Back to: History SSS 3
My brilliant scholar, welcome back! I hope you’re feeling great and ready for another important history lesson. You are doing an amazing job learning about Africa’s past, and I’m super proud of you! Today, we will discuss how the apartheid system in South Africa began and how African nationalists fought against it.
Prelude to Apartheid Legislation and Suppression of African Nationalist Movements
Imagine living in a country where the colour of your skin determines where you can live, work, or even go to school. A system where one group of people has all the power, while others are treated as second-class citizens. This was the reality of apartheid, a system of racial segregation that lasted in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.
The Origins of Apartheid
Even before apartheid officially started, racial discrimination had existed in South Africa for centuries. When the Dutch (Boers) and British colonised South Africa in the 17th and 18th centuries, they created laws that favoured white settlers and limited the rights of Black South Africans.
By the early 20th century, these discriminatory laws became more structured:
1913 Land Act – Prevented Black South Africans from owning land outside certain areas (only 7% of land was given to the Black population, while whites controlled the rest).
1923 Urban Areas Act – Forced Black South Africans to live in special areas outside the cities (which later became the townships).
1936 Representation of Natives Act – Removed Black people from the voter rolls, meaning they could no longer vote in national elections.
These laws laid the foundation for apartheid, which became official government policy in 1948 when the National Party (a white-dominated party) came to power.
Apartheid Laws and Policies
After 1948, the South African government introduced strict laws that separated people based on race:
Population Registration Act (1950) – Classified all South Africans into racial groups: White, Coloured (mixed race), Indian, and Black.
Group Areas Act (1950) – Forced Black South Africans to live in specific areas called homelands or Bantustans, far from cities.
Pass Laws (1952) – Required Black South Africans to carry a passbook (like an ID) to enter white areas. Without it, they could be arrested.
Bantu Education Act (1953) – Created a separate, inferior education system for Black children to prepare them for low-paying jobs.
These laws made it clear that Black South Africans were not considered equal citizens in their own country.
Suppression of African Nationalist Movements
As apartheid laws became stricter, African nationalists and freedom fighters began resisting. However, the government responded with brutal repression.
Peaceful Protests and Government Crackdown
Defiance Campaign (1952) – Led by the African National Congress (ANC), protesters refused to obey apartheid laws, but many were arrested.
Sharpeville Massacre (1960) – Thousands of protesters demonstrated against pass laws. The police opened fire, killing 69 people and injuring hundreds.
Banning of the ANC (1960) – After Sharpeville, the government banned the ANC and other nationalist groups, forcing them underground.
Imprisonment of Leaders
Nelson Mandela, a key leader of the ANC, was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to life in prison in 1964 for fighting against apartheid.
Other leaders like Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, and Robert Sobukwe were also arrested or forced into exile.
Armed Resistance
After years of peaceful protests failing, some groups decided to fight back:
Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) – Formed by Nelson Mandela in 1961 as the armed wing of the ANC, it launched attacks on government buildings.
The Soweto Uprising (1976) – Students protested against the poor education system. The police killed hundreds, sparking international outrage.
Despite the brutal suppression, the fight against apartheid continued, eventually leading to freedom in 1994 when apartheid officially ended.
Summary
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation in South Africa that officially began in 1948 but was built on earlier discriminatory laws. The government passed harsh laws that separated people by race, restricted Black South Africans’ rights, and suppressed nationalist movements through arrests, killings, and banning of political groups. Despite this, leaders like Nelson Mandela, the ANC, and other freedom fighters continued to resist, leading to the eventual fall of apartheid in 1994.
Evaluation
- What were some of the early laws that led to apartheid?
- Name three major apartheid laws introduced after 1948.
- How did the South African government suppress nationalist movements?
- What was the significance of the Sharpeville Massacre and the Soweto Uprising?
You are doing an incredible job learning about Africa’s history! Keep going—your knowledge will empower you to understand the present and shape the future. 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!
School Owner? Grow your school with Africa's most trusted school management + content platformGet more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on Android [DOWNLOAD]
Get more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on iPhone [DOWNLOAD]