Apartheid South Africa in the 1980's

Question 1

NUSAS

Answer 1

National Union of South African Students
Predominantly white controlled students body at White English speaking Universities (UCT, Natal and WITS)
Protested against the govt policies and Apartheid
became more radical when Biko and supporters left to form SASO
Biko accused NUSAS of being too moderate and ineffective
Influenced by the students unrests in Europe and USA
Protested against the security laws and military conscription
Govt banned white student leaders

Question 2

Black Sash

Answer 2

Founded in 1955 by white women
Protested against human rights abuses
Opposed the govt’s plans to disenfranchise Coloured voters in the Cape
Stages public protests wearing black sashes as a symbol of mourning
Held protests outside parliament when sitting in
Wrote letters top newspapers to conscientize people of Apartheid
Advise offices to help black with legal/ social problems (pass offences)

Question 3

United Democratic Front (UDF)

Answer 3

The 1983 constitution was rejected by the majority of Coloureds and Indians
govt tried to restructure Apartheid instead of dismantling it
Coloureds/Indians voters were encouraged not to register/vote for the Tri-Cameral elections of 1984
400 Organizations formed the United Democratic Front in Rocklands Civic Centre, Mitchells Plain in 1983
UDF managed to persuade Coloureds/Indians to stay away from the polls-20% voted
Its policies were based on the Freedom Charter
UDF arranged school boycotts, rent boycotts and stayaways

Question 4

Civic/Community Organizations

Answer 4

Played a major role in the struggle from freedom
Parent-Teacher Committees, Women organizations, Youth Groups
Acted as a pressure group to get the govt to improve facilities
Organized rent/consumer/local elections boycotts, worker stayaways
Civics targeted black councillors (govt appointed)-responsible for township administration
Many councillors/ police forced to resign/ flee the townships-many were killed
Civic Organizations took control of township administration

Question 5

Trade Unions

Answer 5

Workers/Trade Unions played a key role in the protest actions against apartheid
1978 black trade unions became legal in SA-concerned with workplace issues
1983 trade unions became actively involved with politics
Trade Unions joined the UDF-encouraged their membership to boycott Tri-Cameral elections
Trade Unions worked with community organizations arranging the boycotts/stayaways
1985 Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (COSATU) formed
1987 COSATU adapted the Freedom Charter and aligned itself with the UDF
COSATU put pressure on employees/ govt-organised strikes
Opposed govt legislation curbing strikes

Question 6

Students Organisations

Answer 6

Students protest were an important part of the liberation struggle
Unequal education system remained the focus of protests
COSAS-Congress of South African Students (ANC/UDF) aligned
AZASO- Azanian Students Organizations (PAC aligned)
1980/1 Coloured/ Indian students in the Western Cape protested against the use of soldiers as teachers
They also demanded free/ equal education for all
Schools closed, detention of leaders
1985 another school boycott- schooling badly disrupted-liberation before education
Dec 1985 NECC (National Education Crisis Committee) formed to discuss the breakdown in education
NECC called off the boycott- Education for Liberation
NECC urged teachers/ students to challenge the education crisis from within the school and to empower them to fight
People’s Education- alternative teaching methods/ material

Question 7

Religious Organization

Answer 7

Church leaders/ churches played a leading role in the protests
SACC-South African Council of Churches vociferous
SACC supported ECC
Encouraged foreign companies in South Africa not to apply job reservation
SACC confronted the govt
SACC supported sanctions against South Africa
1985 Kairos Document- Christians must support liberation struggle
Some Muslims/Jews/Hindus openly supported the struggle against Apartheid
With most organizations banned by 1988 the churches were the only voice of the oppressed
SACC supported non-violent action against the govt
First time the Dutch Reformed Church openly condemned Apartheid

Question 8

Botha’s policy of “Total Strategy” and Tri-Cameral Parliament

Answer 8

1980’s crucial point in SA politics
ANC and PAC existed in exile
Political leaders in jail
Govt had enough military power to control the country
Mid 1980’s Govt faced crisis
After Soweto Uprisings the Govt mixed reform with repression
Govt reformed (changed) Apartheid to win support from Black middle class
Govt suppressed any opposition in order to maintain power/ white domination
P. W. Botha, NP leader 1978-1989
Govt developed a policy “Total Onslaught” (to be under attack from all sides). Govt propaganda to make people believe that Communists were trying to overthrow the Govt with the help of China and USSR
“Total Strategy” - Govt counter-attack. Govt will fight this Communist threat tooth and nail. This included military build up, repression, limited reform to win the hearts and minds of the nation
P W Botha set up State Security Council to advise him on matters relating to resistance groups
All white male +18 of age to do 2 years compulsory military training
This army was used to quell internal uprisings
Military spending soared
ARMSCOR produced weapons
To diffuse the pressure the Govt introduced limited reforms
Black Trade Unions recognised/ Job reservation scrapped/ Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Immorality Act and Separate Amenities Act repealed/ Multi-racial private schools allowed/ pass laws abolished in 1968
New Constitution of 1983- created 3 separate chambers of parliament for Whites, Coloureds and Indians
Power was firmly in the hands of the White parliament
Blacks were totally excluded