Description: Christy George reports that F.W. de Klerk, the President of South Africa, announced that the ban on the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa will be lifted, and Nelson Mandela will be freed. George's report includes footage of de Klerk making the announcement and footage of Desmond Tutu reacting to the announcement. George's report also features footage of black and white South Africans reacting to the news and footage of black South Africans celebrating. George interviews Gabu Tugwana, the editor of The New Nation over the telephone. Tugwana discusses de Klerk's announcement and describes reaction to the announcement in South Africa. Tugwana says that apartheid laws are still in force. George's story includes footage of black South Africans and South African security forces; it also includes footage of Koos van der Merwe and Dr. Andries Treunicht, both of the Conservative Party, reacting to the news. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Aggrey Mbere talks about South Africa and his exile in the US
1:00:07: Visual: Footage of F.W. de Klerk (President of South Africa) speaking in government chambers. De Klerk announces the lifting of the ban on the African National Congress (ANC) and other black political parties. De Klerk announces that Nelson Mandela (jailed ANC leader) will be freed. Shot of Archbishop Desmond Tutu (black South African leader) clapping and cheering. Shots of black and white South Africans as they listen to and watch de Klerk's speech. Christy George reports that de Klerk's announcement signaled dramatic changes for South Africa. V: Shots of a white South African taking a newspaper from a vendor; of white officers in the South African Security Forces as they flip through a newspaper. Shots of black South Africans marching in a street. Footage of black South Africans singing and dancing as they celebrate the lifting of the ANC ban. Shots of black South African school boys running in a road; of black South Africans running and cheering in a street. Shot of black South Africans marching in the street. Shots of officers in the South African Security Forces; of officers with german shephard dogs on leashes. Shot of black men running away from officers in the Security Force. Shot of a black man unfurling a flag in front of a building. Shots of a group of black South Africans chanting and waving signs; of black South Africans running from officers in the Security Force. Audio of Gabu Tugwana (editor, The New Nation) saying that there was much excitement and emotional celebration in South Africa today. Tugwana says that black South Africans were excited to be able to raise their flag; that the flag had been illegal. George reports that she spoke to Tugwana by telephone today. George notes that Tugwana described scenes of jubilation in South Africa today. V: Shot of a sign for the New Nation newspaper, hanging in the window of the newspaper's offices. Shot of George taking notes as she speaks on the telephone. Shot of a sign with a photo of Mandela on it. Footage of Tutu addressing a crowd. Tutu says that "the walls of apartheid are falling." Audio of Tugwana speaking to George. Tugwana says that Africa will join democracy movements across the world. Tugwana says that governments will not change unless threatened. Shots of de Klerk entering governmental changes. Government officials stand as he enters. Shots of de Klerk addressing the government officials; of the seated government officials. Shots of white South Africans standing outside of a government building. George reports that conservative white South Africans say that they will fight against de Klerk's changes. V: Footage of Koos van der Merwe (Conservative Party) saying that white South Africans will fight to retain their right of self-determination. Van Der Merwe says that white South Africans will fight any domination of blacks over whites. Footage of Dr. Andries Treunicht (Conservative Party) speaking to the media. Treunicht says that de Klerk has taken a "revolutionary" position; that the revolution has overtaken the national party. Shot of George taking notes as she speaks on the telephone. Audio of Tugwana saying that de Klerk has taken a revolutionary position; that progressive critics see de Klerk's reforms as "half-hearted." Shots of two white South African women reading a newspaper; of black South Africans marching and dancing in the street. Footage of George on the telephone. George asks Tugwana how his life will change because of these reforms. Tugwana says that his life will not change a lot. Tugwana says that the Population Registration Act will still be enforced; that he will still be confined to the Soweto Township. Tugwana says that he will still be prosecuted if he tries to live outside of Soweto. Shots of black South Africans singing together at a march. Shot of a man holding a newspaper. The headline reads, "ANC Unbanned."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/02/1990
Description: Christy George reports that Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to divest its pension funds from South Africa five years ago. She adds that apartheid opponents are backing a selective purchasing bill that would bar the state from buying goods and services from companies who do business in South Africa. Ric Murphy, State Purchasing Agent, testifies in support of the bill in front of state legislators. Joseph Hermann, Chairman of State Administration Committee, wants the state to stop doing business with all countries with repressive governments. Hermann testifies before state legislators. Governor Michael Dukakis supports the bill. The bill will probably not be passed in time to help his presidential campaign. Former State Senator Jack Backman speaks in support of Dukakis. Georges' report is also accompanied by footage of scenes from apartheid South Africa and by footage of IBM workers and laborers in South Africa.
1:00:09: Visual: Footage of Themba Vilakazi (Director, Fund for a Free South Africa) speaking to an audience of apartheid opponents. Audience members applaud Vilakazi. Audience members hold signs protesting apartheid. Shot of two audience members holding signs reading, "Free South Africa." Christy George reports that Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to divest its pension funds from South Africa five years ago. George adds that apartheid opponents want the state to stop buying goods and services from companies who do business in South Africa. V: Footage from WGBX of Ric Murphy (State Purchasing Agent) addressing a legislative hearing at the State House. Murphy says that the state should not condone businesses who support apartheid. George stands in front of the Massachusetts State House. George reports that legislators wonder if divestment is the best way to help black South Africans. V: Shots of South African police officers beating protesters on a street in May of 1986; of protesters fleeing from a park in South Africa; of South African police officers. George reports that proponents of divestment say that the Massachusetts government buys goods and services from companies which pay taxes to support the South African government. Opponents of divestment says that American companies offer jobs and training to South African blacks. V: Shots of the exterior of the IBM headquarters in South Africa; of a black man in a business suit in front of the IBM building; of a factory in South Africa; of a white worker working in an automobile factory. George reports that Joseph Hermann (Chairman, State Administration Committee) wants the state to stop doing business with South Africa and other countries with repressive governments. V: Footage of Hermann saying that the state needs to reflect on the repression occurring in Northern Ireland, South Africa, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Liberia. George reports that Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts) campaigns against apartheid; that Dukakis supports the proposed selective purchasing bill. V: Shot of Dukakis addressing a crowd. State leaders including George Keverian (Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives) stand behind him. Footage of Jack Backman (former State Senator) saying that Dukakis should be elected president as a candidate with no ties to South Africa. Shot of Royal Bolling, Sr. at the legislative hearing. George reports that the bill will probably not be passed in time to help Dukakis' presidential campaign.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/25/1988