The Freedom Army Grows Long Walk Original Manuscript (Image #150)

as joint secretaries. The principal task of the COP was to draw up a programme of principles which would lay down the foundations for a new South Africa. With this object in mind, the Council invited all political organisations in the country, black and white, and mixed, where the contemplated Congress of the People would be discussed. The Liberal Party accepted the invitation and took part in the joint discussions that followed. Right from the beginning the discussions ran into difficulties. The Liberal Party held that such a Congress be attended by the delegates of the existing political organisations, whereas the Congresses maintained that it should be composed of selected delegates of the masses of the people throughout the country. In the event the Liberal Party finally withdrew and the campaign for the COP was mounted through a machinery set up by the Congress Alliance only. During this period I was paralysed by bans, first a 6 months restriction that prevented me from leaving the district of Johannesburg and from attending gatherings. This expired early in June 1953. For about 3 months I had a brief spell of freedom and it was refreshing to move around the country again, mainly in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. I am essential a country boy, easily charmed by the open veld, a blade of green grass, by running streams, clean air and a blue sky. I revelled in my liberty and could feel my spirits surging upwards and pleasant thoughts filled my mind. The Free State has always had a magic effect on me and in spite of the detestable racialism of its whites who consistitute perhaps the most rabid racist minded section of the whites in South Africa, I am dominated by a false feeling of freedom whenever I travel through it. Locked up in its vast plains is the atmosphere of wide horizons where nothing can ever shut me in, where I can