o s t a c t i v e m e m b e r s ar e d r a w n f r o m the w h i t e youth. T h e o r g a n i s a t i o n c a m p a i g n s f o r f r e e d o m of c h o i c e,t o r e f r a i n f r o m d o i n g m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e w i t h o u t p e n a l t y and t o b r i n g a b o u t p u b l i c p r e s s u r e to end c o m p u l s o r y c o n s c r i p t i o n. H o w e v e r, t h e E C C is f o r c e d t o o p e r a t e

5 T h i s h a s p o t e n t i a l l y s e r i o u s i m p l i c a t i o n s for S o u t h A f r i c a ' s S T A T E A N D R I G H T - W I N G R E S P O N S E S T O R E S I S T A N C E m a n p o w e r n e e d s as t h e r e c e n t N M C noted: S t a t e r e s p o n s e s t o r e s i s t a n c e t o c o n s c r i p t i o n h a v e t a k e n a v a r i e t y The legislation (ie South African Citizenship Amendment Act) say be regarded as a deterrent to remaining in the RSA and may result in immigrant -families leaving the country owing to the fact that their sons are liable for national service. Since the heads of families are often either High Level Manpower (HLM) or diddle Level Manpower (MLM), this may be detrimental to the RSA's pool of skilled manpower. 11 A f u r t h e r i n d i c a t i o n of i n c r e a s e d r e s i s t a n c e t o c o n s c r i p t i o n i s a of forms. In t h e m a x i m u m s e n t e n c e for c o n s c i e n t i o u s o b j e c t o r s wa s i n c r e a s e d t o f i f t e e n m o n t h s an d p e n a l t i e s w e r e i n t r o d u c e d f o r e n c o u r a g i n g o r a s s i s t i n g a c o n s c i e n t i o u s o b j e c t o r. 1-* R e g u l a t i o n s p r o m u l g a t e d u n d e r th e c u r r e n t S t a t e of E m e r g e n c y m a k e it an o f f e n c e t o " u n d e r m i n e or d i s c r e d i t t h e s y s t e m of c o m p u l s o r y m i l i t a r y r i s e in the n u m b e r of c o n s c r i p t s w h o f ail t o r e p o r t f o r d u t y (from s e r v i c e ". T h i s h a s h ad t h e e f f e c t of f u r t h e r c u r t a i l i n g t h e in 1984, t h i s f i g u r e i n c r e a s e d t o V in J a n u a r y 1985). F i g u r e s for / 8? a r e no t a v a i l a b l e a s t h e M i n i s t e r of D e f e n c e, d i s s e m i n a t i o n of i n f o r m a t i o n r e l a t i n g to t h e a c t i v i t i e s of th e S A D F and of r e s i s t a n c e t o t h o s e a c t i v i t i e s b y c o n s c r i p t s an d b y th e Sen M a g n u s Mal a n, ha s p r o h i b i t e d t h e i r r e l e a s e. T h e g o v e r n m e n t c o m m u n i t i e s a g a i n s t w h i c h t h e S A D F is e m p l o y e d. T h i s p a r t i c u l a r e x p l a i n s th e i n c r e a s e in th e n u m b e r s w h o fail t o r e p o r t b y s a y i n g clause, in t h e E m e r g e n c y R e g u l a t i o n s is c l e a r l y d e s i g n e d t o c u r t a i l t hat m a n y are s t u d e n t s w h o get d e f e r m e n t. H o w e v e r, s t u d e n t s w h o t he e x t e n t t o w h i c h t h e E C C can c o n t i n u e to a d d r e s s its c o n c e r n s a r e d e f e r r e d ar e not e x p e c t e d t o r e p o r t and, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e ECC, yet r e m a i n w i t h i n t h e p a r a m e t e r s of legal o r g a n i s a t i o n a l work. ar e t h u s not i n c l u d e d in th e 1985 f i g u r e. lz T h e E C C h a s b e e n s i n g l e d out for a t t a c k t h r o u g h d e t e n t i o n s and A d e s i r e b y m e m b e r s of t h e c o n s c r i p t e d s e c t o r t o a v o i d m i l i t a r y smears. R i g h t - w i n g p u b l i c a t i o n s s u c h as t h e A i d a P a r k e r N e w s l e t t e r s e r v i c e ha s l ong bfeen p e r c e i v e d as an i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r in d e c i s i o n s t o e m i g r a t e. In 1985, T h e 5 tar e s t i m a t e d t h a t s o m e p e o p l e h ad l eft S o u t h A f r i c a s i n c e in o r d e r t o a v o i d t h e c a l l - and V e t e r a n s -for V i c t o r y p a m p h l e t s h a v e b e e n w i d e l y d i s t r i b u t e d in s c h o o l s, t h r o u g h t h e c o m m e r c i a l m e d i a and t h r o u g h p a m p h l e t drops. T h e i r ai m is t o d i s c r e d i t t h e E C C b y c l a i m i n g it is p a r t of th e u p N M C p H A P A1 p H A P A1 p H A P B 8 p2. S e e a l s o H A P A1 pi. It s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t i n c r e a s e s in c o n s c r i p t i o n an d in t h e p e n a l t i e s for o b j e c t i o n h a v e a r i s e n not o n l y in r e l a t i o n to r e s i s t a n c e t o c o n s c r i p t i o n, bu t m o r e b r o a d l y in t h e c o n t e x t of a v a r i e t y of t h r e a t s fa c e d b y t h e S o u t h A f r i c a n g o v e r n m e n t f r o m t he d e m o c r a t i c m o v e m e n t w i t h i n S o u t h A f r i c a, an d a s a r e s u l t of e v e n t s in n e i g h b o u r i n g states.

6 E M I G R A T I O N t o t a l o n s l a u g h t on S o u t h A f r ica. D e s c r i b i n g t h e E C C a s a "wolf in s h e e p ' s c l o t h i n g ", o n e V e t e r a n s -for V i c t o r y " S p e c i a l U p d a t e ", 1=5 s a y s t h a t t he E C C is ( w i t t i n g l y or u n w i t t i n g l y ) s p e a r h e a d i n g " the h i s t o r i c c o m m u n i s t c a m p a i g n t o u n d e r m i n e t h e l e g i t i m a t e d e f e n c e f o r c e s of th e c o u n t r y as p a r t of a vital r e v o l u t i o n a r y s t r a t e g y ". 1* V e t e r a n s for V i c t o r y p a m p h l e t s a r e r e p u t e d l y p u b l i s h e d b y L t - C o l R o b e r t K. Brown, e d i t o r of "the w o r l d ' s m o s t p o p u l a r 'macho' m a g a z i n e, S o l d i e r of F o r t u n e, o f t e n d u b b e d t h e ' m e r c e n a r i e s ' bi bl e ' T h e g r o w i n g c i v i l c o n f l i c t in S o u t h. A f r i c a h a s p r o m p t e d a r i s e in t h e n u m b e r of e m i g r a n t s in th e p a s t f o u r y e a r s, m a n y of w h o m a r e s k i l l e d or p r o f e s s i o n a l people. t h i s t r e n d : = T h e f o l l o w i n g f i g u r e s i l l u s t r a t e E m i g r a t i o n I m m i g r a t i o n L o s s / G a i n 1983 _ ( J a n u a r y - May) P a r l i a m e n t h a s a l s o b e e n a s o u r c e of att'acks on t h e ECC, l a r g e l y f r o m N a t i o n a l i s t or C o n s e r v a t i v e P a r t y m e m b e r s. In 1985, t h e t h e n D e p u t y M i n i s t e r of D e f e n c e, A d r i a a n V l o k (now M i n i s t e r of L a w an d O r d e r ), d e s c r i b e d t h o s e w h o a p p r o v e of t h e E C C ' s a i m s a s b e i n g " l i k e c l a y b e i n g m o u l d e d b y our e n e m i e s - at t h i s v e r y m o m e n t t h e y a r e b e i n g u s e d b y th e A f r i c a n N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s (ANC) t o a c h i e v e t h e A N C ' s evil g o a l s in S o u t h A f r i c a ". 1 M o r e r e c e n t l y t h e E C C w a s d e s c r i b e d as b e i n g o n e of S o u t h A f r i c a ' s " f o u r m a i n e n e m i e s " a l o n g w i t h t h e U n i t e d D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t ( U D F ), A N C an d t h e S o u t h A f r i c a n C o m m u n i s t P a r t y ( S A C P ). lv F r o m J a n u a r y t o M a y th e f o l l o w i n g n u m b e r s of p r o f e s s i o n a l p e o p l e e m i g r a t e d : E n g i n e e r s A c c o u n t a n t s E d u c a t i o n a l i s t s D o c t o r s, d e n t i s t s 114 Total v As c a n be s e e n f r o m t h e a b o v e f i g u r e s t h e n u m b e r of i m m i g r a n t s p e r y e a r h a s d r o p p e d e a c h y e a r b e t w e e n 1983 an d 1986, w h i l e t h e n u m b e r of e m i g r a n t s h a s i n c r e a s e d. A s i g n i f i c a n t p r o p o r t i o n of t h o s e e m i g r a t i n g ( a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 9 % b e t w e e n J a n u a r y an d M a y 1987) a r e p r o f e s s i o n a l o r s k i l l e d people S e e G r o c o t t ' s Mail 15 N o v e m b e r V e t e r a n s fo r Vicrtory, S p e c i a l U p d a t e, N o v e m b e r H A P B 2 p H A P B 8 p Q u o t e d in N a t h a n, L " R e s i s t a n c e t o M i l i t a r i z a t i o n : T h r e e Y e a r s of th e En d C o n s c r i p t i o n C a m p a i g n " in S.A. R e v i e w 4. SARS. J o h a n n e s b u r g

7 A v a r i e t y of r e a s o n s -for t h e i n c r e a s e in e m i g r a t i o n h a v e b e e n pu t r e c e n t m e e t i n g b e t w e e n t h e S A D F and t h e E C C it is i m p o r t a n t t h a t forward, i n c l u d i n g t h e w o r s e n i n g p o l i t i c a l c l i m a t e in S o u t h A f r i c a t h i s s h o u l d h a p p e n. A f t e r h a v i n g r e j e c t e d ou t of h a n d E C C ' s and t he e c o n o m i c r e c e s s i o n. A s w a s m e n t i o n e d, a d e s i r e b y m e m b e r s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s pu t f o r w a r d t o t h e G e l d e n h u y s C o m m i s s i o n, a n d a f t e r of th e c o n s c r i p t e d s e c t o r to a v o i d m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e h a s l o n g b e e n p e r c e i v e d as an i m p o r t a n t -factor in d e c i s i o n s t o e m i g r a t e. E m i g r a t i o n is o n e o-f a l i m i t e d n u m b e r o-f o p t i o n s o p e n t o t h o s e w h o o b j e c t t o c o m p u l s o r y m i l i t a r y se r v i c e. T h e i r o n l y o t h e r a l t e r n a t i v e s a r e to g o to jail for a p o s s i b l e six y e a r s, t o a t t e m p t r e f u s i n g on a n u m b e r of o c c a s i o n s t o d e b a t e t h e i s s u e of c o n s c r i p t i o n on p u b l i c p l a t f o r m s, t h e S A D F r e c e n t l y a g r e e d t o m e e t w i t h a n E C C d e l e g a t i o n t o d i s c u s s t h e i s s u e of a l t e r n a t i v e s e r v i c e. A l t h o u g h d e t a i l s of t h a t m e e t i n g h a v e n ot yet b e e n r e l e a s e d, a j o i n t s t a t e m e n t w a s i s s u e d w h i c h s a i d that: to e v a d e s e r v i c e t h r o u g h de-ferments, c h a n g i n g a d d r e s s e s a n d s o on, and (-for a l i m i t e d number) to a p p l y -for r e l i g i o u s o b j e c t o r s t a t u s. O n e c o n s c r i p t w.ho c h o s e e m i g r a t i o n as t h e o n l y v i a b l e o p t i o n n o t e d in a l e t t e r t o t h e R e g i s t e r i n g O-f-ficer o-f t h e. S o u t h W e s t - A f r i c a T e r r i t o r y F o r c e : 31 Members of the SADF and ECC met to receive the ECC's proposals for changes to the existing legislation with the view to accommodating conscientious objectors within the system of an alternative 'non-military' national 'community' service. 23 W h i l e it is c l e a r l y t o o e a r l y t o r e a d i n t o t h i s m e e t i n g a n y i n d i c a t i o n of a f u n d a m e n t a l c h a n g e in t h e s t a t e ' s a t t i t u d e t o t h e E C C a n d t o it s c a m p a i g n, it d o e s s u g g e s t t h a t t h e s t a t e is I am making use of this letter to tell you that I have moved to West Sermany, not only to continue my studies through the sponsorship of SWAPO, but that I am out of Namibia and South Africa primarily because I refuse to do service in an army which is the instrument used by the Apartheid State to suppress brutally the rightful political, social and economic aspirations of the Namibian people. I, and thousands of others who have been forced into exile, will be back in Namibia as soon as true independence has been won.22 c o n c e r n e d a b o u t t h e p o s s i b l e e f f e c t s of e m i g r a t i o n of s k i l l e d p e r s o n n e l o n t h e e c o n o m y. R H O D E S S U R V E Y H o w e v e r, th e e x t e n t to w h i c h c o n s c r i p t i o n is a m a j o r m o t i v a t i n g f a c t o r in d e c i s i o n s to e m i g r a t e, p a r t i c u l a r l y a m o n g s k i l l e d or p r o f e s s i o n a l p e o p l e, h a s not b e e n d o c u m e n t e d. In t h e l i g h t of t h e In r e s p o n s e t o t h e s e i s s ues, t h e m a j o r a i m of t h i s r e s e a r c h w a s to g a u g e t h e e x t e n t ^to w h i c h m a l e s t u d e n t s at R h o d e s U n i v e r s i t y a r e c o n s i d e r i n g e m i g r a t i o n a f t e r c o m p l e t i n g t h e i r s t u d i e s in o r d e r to a v o i d t h e c a l l - u p. T h e r e s u l t s of t h i s s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d d u r i n g 21 - T h e S o u t h W e s t A f r i c a T e r r i t o r y F o r c e (SWATF) f a l l s u n d e r t h e d i r e c t c o m m a n d of t h e S o u t h A f r i c a q n D e f e n c e F o r c e (SADF) an d is r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e c o n s c r i p t i o n of N a m i b i a n s i n t o S o u t h A f r i c a ' s s e c u r i t y s t r u c t u r e s H A P A 8 p2..

8 , * * s t r o n g l y i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e r e is a d i r e c t l i n k b e t w e e n t h e l oss of s k i l l e d p e o p l e and t h e o b l i g a t i o n to d o m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e in an i n s t i t u t i o n w h i c h -furthers t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of a p a r t h e i d. c o n s c r i p t i o n a s t h e s o l e r e a s o n m o t i v a t i n g t h e i r d e s i r e t o e m i g r a t e, c o n s c r i p t i o n is at l e a s t o n e r e a s o n for t h e m a j o r i t y of r e s p o n d e n t s. T he q u e s t i o n n a i r e w a s d i s t r i b u t e d t o all m a l e s t u d e n t s r e g i s t e r e d at R h o d e s U n i v e r s i t y and r e s i d e n t in G r a h a m s t o w n. c o v e r i n g a b r o a d s p e c t r u m of d i s c i p l i n e s wa s o b t a i n e d. 1. Students who intend emigrating 5 3% of r e s p o n d e n t s a r e c o n t e m p l a t i n g e m i g r a t i n g. 47 % d e f i n i t e l y i n t e n d s t a y i n g in S o u t h A f r ica. Of t h o s e w h o a re c o n t e m p l a t i n g e m i g r a t i o n ; 6 6 % a r e e l i g i b l e fo r c o n s c r i p t i o n. A 3 0 % r e t u r n Of t h e s e, a full 2 8 % ar e c o n t e m p l a t i n g e m i g r a t i o n s o l e l y t o a v o i d c o n s c r i p t i o n, w h i l e a f u r t h e r 2 8 % g i v e c o n s c r i p t i o n as o n e of t h e i r r e a s o n s. O n l y 4 4 % a r e not m o t i v a t e d at all b y c o n s c r i p t i o n. 2. Students' opinions on compulsory military service. Of t h e total r e s p o n d e n t s : 0. 4 % d i d no t a n s w e r t h e q u e s t i o n 6 4, 3 % s a i d c o n s c r i p t i o n s h o u l d no t b e c o m p u l s o r y 3 5 % of t h e s e w e r e no t e l i g i b l e fo r m i l i t a r y ser v i c e. 4 2 % w e r e e l i g i b l e bu t h a d no t d o n e a n y m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e. 2 3 % h a d d o n e m i l i t a r y ser v i c e. 2 5, 3 % s a i d c o n s c r i p t i o n s h o u l d b e c o m p u l s o r y 17% of t h e s e w e r e no t e l i g i b l e fo r c o n s c r i p t i o n. 4 7 % w e r e e l i g i b l e bu t ha d not d o n e a n y m i l i t a r y ser v i c e. 3 6 % h a d d o n e m i l i t a r y ser v i c e. 10% w e r e u n c e r t a i n w h e t h e r or n o t c o n s c r i p t i o n s h o u l d b e c o m p u l s o r y 2 9 % of t h e s e w e r e n ot e l i g i b l e fo r c o n s c r i p t i o n. 3 8 % w e r e e l i g i b l e b u t h a d not d o n e a n y m i l i t a r y ser v i c e. 3 3 % h a d d o n e m i l i t a r y se r v i c e. T h e s e f i g u r e s e f f e c t i v e l y c o n f i r m e d t h e h y p o t h e s i s t hat t h e A l a c k of t i m e p r e c l u d e d a n y a n a l y s i s of t h e r e a s o n s g i v e n for m a j o r i t y of s t u d e n t s w ho i n t e n d e m i g r a t i n g ' f r o m S o u t h A f r i c a a f t e r r e s p o n d e n t s ' a t t i t u d e s t o c o n s c r i p t i o n. Tliis is an a r e a w h e r e c o m p l e t i o n of t h e i r s t u d i e s a r e m o t i v a t e d by a d e s i r e t o a v o i d f u r t h e r r e s e a r c h is n e e d e d. H o w e v e r, a n u m b e r of g e n e r a l t r e n d s c o m p u l s o r y m i l i t a r y se r v i c e. A l t h o u g h o n l y 2 8 % of r e s p o n d e n t s h a v e d i d e m e r g e f r o m t h e r e a s o n s t h a t w e r e given. T h e m o s t n o t i c e a b l e of t h e s e w a s t h a t t h e m a j o r i t y of r e s p o n d e n t s w h o w e r e o p p o s e d to c o n s c r i p t i o n g a v e i d e o l o g i c a l r e a s o n s f or t h e i r d e c i s i o n s, F o r a m o r e d e t a i l e d b r e a k d o w n of t h e s e f i g u r e s, s e e A d a m s, F an d B e r n s t e i n, J. "An A s s e s s m e n t of t h e e x t e n t t o w h i c h a d e s i r e to a v o i d c o m p u l s o r y m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e in t h e S A D F is a m o t i v a t i n g f a c t o r in d e c i s i o n s t o e m i g r a t e b y m a l e s t u d e n t s at R h o d e s U n i v e r s i t y. U n p u b l i s h e d T h i r d Y e a r P r o j e c t. D e p a r t m e n t of J o u r n a l i s m and M e d i a Stu d i e s. G r a h a m s t o w n i n c l u d i n g m o r a l, r e l i g i o u s an d p o l i t i c a l r e a s o n s (e.g. f r e e d o m of c h o i c e, t h e p o l i t i c a l r o l e of t h e S A D F in d e f e n d i n g a p a r t h e i d ). A r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l n u m b e r g a v e m a t e r i a l r e a s o n s, an d s a w c o n s c r i p t i o n as a " w a s t e of t i m e " and an i n t e r r u p t i o n of t h e i r c a r e e r s. At t h e

9 s a m e time, o-f t h o s e w h o -favoured c o m p u l s o r y m i l i t a r y c o n s c r i p t i o n, the m a j o r i t y a l s o a p p e a r e d to g i v e i d e o l o g i c a l r e a s o n s <ie t h e n e e d C O N C L U S I O N. to c o u n t e r th e "total o n s l a u g h t " ) w h i l e t h e r e m a i n d e r -felt t h a t c o n s c r i p t i o n " m a t u r e d " y o u n g men. It is i n t e r e s t i n g t o n o t e t h a t m a n y o-f t h o s e w h o -favoured c o n s c r i p t i o n -felt t h a t t h e l e n g t h o-f s e r v i c e r e q u i r e d w a s t o o long, an d t h a t c a m p s w e r e u n n e c e s s a r y. It T h e s e f i g u r e s r e p r e s e n t a s t a r t l i n g n u m b e r of s k i l l e d / d e g r e e d m en w h o a r e c o n t e m p l a t i n g e m i g r a t i o n. As p o i n t e d ou t in t he E c o n o m i s t I n t e l l i g e n c e U n i t C o u n t r y R e p o r t (South A f r i c a ) : is c l e a r t h a t t h i s is an a r e a w h i c h n e e d s m o r e e x t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h. An a t t e m p t w a s m a d e to g a u g e w h e t h e r s t u d e n t s w h o i n t e n d e m i g r a t i n g wo u l d r e c o n s i d e r t h e i r d e c i s i o n if a l t e r n a t i v e n o n - m i 1 i t a r y f o r m s of n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e w e r e a v a i l a b l e. H o w e v e r, it a p p e a r e d t h a t for the m a j o r i t y of r e s p o n d e n t s n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e, t h a t is, s e r v i c e to the n a t i o n, w a s p e r c e i v e d a s i d e n t i c a l w i t h m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e in t h e SADF. T h e r e c o u l d b e a n u m b e r of r e a s o n s f or this, i n c l u d i n g a p o s s i b l e a m b i g u i t y in th e p h r a s i n g of t h e q u e s t i o n i t s elf. T h e w h o l e q u e s t i o n of w h a t is m e a n t b y s e r v i c e %o th e n a t i o n, a s o p p o s e d to m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e, n e e d s t o b e r a i s e d an d d e b a t e d an d is an a d d i t i o n a l a r e a for f u t u r e r e s e a r c h. Though the actual numbers leaving seems modest, they disguise a qualitative imbalance. In the actual period to August (19S7) South Africa suffered an outflow of, for example, nearly 1,500 people with professional, technical or managerial backgrounds. That figure is significant in relation to South Africa's supplies of such people and does have a restrictive effect on some areas of potential economic growth.as ' W h i l e t h e S o u t h A f r i c a n e c o n o m y is in e f f e c t p a y i n g f o r or h e a v i l y s u b s i d i s i n g t h e t r a i n i n g of t h o s e w h o e m i g r a t e, it d o e s n o t r e c o u p t h o s e c o s t s ( e i t h e r m a t e r i a l l y or s o c i a l l y ) b y t h e r e i n t e g r a t i o n of trainee! p e r s o n n e l i n t o t h e e c o n o m y. Even t h o u g h a h i g h p r o p o r t i o n of t h o s e w h o a r e c o n t e m p l a t i n g e m i g r a t i o n a r e r e c e i v i n g e d u c a t i o n ' and t r a i n i n g i n t h e humani-ties an d social s c i e n c e s, t h e i r l o s s in s o c i a l t e r m s i s as i m p o r t a n t as t h e p r o f e s s i o n a l or c o m m e r c i a l e c o n o m i c l o s s e s r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h o s e w h o ar e c o n t e m p l a t i n g e m i g r a t i o n E I U C o u n t r y R e p o r t ; S o u t h A f rica. No p24.

10 b) t h e n a t u r e of s k i l l s t h a t a r e b e i n g lost a nd t h e e c o n o m i c In a C a p e T i m e s e d i t o r i a l in r e s p o n s e t o t h e r e l e a s e o-f t h e s e figures, t h e p o i n t w a s m a d e t hat s t u d e n t s : s i g n i f i c a n c e of these; c) t h e e f f e c t s of t h e A n g o l a n i n v a s i o n on p e r c e p t i o n s a b o u t t h e S A D F a n d it s r o l e (the s u r v e y w a s c o n d u c t e d p r i o r t o t h e 1987 should remember that their studies are heavily subsidised by taxpayers. Their intention, if carried into effect, would be a squandering of the resources of the society which made their studies possible. During the current financial year, the socalled "white" universities and technikons are receiving subsidies totalling more than R! 000m. If young people accept the opportunity to attend university at the public's expense, they have an obligation to give something back. Else they are unjustly depriving others, who remain committed to the future of the country, of the chance to attain their full potential.24 W h i l e t h i s c o m m e n t is j u s t i f i a b l e on o n e lev e l, it f a i l s t o r e c o g n i s e t h a t s t u d e n t s w h o i n t e n d e m i g r a t i n g d o no t n e c e s s a r i l y o b j e c t to g i v i n g s o m e t h i n g b a c k to t h e i r c o u n t r y. W h a t t h e y d o o b j e c t to is d o i n g t h i s in a w a y w h i c h s e r v e s t h e i n t e r e s t s of t h e m i n o r i t y r u l i n g g r o u p r a t h e r t h a n t h e c o u n t r y a s a whole. It a l s o b e c a m e c l e a r t h a t a r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t of t h i s n a t u r e w a s u n a b l e t o i n c o r p o r a t e a n y a n a l y s i s of p o t e n t i a l l y i m p o r t a n t v a r i a b l e s, s u c h as: a) w h e t h e r or n o t h a v i n g c o m p l e t e d a p o r t i o n of n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e m ade an y d i f f e r e n c e t o c o n s c r i p t s a t t i t u d e s and t o d e c i s i o n s t o i n v a s i o n b y t h e SADF). d) w h e t h e r t h e S t a t e of E m e r g e n c y h a s a l t e r e d c o n s c r i p t ' s p e r c e p t i o n s a n d if so, how. T h e s e a r e all p o t e n t i a l l y f e r t i l e a r e a s for f u t u r e r e s e a r c h. It is c l e a r f r o m t h e a b o v e t h a t t h e m a j o r i t y of s t u d e n t s at R h o d e s U n i v e r s i t y w h o i n t e n d e m i g r a t i n g a f t e r c o m p l e t i n g t h e i r s t u d i e s a r e m o t i v a t e d b y a d e s i r e t o a v o i d m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e in t h e SADF. W h i l e t h i s r e s e a r c h h a s n o t s h o w n c o n c r e t e l y t h e e f f e c t s of t h i s l o s s of s k i l l e d p e r s o n p o w e r on t h e e c o n o m y, it is o b v i o u s, g i v e n t h e c u r r e n t e c o n o m i c c r i s i s in S o u t h A f r i c a t hat t h i s l o s s is i n s u p p o r t a b l e. It a l s o a p p e a r s t h a t d e s p i t e t h e s t a t e an d r i g h t w i n g ' s i d e o l o g i c a l a t t a c k on t h e a n t i c o n s c r i p t i o n m o v e m e n t, and d e s p i t e f u r t h e r c l a m p d o w n s on t h e d i s s e m i n a t i o n of i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e S A D F an d it s a c t i v i t i e s, t h e i s s u e of c o n s c r i p t i o n is still l i k e l y t o p r o m p t c o n s c r i p t s at R h o d e s U n i v e r s i t y t o v o t e w i t h t h e i r feet. emigr a t e ; 26 - C a p e T i m e s 0 4 D e c e m b e r 1987.

11 B I B L I O G R A P H Y Ada m s, F. S< B e r n s t e i n, J. "An a s s e s s m e n t of t h e e x t e n t t o w h i c h a d e s i r e to a v o i d c o m p u l s o r y m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e in t h e S A D F is a m o t i v a t i n g f a c t o r in d e c i s i o n s t o e m i g r a t e b y m a l e s t u d e n t s at R h o d e s U n i v e r s i t y ". U n p u b l i s h e d T h i r d Y e a r P r o j e c t. D e p a r t m e n t of J o u r n a l i s m a n d M e d i a S t udies. G r a h a m s t o w n : " S t u d e n t R u n ", C a p e T i m e s, 0 4 D e c e m b e r 1 98? E c o n o m i c I n t e l l i g e n c e Unit. C o u n t r y R e p o r t (South A f r i c a ) No G r o c o t t ' s M a i l, 15 N o v e m b e r H u m a n A w a r e n e s s P r o g r a m m e. M i l i t a r i z a t i o n D o s s i e r. J o h a n n e s b u r g : N a t h a n, L. " R e s i s t a n c e to Mi 1 i t a r i z a t i o n : T h r e e Y e a r s of t h e E n d C o n s c r i p t i o n C a m p a i g n " in S.A. R e v i e w 4. S o u t h A f r i c a n R e s e a r c h S e r v i c e s / R a v a n Press. J o h a n n e s b u r g : R e p u b l i c of S o u t h Africa. R e p o r t of t h e N a t i o n a l M a n p o w e r C o m m i s s i o n i n t o H i g h Level and M i d d l e L e v e l M a n p o w e r in S o u t h A f r ica: R e c e n t D e v e l o p m e n t s W e e k l y Mail Vol. 3 N o s 28, V ol. 4. No

12 Collection Number: AG1977 END CONSCRIPTION CAMPAIGN (ECC) PUBLISHER: Publisher:- Historical Papers Research Archive Location:- Johannesburg 2013 LEGAL NOTICES: Copyright Notice: All materials on the Historical Papers website are protected by South African copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise published in any format, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Disclaimer and Terms of Use: Provided that you maintain all copyright and other notices contained therein, you may download material (one machine readable copy and one print copy per page) for your personal and/or educational non-commercial use only. People using these records relating to the archives of Historical Papers, The Library, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, are reminded that such records sometimes contain material which is uncorroborated, inaccurate, distorted or untrue. While these digital records are true facsimiles of paper documents and the information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable, Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand has not independently verified their content. Consequently, the University is not responsible for any errors or omissions and excludes any and all liability for any errors in or omissions from the information on the website or any related information on third party websites accessible from this website. This document is part of a collection held at the Historical Papers Research Archive at The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.