Redefining Resistance and Challenges to National Party Power - Topic 3.1 Flashcards
Black Consciousness and the Soweto Uprising
What was Black Consciousness?
More a intellectual orientation than an organised movement, it asserted self-assurance in being black at a time when South African society put conidence in whites.
Who was Steve Biko?
A medical student at the Uni of Natal’s segregated school, Biko attended NUSAS and UCM congresses and drew on these ideas to build Black Consciousness and the South Africa Students’ Organisation (SASO) and movement.
How did African higher education develop in the 60s?
The Nationalists were keen to segregate higher education which gave new momentum in opposition circles. ‘Bantu education’ had been heavily criticised as it was designed to cut down the African elite’s aspirations to join a common society despite extending higher education for black people. ‘Bantu education’ would provide the echelons of officials and professionals to run effective self-governing territories. Turfloop would become the home of black students. Its at Turfloop that SASO was founded by Biko.
Why was the mobilisation of school children important in the resistance?
SASO began to quickly mobilise childern as banning orders were issued to the organisation’s leaders. Schools, both primary and secondary, were still rife with deprivation. These schools took Black Consciousness as it geared towards the youth. Constantly attacked by gangs, high school students were becoming increasingly militant fighting on two fronts. Black Consciousness gave students a stronger sense of identity. In 1976, the students formed their own self defence units to protect themselves from gangs.
For what factor did the Soweto Uprising begin in the first place?
The Transvaal Bantu Education Department decided to expand teaching in Afrikaans at African schools. Not only just learning the language, but learning other subjects in Afrikaans. Soweto high schoolers viewed Afrikaans as the language of the oppressor.
What factor did the Soweto Uprising begin?
The Transvaal Bantu Education Department decided to expand teaching in Afrikaans in African schools, not only just learning the language but also being taught in Afrikaans in other subejcts. African high schoolers viewed Afrikaans as the language of the oppressor and those who hurt their parents.
Describe the events of the Soweto Uprising
16th-18th June 1976
16th June - 2,000 pupils were confronted by 50 officers. Stones were thrown at the police and they retaliated by releasing dogs and shooting on the crowd. Pupils then attacked government buildings, murdered two officials and threw up barricades. The government responded and killed at least 138 protestors.
17th June - 300 Wits Uni students marched and Turfloop students tried to burn down the Afrikaans department on campus.
18th June - Buildings in Alexandra, Joburg, were attacked
What organisations & people formed integral roles in the Soweto Uprising?
SASM - South African Students’ Movement
SSRC - Soweto Students’ Representative Council
BPA - Black Parents’ Association
Tsietsi Mashinini & Morris Isaacson of the Regina Mundi Catholic Church
Winnie Mandela and Dr Nthatho Motlana of the BPA
What was the aftermath of the Soweto Uprising?
575 people died, it was the single most wiolent episode of state repression since Sharpeville and attracted global attention. After the local administration declared a rise in rents to pay for damages, the SSRC organised another mass demonstration and burnt down offices of the Urban Bantu Council. The UBC then resigned. 4,000 youths fled the country in 1976-77. Student leaders were imprisoned on Robben Island and most Black Consciousness activists decided to join the ANC while imprisoned on the island.
What was the impact of the death of Steve Biko?
12th September 1977
After being banned by the government in 1973, Biko was forced to stay at home and remain monitored. In August ‘77, Biko fled his home in Kingwilliamstown and he was arrested, interrogated and severely beaten. He later died after being rushed to a hospital 1,000km away.
The police claim he died from his hunger strike, however Donald Woods, Biko’s biographer, challenged the cover-up and made allegations of police brutality. Woods produced convincing evidence and the nature of Biko’s death provoked international condemnation especially amongst Western countries. Biko’s funeral was attended by over 10,000 people including foreign ambassadors to show support for Biko.
