Volume 37 Number 02

unday, Februaryls decision was)mmunity to stayork on Monday,to protect theirsign of resistance:e set up aroundabout 6am thein. Within hoursrsembled a warg unrest 18 resi-C over 200 wereof the victims hade back, accordinghe South Africanership Assembly,at Crossroads., February 21 thegovernment backed down on itsproposals to move all Africans inCape Town's townships toKhayelitsha and announced thatLanga, Nyanga and Guguleturesidents would be able to obtain99 year leasehold rights.A week later they promised todevelop housing at Crossroads. and KTC and to reconsiderpeople of crossroadshave verylittle defencenst the bulldozersthat threaten toflattencampdeveloping New Crossroads, asKoornhof promised to do in1981.Resident say this is not enoughas 'illegals', estimated at 90000people in Crossroads and KTCalone, will not be accomodatedand may be forced into overcrowdedbantustans.Rut why does Crossroads existand why do the residents of thesquatter town resist removal sostrongly.Why CrossroadsFrom the turn of the centurySouth Africa's rulers have triedto ensure they have sufficientworkers where they want themand how they want them.Agricultural, minin g, industrialand commercial concerns werefaced with a shortage of labourbecause the indigenous peoplehad their own land, animals andcrops and were economicallyself- sufficient.To create a potential workforce the government had tosmash the self-sufficienteconomy - leaving African.people with no means of supportOToJUreo.2l - Police tearrthsafter 1000march towardsdemanding thepeople's leaders.rs bring death tollnent backs down3ate mini-bantussha- promising 99rights to Langa,rguletu residents.8-Governmentp Crossroads andANd COMFORTA conference, hosted by tUDF Anti-ForcedCommittee was heldDecember 1, 1984. Overes from 25 orsanisationnded. Some of the questire removals, influx controlss laws, housing policy andA draft list of demands w:tTe1qt delnands:those in jail.2) Build houses at rentspeople can afford.3) Stop all rent increases.4) Build schools, creches andother facilities immediately.5) Do away with black localauthorities, management committeesand the tri-cameral parliament.6) Venues in the township to beopened to use by all.7) Scrap township permit systems.) All people must have theorganisation of their choice.Long Term Demands:1) One housing policy for all.2) Transport for people notfits.3) Pass Laws must go.4) Scrap Grorip Areas Act.Many of these demands areencapsulated in a clause of theFreedom Charter drawn upyears ago, "'There shalfHouses, Security and Comfort