Minister introduces free and compulsory education

The Minister of Bantu Education M.C. Botha announced that the government moved towards the introduction of free and compulsory education for Black pupils. This was the fifth concession to Black demands since the 1976 Soweto Uprising. The government had also reversed the introduction of Afrikaans as medium of instruction in schools; suspended the 'homeland citizenship' requirement for Blacks leasing houses in townships; introduced a home ownership scheme; and agreed in principle to give increased powers to Bantu Councils in Black areas.