Soweto Uprising And The Death Of Biko Flashcards
ST causes
Language of Afrikaans alongside English (seen as the language of the oppressor)
Formation of uprising once ammunition used by police
LT causes of Soweto
‘Gutter’ education creates major discontent and resentment
Much more spending on WSA
Bantu Education Act 1953: schools regulated with state, less spent on BSA
Rise in black consciousness
Soweto Uprising
Where, why, what, who
Culminate at an Orlando Stadium Rally, Soweto
16th June 1976
Anti educational laws (amongst other LT issues)
Organised by SASM, attended by 3,000- 10,000 students
What happened at the uprising?
Students confronted by about 50 police: stones hurled and police released dogs and ammunition: few dead, others wounded
Attack govt buildings, killed 2 officials
Gov’t respond with force
Response and immediate result (death toll)
138 killed over first few days
Treurniche remains intransigent on policy and denied problems
17th June
300 Wits Uni students March in sympathy
Turfloop students try to burn down Afrikaans department on campus
Other responses by SA
Locations attacked in townships eg Alexandra
Incidents spread and Soweto Students Representative Council establish in August
Target white owned ships and liquor stores
Vengeance against ‘sell outs’ and ‘traitors of the Black struggle’
Organise litter collection that was previously cancelled
Black Parents’ Association Winnie Mandela organise funerals which become politicised
Significance and impact of the Soweto uprising within SA
Many student leaders detained and 1000s killed
Armed activity increased, new ANC and PAC recruits sabotage
Shook white businesses and put pressure on Gov’t to reform
Significance and impact of the Soweto uprising outside SA
ANC in exile was boosted due to having students receive training
Negatively impacts image of SA overseas
Dramatic TV coverage shown globally
Damaged international opinion and ruined govt attempt to stop isolationism
How was Soweto a turning point?
Increased overseas pressure
Unlike Sharpeville, genuinely impacted international affairs
Youth and future of SA that uprose
Exhibited the severity of race relations
Reasons for Steve Bikos detainment
Banned in 1973 and made to live in King Williamstown, East Cape- movt restricted and not allowed to attend public meeting
Remained involved in local and regional BC and kept strong profile as author
Ideas taken up by Donald Woods; white editor of Daily Dispatch
Biko broke banning order; was interrogated and badly beaten after arrest
Results of arrest and beating of Biko
Rushed 1,000km by road to Pretoria prison hospital a few weeks following
Died 12th September 1977
Police claims following death of Biko
Due to hunger strike
Challenged by woods and presented evidence of a police coverup and made allegations of police brutality (photos from the morgue)
Impact internationally of books death
Triggered international disapproval, particularly in western countries that kept diplomatic and commercial relations with SA
Biko’s funeral
Attended by 10,000 people- including several foreign ambassadors
Carter discusses human rights in SA, Carter administration particularly active
Voluntary arms embargo- stop selling weapons to SA; UK doesn’t agree, US steps in, while of UN agree to not sell weapons
