Listening to the silent majority

[p. 156]

[112]

I asked former mayor Nelson Botile, a member of NFBL whether criticisms that the Forum was not broadly based were perhaps justified. Botile: ‘If you form an organisation like the National Forum and you open it up to everyone, it's up to the people to respond. It was left up to anyone to come in, participate and join. And, if in retrospect, they disagree with certain organisational procedures or whatever, they will be able through debate to correct possible imperfections from within. That is simple. That is how democratic procedures work. So, for some black leaders or organisations to stay outside and call us names, like collaborators that work inside the system, makes no sense. What put a leader like Tom Boya off was the fact that he did not get a prominent position in the NFBL. That is all. Because, when we started this thing, Tom Boya was there. I saw him during our first two meetings. He contributed to our discussions. He did not oppose anything.’

‘Too often the level of people's thinking demonstrates to everyone the level of people's maturity. Petty jealousies and unintelligent behaviour continue to turn the background of political events in South Africa too often in a circus,’ I said. ‘Well,’ replied Botile, ‘Philip Nhlapo, who is President of UCASA is now the President of the Black Forum. He is a serious politician and an able negotiator. Remember, the invitation from the government was not dispatched to UCASA or to UMSA. The invitation by Minister Chris Heunis was sent to all black South Africans that were prepared to join. I am not in the Soweto Council at this moment, but I was invited as a black leader within my own right.^88. Now, Tom Boya was not elected to become co-chairman of the ad-hoc committee which drafted the Constitution of NFBL. Then he concluded that the whole enterprise was no good and he withdrew. But, as far as I am concerned, that is a childish attitude. We are dealing here with serious matters concerning all black people in South Africa.’

88. Critics of the NFBL argue, wanting to know what an ex-mayor is doing in the National Forum