We believe that because of the peculiar nature of South Africa, deployment of such monitors would need to be done several months in advance of the actual elections and the number of such monitors must be commensurate with the task before them. The Special Committee is also convinced at this stage that the size and role of the international observers in South Africa should be expanded with a view to promoting and assisting the multi-party negotiations as well as more effectively assisting the National Peace Accord structures in investigating violence and providing concrete support for the monitoring of the electoral process. Finally, the Committee is of the view that the international community should now commence detailed planning for programmes of socio-economic assistance, particularly in the areas of health, housing, education and employment. Another seven million black people live in shacks. Forty-five per cent of the entire black population has not been taught to read or write.
Employment is a critical issue too.
There are between four and six million unemployed, most of them in their economically productive years. Such programmes, we believe, are crucial for the ability of a new democratically elected, non-racial government to address the high expectations of the majority of the population and they cannot wait until apartheid is formally ended. Mr. Chairman, The Special Committee has no illusion that the emergence of a new South Africa on the ashes of an old apartheid structure will be less than a Herculean task. However, we remain confident and indeed heartened that the unshaken resolve of the people of South Africa and the continuing active support of the international community will herald the early demise of apartheid in that country.