SA- Redefining resistance and challenges to NP power,1968–83 Flashcards
What was the Black Consciousness movement?
Originated on university campuses, encouraged students to take pride in their race and protest their conditions.
Was the Black Consciousness movement anti-white?
No, not anti-white just pro-black.
What was the full name for SASO and when was it formed?
South African Students Organisation, formed in 1969.
Who was Steve Biko?
The first president of SASO, aimed to raise black consciousness.
What did Biko co-found (not SASO) and when? What did it do?
He co-founded the Zimele Trust in 1975 which provided aid to political prisoners and their families.
What happened to Steve Biko and when?
Biko was arrested in 1977 for charges of terrorism and died mysteriously in police custody.
When was SASO itself banned?
1975
How many people attended Steve Biko’s funeral (and officials from how many other countries internationally)?
20,000 at his funeral, including officals from 13 international countries.
How many deaths did the ANC record in police custody in 1977?
14
What did authorities claim was the cause of Steve Biko’s death?
The South African Minister of Police announced that he died after a seven-day hunger strike.
Who disputed the authorities claim of the cause of Biko’s death?
Donald Woods, an anti-apartheid activist and journalist, friend of Biko’s, claimed he would not have done that and accused the government.
What action did congress take which showed support for the anti-apartheid movement and when?
In 1986, US Congress showed support by overriding Reagans sanction veto.
What actions were taken in Britain which showed international support for the anti- apartheid movement (3)?
The British were encouraged not to buy SA fruit, there were marches outside Barclays- which had close ties with SA- and there were protests against the SA rugby tour.
What is an example of a company withdrawing completely from SA and when?
Polaroid in 1977.
What movie did Biko’s death lead to which led to even further international condemnation of apartheid (include when it was released)?
Cry Freedom (1987)
Give 2 examples of the NP trying to settle unrest. Include dates and details.
Riekert Commission in 1979- focused on urban Black workers, introducing minor reforms such as giving some skilled Black workers limited rights to stay in cities. Only 500,000 would qualify.
The Wiehahn Commission was set up to investigate labor laws. As a result, the government legalized Black trade unions in an attempt to ease tensions in the labor sector and prevent further worker strikes and unrest.
Why was SASO tolerated by the NP at first?
It’s emphasis on separate development aligned with apartheid. Did no cooperate with whites.
What 2 wings did the NP start to split into in the 1970s?
Pro-limited reform and Anti-reform
What did the Anti-reformers in the NP do in the early 1980s?
Broke away from the NP to form the Conservative Party.
What did the NP do to try and appease pro-limited reformers?
Made cosmetic changes such as changing the ‘Department of Bantu Affairs’ to ‘Collective Development’.
What was the Muldergate Scandal and when?
In 1978, politicians used large sums of government money to pay for propaganda.
Which politicians were involved in the Muldergate Scandal?
Connie Mulder (head of BOSS) and Vorster (PM)
Impact on Mulder and Vorster of the Muldergate scandal?
Both resigned.
Specific examples of corruption in the Muldergate Scandal? (4)
1- 3 attempts to neutralise anti-apartheid newspapers.
2- bought an English Newspaper for 33 mil rand.
3- Used 64 mil rand to carry out mostly illegal activities.
4- Tried to bribe US and British to promote and justify the regime and apartheid.
What was the impact on NP support of the Muldergate Scandal?
It diminished trust but not votes.
When did Botha become PM?
1978
What was the Total Onslaught?
Total Onslaught refers to the perceived coordinated effort by communist and anti-apartheid forces to overthrow the South African government during the Cold War.
What was the Total Strategy?
Total Strategy was the South African government’s countermeasure, involving military, political, and social tactics to combat the “Total Onslaught” and maintain apartheid rule.
Examples of security forces actions as part of the TS? (2)
1-Security forces were involved in covert missions such as bombing the ANC HQ in London
2- and the assassination of Ruth First in 1982.
Example of Botha’s reforms which aimed to appease non-whites?
In 1976, Africans could obtain 30 year leases on homes, however in 1983 they could purchase them.
What Resolution did the UN issue in response to Soweto?
The UN issues Resolution 392, 3 days after Soweto, condemning government response and apartheid.
What shows the growth of liberalism in the 1970s?
the Progressive Party gained 6 seats in the 1974 election.
Statistic showing the inequality in education?
For every 42 rand spent on a black student, 644 rand was spent on a white one.
When was the oil crisis?
1973
Levels of inflation in the 70s were…
never less than 10%
What was the estimated shortage of workers in the early 1970s?
Shortage of 100,000 workers
How many teachers were estimated to be needed to enforce compulsory education for black children?
970,000
Evidence of increase in number of schools in 70s (Soweto)?
Between 1972-74, 40 schools were built in Soweto
Evidence of increase in numbers of black children attending school in 70s?
Number of black children attending secondary school went from 178,000 in 1974 to 389,000 in 1976.
What % of GDP came from Bantustans in 1973?
3%
Why were bantustan leaders resented?
Had a dictatorship like rule and seen as collaborators with the government.
Which bantustan came closest to economic independence? Give details.
Boputhatswana, due to tourism (e.g. casinos), but 60% still worked outside.
What % of Transkei’s income cam from SA?
85%
A statistic that shows the failure to be independent of bantustans?
Only 25% of working Africans lived in bantustans, most of whom commuted to SA daily.
Examples (3) of bantustans that were granted independence but weren’t recognised by other countries as independent?
Transkei, Ciskei and Boputhatswana.
Which country did the ANC visit when and why?
Vietnam in 1978, to study tactics they used against the Americans. Learnt guerrilla warfare to use in urban and rural areas which increased clashes with security forces. Increased arm resistance.
What did Oliver Tambo call for in 1985?
To make the country ungovernable.
What did Tambo aim to do in exile?
Aimed to oversee activities of MK, raise funds and set up ANC offices around the world.
When was the Soweto Uprising?
16th June 1976
Who organised the Soweto Uprising?
SASM
What was the population of Soweto in 1976?
1 million
What was the protest at the Soweto Uprising? (include number of students involved)
20,000 students marched to protest the compulsory teaching of Afrikaans.
What was authorities’ response to the Soweto Uprising?
Police threw tear gas then eventually opened fire on the crowd, killing at least 20 students.
Who was a notable individual killed in the Soweto massacre?
13 year-old Hector Pieterson, whose image with his horrified sister was caught in an photo which saw widespread attention, showing the horrific reality of the apartheid regime.
How did authorities attempt to justify Soweto?
The Minister of Justice justified the killings and gov officials accused protesters of seeking communist revolution.
How wide did the Soweto protest spread?
At least 100 places.
Impact of Soweto on changes?
The teaching of afrikaans was no longer compulsory however protests continued just focused on broader issues.
What followed after Soweto? (3 specific stats)
At least 80 more protests had taken place by the end of October. An estimated 1000 killed by the police, 52,000 arrests and 90 banning orders as an attempt to suppress protest.
What were other factors which contributed to the Soweto Uprising?
Overcrowding, black consciousness and absence of leaders to channel their frustrations.
Evidence of overcrowding in Soweto?
As many as 20 people were sharing a 4 room house in dirty, poor conditions
