Looking Back

From the Sunday Times 50 years ago

SERIOUS differences in the Progressive Party on the Rhodesian crisis came into the open at the party’s national congress in Pretoria on Friday. Leading members criticised the leadership for its views on the UDI issue.

Dr Jan Steytler, leader of the party, said that many party supporters were critical of the statements made by himself and Mrs [Helen] Suzman.

Mr Gordon Bond, member of the national executive, said it was tactically wrong to “bludgeon people into accepting our policies”.

He thought it a mistake for the Progressives to brand Mr [Ian] Smith a racialist, although they might be right in saying so. — February 5 1966

From the Sunday Times 25 years ago

SWEEPING aside the remnants of apartheid law, President FW de Klerk this week launched the country on the search for a democratic alternative.

In his opening speech to parliament on Friday, he shifted the focus of political debate from an unjust past to a hopeful future, putting forward a manifesto that set out his own vision of the future.

He offered the manifesto — which promised justice, full political rights and freedom to all — as a starting point for a national debate to define common values and ideals. Conservative Party MPs, led by Dr Andries Treurnicht, walked out in uproar, crying “Traitor”.— February 3 1991