Apartheid in South Africa
South Africa is the most developed country on the African continent. The country is also regarded to be among the few countries that have, for the first time, elected a black president towards the end of the twentieth century. The country has a rich and fascinated history. Besides, South Africa also has plenty of natural resources and mineral salts such as good as well as agricultural land. It is the world’s leading producer of minerals, such as diamond and gold. South Africa is also the only country in Africa that experiences mid climate like that of San Francisco Bay. Well, the above description shows it is indeed a magnificent country. On the other hand, the country has passed through some upheavals during the precolonial period. The history of this country sounds incomplete without mentioning the term apartheid. Apartheid is a brutal system that transformed the country into what it has become today. Apartheid can be described as a system of legislation that upholds policies that segregate black persons in South Africa. The policy was put in place to govern relations between the minority whites and the majority of blacks in South Africa. The system includes both the social and economic systems of the country. In his inaugural speech, the late Nelson Mandela stated that “Never, never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign”.[1] Nelson Mandela’s speech indeed shows that the country emanated from a repressive system of government. Apartheid regime started after the end of the second world war. It was introduced by Afrikaners and Broederbond organizations. From South African, these oppressive regimes then spread to other parts of Africa, for instance, Namibia. Namibia, however, became an independent state four years before the end of the apartheid regime in South Africa. This paper aims and examine in depth the apartheid regime in South Africa, those who are involved in the regime, and how the oppressive system impacted South Africa. Besides, the article will give details on the events that finally led to the end of the apartheid system of governance in South Africa.
Apartheid in South Africa started in1948 and ended in1994. For more than four decades, the minority whites undermined the rights of the majority of blacks in South Africa. The whites were mainly referred to as settlers since they occupied large tracts of fertile land. Throughout this period, the whites maintained their superiority rule by employing oppressive tactics. As mentioned earlier, Afrikaners Broederbond’s organization was responsible for introducing this discriminative regime in South Africa. This organization was found on 5 June 1918 when a group of dissatisfied Afrikaners came together and formed a new organization called “Suid Afrika,” meaning young South Africa in order to gain control of the authority in South Africa and develop their economy. With time the organization became famous and political. Its members started creating other public front organizations[2]. By 1947, the organization took control of the South African Bureau of Affairs, and it was with this group that the concept of apartheid was introduced. During apartheid, all those who inhabited South Africa were categorized into racial groups. There were the whites, Asians, Colored, and natives[3]. This resulted in racial segregation that ensued with complete distinction amongst the four groups.
Apartheid reached its heightened moments in 1970 when all those that are categorized as non-whites were denied political representation. During this year, the natives (blacks) were denied citizenship rights, and as a result, they become members of Bantustans. Moreover, apart from the displacement of the natives, there existed other forms of discrimination. For instance, there was a lot of social segregation in public institutions such as schools, beaches, and hospitals. In seldom scenarios where the natives accessed these services, they were presented inferior options compared to the whites. Due to this, South Africa experienced violence during this period. The violence was started by a few individuals who stood to the ground and rejected the apartheid system. They believed that the whites were exploiting them as they die in poverty. The system of governance also resulted in the country going through traded embargoes as other countries around the world distanced themselves from the racial regime. They condemned it and raised their voices to stand with the oppressed natives or blacks in the country.
Apartheid in South Africa spiked the social issue of equality. Because of this, the country experienced several revolts and uprisings. The whites, however, had unfortunate plans. The human rights activists and those who stood against the apartheid regime were imprisoned. Political parties were also banned so as to suppress African leaders who tried to fight the oppressive regime. As the violence intensified, various state organizations reacted by funding violence and escalating the extremity of the repression. Apartheid resistance reached its peak in the 1980s when efforts to reforms apartheid law failed to calm the natives, thereby Fredrick Willem, to try and negotiate with natives’ representatives to bring an end to the oppressive regime by 1990.
The negotiation came to an end in1994 for the first-time democratic election was held that involved all the races and African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela became the first black president in South Africa. Although the racial system ended two decades ago, its impacts and ruins are still present in the country.
Looking at the background of the apartheid regime, racial discrimination was introduced in South Africa in order to repress the natives’ participation in economics and politics. The whites thought that in order to maintain their superiority, they had to make sure that the blacks do not get any chance to group themselves to fight for their rights. Moreover, overseas studying also played a crucial role as blacks gained knowledge and momentum to stand and fight for what belonged to them[4]. Also, these blacks who studied abroad got support from those countries. Thanks to these countries as they significantly contributed to the weakening of the apartheid system, and blacks started getting stronger and eventually turning the tables.
Apartheid government attempted several times to manipulate and control the blacks through skewed policies. The sole purpose of these policies was to benefit the whites and oppress Africans. Dr. Abdulrahman formed the first political party organization to fight racial discrimination in South Africa in 1902. The political party was based in cape province. It was then followed by the African National Congress, formed in 1912. The political party brought together religious, educated, and traditional leaders. The main reason for establishing this organization was to demand the recognition and representation of the blacks in South Africa. The whites short down the efforts of the union, which tried to raise their concerns. This resulted in militancy and strikes. The unrest situation was experienced throughout the 1920s. Eventually, the communist party was formed, and it managed to unite workers.
Racial discrimination was also witnessed in the employment sectors. Blacks were given the regular jobs and high paying jobs were reserved for the Whites. Pass laws were introduced to further restrict black’s mobility thus limiting their chances of forming a political party to fight for their rights. The whites also enacted the laws that forced all blacks to take part in the forced labor. History indicates that all the efforts by the whites was to set up apartheid regime system of government in near future. It’s worth mentioning that there were groups of whites that separated themselves because they questioned certain ideologies employed by their colleagues. For example, they disagreed with being involved in the First World War as the national party evicted from the South African party.
Labor issues resulted in several strikes. Although African tried hard to fight for their rights, their efforts were constantly thwarted by the oppressing rule. For instance, they were secluding migrant residential houses and compounds. Those who worked in the mines also dissented meager payments and poverty; This eventually resulted in hostility between white and black workers, which further escalated the bloody rebellion of 1922. Heightened segregation against the black community mounted to serve the interest of the whites through the reformation of the repressive government policies and employment born in certain areas like postal services and railway. However, the great depression of the 1930s resulted in the union of major white parties, which were closely followed by a Dr.Df Malan, a new Afrikaner leader. In 1935, Africans were eliminated from the voter’s role. This unethical practice continued up to the end of the second world war when the apartheid system established to segregate the natives fully. This was the birth of the apartheid regime.
As mentioned earlier, Christianity also played a significant role in fighting against the repressive apartheid system, and registration of justice in South Africa. Several church leaders came to limelight as they fought for African rights. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is one of the Christian leaders who would never be forgotten in the history of South Africa. He is known for his role in fighting the apartheid regime system and boldly speaking of how Africans were being oppressed by the minority whites who have taken everything that formerly belonged to the Africans. Now the blacks work as slaves in their land. They cannot access public facilities in their land.
Desmond Tutu played a very significant role, especially when Nelson Mandela was serving in prison. In 1984, Desmond worn a Nobel prize for the peace award. His relentless hard work to fight apartheid was finally awarded. His fight against the oppressive government eventually raised concerns globally. When Nelson was Democratically elected in 1994, he appointed Desmond Tutu to steer the African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, whose primary purpose was to find out all those who committed crimes during the apartheid regime, regardless of their race. To affirm and confirm the apartheid system was not suitable for South Africa, Desmond had support from other whites, such as Bishop Trevor r, who strongly rejected apartheid. However, Desmond, although closely associated with politics, mainly focused on religious matters. He claimed that racial discrimination was not the will of God. In 1896, he appointed the head of the Anglican church, and this did not stop him from championing the black people’s rights. In 1988, Desmond called on to the public to boycott municipal elections, and as a result l, he was arrested l.
The first president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, is the key player in fighting the repressive regime. He actively fought apartheid as he led Africans together with other human rights activists to condemn the discriminatory regime publicly. All blacks were required to carry with them their pass, but in order to show his criticism and dissatisfaction of apartheid, Mandela publicly burnt his pass. Mandela’s effort to fight the apartheid rule culminated while he was working for the African National Congress (ANC) noticed the need to keep fighting. Mandela was charged with treason on several occasions and was finally life imprisoned in 1964. This was white move thwart African threats and also maintaining their supremacy. While in prison, Mandela kept fighting. He spread messages to people to encourage them to keep fighting.
Did apartheid actually benefit the economy of South Africa? Although it was highly condemned, some people still believe that apartheid has benefited South Africa in some way. Aside from introducing the injustice system in South Africa, apartheid is also the reason for the thriving economy of South Africa. Several programs were put in place to improve the economic and social systems of the government. These programs aimed at improving infrastructure and housing facilities as well as schooling and sharing of land with landless. Apartheid also resulted in the improvement of social amenities. Those who support the apartheid regime base their arguments on the economic development that resulted due to the existence of the regime. Moreover, many institutions, companies, and facilities were also established during the apartheid period. Although new plans were developed, it is still evident that the apartheid period set the standards. Although it has some disadvantages, it can overshadow the disadvantages.
Despite the above benefits, it is evident that the discriminatory regime has negatively impacted the lives of native South Africans. Human rights were undermined. Violent and hostile residents were also introduced. It also disrupted social structures as it was against the law to intermarry or interact. Mobility was also highly restricted. Blacks were only allowed to move within districts. Besides, they are provided with passes. Moreover, forceful displacement also became a norm, and blacks were not allowed to own any land or houses. Jobs that required skills were strictly reserved for whites. On the other hand, black people were subjected to manual works with either pay or no pay at all. Finally, violence also escalated during the apartheid regime with police brutally murdering or hurting people.
In summation, apartheid in South Africa has stay and will forever stay in the history of South Africa. Millions of people today are living with painful and remarkable memories. In 1994, Nelson Mandela became the president of South Africa and paved the way for a discrimination-free nation that respected humanity regardless of country, race, and gender. Based on the discussion, several lessons must be learned from it. Leaders came up with a leadership mechanism that would prevent discriminatory regimes never from occurring again.
Bibliography
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Lewis, Stephen R. The economics of apartheid. New York: Council on foreign relations Press, 1990.
Nattrass, Nicoli. “Controversies about capitalism and apartheid in South Africa: An economic perspective.” Journal of Southern African Studies 17, no. 4 (1991): 654-677.
Dubow, Saul. Racial segregation and the origins of apartheid in South Africa, 1919–36. Springer, 1989.
Wolpe, Harold. “The uneven transition from apartheid in South Africa.” Transformation 27 (1995).
Nelson Mandela” s Inaugural Speech. Available from
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Inaugural_Speech_17984.html [Accessed 28 May,
2008].
[1] Nelson Mandela Inaugural Speech. Available (2008)
[2] Maylam The rise and decline of urban apartheid in South Africa (1990): 57-84.
[3] Harold Wolpe. The uneven transition from apartheid in South Africa (1995).
[4] Nattrass Controversies about capitalism and apartheid in South Africa (1991): 654-677