The History of Apartheid South Africa The History of Apartheid

Apartheid=“separateness” Similar to segregation in our country

History of Apartheid Apartheid: which means "apartness" or "separateness" in Afrikaans, was a system of racial segregation that operated in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s. Under this systems the races were classified by law into White, Black, Colored, and Asian groups, and were separated, each with their own homelands and institutions. This prevented non-white citizens of South Africa from having any say in the national government or in their everyday lives even if they were inhabitants of South Africa from birth.

The Creation of Apartheid The first recorded use of the word Apartheid was used by Jan Smuts, who became Prime Minister of South Africa in 1919. During the elections of 1948, the National Party put into campaign the Apartheid system. When the party won the campaign they immediately implemented the system. Legislation was passed prohibiting mixed marriages, classifying every individual by race, and establishing a classification board to rule in questionable cases. Acts that were passed during the National Party reign were Group Areas Act of 1950 which became the heart of the apartheid system of attempting to geographically separate the racial groups. The Separate Amenities Act created separate beaches, buses, hospitals, schools and universities.

The Apartheid System The national government implemented the following laws during the Apartheid era: Non-whites were not allowed to run businesses or professional practices into those areas designated as ‘White South Africa' without a permit. They were supposed to move to the black homelands and set up businesses and practices there. Transport and civil facilities were segregated. Blacks were excluded from living or working in white areas, unless they had a pass. Only blacks with "Section 10" rights (those who had migrated to the cities before World War II) were excluded from this provision. Whites required passes in black areas. A pass was only issued to a black person with approved work. Spouses and children had to be left behind in non-white areas. Many white households employed blacks as domestic workers, who were allowed to live on the premises—often in small rooms external to the family home. A pass was issued for one magisterial district confining the holder to that area only. Being without a valid pass made a person subject to immediate arrest and summary trial, often followed by "deportation" to the person's "homeland ". Police vans roamed the "white area" to round up the "illegal" blacks.

Classifications The population was classified into four groups: Black, White, Asian, and "Colored".

The Revolution The ANC and the PAC were developed to push the relatively conservative African National Congress into action. In 1949, they developed an agenda that for the first time advocated open resistance in the form of strikes, acts of public disobedience, and protest marches.

The Leader of the Revolution Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela was a prominent anti-apartheid activist who, while imprisoned for 27 years lead the revolution against the apartheid system. He was involved in the planning of underground armed resistance activities. The armed struggle was, for Mandela, a last resort. He remained steadfastly committed to non-violence. Through his 27-year imprisonment, much of it spent in a cell on Robben Island, Mandela became the most widely known person in the struggle against South African apartheid.

Nelson Mandela Although the apartheid regime and nations sympathetic to it considered him and the ANC to be terrorist, the armed struggle was an integral part of the overall campaign against apartheid. The switch in policy to that of reconciliation, which Mandela pursued upon his release in 1990, facilitated a peaceful transition to fully-representative democracy in South Africa.

Black Consciousness Movement The children of South Africa became very involved in the freedom of their country. South African Students’ Organization was under the charismatic leadership of Steve Biko. Biko, a medical student, was the main force behind the growth of South Africa's Black Consciousness Movement, which stressed the need for psychological liberation, black pride, and non-violent opposition to apartheid.

The Downfall of Apartheid On November 6,1962, the United Nations General Assembly passed the Resolution 1761, condemning South African apartheid policies. 1963 the United Nations Security Council established a voluntary arms embargo against South Africa. By November 4, 1977 South Africa became increasingly isolated internationally.

International Opposition The international opposition to apartheid grew and the ANC received both financial and moral support. The prime minister of Sweden Olofpalme declared this statement: “ Apartheid cannot be reformed, it has to be eliminated.”

The Final End of Apartheid By 1980, South Africa was the only country in Africa with a white government and a constitution discriminating against the majority of its citizens. During this time the most violence occurred between the ANC and the PAC organizations and the national government. The government finally began to admit the need for change. International pressures also increased as economic sanctions began to take a toll on the government as well. In 1986, President Botha announced to parliament that South Africa had “out grown” apartheid. In 1989 President Botha had a stroke and was succeeded by FW de Klerk. He repealed discriminatory laws and lifted bans on the ANC, PAC, and other organizations. Media restrictions were also lifted and he released political prisoners. Nelson Mandela walked out of the grounds of the Victor Verster Prison a free man on February 11, 1990 after 27 years.

The Final End of Apartheid In December 1991, the Convention for a Democratic South Africa began negotiations on the formation of a multiracial government and a new constitution extending political rights to all groups. In 1993, a draft constitution was published guaranteeing freedom of speech and religion, adequate housing and numerous other benefits. On April 26-27,1994 the old flag was lowered and the old national anthem was sung, followed by the raising on the new flag. Since then April27 is a celebrated as a public holiday in South Africa known as Freedom Day .