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The Rhodesia Herald, 22 November, 1962
DAR-ES-SALAAM. – Twenty-seven South African students who were arrested by the immigration authorities in Southern Rhodesia and deported to Bechuanaland have arrived in Dar es Salaam by plane from Francistown, Bechuanaland.
The charter flight was arranged by the Tanganyika branch of the African National Congress.
The students, who include five women, were met by Mr O. Tambo, the Congress leader, who denied South African Press reports that the students were bound for Moscow.
Mr Tambo said scholarships had been obtained through the International Students Exchange Fund and had been promised by the Governments of Sweden, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
The students are expected to stay in Dar es Salaam for some time before moving on to their universities.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
- Southern Rhodesia which arose from the Federation is now Zimbabwe; and, Bechuanaland – Botswana.
- The twenty-seven South African students were likely involved in some form of political activism or educational pursuit that led to their arrest by immigration authorities.
- Their deportation to Botswana suggests that they may have been attempting to escape oppressive conditions or seeking refuge from political turmoil.
- Their journey reflects broader themes of migration, colonial policy impacts, and regional dynamics within southern Africa during a time when many individuals sought better opportunities or refuge from oppressive regimes.
- Tanzania was known for its relatively welcoming stance towards refugees during periods of regional conflict.
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