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VOL. XXX, No. 3 Atlanta, Georgia November, 1986 Deltas Sponsor Project South Africa Week ‘Twas the night Before Homecoming’ By Donna Lucas Twas the night before Homecoming and all through AUC, Every creature was pa’tying, plus even me. The banners were hung in Manley with care, In the hopes that the Howardites soon would be there, With my man in his tux and I in my frock, We all went to Genesis — an all Negro rock. The Buffalo’s were there, Oh! it’s Bisons I’m told, No difference really, ’cause tomorrow they’ll fold, They jammed the place down and the funk was so much, That the Tigers went runnin’, screamin’, “Secret Weapon” and such. By Donna Lucus October 29th marked the last day of Project South Africa and the completion of the Shan tytown. The week-long activities of celebration, unity and awareness were officially closed with the Project South Africa vigil. The vigil, that was well at tended, consisted of a program explaining the purpose of the building of the Shantytown, a summary of the week’s ac tivities, what was accomplished and words of wisdom, apprecia tion and encouragement to con tinue to “fight the good fight” from South African student Hlonphile Nyide, representative of the African National Congress - David Ndaba, and Dr. Farrar, the faculty member who was most supportive of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s endeavors. A song of inspiration, “His Eye is on The Sparrow,” was sung by Stephanie Allen of the New Life Inspirational Choirs and “Somewhere,” an original musical composition on South Africa by Spelmanik Kirsten Ray, was debuted by Mia Fuse, Donna Lucas, Dawn Mitchell and the composer while she ac companied on the guitar. Diannternne Henry read a touching, but graphic poem about the plight of our South African brothers and sisters and the vigil was concluded with a litany led by Kenyatta Whelchel where the audience joined in saying, “Nkosi Sikele I Africa (God Bless Africa).” There was an extraordinarily warm feeling amongst those who attended the vigil. It was a special understanding of South Africa’s problems and a realiza tion that now, armed with awareness of the “real story” of apartheid, even college students could really make a difference. Many of the faculty present, particularly Dr. Kearns and Dr. Farrar, said that the vigil remind ed them of the ’60s and said they were “pleasantly surprised” and that “there was a feeling of solidarity and sincerity” they had not felt in a long time. A bit of the essence was cap tured on the local news pro grams last night, but only those who rallied, spearheaded, created, collected materials, hammered, sawed, nailed, cooked, displayed, pasted, sang, taped, experienced, and whose eyes and hearts were opened to the plight of the South Africans can really com prehend the magnitude and great significance of this project. The time and energy that was placed into this project was evi dent at the vigil, especially at its close, where many participants banded together, embraced and were even moved to tears. A thank you went out to the AUC students that worked so hard to make Project South Africa a success from the Atlanta com munity members that attended, but as one African woman who was overwhelmed by the project put it, “Long live Delta Sigma Theta,” for without these special people who spearheaded the project, there would not have been a Project South Africa. But the “Howard’s” kept it “live” with “go-go” and “rap”, And the AUC couldn’t help, but give them some “dap”, So the cross-section connection “be-hopped” and “wopped”, Until on the floor from exhaustion they flopped. The day of the game the Tigers decided to make amends, For running out on the Bisons and became friends, So they fed them before the game just to be “nice, ” And served them some of the cafeteria’s “specialized” rice. Poor Howard’s stomach’s were not yet immune, And the Bisons began to sway and swoon, And soon the stars of the “Buffalo Bunch”, Were all laid up from a Morehouse lunch. “But the game must go on,” the quarterback said, And off to the field the Bisons were led, With millions of fans and alumni’s cheers, Began the game awaited since last year. So the Bisons and Maroon Tigers began the game. To forever live in the Hall of Fame, They roughed and toughed and muffed and fussed, And the stadium was enveloped in a cloud of dust . . . So as I write here by flashlight, in the cold at 3:00 A.M. with my Spelman Sisters and a host of the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, In corporated, I learn even more about the plight of Black South Africans and though officially ended, Project South Africa goes on and will live on as long as we never forget the struggle and keep the spirit of positive change alive. Its not on me to tell you what comes next, But whoever wins, someone will be vexed, Whether its the folks who roar and growl at things, or those who on their feet wear Buffalo wings. But seriously folks, we love Howard its true, And we send out Black Blessings from our college to you, And we welcome you to our humble abode, But if you win tomorrow you must quickly hit the road. Howard Welcome to the crazy house, The Spotlight Staff