Why South Africa is still so segregated

Summary

The video script explores the enduring racial segregation in Cape Town, South Africa, despite the end of apartheid. It highlights the stark divide between affluent, predominantly white areas and the marginalized, largely Black townships with limited services. The script traces the historical roots of this inequality back to colonial times and the Dutch and British exploitation, leading to the 1913 Natives Land Act that restricted Black land ownership. The legacy of apartheid, with its forced removals and racial classification, continues to shape the city's socio-economic landscape, affecting access to jobs and opportunities. The script also discusses the post-apartheid challenges of integrating the racially divided society and the slow progress in addressing the deep-seated scars of colonialism and apartheid.

Takeaways

• 🏠 The physical divide in Cape Town between the affluent beachside community of Strand and the less privileged township of Nomzamo highlights the stark socio-economic differences within close proximity.
• 🌐 Nomzamo's population experiences limited access to basic services such as piped water and internet, illustrating the disparities in living conditions based on racial lines.
• 📊 The racial distribution in Cape Town is visually represented through a map, showing a clear segregation that extends across the entire city.
• 🏛 Apartheid, a system of legal segregation, had a profound impact on where people lived and their quality of life, with its legacy still visible in the current racial and economic landscape.
• 🚂 The historical development of Cape Colony, including the exploitation of resources like diamonds and the construction of railways, played a significant role in shaping the economic and racial divides.
• 📜 The Natives Land Act of 1913 and subsequent laws enforced racial segregation and restricted Black South Africans to only 8% of the land, pushing them to the economic margins.
• 🌆 District Six, once a vibrant, integrated neighborhood, was destroyed under apartheid policies, displacing thousands and symbolizing the forced removals that occurred nationwide.
• 🏙️ Post-apartheid, the end of restrictions on where people could live led to a mass migration to urban areas, resulting in the formation of townships on the outskirts of cities like Cape Town.
• 🏗️ Government efforts to provide housing and infrastructure in these townships, while well-intended, inadvertently perpetuated the legacy of apartheid by situating them on the urban periphery.
• 💼 The concentration of jobs and opportunities in Cape Town's city center contrasts with the location of the majority Black population in distant townships, creating long commutes and social challenges.
• 🔍 Despite the end of apartheid and colonialism, the script emphasizes that the psychological and communal scars remain, and the work to truly overcome this history and live together has not yet begun.

Q & A

What divides the beachside community of Strand from the township of Nomzamo in Cape Town, South Africa?

A strip divides the community of Strand from the township of Nomzamo in Cape Town, South Africa, creating a stark contrast between the living conditions and services available on each side.

How does the living situation in Nomzamo differ from that in Strand?

Nomzamo is denser with fewer basic services such as piped water and internet access compared to Strand, which has backyards and driveways.

What is the racial demographic difference between the two areas separated by the strip in Cape Town?

Nomzamo is majority Black, while the area across the line, Strand, is majority white.

How does the color of one's skin in South Africa impact their living conditions and opportunities?

The color of one's skin in South Africa often determines where they live and their quality of life, with racial divisions affecting access to jobs and opportunities.

What was apartheid, and how did it affect racial segregation in South Africa?

Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination that was written into law in South Africa, enforced by the white minority to control where non-white people could live, work, and exist.

When did apartheid officially end in South Africa, and what was supposed to happen?

Apartheid officially ended in 1994 with the election of a democratically elected government, which was supposed to mark a new beginning and end racial segregation.

What historical event in the 1870s significantly changed the economic landscape of Cape Colony?

The discovery of diamonds in the 1870s by the British significantly changed the economic landscape of Cape Colony, making it one of Britain's most prized and exploited colonies.

How did the Natives Land Act of 1913 reinforce racial inequality in Cape Colony?

The Natives Land Act of 1913 pushed Black people into only eight percent of South Africa's land and restricted them from owning land elsewhere, reinforcing racial inequality by location.

What was the impact of the Group Areas Act on non-white populations in cities like Cape Town?

The Group Areas Act moved non-white populations into separate urban areas, allocating the most prime and valuable land to white people, further segregating the races within cities.

What was the fate of District Six, a once thriving, integrated community in Cape Town?

In 1966, the government declared District Six a whites-only area, forcibly removing over 60,000 people from their homes and demolishing the neighborhood.

How has the legacy of apartheid and colonialism influenced the current living conditions in South Africa, particularly in Cape Town?

The legacy of apartheid and colonialism has led to a continued racial divide, with the majority of Black South Africans living in townships on the periphery of cities like Cape Town, far from economic opportunities and basic services.

What are some of the unforeseen consequences of the post-apartheid public housing program in South Africa?

The public housing program, intended to overcome apartheid's legacy, unintentionally reproduced the same legacy by situating the housing on the city's periphery, isolating residents from economic opportunities and services.

What is the current status of District Six, and how are former residents coping with the aftermath of forced removals?

District Six remains largely untouched by private development, with some former residents managing to return to houses built by the city, while hundreds of claimants are still waiting to reclaim their heritage.

What challenges does South Africa face in addressing the intergenerational consequences of colonialism and apartheid?

South Africa faces the challenge of confronting the psychic scars left on individuals and communities from colonialism and apartheid, and the work of figuring out how to live together in the face of that history has not yet begun.

Outlines

00:00

🏘️ Racial Segregation in Cape Town

This paragraph discusses the stark divide between the beachside community of Strand and the township of Nomzamo in Cape Town, South Africa. Despite their proximity, the two areas differ significantly in terms of living conditions, services, and racial demographics. The script highlights how racial division is deeply rooted in South Africa's history, tracing back to colonial times and the implementation of apartheid, which institutionalized segregation. The legacy of these policies is evident in the current distribution of jobs, opportunities, and living conditions, with most Black South Africans residing in townships on the city's outskirts, facing long commutes and limited access to basic services.

05:03

📜 The Lasting Impact of Apartheid

The second paragraph delves into the historical progression of racial segregation in South Africa, from the colonial era through the formalization of apartheid under white minority rule. The British colonial government's exploitation of the region's resources, particularly diamonds, and the subsequent establishment of a railway system, contributed to an economy that excluded Black populations. Laws like the Natives Land Act of 1913 further entrenched racial inequality by confining Black South Africans to a small portion of the country's land. The apartheid government's policies, including the Population Registration Act and the Group Areas Act, enforced racial classification and spatial segregation, leading to the destruction of integrated communities like District Six. The end of apartheid brought hope for change, but the script points out that the legacy of these policies continues to shape the present-day challenges faced by South Africa's Black population.

Keywords

💡Apartheid

Apartheid refers to the policy of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government between 1948 and 1994. It was a system that legally separated people based on their skin color and determined where they could live, work, and exist. The script describes how apartheid was a significant factor in shaping the racial divide in South Africa, as it forced non-white people into designated areas known as 'bantustans' and 'townships,' which were often underdeveloped and lacked basic services.

💡Strand and Nomzamo

Strand and Nomzamo represent two distinct communities in Cape Town, South Africa, separated by a strip that symbolizes the socio-economic and racial divide. Strand is depicted as having more resources and a predominantly white population with backyards and driveways, while Nomzamo is a denser township with a majority Black population and fewer basic services. These two communities serve as a microcosm of the broader racial and economic disparities in South Africa.

💡Racial Segregation

Racial segregation is the systematic separation of people based on their race, often enforced by law or social norms. The script discusses how racial segregation has been historically embedded in South Africa, from the Dutch and British colonial periods to the apartheid era. It highlights the lasting effects of this segregation, as seen in the stark differences in living conditions and opportunities between different racial groups.

💡Townships

Townships in the South African context refer to racially segregated urban areas where non-white people were forced to live during the apartheid era. The script mentions that most of Cape Town's Black population resides in townships on the city's periphery, which are characterized by informal settlements and a lack of access to jobs and opportunities. This term is central to understanding the spatial and social consequences of apartheid.

💡Colonialism

Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. The script outlines the history of colonialism in South Africa, starting with the Dutch and followed by the British, who used the region for trade and later exploited its diamond resources. Colonialism laid the groundwork for racial divisions and economic exploitation that persist today.

💡Natives Land Act of 1913

The Natives Land Act of 1913 was a law in South Africa that restricted Black people to only 8% of the country's land and prohibited them from owning land elsewhere. This law significantly contributed to racial inequality and land dispossession, as it pushed Black communities to the economic and social margins of society, a legacy that continues to affect South Africa's spatial and racial dynamics.

💡Population Registration Act

The Population Registration Act of 1950 was a piece of legislation during the apartheid era that classified people into different racial categories: white, colored, native (or Black), and eventually, Asian. This act was instrumental in enforcing racial segregation by dictating where people could live and work based on their racial classification, as illustrated in the script by the forced relocations and restrictions on movement.

💡District Six

District Six was a vibrant, integrated neighborhood in Cape Town that was destroyed during the apartheid era when it was declared a whites-only area. The script recounts the forced removal of over 60,000 people from their homes in District Six, which was razed to the ground. This event exemplifies the violent enforcement of racial segregation and the deep scars it left on individuals and communities.

💡Economic Opportunity

Economic opportunity refers to the availability of jobs, resources, and the potential for financial advancement. The script discusses how the end of apartheid led to millions of people migrating to urban centers like Cape Town in search of economic opportunities. However, the legacy of apartheid and colonialism has resulted in these opportunities being concentrated in areas that are not easily accessible to those living in the townships.

💡Intergenerational Consequences

Intergenerational consequences refer to the long-term effects of historical events or policies that impact multiple generations. In the context of the script, the term is used to describe the lasting impact of colonialism and apartheid on South African society, including the persistent racial and economic disparities that continue to affect the lives of individuals and communities today.

💡Psychic Scars

Psychic scars denote deep emotional and psychological wounds that can result from traumatic experiences or systemic oppression. The script mentions the 'psychic scars' left by apartheid and colonialism on individuals and communities in South Africa. These scars represent the profound and lasting emotional impact of racial segregation and the challenges of healing and moving forward as a society.

Highlights

A physical strip in Cape Town, South Africa, separates the beachside community of Strand from the township of Nomzamo, illustrating a stark contrast in living conditions despite their proximity.

Strand enjoys amenities like backyards and driveways, while Nomzamo, a densely populated area, suffers from limited access to basic services such as water and internet.

Racial demographics are distinct, with Nomzamo being predominantly Black and the adjacent area predominantly white, reflecting a broader societal divide.

The use of dots on a map to represent race visually demonstrates the profound racial divide present throughout Cape Town and South Africa.

Job opportunities and resources are concentrated in areas that are predominantly inhabited by the city's Black population, who live in 'townships' on the outskirts.

Apartheid, a system of legally enforced segregation, had a profound impact on where people could live and work, and its legacy is still evident today.

The end of apartheid in 1994 was expected to bring about significant change, but racial divisions persist due to centuries-old patterns.

The historical context of South Africa's racial division dates back to colonial times, with the Dutch and British exploiting the region for trade and resources.

The discovery of diamonds in the 1870s transformed Cape Colony's economy and led to the construction of railways, furthering racial inequality through economic exclusion.

The Natives Land Act of 1913 legally restricted Black people to only 8% of South Africa's land, exacerbating racial segregation and economic disparity.

District Six, once a thriving, integrated neighborhood, was destroyed under apartheid policies, displacing over 60,000 people.

The end of apartheid saw the lifting of restrictions, leading to mass migration to cities in search of opportunity, but often resulting in the creation of new townships on the urban periphery.

Post-apartheid efforts to provide housing and services have inadvertently perpetuated the legacy of racial division by situating new developments on the city's outskirts.

Cape Town's city center has valuable land for development, often sold to private developers for luxury apartments, while historic areas like District Six remain largely undeveloped.

Some former residents of District Six have returned, but many are still waiting, highlighting the ongoing struggle to confront and overcome the intergenerational impacts of colonialism and apartheid.

The narrative of Cape Town and South Africa's racial segregation is deeply rooted in history and continues to influence the present, with much work remaining to heal and integrate society.

Transcripts

This strip, in Cape Town, South Africa,

divides the beachside community of Strand from the township of Nomzamo.

They're only a few meters apart. But the people on each side live very different lives.

Strand has backyards and driveways.

Nomzamo is much more dense.

And the people here have fewer basic services:

Less piped water.

Less internet access.

And Nomzamo is majority Black,  while the area across the line is majority white.

If we use dots on a map to represent race, you can see how stark that divide is.

If we zoom out to the whole city, we can see it's actually everywhere.

And this is the case across much of South Africa.

The color of your skin here often determines where you live.

It also determines your quality of life.

This map shows where jobs and opportunities  are primarily concentrated in Cape Town.

And this is where most of the city's Black people live,

in informal settlements called "townships" on the city's periphery.

"People have to move by public transport for up to three hours a day,

and they can't take care of their obligations in the community,

with the rest of their family, because they're always working

and they're always traveling."

For decades, South Africa was under apartheid:

a system that wrote segregation into law.

A white minority controlled where non-white people could live, work, exist.

Many were forced out of their homes.

In 1994, a democratically elected government took power, and ended apartheid.  

It was supposed to be a new beginning.

But a lot of the country still looks like this.

And that's because South Africa's legacy  of racial division goes back centuries.

In the 1600s, the Dutch took over the southern tip of Africa,

to supply ships with food along the trade route to Asia.

150 years later, Britain seized it, and named it "Cape Colony."

Many Dutch colonists moved here, further inland,

to escape British rule and continue exploiting enslaved people.

Just like the Dutch, the British used Cape Colony as a strategic location for trade;

it wasn't economically significant.

But in the 1870s, that changed, when the British started mining diamonds there.

Suddenly, Cape Colony was one of Britain's most prized and exploited colonies.

In order to get the diamonds out of the country, they built railways,

to connect the mines up here to the coast.

The railways allowed the British to access a global diamond market

through the port city of Cape Town.

Soon, the economy of Cape Colony was centered around the railroads.

Especially this main route.

The green areas on this map show the Black regions of Cape Colony,

largely left out of the railroad economy.

Racial inequality in Cape Colony was being reinforced by location.

To keep it that way, the colonial government  started writing segregation into law.

The Natives Land Act of 1913 pushed Black people into these areas:

only eight percent of South Africa's land;

and restricted them from owning land everywhere else;

or, relocated them to the edges of the major cities, to work for white people.

These laws began to shape the region.

Cape Town's growth from the increased trade  turned the port town into a major city.

Many migrants from the rest of the  colony, and elsewhere, moved here,

to what was then the outskirts of Cape Town,

where former enslaved people, merchants, artists, and immigrants,

were forming a neighborhood called District Six.

As the city grew around District Six, so did the neighborhood.

For decades, District Six was a thriving, integrated community.

"We were a very cosmopolitan, you could say family, almost.

Because there were people from all different nationalities,

from all different walks of life."

"This was the statement: Your child is my child."

But it wouldn't last.

In 1934, Britain's legal hold in what was now the Union of South Africa officially ended.

The remaining white minority, the descendants of Dutch colonists, took control.

And they built on the foundation the British were leaving behind.

Between 1949 and 1971,

the all-white government passed 148 laws solidifying apartheid.

"Apartheid allowed for the full realization of the ambition

of the fascist project in South Africa."

In 1950, the Population Registration Act officially classified people by race:

white, colored, and native (or Black). And eventually, Asian.

Then they made laws saying where people could live.

Around the country, Black South Africans were moved into these areas,

called homelands, or "bantustans."

Bantustans were rural areas and had underdeveloped economies.

Many of them were in the areas Britain had already excluded from the railway economy,

and where Black land ownership had been restricted to.

Black people were forced to carry "pass books,"

that specified where they were allowed to work or travel to.

In cities like Cape Town, the "Group Areas Act" moved the remaining non-whites

into separate urban areas.

"The most prime land, and the land closest to higher-valued property,

was allocated to white people."

In 1966, the government declared that District Six was now a whites-only area.

The residents of District Six received removal letters like this one,

that said living there was illegal, because they were not white.

Bulldozers drove into District Six, and razed it to the ground.

"We lived here. We had a life here."

"It was very traumatic for a lot of people."

"It's like ripping out someone's heart."

More than 60,000 people were forcibly removed from their homes.

This kind of violence against non-white people  was commonplace around the country.

But, after decades of pressure, both from within South Africa and abroad,

apartheid rule finally came to an end.

The new government lifted restrictions on where people could live.

Millions of people, who had been excluded from economic development for centuries,

migrated to major cities, looking for basic services and economic opportunity.

"For any family with no prospect of employment,

the most rational, logical choice to make is to migrate to an urban center."

They settled where there was empty land,

creating townships on the peripheries of major cities like Cape Town.

The government built millions of homes, and expanded clean water and electricity.

"But it had a number of unforeseen consequences, the most important of which is that

the only land that could be used for the public housing program was on the periphery of the city.

And for that reason, a brilliant intention to overcome the apartheid legacy

unintentionally reproduced the very same legacy it was trying to undo."

Today, 60% of the mostly Black population of Cape Town

lives in these townships at the edge of the city.

The thing is, Cape Town's City Center  has land to develop.

But because of its location, it's valuable,

so it usually gets sold to private developers, who build luxury apartments.

Nearly a billion dollars worth of them are going up by the coast.

But, right in the heart of Cape Town, by all the expensive developments,

District Six remains largely untouched.

The former residents have fought against private development,

and they've actually succeeded.

Some have even managed to return to houses built by the city. 

"I wanted to come back here, where I was born,

which was part of our family's heritage."

"I couldn't believe that I was back.

It was a sense of relief."

But there are still hundreds of claimants waiting to get back to District Six.

"We haven't done the difficult and the painful work

to confront what the intergenerational consequences are

of colonialism. Of apartheid."

The story of Cape Town and South Africa's racial segregation starts far in the past.

But it's very much entangled with the present.

Apartheid and colonialism here are over.

But many of the barriers they built have yet to be dismantled.

"The kind of psychic scars that's left  on individuals and on communities.

We haven't begun the work of saying, How do we live together, in the face of that history?"