SOUTH AFRICA HISTORY – REVISION
Introduction: NATIONAL PARTY ruled SA between 1948 – 1994
Daniel Malan PM 1948 – “In the past we felt like strangers in our own country, but today SA belongs to us
once more”
Founder of the NP – General JBM Hertzog – member of the union government and nationalistic – some English
speaking SA were offended by him & he stood in opposition to Botha’s national unity.
BUT, many saw him as a representative and many Afrikaner leaders & figures supported him
Major policies
Apartheid (A policy or system of segregation or discrimination on the grounds of race)
Establishment of South African Republic
Promotion of Afrikaner culture
3 key leaders of the ANC, all on first ANC youth committee & shared a view for more radical, mass-based approach.
Walter Sisulu – Born 1912, settled in Johannesburg after leaving school at 15 where he became active in the Orlando
Civic Organisation in Soweto, organising strikes & boycotts before joining ANC un 1940. He set up his own real estate
business, evolved to an important destination for young radicals to discuss ideas (& he became a mentor – inc. too
Mandela & Tambo). Member of SA communist party & known for building bridges between political organisations.
Oliver Tambo – Born 1917, excelled in school went to Fort Hare University (physic/maths). Here het met Mandela and
both became involved in student protests which got them expelled. He taught at a high school until moving to
Johannesburg 1942 becoming involved in ANC and realising they need reinvigoration. Trained as a lawyer setting up
offices with Mandela whilst holding several elected ANC positions.
Nelson Mandela – Born 1918, educated at missionary schools until Fort Hare University. When expelled he went to
Johannesburg and became a mine security officer until he met Sisulu and joined the ANC. Practiced lawyer with Tambo
& became first black president of SA.
Mandela & Sisulu were imprisoned after Rivonia trial 1964, Tambo led ANC in exile.
Life in SA 1848
Before NP, SA was categorized into 4 main groups: Whites (or Europeans), Africans (or Natives), Coloured people or
Indians. (These racial identities shaped key rights e.g. vote and was used for censuses)
AFRICANS: Original inhabitants of SA were San or Bushmen people - 2,000 years ago black African farming
people migrated to the region. Formed large chiefdoms or Kingdoms, Zulu became the largest & although
conquered remained a significant force. Many other states formed (e.g. Sotho, Xhosa) with similar social
features but there culture & language was different.
WHITES: 2 dominant groups: Afrikaners & British descent (tended to be wealthier , more educated, and
dominated business)
Those in the cape colony not classed as white or African were coloured. Largely based in Western Cape &
mostly Afrikaner speaking. Many Indians imported to work on sugar plantations & some Indian traders were
allowed in (became English speaking)
Segregation & Discrimination
It existed before 1948, in handing SA self government in 1910, Britain didn’t require whites to share equal
power with blacks (even though whites were minority).
Almost all MPS were white with one exception in the cape colony
, Africans disenfranchised so 1948 election was all down to white vote (who made up 21% of the total)
Before 1948, most Africans forced to live in separate areas – townships.
(Black Servants) – They were segregated but lived in close proximity so they could work for the wealthy whites
(sometime in backyard rooms). Racism intense – unthinkable to use same cutlery as black servants but still allowed
them to take charge of childcare.
Urbanisation
Gold was discovered in ‘the rand’ 1886. The mines needed workers so the cities grew quickly (Johannesburg
100,000 by 1990). Some workers were African migrant’s fro rural areas, and by 1948 African population in
Johannesburg outstripped whites for the first time.
This begun SA economy but eventually developed into textiles, food, chemicals etc. & they created ISCOR a
major iron and steel industry.
War created jobs for Africans with 180,000 white men away but their return sparked competition
The ‘poor white problem’ became a concern who had not been able to make a living, Gov. appealed to their
insecurities with the promise of protected employment in government services and factories – they avoided
working under black supervision or manual labour that was ‘black people’s work’
Townships
Even prior to 1948, keen to maintain cities as white areas BUT influx of migrants was too large.
This formed informal shack settlements. Areas outside of the cities – townships – hastily allocated to black migrants.
Rural Society
By 1948, land ownership divided by race and class – whites owned over 80% but blacks were in the majority of farms
(labourers/tenants). In rural areas, whites able to maintain racial authority (baaskap – bosshood) more effectively.
National party victory 1948
Growth of Afrikaner Nationalism
The boers (Afrikaners) were majority of whites in SA. Beofre 1948, they had never formed an Afrikaner government,
As in 1939 votes were almost equally split between The united party & The national party.
Afrikaner as a volk gained momentum after 1939. Society of Afrikaner men ‘Broederbond’ (secret
organisation dedicated to Afrikaner movement) provided direction in favour of a Christian, nationalist,
republican outlook.
Many Afrikaners Christians (black/white different in gods plan – had to thus maintain boundaries –
Intermarrying a concern)
Campaign promised apartheid, outlined in Sauer Report:
Blacks would live in reserves (separate), classed as visitors in white areas
Coloureds would also live separately & lose political rights
Indians sent back to India
Whites would rule; blacks under control
Why did they bring apartheid?
1. Logical extension of Sa own history, an intensified form of segregation
2. Rested on a long legacy of discrimination
3. Elaborated previous legislation
4. Would make a difference in their lives
, 5. Economic concerns
6. Business owners could make profit from cheap labour
Why did NP win?
1. NP promised to keep blacks down – increasing black resistance to white rule had been too successful
2. Promised to reverse WW2 changes (migration of blacks to cities, pass laws relaxed, black protests, jobs to
blacks)
3. NP knew how to appeal to white voters
Organised resistance
- ANC formation 1923 – Educated Africans were a tiny, isolated majority
- When they met – differing views (couldn’t decide on tribal language to use)
- Mostly ineffective for years, thought they should stay friendly with whites
BUT, these leaders were eventually replaced (Mandela, Sisulu, Lembede)
Implementing Apartheid
Principle: racially defined groups deserved tailor made facilities
- Separate development meant all groups would progress
- Implemented as a gradual process rather than instant measure
- 1948: plan not clearly thought through how it would be successful
Tomlinson Political
Strengthening Apartheid Pass Laws & supression &
Report &
NP Laws Education Treason trial
Bantustas
1. Strengthening NP
- Early priority to stay in power (narrow election)
- Their approach to coloured people was indicative (Afrikaners superior)
- Coloured & Afrikaners shared cultural history BUT NP stood for coloureds as a separate racial category (own
institutions & spaces)
- 1951: Separations of Voters Act (removed the coloured vote)
NP were supposed to have 2/3 majority to pass but they did it without (judges initially claimed it invalid) – BUT –
they then appointed Afrikaner judges so it would pass (Afrikaners given positions of high power)
2. Apartheid Laws
- Hardliners looked for separation of the races / Pragmatists realised economy required African workers
- NP planners thought the aspirations of Africans could be met by: fuller rights in self governing territories…
emphasis on ‘SEPARATE DEVELOPMENT’
- Hendrick Verwoerd (co-ordinator of apartheid) – Africans first loyalty was with their tribes
First Act: Bantu Authorities Act 1951: Place responsibility for local government in the reserves onto an African
leadership (would coordinate with the government)
Promotion of Bantu self-governing Act 1959: Self-governing African units based around traditional authorities
(ambitious side of apartheid – gave hope for separate development)
Verwoerd argued he was stepping back & allowing them to be their own place
