Redefining Resistanfe And Challenges To National Party Power 1968-83 Flashcards
Why was the Bantu education act considered a “double edged sword”
Cut down the African elites aspirations to join a common society
But greatly extended higher education for black peoples
Where did many South African students attend universities and why?
University of the north aka turfloop
Route to many homelands eg lebowa and cities such as Johannesburg and Pretoria
How many students claimed Christianity due to mission schools in the 1960’s?
Atleast 2/3
Who was Steve biko
Medical student who attended NUSAS and university Christian movement congresses and drew on these ideas
Who are NUSAS
National Union of South African students
Why was biko significant to NUSAS
Led the black delegation during the 1967 NUSAS congress af Rhodes Uni
What is the story of the formation of SASO in 1969
Rhodes uni refused black students to stay in residence on campus / use facilities equally
Black students asked for meeting to be suspended , whites from NUSAS accepted situation
Triggered separate student movement 1968-69 and ultimately SASO founded July 1969 at Turfloop
What is liberation theology
Religious school of thought that argues religion must take a leading role in struggles against social and political oppression
What ideas did SASO take up from previous movements?
ANCYL , PAC which were all added to elements of black and liberation theology , nationalism and American black power
What was SASO’s view called
“Black consciousness” where black people should lead themselves , must rethink position in society , liberated their own minds
Define black consciousness and its aim
An attitude of mind that aimed to ensure that black people are “self-defined”
Why was the word black significant for SASO
Its purpose was to kill of much disliked government terms such as Bantu
Black referred to colour but also a political and psychological identity where even coloured / Indian identity with the idea of “black”
What was the SASO mass protest in Mozambique 1974
FRELIMO armed struggle since 1964 , important moment of liberation
1200 turfloop students attended and chanted freedom as police arrived
700 arrived on sports ground and sang ANC anthem “God Bless Africa”
What was different between PAC and the black consciousness movement (1972)
PAC mostly migrant workers vs students
Black consciousness did not primarily look to rest of Africa for inspiration , attacked idea of homelands
Who was the student president of Turfloop and what did he call out in 1972
Abraham Tiro
At a speech at graduation he attacked the university authorities for the poor facilities , discrimination and general inequality
Why was Tiro’s speech significant 1972?
Spoke infront of white university authorities
Was expelled but moved to high school in Soweto where he spread SASM , and black consciousness did
Where black consciousness groups focused on education what else did it do, how was this helped
Launched community organisations and self help groups
Helped by newspaper “the world” in Soweto , growing literacy provided an important vehicle for political ideas
Why was SASO banned in March 1973, what followed by the ban
Became too dangerous
Banning orders issued against leaders eg Biko
Led to a trial in 1975 under the terrorism act
Why was the SASO 9 trial significant 1975
They were not an illegal organisation so the press was free to quote them
Sang freedom songs and raised fists in courtroom
Outlined philosophy of black consciousness
How much did African children at school increase by 1950-75
1 million to over 3.5 million
Soweto high school numbers 1972-76
12,600 to 34,000
Why was the expansion of school students significant
Pressure on teaching staff
Led to political potential and expectation
What did Soweto school students have to confront everyday ?
Gangs
Eg the hazels , Dirty Dozen (tsotsis)
Who were violent to school children , demanded sex with girls
Led to school children become increasingly militant ie fighting gangs and the government
