Apartheid: The rise and fall of South Africa's 'apartness' laws

Summary

This video explores the history of apartheid in South Africa, a brutal system of racial segregation implemented by the Afrikaner National Party in 1948. It highlights the institutionalized racism, including laws that segregated races and denied basic human rights to non-white South Africans. The script details the courageous resistance led by figures like Nelson Mandela, the protests, and the global movement to end apartheid. It culminates with Mandela's release from prison in 1990 and his election as president in 1994, marking the official end of apartheid and the triumph of democracy and equality in South Africa.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nelson Mandela cast his vote in the first free elections in South Africa on April 27th, 1994, marking the end of apartheid.
• 😀 Apartheid, a system of racial segregation, was enforced by the Afrikaner National Party starting in 1948.
• 😀 The term 'apartheid' comes from the Afrikaans language, meaning 'apartness'.
• 😀 The Natives Land Act of 1913 limited black Africans' land ownership to only 7%, beginning a legacy of racial segregation.
• 😀 Apartheid laws created racial divisions by categorizing people into four groups: white, Indian, colored (mixed descent), and black.
• 😀 The laws of apartheid severely restricted basic rights, such as freedom to live, work, and marry, based on race.
• 😀 Non-whites had to carry passbooks at all times and were restricted in where they could go and what they could do.
• 😀 Major resistance to apartheid came from nonviolent political protests and civil disobedience by leaders like Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Walter Sisulu.
• 😀 Violent events such as the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, where police killed unarmed protesters, increased opposition to apartheid.
• 😀 International pressure, coupled with domestic unrest, led to negotiations and the eventual dismantling of apartheid, culminating in Mandela's release in 1990.
• 😀 In 1994, after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa's first black president, marking the official end of apartheid.

Q & A

What does the term 'Apartheid' mean and where does it come from?

The term 'Apartheid' comes from the South African dialect of Dutch, Afrikaans, and literally means 'apartness.' It refers to a system of racial segregation that was enforced by law in South Africa.

When did Apartheid officially begin in South Africa, and who was responsible for implementing it?

Apartheid officially began in 1948 when the Afrikaner National Party came to power and implemented a system of segregation to separate South Africa's white minority from its nonwhite majority.

How did the Natives Land Act of 1913 contribute to racial segregation in South Africa?

The Natives Land Act of 1913 restricted black African land ownership to just 7% of South Africa and prohibited black Africans from purchasing or occupying land except as employees of white landowners, laying the groundwork for apartheid.

What were some of the key laws and policies under apartheid?

Under apartheid, laws were enacted that segregated people based on race, dictating where they could live, work, and go to school. Interracial relationships and marriages were banned, and non-whites were denied the right to vote.

How were people classified under the apartheid system, and how did the classification affect their lives?

Under the apartheid system, people were classified into four racial categories: white, Indian, colored (mixed descent), and black. These classifications determined where people could live, work, and socialize, and also influenced their access to resources and opportunities.

What was the 'pencil test,' and how was it used to classify individuals under apartheid?

The 'pencil test' was a pseudoscientific method used to classify individuals. A pencil would be placed in a person's hair, and if it fell out, they were considered white; if it stayed in, they were considered colored.

What was the purpose of the passbook law for black South Africans under apartheid?

The passbook law required black South Africans to carry an ID at all times, which controlled their movement and restricted them to designated areas, further enforcing racial segregation.

How did the ANC and its leaders, like Nelson Mandela, respond to apartheid?

The ANC, led by figures such as Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and Ahmed Kathrada, organized protests and campaigns against apartheid, calling on people to deliberately break apartheid laws to draw attention to the injustice.

What was the significance of the Sharpeville Massacre in the fight against apartheid?

The Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, where police killed 69 unarmed protesters, marked a turning point in the anti-apartheid struggle. It led to a nationwide state of emergency and the banning of opposition political parties, including the ANC.

What led to the eventual dismantling of apartheid in South Africa?

The eventual dismantling of apartheid was driven by internal resistance, including the continued armed struggle, external global pressure through boycotts and divestment campaigns, and negotiations between the ANC and the National Party.

When was Nelson Mandela released from prison, and what role did he play in South Africa's transition?

Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 at the age of 71. He played a pivotal role in the negotiations that led to the dismantling of apartheid, and in 1994, he became South Africa's first black president, marking the end of apartheid.

What were the outcomes of the 1994 elections in South Africa?

The 1994 elections marked the first free and democratic elections in South Africa. The African National Congress (ANC) won 62% of the vote, and Nelson Mandela was elected president, symbolizing the official end of apartheid.