Chapter 2: International reaction to Apartheid

Reasons for failure of initial response from the UN

- There were lots of investments from Germany, Britain and America.

- The SA economy was doing very well, growth of 5-7% in 1960

- Investors were making a lot of money so they didn't want to pull out

- Minerals: SA was mineral rich and had large supplies of diamond and gold as well as rare minerals which was vital for modern industry: 83% of world platinum, 15% of titanium

Reasons for failure of initial response becuase of the Cold War

- South Africa was a strong capitalism country which was very against communism

- Western leaders were frightened what would happen if SA fell into communist hands especially because of their valuable minerals assets

- Also had a lot of oil carried around the cape which would give the USSR a major advantage

- Government played up these fears and exaggerated the soviet threat

Role of regional groups

- The OAU was founded in 1963 and its main aim was to end the control of African countries by Europeans.

- In 1969, thirteen African countries met in Zambia and issued the Lusaka manifesto, calling for independence of all countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa

- Countries like Tanzania, Zambia and the Soviet Union provided military support for the ANC and PAC: Tanzania provided bases, training facilities and even supplies to the ANC and PAC

- Southern African countries acted as buffer countries for the ANC especially as they were black majority and ruled by black Africans

The role of the UN and SW Africa (Namibia)

- 1966 UN attempted to turn SA back into South Western Africa (Namibia), SA refused and absorbed the territory

- All white elections were held in Namibia

- Namibia was finally independent in 1966 after SWAPO began a civil war but SA won

The role of the UN: Sanctions

1962 proposed tough economic sanctions:

- cutting off all trade links with South Africa, particularly with essential supplies like oil.

- This 'economic war' was supposed to for the SA government to change or face economic ruin

HOWEVER: It had to have 100% backing and GB, Germany and Japan voted no becuase of important trade links

1963: Voluntary arms embargo

1964: Arms sales to SA were banned by the UN

March 2nd 1978: International anti-apartheid year

- Oliver Tambo spoke at the meeting to launch the year

Overall sanctions imposed

1. Commonwealth suspension 1961

2. Condemnation from the UN from 1958

3. UN Voluntary arms embargo 1963

4. Commonwealth conference in 1971 saw a resolution against arms sales.

5. Mandatory arms embargo (1977) with resolution 418

The role of international opposition: The anti-apartheid movement

- 1959, a group of SA exiles and their British supporters appealed for an international boycott of South African products.

Actions of the AAM

March boycott month 1960:

- 8,000 people attended a rally in Trafalgar Square and head a message from ANC Chief Albert Luthuli appealing to the British people to boycott SA products.

- Many local councils and Student unions banned fruit and cigarettes imported from SA

After Sharpeville 1960:

- provoked international outrage

- The AAM called for a boycott of total international isolation.

HOWEVER: 1964-70 labour government implemented only a partial ban. The AAM extended its campaign for the isolation of SA to sports, the arts and academia.

- Called for the commonwealth to expel South Africa

- Following the Rivonia trial the AAM organised a letter campaign calling on people and organisations to bombard the SA government with letters demanding the release of the Rivonia Trialists

- When the accused were sentenced on 11th June 1964, 50 MPs marched to South Africa House in Trafalgar Square

Results of the AAM

- On 18th June, the UN Security Council passed resolution 491, calling on South Africa to release all political prisoners.

- Key supporters of boycotting sporting events and banning SA from participating

- 1967 annual conference it focused on disinvestment, putting pressure on specific companies to pull out of S

The role of international opposition: The IDA

- Set up by John Collins and out of Christian Action

- Raised money and sent aid into SA for the defence of thousands of political activists and to provide aid for their families while they were in prison.

Actions of the IDA

- In 1956, during the treason trial, Canon Collins sent £100 to Ambrose Reeves, Bishop of JoBurg, asking him to brief the best lawyers and pledging CA to raise the funds to pay legal expenses and care.

- The organisation grew and gained international recognition and support.

HOWEVER:

- John Vorster banned the SA defence and aid committee as an 'unlawful' organisation but the IDAF smuggled aid through secret channels.

OVERALL: Over 25 years, £100 million was smuggled into SA

Sporting Sanctions

1961: SA suspended from FIFA due to segregated football system

1964: South Africa was barred from participating in the Tokyo Olympics due to its refusal to field racially integrated teams.

1970: South Africa was formally expelled from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The AAM stop the 70s Cricket tour

There was disruption of matches:

- tin cans and tacks were thrown onto pitches and many matches were abandoned

Impact of sport bans

Sporting isolation hit keen South African sport fans almost more than other sanctions

1977 Gleneagles Agreement

Commonwealth tried to intensify the sporting boycott against apartheid South Africa.

It was not a legal sanction, but a political agreement among Commonwealth countries aimed at discouraging sporting contacts with South Africa as a way to pressure it to dismantle apartheid.

Other economic sanctions and boycotts in britain

1. The AAM: turned to the British government calling for trade boycotts in South Africa.

2. Brits boycotted fruits and wine coming from SA

3. Demonstrations were held outside of the offices of British companies which invested in SA

4. Students boycotted banks like Barclays who had large investments in South Africa

Economic sanctions and boycotts elsewhere

In the USA a black trade unionist on the board of General Motors worked out a code of principles operating in SA.

The code included equal pay for work, fair holidays, fairness in promotion and other principles designed for equality in work.

Impact of international action

- Until the 1980s the sanctions only had limited impact on SA.

- Countries had wished to keep on trading

- However, significant opposition to apartheid starting to happen in the US as the fear of the Soviet Union was diminishing