T1 M10 The Crisis of Apartheid

Question 1

What was Prime Minister Botha’s belief about South Africa in the 1980s regarding internal and external threats, and how did he refer to this challenge?

Answer 1

Prime Minister Botha believed that South Africa was facing a communist threat both from within the country and from neighbouring states with socialist governments. He labelled this threat as “total onslaught.”

Question 2

Describe the concept of “total strategy” as implemented by the apartheid government under Prime Minister Botha.

Answer 2

“Total strategy” was a policy that combined contradictory elements of reform and repression. Reforms were introduced to gain support from the black community while simultaneously intensifying repression to suppress any form of resistance.

Question 3

Why did big business in South Africa demand changes in labour laws during the 1970s, and how did the apartheid system affect labour in the country?

Answer 3

Big business sought changes in labor laws as South Africa faced an economic decline and the cost of apartheid began to outweigh the benefits of cheap labor. The apartheid system significantly restricted labor mobility, hindering the development of a skilled labor force.

Question 4

What was the purpose of the pass laws in South Africa, and what challenges arose in their enforcement during the 1970s?

Answer 4

Pass laws aimed to control the movement of Africans into urban areas. However, in the 1970s, mass urbanization began, and many Africans defied the pass laws by moving to cities in search of employment. The enforcement of these laws became increasingly challenging.

Question 5

Did the policy of reform implemented under Prime Minister Botha succeed in preventing widespread resistance in South Africa? Explain.

Answer 5

No, the policy of reform did not prevent widespread resistance. While some reforms co-opted a few members of the emerging black middle class, they failed to gain support from the broader black population. Resistance continued to grow, and Botha’s reform policy faced significant economic challenges and limitations.

Question 6

Why did the South African economy, especially the mining industry, rely on black migrant labor, and what were the key controls governing this labor force?

Answer 6

The South African economy, particularly the mining industry, relied on black migrant labor because it provided a source of cheap labor. Black laborers were directed from the homelands to urban areas through tight controls, including the pass laws, which regulated their movement and required them to have “permission” to work in urban areas temporarily.

Question 7

What were the increased demands from the manufacturing industry, and how did this industry impact the pass system?

Answer 7

The manufacturing industry demanded a more stable and permanent African working class. This put pressure on the government to reform the pass system to meet the industry’s needs for a consistent labor force.

Question 8

What was the Riekert Commission, and what was its task in 1979?

Answer 8

The Riekert Commission was established in 1979 to investigate the influx of Africans into urban areas. Its task was to assess the situation and make recommendations regarding the control and management of this labor migration.

Question 9

How did the Riekert Commission categorize the African population, and what were the implications for these categories?

Answer 9

The Riekert Commission divided the African population into two groups: “Insiders” and “Outsiders.” Insiders had residential rights to live in urban areas if they met specific criteria, while Outsiders were African migrants who came from the homelands to urban areas to find work. The treatment of these groups differed, with Insiders receiving preferential treatment in employment searches.

Question 10

When and why was the pass system ultimately abolished?

Answer 10

The pass system was abolished in 1986. The system had proven to be too costly to sustain and had caused significant tensions and challenges, leading to its eventual abandonment.

Question 11

How did the government’s refusal to recognize African trade unions affect labor movements in South Africa?

Answer 11

The government’s refusal to recognize African trade unions meant that any strike action by workers was considered illegal, and striking workers often faced arrest.

Question 12

What significant recommendation did the Wiehahn Commission make in 1979, and how did it impact trade unions?

Answer 12

In 1979, the Wiehahn Commission recommended that African trade unions should be recognized and that the Labor Relations Acts of 1979 should legalize black trade unions. This recognition allowed registered unions to represent workers and negotiate better working conditions and wages.

Question 13

What role did trade unions play in the struggle against apartheid, and how did their power impact the apartheid government?

Answer 13

Trade unions became powerful organizations and played a key role in the struggle against apartheid. They used their skills and organization to assist civil organizations in launching protests. The government’s decision to legalize black trade unions had the opposite effect it anticipated, as these unions became strong and challenging to control.

Question 14

What was the significance of the launch of the Congress of Trade Unions (COSATU) in 1985 in the context of trade unions and labor movements?

Answer 14

The launch of COSATU in 1985 strengthened and consolidated the growing trade union movement in South Africa. It played a significant role in the ongoing struggle against apartheid.

Question 15

What was the purpose of the Black Local Authorities Act of 1982 in South Africa?

Answer 15

The Black Local Authorities Act of 1982 aimed to give more power to local councillors in the townships, with the intention of creating a black middle-class elite that would support government reforms

Question 16

How did the Urban Bantu Councils Act of 1961 impact local councils in the townships prior to the 1982 Act?

Answer 16

The Urban Bantu Councils Act of 1961 gave local councillors control over various aspects, such as housing, licenses, business sites, student bursaries, and rent collection. Many of these local authorities were known for their corruption and were perceived as puppets of the apartheid state.

Question 17

In what ways did the 1982 Act fall short of granting equal power and political rights to black township residents?

Answer 17

While the 1982 Act provided some local autonomy, black township residents were still under the control of the relevant minister in the whites-only government. They lacked access to Parliament, and the Act did not satisfy their aspirations for political rights.

Question 18

How did the introduction of the Black Local Authorities Act in August 1983 affect the South African population, and what forms of resistance and clashes emerged in response?

Answer 18

The introduction of the Act was met with resistance, strikes, boycotts, and general opposition, leading to violent clashes. Proponents of the Act and those against it engaged in violent confrontations. Security forces also clashed with protestors, resulting in casualties and difficulties maintaining law and order.

Question 19

When were the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act and the Immorality Act abolished?

Answer 19

1985

Question 20

What was the primary reason behind Prime Minister P.W. Botha’s proposal for a Tricameral Parliament in 1983?

Answer 20

Faced with increasing black unrest and international criticism, Prime Minister P.W. Botha proposed a Tricameral Parliament as an attempt to reform the apartheid system in South Africa.

Question 21

What does the term “Tricameral” mean in the context of South African politics in the 1980s?

Answer 21

“Tricameral” means “having three chambers.” It refers to the planned reconstruction of the South African parliamentary system that included three separate chambers.

Question 22

In an attempt to legitimize his political proposals, what did Prime Minister P.W. Botha do in November 1983, and what were the results of this action?

Answer 22

Prime Minister P.W. Botha held a referendum for white voters in November 1983 to gain support for his proposed changes. The result of the referendum showed that 66% of white voters were in favor of the changes. However, it faced opposition from conservative and liberal whites who had different perspectives on the extent of reform needed in South Africa.

Question 23

What was the main dilemma faced by liberal white voters in the 1983 referendum, and how did they respond to this dilemma?

Answer 23

Liberal white voters were confronted with a dilemma. They recognized that the proposed reforms did not go far enough as the black African majority was still excluded. Some liberals boycotted the referendum, others spoiled their ballots, and some voted “no” because they believed the reforms were insufficient. Their dilemma lay in not wanting to halt all reform but also desiring more significant changes.

Question 24

What were the three legislative houses created by the 1983 Constitution Act, and how many seats did each house have?

Answer 24

The three legislative houses established by the 1983 Constitution Act were as follows:

The House of Assembly for whites with 178 seats.
The House of Representatives for coloureds with 85 seats.
The House of Delegates for Indians with 45 seats.

Question 25

What representation did Africans have in the Tricameral Parliament, and how was African representation handled?

Answer 25

The 1983 Constitution Act did not provide any representation for Africans in the Tricameral Parliament. Instead, African representation was still managed through the homeland system and local community councils.

Question 26

What was the major criticism directed at the Tricameral Parliament, and what aspect of apartheid was it seen as perpetuating?

Answer 26

The primary criticism of the Tricameral Parliament was that it was based on the apartheid race classification system, and it perpetuated racial segregation in the political system. Many saw it as an attempt by the apartheid government to maintain control while appearing to grant political rights to some non-white population groups.

Question 27

What is a referendum?

Answer 27

A voting procedure in which the voters are asked to vote in favour of or against a particular proposal.

Question 28

Which act allowed for the implementation of the Tricameral Parliament?

Answer 28

The 1983 Constitution Act

Question 29

What actions did the apartheid government take in the early 1980s in response to growing resistance and conflict in South Africa?

Answer 29

In the early 1980s, the apartheid government increased military expenditures, extended the conscription period for white men, conducted cross-border raids into neighboring countries, and engaged in assassinations of activists. The role of the State Security Council became more dominant, advising the government on how to repress resistance. The military was deployed to suppress uprisings, leading to violent clashes and the declaration of a State of Emergency in some areas. This period was marked by a significant increase in violence, with thousands of black people killed in clashes with security forces.

Question 30

What does askaris mean?

Answer 30

A term used to describe former members of liberation movements who began working for the Security Branch, providing information, identifying and tracing former comrades.

Question 31

What was the significance of P.W. Botha’s ‘Rubicon Speech’ in August 1985?

Answer 31

In his ‘Rubicon Speech,’ P.W. Botha indicated that he would only consider releasing Nelson Mandela if Mandela agreed to renounce armed struggle. He also made it clear that he would not lead whites and other racial minorities to give up their power in South Africa. This speech disappointed those who were hoping for ground breaking reforms, as it did not announce the release of Mandela or the end of apartheid. The phrase ‘cross the Rubicon’ was used in the draft but removed from the final speech, symbolizing a missed opportunity for significant political change. It highlighted divisions within the National Party regarding the future of apartheid.

Question 32

What event led to the declaration of a ‘full’ State of Emergency in South Africa in 1986?

Answer 32

The declaration of a ‘full’ State of Emergency in 1986 came in the wake of a massive May Day strike by COSATU, a new trade union, which the government perceived as a threat to its power. The strike and its impact on the country prompted the government to extend the State of Emergency to cover all areas of South Africa.

Question 33

How did P.W. Botha’s tenure as South Africa’s leader come to an end, and who succeeded him?

Answer 33

In 1989, P.W. Botha had a stroke, leading to his replacement as the head of the National Party by F.W. de Klerk. De Klerk became South Africa’s Acting State President and held tricameral elections in 1989 to gauge parliamentary support for his plan to end apartheid. Despite calls for a boycott by the Mass Democratic Movement, De Klerk received enough support to become the State President and initiate negotiations with the ANC.