LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

A startling decline in driving discipline has brought together State, Provincial and Johannesburg and Randburg traffic officials to launch the biggest blitz in Transvaal motoring. Johannesburg’s traffic chief, Mr Saville Dorfman, told me that recent observations by himself and other experts showed that many drivers in Johannesburg and nearby towns were among the worst in the world. From May 1, he disclosed, hundreds of miles of roads will be specially patrolled and dozens of inspectors will be allocated to special problem spots where a continuous watch will be kept on motorists who break regulations. — April 14 1968

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

The ANC youth should take over the leadership of the organisation as they did in 1957, Winnie Mandela told a rally at Khayelitsha near Cape Town yesterday. It was the most direct attack made yet on the organisation’s leadership by the estranged wife of ANC president Nelson Mandela. Mrs Mandela, dressed in full MK combat gear, said: “Now is the time to give the struggle to the youth to take over this country.” She added the youth had to take the streets by storm and remain there until “the fascist government is removed”. ANC Youth League leader Peter Mokaba, speaking at the same rally, urged young people to arm themselves and take to the streets to overthrow the government. — April 18 1993