Oliver Tambo: Explains the Struggle
(Extracts of an Interview with ANC President Oliver Tambo in Luanda after Summit Meeting of Presidents of Frontline States and Southern African Liberation Movements, 01 March 1977)
Question: How did the Luanda summit go?
TAMBO: This summit was also important because there is a very obvious attempt to treat the situation in South Africa not only as being different from that in Zimbabwe and Namibia, but even as a settled situation that calls for no radical change except “improvements” here and there in the area of human rights, fundamental human rights. This line is being pursued by the imperialists with very great vigour, and the objective is to isolate the oppressed in South Africa, to perpetuate the status quo and to focus world attention on Zimbabwe and Namibia as being the final problems that await resolution. But in fact, the situation in South Africa is inseparable and is not different from the situation in the other two territories.
So, all in all we think it has been a great achievement. It certainly underlines the fact that the Frontline States must now regard and place South Africa firmly on their agenda. But we’ve also sought to make the point that there are two frontlines, as I have indicated. And the frontline at which we are involved is not less important than the frontline that involves the independent States. The independent States don’t expect us to look to them for leadership. They expect us to give lead
