TWE was the global AAM key in opposing Apartheid in the 1960s?
Intro:
- Defining ‘key’ as significantly hindering ‘separate development’ or undermining NP
- Cultural, political, economic – significant but not ‘key’
o Only ‘key’ in 1970s (or arguably 1980s) – crucially because SA remained
strategically/economically important meaning not sufficiently threatened, especially by the
west, for apartheid to be undermined
o However, significant as lay foundation for future AAM action
P1: Cultural Opposition
- Sport
o SA ceased sending teams to Commonwealth Games from 1961
o SA excluded by FIFA from international football 1963
o 1962 Dennis Brutus formed SA Non-Racial Olympic Committee
Persuaded Olympic movt to exclude SA from 1964 Games
o D’Oliveira Crisis, 1968 (excluded from England cricket team, Vorster stopped tour to SA)
- Arts/music/drama opposition BC later focused around this
- Condemnation
o 1st April 1960, UNSC resolution condemning Sharpeville & calling for reversal of apartheid
o Special Committee Against Apartheid founded 1963 (E.S. Reddy first secretary)
- Significant because…
o Sport = significant to Afrikaner culture, attacked whites, exposed harsh NP
o UN condemnation led to action later in period
- However…
o Sporting boycotts only key later
1977 Commonwealth countries signed Gleneagles (discouraged playing SA)
Shows earlier measures ineffective, first global collaboration
Following this, playing SA sparked protests (e.g. SA 1981 tour to NZ)
Though, 1960s = first cases of significant cultural boycotts, lay foundation for future
opposition but not ‘key’ (sufficiently threatening) in 1960s
o Condemnation useless in opposing apartheid in practice if not supported with action
Action only truly came 1970s (or even 1980s)
Protests (e.g. AAM demonstration of 6,000 in London after Soweto)
P2: Political Opposition
- The global anti-apartheid movement
o Oliver Tambo’s ‘external mission’ 1960
Addressed UN in NY UN resolution calling for release of political prisoners
Secured funding from USSR & Sweden (vital for non-military ANC activities)
o AAM founded in London 1960 (Trevor Huddleston vp 1961-81)
US, Canada, Netherlands – important anti-apartheid movements
- Political Isolation
o Although Western ties maintained, became more isolated within Africa
1963 Organisation of African Unity formed, issued procedures vs SA including fund
for liberation
Bechuanaland, Protectorate, Basutoland, Swaziland (bordering SA)
Became havens for SA dissidents & routes for escape
o 1969 Lusaka Manifesto adopted by many African states, reiterated antipathy to apartheid
However, Kauda (Zambia president) demanded Tambo find new MK base – 1969 so
impacts only seen in 1970s
