This document is a summary of the events in South Africa during the time of the Apartheid and how the oppressed fought through different forms of resistance as well as the causes and effects of significant events. This document also has the names and roles of every person you need to know about for...
Civil Resistance in South Africa in
the 1970s and the 1980s
Introduction
Very little protest in SA in the mid-1960s due to state repression:
After the Sharpeville Massacre (1960) the ANC and Pac were banned.
Armed wings of the ANC and the PAC were curbed by the state.
Key members of the liberation movement were imprisoned or went into exile.
Huge military spending and white conscription into the army for 9 months.
The new Legislation increased the Apartheid state’s power to supress protest.
After Sharpeville there was a movement to speed up the process of separate development.
- Each African Language group would have a “Homeland” and eventually the trapping of
independence
- Result – In the late 1960s the number of young black people with access to university
education grew dramatically.
Black people realised it was a method to deny black people of their political rights in SA
NO FOREGIN STATES RECGONISED THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE HOMELANDS
Economic Boom
The 1960s economic boom in SA led to the urbanisation of black people – especially men that were
looking for jobs.
But the boom did very little to benefit the black workers:
- Shortage of housing, lack of services and low wages.
Growing dissatisfaction and frustration
- Made worse by the 1973 oil crisis
- Dissatisfaction turned into a series of strikes in Durban and East Rand
,Jenna Cole
Durban Strikes in 1973
Durban strikes spread and eventually involved about 200 000 strikers
- The strikes that were not organised by the Trade Unions were banned.
- But they did SUCCEED in getting:
- Wage increases and recognition as first independent trade unions.
Impact of Durban Strikes
Increases were small but Durban strikes had a MAJOR impact:
- They were the first large scale resistance by South African workers.
- Number of strikes increased.
- Trade Unions (although not legal) were recognised by some employers.
Decolonisation and its impact
Decolonisation
- Independence of Angola and Mozam in 1975 encouraged hope for change
- The ANC and PAC in exile could establish bases closer to South Africa.
Position of the opposition in the 1960s and 1970s
1960s
- Many MK and Poqo leaders were arrested and imprisoned
- Others in exile for example Oliver Tambo who led the ANC from the headquarters in Lusaka
- Many MK and Poqo camps were isolated and poorly equipped.
Little influence in SA during the 1960s and 1970s
- SA was surrounded by white run states util 1975.
- SADF was very strong.
, Jenna Cole
Position of the opposition in the 1970s and 1980s
Opposition got more support from the west.
- After Mozambique, Angola and Zimbabwe gained independence.
Internal resistance grew after:
1976 Soweto Uprising
- Many young people joined the ANC
- Liberation before education
Formation of the UDF in 1983
DEVELOPMENT OF THE BLACK
CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT
In the late 1960s and early 1970s a new generation of black students began to organise a
resistance within South Africa.
They began to develop new ideas, partly as a result of attendance at separate universities but they
faced many challenges:
- In rural areas far from each other.
- Scholarships were taken if they engage in political action.
- Access, curriculum, library material and student organisations were closely monitored.
- Difficult to organise protest action – telephone services were limited, and transport was
expensive.
- Lecturers were punished for giving talks on unauthorised subjects.
- SEPARATEDNESS OF THESE UNIVERSITIES GAVE RISE TO THE IDEAS OF BLACK
CONSCIOUSNESS.
Things start Changing
Despite the problems that black students faced, a new movement was formed in 1969… THE BLACK
CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT
Steve Biko was at the forefront of this campaign.
Resulted in political renewal and the revival of the struggle against the apartheid in the 1970s
- Resulted in mass protest which eventually brought the NP govt. to its knees.
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