Listening to the silent majority

[106]

Next came another surprise. A National Forum of black leaders was announced on May 6, 1989,^83. in Johannesburg, to negotiate further details in preparation for an all-South African Great Indaba to map the future of the country and the so-called ‘post-apartheid era’. The National Executive Committee consisted of the following blacks:

Chairman	: Mr PDM Nhlapo
Vice-Chairmen	: Mr BZ Ndlazi (Transvaal)
	: Mr S Msibi (OFS)
	: Mr NN Juqu (Natal)
	: Mr M Sili (Cape Province)
Secretary	: Mr DM Bodiba
Treasurer	: Mr LB Mehlomakulu
MECs (ex officio)	: Mr JSA Mavuso
	: Mr RJ Mokotjo
	: Mr TW Nyati
Publicity Secretary	: Mr EK Motebang (Daveyton)

83. The Economist called it, in Mavuso's Forum (May 27, 1989) - ‘one of the silliest remarks ever made in this outstanding magazine’: Mavuso is linked to it, ‘ex officio’

[p. 147]

As additional members were to serve:

Cape Province	: Mr HT Bosvark
	: Mr JEG Mqina
	: Mr TD Gxalaba
	: Mr Myataya
Natal	: Mr RZ Masondo
	: Mr J Mthetwa
	: Mr Mlangeni
OFS	: Mr SE Mpholo
	: Mr MC Koekoe
	: Mrs R Mohale
	: Mr SSR Makate
Transvaal	: Mr EG Moloisane
	: Mr MT Botile
	: Mr AP Khumalo
	: Mr FL (Lucky) Mahlangu

Five hundred black delegates, including 206 mayors from all-black communities had assembled to reach this important decision and agreed upon the following guidelines: to further the process of negotiation in South Africa under the guidance of God Almighty; to foster the concept and the practice of evolutionary reform in South Africa; to represent, as a nationwide forum, the interests and aspirations of black communities in a broad process of negotiations; to help promote and encourage the development of the black people, spiritually, economically, educationally, socially and politically; to strive and work initially for the unity and scientific co-operation of black people in every possible way in preparation for the greater unity and co-operation of all the peoples of South Africa; to attain the freedom of the black people from all discriminatory laws; to strive and to work for the full participation of the black people in the government of South Africa; to encourage further sound human relations amongst all the people of our country; to establish contact and liaison periodically with all the people and communities or their representative organisations at local level in order to foster and secure the spirit of unity and legitimacy in dealings and participation in the broad national process of negotiations.