BPC and SASO-Organised “Viva Frelimo” Rallies
On 25 September 1974, “Viva Frelimo” rallies were held in Durban and Turfloop inspired by the establishment of an Interim Authority towards the achievement of independence in Mozambique. These rallies were organised by South African Black Consciousness Movement organisations, the Black People’s Convention (BPC), the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) and the Black Allied Workers’ Union (BAWU). The intention was to highlight that if Portuguese colonialism could be defeated in Mozambique, so could apartheid-colonialism in South Africa.
The idea was conceived by the SASO Secretary General at the time, Muntu Myeza who released a press statement on 9 September 1974, acclaiming the successes of FRELIMO (“Front for the Liberation of Mozambique”, which fought to achieve the independence of Mozambique) and congratulating them on their imminent assumption of power. The statement in which it was said, for “black South Africans”, the victory of FRELIMO was “a revelation that every bit of Africa shall be free … The dignity of the Black Man has been restored in Mozambique, and the white people are turning out to be what they truly are – violent people”.
Following the release of this statement, Myeza discussed the possibility of organising a rally with Saths Cooper – an activist associated both with SASO and the BPC. Subsequently, both Myeza and Cooper approached other leaders and on 15 September
