Part Three - International Opposition

Question 1

South Africa Leaves the Commonwealth

Answer 1

In 1960 South Africa was still a part of the British Commonwealth but in 1961 a vote was held in South Africa in which the country’s white people voted to leave the Commonwealth.

Question 2

Sporting Boycotts

Answer 2

In countries such as Britain, anti-apartheid organisations put pressure on the government to enforce sanction and sports boycotts against South Africa. For example many countries refused to arrange sporting tours to South Africa, with the intention of isolating the country.

Question 3

Example of the Main Boycotts

Answer 3

• 1959 The West Indies cricket team refuse to go on tour to South Africa.
• 1964 South Africa banned from the Olympic Games 1969 Protests against the Springbok tour to Britain.
• 1970 The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) cancels the South African cricket team’ tour to Britain.
• 1977 The Gleneagles Agreement: Commonwealth countries ban sporting links of any kind with South Africa.

However these weren’t enough to change things.

Question 4

The UN and the Economic Sanctions

Answer 4

The United Nations is an international organisation established after the Second World War. It aims to ensure human rights for people around the world.
Between 1946 and 1980, the UN passed 158 resolutions on South Africa. This meant the UN called on its member countries to refuse trade with South Africa.

Question 5

Problems with Economic Sanctions

Answer 5

• The UN’s early sanctions were unsuccessful due to South African’s extremely strong economy.
• South Africa was the richest country in the southern part of the African Continent, and it was more of less self-sufficient.
• The economy of other neighbouring countries depended heavily on South Africa’s economy so it was hard to persuade poor countries on the continent to stop trading with South Africa.
• Countries like Britain and the USA were still eager to trade with South Africa.
• When the UN proposed the introduction of sanctions on goods, the USA and Britain both refused. In 1971, 70% of the foreign money invested in South Africa came from Britain, and British companies were keen to continue investing in the country.

Question 6

The OAU

Answer 6

A great deal of effort was made by the Organisation of African Unity to see economic sanctions introduced against South Africa. They tried putting pressure on the UN to introduce these sanctions.

Question 7

Why Did Efforts to Introduce Economic Sanctions Fail?

Answer 7

• South Africa’s economy was too strong.
• South Africa had rare and valuable resources.
• Other neighbouring countries relied too much on South Africa.
• Russia and America were fighting a Cold War, and were keen for their influence on South Africa to continue.

Question 8

International Anti-apartheid Organisations

Answer 8

United Democratic Front (UDF) - One of the most influential anti apartheid organisations. Its slogan was the ‘UDF unites, apartheid divides’. It called on its members to ‘make South Africa ungovernable’.

South West African Peoples Organisation (SWAPO) - Formed in opposition to SA’s presence in Namibia, With UN help, Namibia became free of SA influence.

Anti Apartheid Movement (AAM) - The movement began in Britain in the late 1950’s but soon spread across Europe, changing people’s attitudes towards apartheid, organising boycotts and protests.