Source 7b

Transcript

MISSION SCHOOL CLOSED

“THREAT TO WHITE DOMINATION”

Christian Action made public in London last night a statement received from the Bishop of Johannesburg. The Bishop said: –

Today, by order of the Minister of Native Affairs in South Africa Dr Verwoerd), the School of Christ the King in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, is to close down. Formerly the School of Christ the King was St Cyprian’s School, which was closed down on 31 March 1955. St Cyprian’s centred upon the Priory of Christ the King, was part of the mission of the Community of Resurrection, under the care of Father Huddleston.

Under the now notorious Bantu Education Act of 1953, mission schools are taken out of the control of the missions. Supposing Dr Verwoerd to be sincere when he said that missions could continue to give African’s education in private schools without any State subsidy, the bishop decided to operate a private primary school as a pilot scheme, to see whether the African parents would be able and willing to pay a school fee. So, St. Cyprian’s became the private school of Christ the King and opened on April 10, 1955.

On February 6, 1956, the mission received a letter from the Secretary for Native Affairs ordering the school to close forthwith. The school was allowed to reopen on February 9, and all the 550 pupils returned. Today sees the school liquidated. The Minister of Native Affairs has refused all requests for reconsideration- he is determined to remove this threat to white domination.

Canon L.J. Collins, the chairman of Christian action said last night-

This vicious and spiteful action of the Minister of Native Affairs speaks clearly of the real intentions behind the Bantu education Act- white domination over black at all costs, and senseless oppression. This closing of the school looks like a vindictive and obstinate attack on Father Huddleston and the Bishop of Johannesburg because of their courageous, Christian stand for justice and freedom for the Africans.