CENPA-317~01 |
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\S Portuguese Colonisation of ::::_: ;:::_:. V zc^::^:^ by David iMabunda PORTUGAL'S presence in Africa is said to be a "civilizing mission" designed to convert Africans into Portuguese citizens. The Portuguese boast that there is no racial problem in Mozambique or any other Portuguese possessions or "over-seas provinces" as they prefer to call them. This is completely unfounded. Portugal's version of apartheid is based on the doctrine that Africans are literally children and as such are incapable of looking after their own vital interests. Hence the Government of Portugal assumes the responsibility of protecting and guiding Africans toward maturity of mind and soul. Portuguese 1 a w envisages two classes of inhabitants: Portuguese citizens enjoying full citizenship rights and governed in accordance with Portuguese common law, and the "natives" governed by a complex of controls known as the "INDIGENATO" "Assimilados" The process of conversion of assimilation, as it is officially known was implemented in 19 17, aimed at dividing Africans into two groups, the so-called ASSIMILADOS (CIVILIZED AFRICANS) and the INDIGENAS (UNCIVILISED AFRICANS) in order to prevent political influence by those Africans w:ho accidentally obtained some education. The process of conversion, requires the African to show that he can read, write and speak Portuguese fluently, has .severed all tribal connections, adopted the habits and customs proposed for the application of the Portuguese common law and has a suitable occupation, professional, industrial or commercial to provide "him with stable means of living. It is, however, only an individual of African extraction who can be an indigena not a Portuguese European, no matter how illiterate he may be. L ; m : David Mabunda Racial discrimination as practised by Portugal is no doubt subtle. The announcement made by Portugal's so-called Minister of "Overseas Provinces," Dr. Adriano Morreira on the August 28, 19 6 1 about "Political Equality for Portuguese Africans" was o n 1 y a bluff intended to deceive African Independent States, the United Nations and all peace-loving countries in the world. In practice even assimilados do not enjoy the facilities of Portuguese citizenship, for they do not have the means to acquire them. Having established two classes of Africans, the Portuguese have taken systematic steps to keep down and exploit one class, the indigenas. Africans are still denied the right of assembly whether for political, cultural or trade union purposes and the exploitation of b o t h soil and man is even more extreme. Today the basic legal vehicle of the indigenato is the statute of the Portuguese Africans of the colony (May 1954). According to this law, individuals of the African origin or their descendents who were born or habitually reside in the said province (Mozambique) and who do not yet possess the learning and the social and individual habits presupposed for the integral application of the public and private law of Portuguese citizens, are considered • to be indigenas. Native Workers Regimented For the administration of the indigenas Mozambique is divided into URBANISED DISTRICTS. Each of these administrative units is governed by an administrator assisted by a few CHIEFS OF POST. Within the administrative corps the highest rank held by African is that of interpreter. Within his district the adminisrator executes virtually all police and judicial functions. He has the power to accuse, apprehend, try and sentence Africans as he pleases. The REGULATION OF "NATIVE" WORKER of 1944 is still the chief legal instrument for maintaining the urban African in a condition of docility and servitude. With its striking resemblance to similar laws in the settler Republic of South Africa, the regulamento has its roots deep in medieval philosophies. According to the preamble of the regulamento the increasing influx of indigenas to the urban centres in search of work has created a problem of social indiscipline whose resolution requires vigorous supervision over the activities of the African population in these centres, not only to prevent vagabondage and criminality but also to correct the bad conduct of domestic servants and. other workers. 7T" july» 1962 23
Object Description
Description
Title | CENPA-317~01 |
Filename | CENPA-317~01.tiff |
Full text | \S Portuguese Colonisation of ::::_: ;:::_:. V zc^::^:^ by David iMabunda PORTUGAL'S presence in Africa is said to be a "civilizing mission" designed to convert Africans into Portuguese citizens. The Portuguese boast that there is no racial problem in Mozambique or any other Portuguese possessions or "over-seas provinces" as they prefer to call them. This is completely unfounded. Portugal's version of apartheid is based on the doctrine that Africans are literally children and as such are incapable of looking after their own vital interests. Hence the Government of Portugal assumes the responsibility of protecting and guiding Africans toward maturity of mind and soul. Portuguese 1 a w envisages two classes of inhabitants: Portuguese citizens enjoying full citizenship rights and governed in accordance with Portuguese common law, and the "natives" governed by a complex of controls known as the "INDIGENATO" "Assimilados" The process of conversion of assimilation, as it is officially known was implemented in 19 17, aimed at dividing Africans into two groups, the so-called ASSIMILADOS (CIVILIZED AFRICANS) and the INDIGENAS (UNCIVILISED AFRICANS) in order to prevent political influence by those Africans w:ho accidentally obtained some education. The process of conversion, requires the African to show that he can read, write and speak Portuguese fluently, has .severed all tribal connections, adopted the habits and customs proposed for the application of the Portuguese common law and has a suitable occupation, professional, industrial or commercial to provide "him with stable means of living. It is, however, only an individual of African extraction who can be an indigena not a Portuguese European, no matter how illiterate he may be. L ; m : David Mabunda Racial discrimination as practised by Portugal is no doubt subtle. The announcement made by Portugal's so-called Minister of "Overseas Provinces," Dr. Adriano Morreira on the August 28, 19 6 1 about "Political Equality for Portuguese Africans" was o n 1 y a bluff intended to deceive African Independent States, the United Nations and all peace-loving countries in the world. In practice even assimilados do not enjoy the facilities of Portuguese citizenship, for they do not have the means to acquire them. Having established two classes of Africans, the Portuguese have taken systematic steps to keep down and exploit one class, the indigenas. Africans are still denied the right of assembly whether for political, cultural or trade union purposes and the exploitation of b o t h soil and man is even more extreme. Today the basic legal vehicle of the indigenato is the statute of the Portuguese Africans of the colony (May 1954). According to this law, individuals of the African origin or their descendents who were born or habitually reside in the said province (Mozambique) and who do not yet possess the learning and the social and individual habits presupposed for the integral application of the public and private law of Portuguese citizens, are considered • to be indigenas. Native Workers Regimented For the administration of the indigenas Mozambique is divided into URBANISED DISTRICTS. Each of these administrative units is governed by an administrator assisted by a few CHIEFS OF POST. Within the administrative corps the highest rank held by African is that of interpreter. Within his district the adminisrator executes virtually all police and judicial functions. He has the power to accuse, apprehend, try and sentence Africans as he pleases. The REGULATION OF "NATIVE" WORKER of 1944 is still the chief legal instrument for maintaining the urban African in a condition of docility and servitude. With its striking resemblance to similar laws in the settler Republic of South Africa, the regulamento has its roots deep in medieval philosophies. According to the preamble of the regulamento the increasing influx of indigenas to the urban centres in search of work has created a problem of social indiscipline whose resolution requires vigorous supervision over the activities of the African population in these centres, not only to prevent vagabondage and criminality but also to correct the bad conduct of domestic servants and. other workers. 7T" july» 1962 23 |
Archival file | Volume19/CENPA-317~01.tiff |