09-07-2024Apartheid South Africa

Apartheid in South Africa: Historical Overview

Introduction

• Apartheid period from the late 1940s to the 1990s; first instituted in 1948.

• Unique system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination.

Racism and Segregation

• Segregation predated apartheid; present in various forms globally in the 1920s-1930s.

• Political, economic, and social segregation evident in European colonies and the USA.

• Segregation defined as the act of separating people based on race.

Foundations of Apartheid in South Africa

• 1910 Union of South Africa: Political power centralized in the hands of white Europeans.

  • 3 of 4 provinces restricted voting rights to white males only.

  • Cape Province permitted non-racial franchise for some colored and African males.

• Laws Enforcing Segregation (1910-1948):

  • Workplace: Segregated jobs; black workers barred from skilled training; laws prevented black trade union membership.

  • Land Ownership: 1913 Land Act restricted African land ownership to designated reserves. Further extensions in 1936.

  • Military: Only white soldiers allowed in the army; black soldiers served as unarmed auxiliaries.

  • Urban Segregation: Africans confined to townships; reliance on a pass system to regulate movement.

Specific Segregation Laws (1930-1948)

• Native Representation Act (1936): Restricted political rights and representation of non-whites; Africans could vote only via white representatives.

• Socio-Political Segregation: Separate tribal councils and legal systems implemented for Africans.

• Acts Enforcing Segregation:

  • Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949): Banned inter-racial marriages.

  • Population Registration Act (1950): Classified individuals into separate 'races' for further discriminatory laws.

  • Group Areas Act (1950): Mandated separate living areas for different races, leading to forced removals.

Ideology Behind Apartheid

• Developed by Afrikaner intellectuals, emphasized racial purity and separation.

• Supported by the Dutch Reformed Church, claiming a divine mandate to protect the white race.

• Pseudo-scientific racism justified segregation and the need for separate development.

Resistance to Apartheid

• Opposition from various groups: ANC, PAC, and community activism.

• International pressure grew with economic sanctions and boycotts against the South African government.

• Major Protest Movements:

  • 1952 Defiance Campaign against unjust apartheid laws.

  • Women's March on August 9, 1956, against pass laws, showcasing significant civil action.

  • Sharpeville Massacre (1960): Response to peaceful protests that led to state violence and repression.

Conclusion: Legacy of Apartheid

• By the late 1950s, apartheid laws became deeply entrenched in South African society.

• Resistance movements gained momentum, leading to intensified struggles against systemic oppression.

• The fight for equality continued despite severe state repression, setting the stage for future reforms.