Was Scientology ever active in the antiapartheid movement? Based on L Ron Hubbard's own descriptions of the "natives", I suspect not, but it would be interesting to have that confirmed or disproved by someone who was there.
To my knowledge not at all. Through the mid eighties and until Nelson Mandela was freed nothing was mentioned as to a drive to abolish apartheid. During that time I can not remember any African staff or public in the Orgs I was involved with.
Now it is a different story though as the African is desperate to work and really, in the majority uneducated so they will buy into anything that offers a better way of living or work.
If I remember correctly at the end of the apartheid, Scientology in South Africa I think CCHR did a big campaign where essentially Scientology painted itself as an ally of the New African Government. During white rule Scientology did not push this line; only after Government changed.
Using CCHR they exposed the abuses to the Africans in the Psych Hospitals linking the abuses to white German psychs and psychiatry in general
A number of these hospitals were closed down. But like anything in Scio this was over a certain period, as the new big drive and then it died out.
In my opinion this made the new Government look favorably upon Scientology which is really what Scio wanted.
A lot of the promotion during this time period was on pushing the buttons of the new Government offering help with the illiteracy and bettering the life of the disadvantaged African nation.
CCHR was very busy during this time of change in South Africa.
From my understanding mast of the Orgs now are still about the same size as they were in the 90's except of course JHB with help from DM's account.
Looking back I dont think Scio did this to get new public. To move on the bridge you need money a lot of it and the local Africans could not afford this. In Scio general mentality you would not put importance on something that would not be of benefit like a paying public. Scio will not spend time with a disabled person "Its to late for them next life" so why all this big push with the disadvantaged Africans. A chance for good PR perhaps.
I don't know what is being done now in South Africa with CCHR, Way to Happiness and ABLE. If anyone has current info on that it would be good to know.