1. Apartheid in South Africa
Background for Gordimer, Fugard, and other South African Writers
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Copyright 2002 ACU Department of English. Fair Use only. Images are not cleared for reproduction.

2. Definition: apartheid
The legal separation of races in South Africa, maintaining the power of the white minority over native populations
Apartheid laws began 1948, prohibiting mixed-race marriages and sanctioning “whites-only” jobs
Lasted over 40 years, ending with election of Nelson Mandela in 1994

3. Population Registration Act (1950), requiring everyone to be registered as white, black (African), or colored (mixed heritage, Indians, Asians, etc.)
“Homelands” acts ( ), restricting native Africans to reserves, requiring passports to enter South Africa
In 1951, the Bantu Authorities Act established a basis for ethnic government in African reserves, known as ``homelands.'' These homelands were independent states to which each African was assigned by the government according to the record of origin (which was frequently inaccurate). All political rights, including voting, held by an African were restricted to the designated homeland. The idea was that they would be citizens of the homeland, losing their citizenship in South Africa and any right of involvement with the South African Parliament which held complete hegemony over the homelands. From 1976 to 1981, four of these homelands were created, denationalizing nine million South Africans. The homeland administrations refused the nominal independence, maintaining pressure for political rights within the country as a whole. Nevertheless, Africans living in the homelands needed passports to enter South Africa: aliens in their own country.

4. Pass laws (1952), requiring nonwhites to carry passes
Separate Amenities Act (1953) mandates separate public facilities for whites and nonwhites
Censorship of imported books, films (1955, 1956)
In 1951, the Bantu Authorities Act established a basis for ethnic government in African reserves, known as ``homelands.'' These homelands were independent states to which each African was assigned by the government according to the record of origin (which was frequently inaccurate). All political rights, including voting, held by an African were restricted to the designated homeland. The idea was that they would be citizens of the homeland, losing their citizenship in South Africa and any right of involvement with the South African Parliament which held complete hegemony over the homelands. From 1976 to 1981, four of these homelands were created, denationalizing nine million South Africans. The homeland administrations refused the nominal independence, maintaining pressure for political rights within the country as a whole. Nevertheless, Africans living in the homelands needed passports to enter South Africa: aliens in their own country.

5. Arrests -- 500,000 arrests yearly for pass-law violations during 1950s.
By end of decade, 600 people listed as communists, 350 banned, 150 banished
In 1951, the Bantu Authorities Act established a basis for ethnic government in African reserves, known as ``homelands.'' These homelands were independent states to which each African was assigned by the government according to the record of origin (which was frequently inaccurate). All political rights, including voting, held by an African were restricted to the designated homeland. The idea was that they would be citizens of the homeland, losing their citizenship in South Africa and any right of involvement with the South African Parliament which held complete hegemony over the homelands. From 1976 to 1981, four of these homelands were created, denationalizing nine million South Africans. The homeland administrations refused the nominal independence, maintaining pressure for political rights within the country as a whole. Nevertheless, Africans living in the homelands needed passports to enter South Africa: aliens in their own country.

6. Public Safety Act, Criminal Law Amendment Act (1953): fines, prison, whippings for demonstrators.
In 1960, a large group of blacks in Sharpeville refused to carry their passes; the government declared a state of emergency. The emergency lasted for 156 days, leaving 69 people dead and 187 people wounded. Wielding the Public Safety Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, the white regime had no intention of changing the unjust laws of apartheid.
The penalties imposed on political protest, even non-violent protest, were severe. During the states of emergency which continued intermittently until 1989, anyone could be detained without a hearing by a low-level police official for up to six months. Thousands of individuals died in custody, frequently after gruesome acts of torture. Those who were tried were sentenced to death, banished, or imprisoned for life, like Nelson Mandela.

7. Sharpeville massacre (March 1-April 5, 1960): police kill 69 unarmed protestors and in other skirmishes wounding 187. Opposition groups including ANC are outlawed.
South Africa leaves Commonwealth (1961): declares itself republic after criticism against its laws
In 1960, a large group of blacks in Sharpeville refused to carry their passes; the government declared a state of emergency. The emergency lasted for 156 days, leaving 69 people dead and 187 people wounded. Wielding the Public Safety Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, the white regime had no intention of changing the unjust laws of apartheid.
The penalties imposed on political protest, even non-violent protest, were severe. During the states of emergency which continued intermittently until 1989, anyone could be detained without a hearing by a low-level police official for up to six months. Thousands of individuals died in custody, frequently after gruesome acts of torture. Those who were tried were sentenced to death, banished, or imprisoned for life, like Nelson Mandela.

8. White domination of land, money (1978)

9. Sources
4 Aug 02
4 Aug 02