On this Day in History – 20 November

Monday, 20 November 1944

The Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) passed a resolution on the Johannesburg area ‘Fietas’, (the name by which Pageview and Vrededorp were known).They objected to a Johannesburg City Council meeting statement made on 17 October 1944, in which a detailed report regarding the ‘Western Areas Scheme’ had been approved. The scheme involved the conversion of Newclare, the Western Native Township and the Southern part of Claremont into ‘Coloured’ townships, and the removal of residents to Orlando. It also covered the rezoning of Martindale and Sophiatown.
From 1904 to 1934, Indians had increasingly become stand-holders in Fietas. The inter-racial area was home to several thousand Indians, Malays, Coloureds, and Whites. However, between 1948 and 1988 more than 60% of the Pageview population was Indian and the area had a distinctly Oriental flavour.

Friday, 20 November 1964

The trial of Abram Fischer QC, and thirteen others, charged with being members of the Communist Party and conspiracy to commit sabotage begins. The Communist Party was banned at that stage.

Sunday, 20 November 1988
The United Nations General Assembly passed a number of resolutions condemning South Africa’s relations with its Southern African neighbours. The General Assembly re-affirmed the legitimacy of the region’s struggle against apartheid and the legitimacy of armed resistance. The General Assembly also condemned the armed incursions by South Africa into neighbouring states, which resulted in the execution of patriots and the capturing of freedom fighters. The body also demanded the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela, the imprisoned leader of the banned African National Congress (ANC).
The UN General Assembly also called for the abolition of apartheid, the unbanning of the ANC, the Pan-Africanist Congress and other banned organisations, and the return of all political exiles. The body also called for a strictly monitored system of sanctions against South Africa. A call for the enforcement of bans on petroleum sales and direct or indirect investments involving South Africa was also made.

Friday, 20 November 1992

Having dismissed as unfounded all evidence of a military plot to discredit the African National Congress, President FW de Klerk rejected Judge Richard Goldstone’s request for an extension of his mandate. Judge Richard Goldstone was chairperson of the Goldstone Commission, a judicial inquiry into political violence in the country. The Commission wanted its mandate extended to include an investigation into the activities of public and private security forces and armies inside and outside South Africa. The request came after the United Nations had made a similar call in August 1992. Although the Commission was assigned additional policemen to assist in its enquiries, De Klerk had given direct orders for them not to be used for investigating covert intelligence activities. De Klerk stated that the Commission would be contravening its mandate set out by the South African government and feared serious repercussions if his call was not heeded.

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