LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

The Nationalist Party is on the brink of a final and irrevocable split between the verkramptes and the party leadership following the dramatic events of the last four days at the Transvaal Congress in Pretoria. The Prime Minister, Mr Vorster, and the Transvaal leaders were involved in several sharp and bitter clashes and exchanges with Dr Albert Hertzog, MP for Ermelo and spiritual leader of the verkramptes. Unless the Hertzog group unexpectedly capitulates in the next three days it is almost certain that Mr Vorster will publicly announce that disciplinary action will be taken against Dr Hertzog and his “weerbarstige” (recalcitrant) followers. — September 14 1969

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

Cosatu yesterday bowed to pressure from the government to accept cuts in tariffs following a week of blunt messages from ANC ministers that the South African economy had to be made competitive. A declaration adopted by the union federation at its Soweto congress called for “proper co-ordination between government and organised labour on the programme of tariff reform and the timing of announcements”. Cosatu general secretary Sam Shilowa this week lashed out at government for slashing tariffs in the motor industry while motor workers were on strike. — September 11 1994