South Africa 1960—1994: The People and the State

Apartheid

A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the National Party government from 1948 until the early 1990s.

Population Registration Act (1950)

Law that classified South Africans by race.

Group Areas Act (1950)

Legislation that designated specific areas for different racial groups.

Pass Laws

Laws that required black South Africans to carry passbooks to enter white areas.

Bantu Education Act (1953)

Law that created a segregated education system with inferior resources for black students.

Separate Amenities Act (1953)

Law that enforced segregation of public facilities.

Separate Development

Policy enforcing racial segregation through legislation.

Bantustans

Designated areas for black South Africans, intended to be self-governing but controlled by the South African government.

ANC (African National Congress)

The main opposition group against apartheid, advocating for racial equality.

Freedom Charter (1955)

Document calling for a non-racial, democratic South Africa.

Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK)

The armed wing of the ANC, launched sabotage campaigns.

Poqo

Armed wing of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), known for its militant and radical approach.

Rivonia Trial (1963–1964)

Trial where key leaders of the ANC, including Nelson Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage.

Black Consciousness Movement

Led by Steve Biko, this movement emphasized psychological liberation and black pride.

SASO (South African Students' Organization)

Promoted Black Consciousness among students.

Soweto Uprising (1976)

Student protests against the imposition of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction, met with police violence.

United Democratic Front (UDF)

Coalition of anti-apartheid groups that organized mass protests and strikes.

Tricameral Parliament (1983)

Created separate legislative bodies for whites, coloreds, and Indians, excluding black South Africans.

State of Emergency (1985–1990)

Period marked by increased military presence, curfews, detention without trial, and censorship.

FW de Klerk

Last apartheid-era president who initiated reforms and negotiations leading to the end of apartheid.

Nelson Mandela

Key leader of the ANC, released from prison in 1990, and pivotal in the negotiations to end apartheid.

Cyril Ramaphosa

Key negotiator for the ANC during the transition period.

First Free Elections (1994)

Elections where the ANC won the majority, and Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa.

Sharpeville Massacre (1960)

Police opened fire on a peaceful protest against pass laws, killing 69 people and injuring 180.

Durban Workers' Strike (1973)

Significant labor strike that mobilized workers and increased resistance to apartheid.

CODESA (Convention for a Democratic South Africa)

Negotiations between the government, ANC, and other political groups that laid the groundwork for a new democratic constitution.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Body established to address past human rights violations.

Economic Sanctions

International measures that targeted South Africa's economy to pressure the government to end apartheid.

Inkatha Freedom Party

Zulu nationalist movement led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, involved in significant violence and conflict with ANC supporters.

Black Economic Empowerment (BEE)

Policies implemented post-1994 to address economic inequality created by apartheid.