Back to: History SSS 3
My brilliant scholar, welcome back! I hope you’re doing great and ready for another important history lesson. You are making amazing progress, and I’m super proud of you! Today, we will look at how the world reacted to apartheid in South Africa, especially the role played by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and other international groups in fighting against it.
External Reaction to Apartheid OAU and the Apartheid in South Africa
External Reaction to Apartheid: OAU and the Global Response
Imagine being treated unfairly just because of your skin colour, and when you cry out for help, the whole world listens and takes action. This was what happened during apartheid in South Africa. Many countries, organisations, and freedom fighters across Africa and the world stood up against apartheid, demanding justice for Black South Africans.
1. The Role of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)
The OAU (now the African Union, AU) was formed in 1963 by African leaders to promote unity and independence across Africa. One of its key missions was to support the fight against apartheid.
The OAU took several steps to weaken the apartheid regime:
Condemnation of Apartheid – The OAU publicly denounced apartheid as an inhumane and racist system.
Support for Liberation Movements – It provided financial and military aid to groups like the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), which fought against apartheid.
Diplomatic Pressure – The OAU encouraged African countries to cut ties with South Africa. Many African nations stopped trade and travel with South Africa to isolate the apartheid government.
The Lusaka Manifesto (1969) – This was a declaration by African leaders demanding that apartheid end through peaceful negotiation, but the South African government refused.
The OAU also worked with the United Nations (UN) and other global organisations to increase pressure on the apartheid regime.
2. United Nations (UN) and Apartheid
The United Nations played a major role in fighting apartheid. In 1962, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for:
A total boycott of South African goods, trade, and sports.
A ban on selling weapons to the South African government.
In 1973, the UN declared apartheid a crime against humanity, and in 1977, it imposed an arms embargo to stop weapons from reaching South African security forces.
The UN also created the Special Committee Against Apartheid, which helped coordinate international efforts against the apartheid system.
3. Economic Sanctions and Trade Restrictions
By the 1980s, international pressure against apartheid increased:
The United States and United Kingdom imposed economic sanctions, refusing to trade with South Africa.
Foreign companies pulled out of South Africa, leading to job losses and a weak economy.
Banks and investors stopped giving loans to the apartheid government, making it harder for them to maintain power.
These economic sanctions forced South Africa to reconsider apartheid, as businesses and the economy suffered greatly.
4. Global Sports and Cultural Boycotts
The world also used sports and culture to protest against apartheid:
South Africa was banned from the Olympics from 1964 to 1992.
FIFA banned South Africa from international football until apartheid ended.
Musicians and artists refused to perform in South Africa, and many boycotted Sun City, a famous resort that symbolised apartheid wealth.
One of the biggest global protests was the “Free Nelson Mandela” campaign, which pushed for the release of Nelson Mandela, who had been jailed since 1962. The pressure worked, and he was finally released in 1990.
The Fall of Apartheid (1994)
Due to intense international pressure and internal resistance, apartheid officially ended in 1994, and Nelson Mandela became the first Black president of South Africa. The efforts of the OAU, UN, and other global movements played a huge role in bringing apartheid down.
Summary
The fight against apartheid was not just an internal struggle—the whole world played a role in bringing it down. The OAU supported liberation movements, the United Nations imposed sanctions, and countries like the United States and the UK stopped trade with South Africa. Sports bans, cultural boycotts, and economic restrictions also weakened the apartheid system. Due to all these efforts, apartheid collapsed, and South Africa became a free and democratic nation in 1994.
Evaluation
- What role did the OAU play in fighting apartheid?
- How did the United Nations react to apartheid?
- What were some of the economic sanctions imposed on South Africa?
- How did sports and cultural boycotts contribute to the end of apartheid?
You are doing an amazing job learning about Africa’s history! Keep going—you are building knowledge that will empower you. I can’t wait to see you in the next lesson. And always remember, Afrilearn is here to make learning fun and exciting for you!
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