[Typical. Jan]

[Here it is, the re-written history of our country.
Volume 1 has already been distributed in all schools during August, and quote: “It also focused on how the previous governments intervened in the education system to infuse inferior education.” Blame, blame, blame.
Now our children are being indoctrinated. As it is, my 10-year old already feels sorry for the street children – in Social Studies they are taught that these children are in the streets because their parents died of AIDS and they are forced to leave home to support themselves.
Another thing they are taught: amongst the greatest difficulties facing Africa are (1) AIDS because of insufficient health care workers, hospitals and infrastructure (2)the inability to govern themselves, due to colonialism which robbed them of the chance to learn and practice governing skills. Verena]

Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System
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Date: 06 Oct 2006
Title: Second volume of SA history book launched
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By Themba Gadebe, tel: (012) 314-2267

The second volume of a retelling of South African history, which includes the accounts of liberation movements and icons, was launched in Pretoria on Thursday.

The book entitled The Road to Democracy in South Africa draws on the oral and documentary evidence of a variety of sources, previously excluded from history books, and provides important new insight into the liberation struggle.

“It is a story of the past but it will be the foundation to tell us how to handle the future,” President Thabo Mbeki said at the launch.

Among the sources cited by the second volume are trial records, state archives and archival records kept by liberation movements.

The book is the President’s brainchild, emanating from his concern about the lack of historical material on the laborious and complex road leading to the country’s democracy.

Reflecting on some of the events that led to this country’s liberation, Mr Mbeki shared some oral history of the African National Congress’s activities while in exile, including in Gaborone, Lusaka and London.

One such story was that of ANC members receiving word that the previous government was ready to engage the liberation movement in talks in London.

This was a move which Mr Mbeki said was welcomed by then ANC president OR Tambo, as an opportunity not to be missed.

The book is compiled through intense research and analysis by the South African Democracy Education Trust (SADET).

SADET is responsible for examining and analysing events leading up to the negotiated settlements between the erstwhile regime and liberation movements.

SADET said The Road to Democracy project is a chronological analysis of four decades which are 1960-1970, 1970-1980, 1980-1990 and between 1990 and 1994.

The first volume, published in 2004, outlined strides by figures of all races and institutions to achieve a democratic state.

It also focused on how the previous governments intervened in the education system to infuse inferior education.

Volume 2, (1970-1980) traces the history of Black Consciousness Movements (BCM) by amongst others, vividly painting a picture of the student struggle in the early 1970s, recording the Soweto uprisings and the murder of the BCM icon, Steve Biko.

This book further tells the story of the rising number of trade unions in the 1970s as well as the emergence of a generation of black writers.

It also uncovers the underground activities of the liberation movements and their exile experiences.

Minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad, who also serves as chairperson of the Trust Board overseeing SADET activities, said the book would help tell the country’s history as “it has not been told [but rather] the way it is.”

He said the next two publications are expected to focus on the role of international solidarity movements and the contribution of African countries in the achievement of South Africa’s freedom.

The first volume was distributed to schools throughout the country in August. – BuaNews

Source: BuaNews Online
URL: http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=0610061…br>[Posted by: VERENA]