Question 6 & 7
WHAT ACTION WAS TAKEN TO TRY AND CHANGE THESE INEQUALITIES and HOW SUCCESSFUL WERE THEY?
In the late 1970s, grassroots civic associations sprang up in black townships to begin a new approach to activism that focused not on political action but on community development. Popo Molefe declared that the movement needed to work on local issues in order to give people "the confidence that through their united mass action, they can intervene and change their lives, on no matter how small a scale."
Activists began mobilizing local communities around issues like rent increases, fees for basic services like water, and forced relocations. By putting pressure on authorities through demonstrations, refusal to pay rent, picketing, and boycotts, activists made small, tangible gains. However, they knew that they had to maintain a larger vision: "We must see the increasing rents, bus fares and electricity charges as being only the smoke. Our work must be geared to extinguishing the fire which causes the smoke – the system of apartheid."
Basically, the actions they were intending to accomplish was to pressure the homes and families of the white South Africans. They wanted them to realise that if there was not equality, no one would prosper. Their intention was to bring the South African economy to its knees so that all would have equal rights and access.
Furthermore, they also realised that they would need the help of the international community. This was intended so the Apartheid system would have to fight a fight on two fronts, the international debacle and internal destruction. Eventually they would give in to all the pressure mounted on them and give the people the rights they deserved, irrelevant of colour. Evidently this would bring the South African economy to its knees but this was a price they were willing to pay for their freedom.
< Shown is a Anti-Apartheid protest in London, taken in 1984.
As already mentioned the communities were under pressure however, this didn’t not take away the fact that their communities were been run by representatives of the Apartheid Movement. Hence, they needed a solution. So they began forming committees to take over the leadership roles comprised of youth from the black South African group and also made sure to integrate older members of the community whom had experienced inequality and violence so as to form an intergenerational front which was united.
All in all this approach was slowly bringing the system down and various occasions this was nearly accomplished. Most notably in 1986 and as a response the system arrested over 25,000 people and also planned attacks on public figures leading the anti-apartheid movement. As well as identifying strikes form work as subdervision; making it punishable. However although the system done all it could to stop the movement it came to a point where it basically became military occupation, and finally the countries which were hesitant to put more pressure on the apartheid government decided that in light of recent events it was needed to cut off money supply and assistance.
A very effective campaigning method was boycotting the companies by not buying anything from them and hence these companies would lobby the government for change as they could not continue without money. The activists raised the awareness specifically on segregation and police brutality to gain support from the international community which they successfully did. Even from prison Nelson Mandela was sending out instructions on the next moves of the movement to bring the system to its knees.
Ultimately, the local and international pressure on the South African regime led to the realization that "the time for negotiation has arrived," as the country’s new president, F.W. de Klerk, said in 1989.The next year, Mandela was released from prison, and the apartheid laws were repealed. After negotiations, democratic elections were held in 1994, and Mandela was elected president of the new South Africa. The country would become a parliamentary democracy based on the “one man, one vote” principle.
After decades of apartheid, Mandela declared, "never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another." The story of the anti-apartheid movement serves as proof of Desmond Tutu’s declaration that "once a people are determined to become free, then nothing can stop them from reaching their goal."
SUPPORTING SOURCES
WHAT ACTION WAS TAKEN TO TRY AND CHANGE THESE INEQUALITIES and HOW SUCCESSFUL WERE THEY?
In the late 1970s, grassroots civic associations sprang up in black townships to begin a new approach to activism that focused not on political action but on community development. Popo Molefe declared that the movement needed to work on local issues in order to give people "the confidence that through their united mass action, they can intervene and change their lives, on no matter how small a scale."
Activists began mobilizing local communities around issues like rent increases, fees for basic services like water, and forced relocations. By putting pressure on authorities through demonstrations, refusal to pay rent, picketing, and boycotts, activists made small, tangible gains. However, they knew that they had to maintain a larger vision: "We must see the increasing rents, bus fares and electricity charges as being only the smoke. Our work must be geared to extinguishing the fire which causes the smoke – the system of apartheid."
Basically, the actions they were intending to accomplish was to pressure the homes and families of the white South Africans. They wanted them to realise that if there was not equality, no one would prosper. Their intention was to bring the South African economy to its knees so that all would have equal rights and access.
Furthermore, they also realised that they would need the help of the international community. This was intended so the Apartheid system would have to fight a fight on two fronts, the international debacle and internal destruction. Eventually they would give in to all the pressure mounted on them and give the people the rights they deserved, irrelevant of colour. Evidently this would bring the South African economy to its knees but this was a price they were willing to pay for their freedom.
< Shown is a Anti-Apartheid protest in London, taken in 1984.
As already mentioned the communities were under pressure however, this didn’t not take away the fact that their communities were been run by representatives of the Apartheid Movement. Hence, they needed a solution. So they began forming committees to take over the leadership roles comprised of youth from the black South African group and also made sure to integrate older members of the community whom had experienced inequality and violence so as to form an intergenerational front which was united.
All in all this approach was slowly bringing the system down and various occasions this was nearly accomplished. Most notably in 1986 and as a response the system arrested over 25,000 people and also planned attacks on public figures leading the anti-apartheid movement. As well as identifying strikes form work as subdervision; making it punishable. However although the system done all it could to stop the movement it came to a point where it basically became military occupation, and finally the countries which were hesitant to put more pressure on the apartheid government decided that in light of recent events it was needed to cut off money supply and assistance.
A very effective campaigning method was boycotting the companies by not buying anything from them and hence these companies would lobby the government for change as they could not continue without money. The activists raised the awareness specifically on segregation and police brutality to gain support from the international community which they successfully did. Even from prison Nelson Mandela was sending out instructions on the next moves of the movement to bring the system to its knees.
Ultimately, the local and international pressure on the South African regime led to the realization that "the time for negotiation has arrived," as the country’s new president, F.W. de Klerk, said in 1989.The next year, Mandela was released from prison, and the apartheid laws were repealed. After negotiations, democratic elections were held in 1994, and Mandela was elected president of the new South Africa. The country would become a parliamentary democracy based on the “one man, one vote” principle.
After decades of apartheid, Mandela declared, "never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another." The story of the anti-apartheid movement serves as proof of Desmond Tutu’s declaration that "once a people are determined to become free, then nothing can stop them from reaching their goal."
SUPPORTING SOURCES
PRIMARY SOURCE - Nelson Mandella Postcards in the Apartheid, released by ID&AF
Perspective - ID&AF perspective, no bias as it is not trying to persuade
Reliability - Reliable as it is from a reputable source with unmodified images
Usefulness - Mediocre. Tells us the promise that Mandela stated before going to prison "I will return."
Perspective - ID&AF perspective, no bias as it is not trying to persuade
Reliability - Reliable as it is from a reputable source with unmodified images
Usefulness - Mediocre. Tells us the promise that Mandela stated before going to prison "I will return."
PRIMARY SOURCE - Poster
Anti-Apartheid Movement Organisation, 1980s
Perspective - Anti-Apartheid Movement, London. Bias to one side.
Reliability - Reliable, comes from a reputable source.
Usefulness - Tells us about the international pressure towards the Apartheid
Anti-Apartheid Movement Organisation, 1980s
Perspective - Anti-Apartheid Movement, London. Bias to one side.
Reliability - Reliable, comes from a reputable source.
Usefulness - Tells us about the international pressure towards the Apartheid