South African Case Studies People and Events Action for Justice South African Case Studies People and Events
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Chief Albert Luthuli Africa’s First Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1:45- 6:44 – Paragraph 2-4 (Recording: http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1513; Text: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1960/lutuli-lecture.html)
The Basics about Luthuli Raised in Natal Trained as a teacher and administrator Elected as Chief of Groutville Member of ANC, elected as President of ANC in 1952 Arrested for high treason (1956) – withdrawn/acquitted ANC = African National Congress (political organization, eventually political party, current ruling party since end of apartheid) http://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/Legacy/sitefiles/file/albertluthulitimeline.pdf
The Climate at the Time People largely involved in peaceful resistance Informed by nonviolent model of civil disobedience (assoc. Mahatma Ghandi) ANC launched “Defiance Campaign” in 1952 under Luthuli Over 8,000 people arrested; response of police violence, fines, jail sentences, banning orders Defiance Campaign – peaceful but deliberate law breaking; aim of arrest http://www.apartheidmuseum.org/sites/default/files/files/downloads/Learners%20book%20Chapter4.pdf
Sharpeville Massacre March 21, 1960
Passbooks and Pass Laws Form of internal passport system Black populations required to carry Pass Laws Act (1952) instituted nation-wide pass Entries documented permission, requests and behavior Any governmental employee could cancel permission No valid entry prison Symbolic of apartheid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pass_laws
Behind Sharpeville ANC planned peaceful protest against Pass Laws on March 31 PAC pre-empted with March 21 campaign 5,000+ black men presented themselves at Sharpeville Police Station for arrest for not carrying Pass Books http://www.mypublicholidays.co.za/holidays/human-rights-day
Then… Crowd increased Accounts differ Policemen started shooting into crowd 69 killed, 180+ wounded Apartheid Museum Source http://www.mypublicholidays.co.za/holidays/human-rights-day
Returning to Luthuli March 26, Chief Luthuli publicly burned his passbook in protest Calls for peaceful burning by all Africans Arrested
1960 Nobel Peace Prize Luthuli awarded 1960 Nobel Peace Prize 1:45- 6:44 – Paragraph 2-4 (Recording: http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1513; Text: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1960/lutuli-lecture.html) Luthuli awarded 1960 Nobel Peace Prize Accepted in 1961
Then… Continued banning Continued advocacy work Killed by a train in 1967 Not the end of the story…
Soweto Uprising Nelson Mandela