South Africa

Fun Facts Africa is the second largest continent in the world. It covers 6% of the world’s surface. There are 53 countries on the continent of Africa and many languages are spoken. Some of the countries have their own royal family. There is still fighting in some of these countries.

Where is South Africa? South Africa is right at the bottom of the continent of Africa. Eleven official languages are spoken in the country. The British and the Dutch have owned parts of the country throughout history. It has a violent and prejudiced history.

Colonialism: who owned Africa? Some countries fought over who would control countries in Africa for a long time. Countries wanted control over the continent because it was rich in gold, diamonds and was important for the slave trade. The British and Dutch wanted South Africa. Although South Africa was one of the first countries to gain independence, it remained under the rule of the white settler population, in a policy known as APARTHEID until 1994.

South Africa and Apartheid In 1931 South Africa was given independence from foreign rule and a South African government was set up. This government set up a system called APARTHEID which brought in certain laws. They established 4 classes of race- White Coloured (mixed-race groups) Black Asian Each racial group had different rights and restrictions. The white minority controlled the much larger black majority with racist rules and laws.

A system which set up laws to reinforce racism and segregation. Apartheid A system which set up laws to reinforce racism and segregation.

Apartheid Laws You had to carry an i.d. card which stated which racial group you belonged to. There were different rules for different groups and the government decided which group you belonged to. You had to live with people of the same race as yourself and not mix. Black and coloured people had the worst quality housing, education, health care etc. It was a criminal offence to marry or have a relationship with someone not of the same racial group as yourself. Racial discrimination was in place in employment. Education was segregated- black people could only study certain things which would prepare them for a life of manual labour. Black people were forcibly moved from their homes in cities to live in other parts of the country where white people did not want to live. Trains, hospitals and ambulances were segregated. Black people were not allowed to run businesses or employ white people.

Speaking Out Against Apartheid Anybody who spoke out against the government’s rules faced punishment. Some students in Soweto (a poor township) staged a peaceful protest against the situation they faced in school and there were serious consequences. Many of the students were killed when the police opened fire on them.

Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela’s original name was Rolihlahla Mandela. (Nelson was added later.) He was born in “Black” Transkei, Africa on July 18, 1918. He gained a law degree. In his spare time he trained as a lawyer to try and protect black people living under apartheid. He began his peaceful work and the government did not like what he had to say.

Nelson Mandela He spent the next 28 years in prison on Robben Island. Mandela and the other prisoners started a hunger strike to get better living conditions. The prisoners won. They also found ways to communicate with other prisoners. A few methods were: writing messages on toilet paper, hiding messages in the bottom of food buckets, slipping notes in the dirty dishes (they made the dishes extra dirty for this) so the cook prisoners could read them, and taping notes to the inside rim of toilet seats.

Nelson Mandela While Mandela was in prison he was offered freedom if he would stop his violent actions. He refused this offer. During Nelson Mandela’s jail time he had secret talks with South Africa’s president. As a result, in 1990 he was freed. He became president of South Africa in 1994 and apartheid ended.