LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

Three American Field Service students who arrived back in South Africa with Melanie Hope this week hit out at anti-A.F.S. criticism sparked off by Melanie’s two-week stay with a Negro family in New Jersey. Nineteen- year-old Tim Noakes, of Tokai, Cape Town, a former Bishops pupil who says he is a strong Nationalist supporter, told me he could see nothing wrong with Melanie’s staying with the Browns. To describe it as American indoctrination was “ridiculous”. Jean Mitchell , of Rondebosch, Cape Town – the second member of her family to go on an A.F.S scholarship — said that the episode had been exaggerated out of all proportion. — August 4 1968

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

Negotiators will make a crucial decision this week on whether to accelerate the formation of a national peacekeeping force to quell the mushrooming violence which has claimed 160 lives since last Saturday night. A breakthrough proposal has been formulated for consideration at the World Trade Centre democracy talks. Sources said the proposal, drawn up by the committee concerned with drafting legislation for the first stage of joint rule by a Transitional Executive Council, is believed to advocate that all police forces and armies, including the SADF, MK and SAP, be represented in the force. — August 8 1993