Three Doctors` Pact

9 March 1947

This Joint Meeting between the representatives of the African National Congress and the Natal and Transvaal Indian Congresses, having fully realised the urgency of cooperation between the Non-European peoples and other democratic forces for the attainment of basic human rights and full citizenship for all sections of the South African people, has resolved that a Joint Declaration of cooperation is imperative for the working out of a practical basis of cooperation between the national organisations of the Non-European peoples.

This Joint Meeting declares its sincerest conviction that for the future progress, goodwill, good race relations, and for the building of a united, greater and free South Africa, full franchise rights must be extended to all sections of the South African people, and to this end this Joint Meeting pledges the fullest cooperation between the African and Indian peoples and appeals to all democratic and freedom-loving citizens of South Africa to support fully and cooperate in this struggle for:

1) Full franchise.

2) Equal economic and industrial rights and opportunities and the recognition of African trade unions under the Industrial Conciliation Act.

3) The removal of ail land restrictions against Non-Europeans and the provision of adequate housing facilities for all Non-Europeans.

4) The extension of free and compulsory education to Non-Europeans.

5) Guaranteeing freedom of movement and the abolition of Pass Laws against the African people and the Provincial barriers against Indians.

6) And the removal of all discriminatory and oppressive legislations from the Union`s statute book.

This Joint Meeting is therefore of the opinion that for the attainment of these objects it is urgently necessary that a vigourous campaign be immediately launched and that every effort be made to compel the Union Government to implement the United Nations` decisions and to treat the Non-European peoples in South Africa in conformity with the principles of the United Nations Charter.

This Joint Meeting further resolves to meet from time to time to implement this Declaration and to take active steps in proceeding with the campaign.