South Africa Country Study

Who lives there today? 40 million people Afrikaners = whites who are descendants of original Dutch settlers (speak Afrikaans language). Zulu, Xhosa, San, etc.

History 1600’s – invasion by the Dutch and English who ruled over the native population In 1948 an all-Afrikaner (whites) party (Nationalists) won elections Government began to follow a policy of separate development in politics, economics, and social settings (apartheid)

Separate and Not Equal No mixed marriages Segregated Residential Areas Skilled jobs reserved for whites Separate facilities for white and non-white While segregation had always existed, the Nationalists made it official policy of government

Whites wanted to ensure their survival Bantu Authorities Act (1951) –Homelands Program (tribal states) Divided country into 10 states – 1 for whites on 87% of land and 9 for blacks with 13% of land 70% of the population would live on 13% of the land When the homeland became independent, residents became citizens of that nation and lost South African citizenship. –Problems with this?

Apartheid becomes violent Sharpeville Massacre (1960) –Protest to get govt. to abolish pass laws (ID cards) –Police fire on 69 blacks were killed –Demonstrations in Cape Town Govt. declared state of emergency Many more jailed

Soweto Riots Black high school students were being required to take some courses in Afrikaans (language spoken by Afrikaners) –Symbol of oppression Marked a turning point –Young blacks saw violence as only answer –Afrikaners began to question apartheid

Reaction and Riots: Nation divided: blacks and whites Gov’t slow to bring about great reforms –International Security Act 1977 – gave police greater power to detain persons whose activities were considered “a threat” Steven Biko: beaten to death while in police custody

State of Emergency – July 1985 Police given power to enter homes, seize property, make arrests, detain suspects indefinitely, impose curfews and restrict press Outdoor funerals banned –Place where large groups of blacks could gather and express feelings –Some funerals attracted more than 50,000 mourners

Limited Reforms South African gov’t faced growing criticism (within S. Africa and around the world) President Botha repealed: –Marriage laws –Pass laws –Homeland citizens could be citizens of S. Africa but not allowed to vote

International Response Disinvestment – Greater push NOT to invest in companies that do business with South Africa Many argued for US sanctions

The Sullivan Principles Issued in Non-segregation of the races in all eating, comfort, and work facilities. 2.Equal and fair employment practices for all employees. 3.Equal pay for all employees doing equal or comparable work for the same period of time. 4.Initiation of and development of training programs that will prepare, in substantial numbers, blacks and other nonwhites for supervisory, administrative, clerical, and technical jobs. 5Increasing the number of blacks and other nonwhites in management and supervisory positions. 6.Improving the quality of life for blacks and other nonwhites outside the work environment in such areas as housing, transportation, school, recreation, and health facilities. 7.Working to eliminate laws and customs that impede social, economic, and political justice. (Added in 1984.)

Another State of Emergency Result: –More violence –Stronger sanctions –American businesses left Not only did companies not have any new investments but also sold investments already in South Africa

Movement Away from Apartheid De Klerk becomes President –Member of Nationalist Party but many whites feared he would eliminate apartheid –Many whites afraid of reprisals from black majority Mass Democratic Movement organized –Blacks protesting for change (despite sanctions) De Klerk legalized MDM atch?v=T_z_9GH4NlYhttp:// atch?v=T_z_9GH4NlY

Nelson Mandela Released from jail in After 27 years in prison Met with De Klerk to improve relations Many apartheid laws repealed in 1990s –No apartheid in hospitals

The Government Constitutional democracy First non-racial Democratic elections held in 1994 Nelson Mandela elected Mandela stepped down in : Mbeki elected >>>

Sources ountry_profiles/ stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/c ountry_profiles/ stm Gellar, Harriet and Erwin M. Rosenfeld. Global Studies: Volume 1. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, 1993.