The 1982 Black Local Authorities Act (4) Flashcards
What was set up after the Soweto Uprising?
After the Soweto uprising, the government set up local Community Councils to administer the townships, under the control of white government officials.
What was the motivation for the government behind setting up local Community Councils to administer the townships?
The government hoped to satisfy black political demands by giving very limited powers at local level.
What happened in 1982 in relation to these Community Councils?
In 1982 these councils were given more powers to administer the townships in a new law called the Black Local Authorities Act.
What did the Black Local Authorities Act entail?
The Community Councils could now be elected by local residents and were responsible for collecting rents and service payments.
True or false
The Black Local Authorities Act led to the growing popularity of Community Councils
False, this made them unpopular with township residents.
What significant reform was introduced in 1983?
Another reform was the introduction of a new constitution in 1983 which created a tricameral (three-chamber) parliament.
Why was the Tricameral parliament established?
This was an attempt to win support from the coloured and Indian communities, but at the same time retain white now separate control.
What was the Tricameral Parliament?
The Tricameral Parliament, a three-tiered assembly that presided over the last decade of Apartheid, was inaugurated to allow for parliamentary representation for Coloureds and Indians in one of three separate chambers, a supposed reform and improvement of Apartheid-era Whites-only representation. There were parliaments for white, coloured and Indian representatives- the Houses of Assembly, Representatives and Delegates respectively.
What would each house control?
Each house would control its ‘own affairs’ in matters such as education and housing, but all other matters were still controlled by the House of Assembly.
What did each house controlling its own affairs ensure?
This ensured that political power remained firmly in the hands of the white parliament. Africans were to be totally excluded from the tricameral parliament.
What was government policy in relation to Africans?
Government policy was that political representation for Africans was confined to the homelands and the Community Councils.
