People of South Africa - Sons and Daughters of the Soil

19 March 1976

PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA - SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE SOIL - THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS BRINGS YOU THIS MESSAGE

The conditions for developing our liberation struggle, smashing the Apartheid monster and winning our freedom, are greater than ever before. Nothing can hide the fact that White South Africa is in irreversible crisis from which it cannot escape. The opportunities for developing the armed struggle right inside South Africa are becoming more possible. Through armed force, with Unkhonto We Sizwe - the ANC`s military wing - as the armed spearhead, we will smash the brute force of the oppressors. But do not wait for that day. It cannot come unless the masses are involved in all forms of struggle. The time to act - to hit back - is NOW!! Rally to the ANC - the tried and trusted organisation of all our people that Vorster and his police can never crush!

EVERYONE MUST BE A FREEDOM FIGHTER! Our men, our women, our youth - the toilers in the town and countryside - the scholars and the professional groups. The MPLA and FRELIMO are victorious because the entire people supported them.

OUR ORGANISED STRENGTH, UNITY AND MILITANT ACTIONS ARE THE KEY TO FREEDOM! Organise wherever you are. In the factories, townships, mines, farms, schools, countryside - mobilise the power of our people and of all genuine democrats. Intensify the freedom struggle in ever possible way. We, African, Indian and Coloured people must resist Vorster`s policy of divide and rule. Reject tribal politics, Bantustans, Indian Councils and all dummy institutions! Smash the stooges and traitors! Fight the unjust laws and fight for a new life!

PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA - DEMONSTRATE OUR SUPPORT FOR THOSE VORSTER SEEKS TO CRUSH! It is within our power to prevent his aggression against our brothers and sisters in Angola, Namibia or anywhere else. We must not permit subversive activities against the people and state of Angola! By intensifying our struggle we will tie Vorster`s army down and make it impossible for him to launch his war machine across the borders. The struggle in Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia is our struggle - a struggle against a common enemy - racism and imperialism. Togther we will win!

THE ANC SAYS: AMANDLA NGAWETHU! MAATLA KE ARONA! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

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THE ANC SAYS TO VORSTER AND HIS RACIST REGIME: ALL POWER TO THE MPLA - LIBERATORS OF ANGOLA! ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE! VORSTER - GET OUT OF ANGOLA! GET OUT OF NAMIBIA! NO INTERFERENCE IN ZIMBABWE! HANDS OFF AFRICA!

PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA! The MPLA have scored an outstanding victory over the forces of racism and imperialism. Vorster`s defeat in Angola is of outstanding significance to our struggle.

VORSTER TRIED TO SWALLOW ANGOLA BUT NOW HE IS CHOKING TO DEATH! THE MPLA have taught him the lesson of his life. He thought he could send his army into Angola and place his stooges in power, but the MPLA thrashed him in battle and sent his White soldiers and stooges fleeing in terror. The MPLA proved that his racist arrogance is hollow, that White South Africa is not invincible, that the forces of freedom are growing in strength and will soon be powerful enough to completely destroy him.

VORSTER DOES NOT HAVE THE GUTS TO TELL HIS FOLLOWERS THE TRUTH! He does not want to admit that Africans defeated him. There is no `Russian` or `Cuban plot` to dominate Africa. The Soviet Union and Cuba, together with progressive African states, gave legitimate aid to the MPLA in face of the plot by Vorster and his imperialist backers - particularly the USA - to sabotage Angola`s independence. Vorster`s lies cannot hide who Africa`s true friends really are. The Soviet Union and Cuba always supported the MPLA in its long struggle against Portuguese colonialism; whilst South Africa, the USA and West European countries supported Portugal`s barbarous oppression of Africans. It is Vorster and his Western allies who have been caught out trying to recolonise Africa. It is they who are the imperialists!

THE LESSON OF ANGOLA IS CLEAR: Nothing can prevent the flames of freedom sweeping through the whole of Southern Africa. Portuguese colonialism is dead. Smith is doomed. Vorster`s turn has come. The days of baasskap are over!

WE, THE ANC, WARN VORSTER - IZAK`UYATHELI AFRIKA! AFRICA WILL SMASH YOU VORSTER!