Written by Pepe Hendricks as narrated by Rommel Roberts.
Please note that this history is based on the personal notes of Rommel and may be subject to dispute. If you have any differing views, share them in the comments section below.
The story of the Quaker Peace Centre in South Africa begins in the 1970s, amidst a backdrop of political unrest, social injustice, and racial discrimination. Driven by the relentless struggle against apartheid, the Quaker Peace Centre emerged as a symbol of hope, non-violent resistance, and collaboration among various communities committed to building a more just society.
Non-Violence as a Foundation
In 1974, Rommel Roberts was introduced to the concept of non-violence through a Quaker workshop facilitated by Dr. Mary Roberts and Australian Quaker Mark at Build A Better Society (BABS) in Kew Town. This marked the beginning of Roberts’ lifelong association with the Quakers and their mission to foster peace. Quaker connections quickly deepened, with introductions to key figures like Paul Andrew from the University of Cape Town (UCT), who would play a pivotal role in Roberts’ work.
Roberts’ journey of activism began in earnest with a visit to the Vrygrond illegal squatter settlement, where he connected with San leaders displaced from Douglas. This visit ignited his commitment to supporting marginalized communities living in informal settlements and over weekends he spent his time travelling from bush to bush. Roberts, alongside academics like Professor George Ellis and Martin West, documented these settlements, producing a collection of photographs that would later be used in the powerful book titled Squatters in the Western Cape, authored by Johan Maree.
The Formation of Networks
Roberts established a strong network of activists across different communities and faith-based organizations, including the Western Province Council of Churches (WPCC), the Muslim Assembly, and the Christian Institute. Key individuals such as Achmat Davids, Allie Parker, Tommy Pearson, and Rev. Dr. Louise Bank joined forces to challenge the apartheid regime’s oppressive laws. Together, they formed a broad coalition of people from different religious and cultural backgrounds, united in their fight for justice.
In 1975, this network organized the first bus boycott in Cape Town and led the formation of Student Representative Councils (SRCs) at schools like Spes Bona, Alexander Sinton, and Livingston. The student movement played a critical role in the resistance, with legal support from activists like R. Rosenthal, Dullah Omar, and Essa Moosa, who fought human rights cases that exposed systemic corruption.
Resistance Against Apartheid’s Evictions and Pass Laws
Throughout the 1970s, informal settlements became targets of the apartheid government’s brutal evictions and resettlement policies. To resist these efforts, Roberts and Tommy Pearson founded an organization in 1975 called the Cape Flats Committee for Interim Accomodation (CFCIA) representing over 50 settlements, aiming to oppose the apartheid regime’s infamous pass laws. This growing resistance network was supported by notable figures such as Steve Biko, Rev. Clive McBride of the Black Consciousness Movement, and academics like HW van der Merwe.
The infamous Christmas Protests in 1976 exemplified the community’s resilience, with residents of Snake Park staging a protest in front of Cape Town’s City Hall, symbolically declaring “no room at the inn.” Such powerful demonstrations captured the attention of both local and international media, shining a spotlight on the government’s inhumane policies.
Crossroads: A Symbol of Resistance
By 1977, the struggle against forced evictions reached new heights. A community of 10,000 people was forcefully relocated from Modderdam to camps across the Western Cape, sparking widespread outrage. The Cape Flats Committee for Interim Accommodation (CFCIA) was formed to organize resistance, with Roberts and other activists mobilizing volunteers from all over the country. High-profile protests, including a mass meeting at the City Hall, further amplified their cause, with speeches from Allan Boesak and other prominent religious leaders drawing global attention.
Crossroads became a central battleground in the fight against forced removals. With the support of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Quaker Peace Centre, and other international allies, Roberts and his network successfully halted the demolition of Crossroads through strategic negotiations with the apartheid government. This victory, though hard-won, demonstrated the power of grassroots activism and international solidarity.
A Legacy of Non-Violence and Social Change
The activism of the 1970s laid the groundwork for many of South Africa’s later successes in the fight for equality and justice. Roberts, along with countless other courageous individuals, played a pivotal role in transforming the apartheid landscape through non-violent resistance and community-led interventions.
The Quaker Peace Centre continues to embody these values, providing a space for dialogue, training in non-violence, and social development programs. The work that began with a handful of committed activists in the 1970s has grown into a legacy of peacebuilding, hope, and resilience that still shapes South Africa today.
