The Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) in South Africa Flashcards
BCM
Post Sharpeville Massacre the S.A government banned both the ANC and PAC
Leaders of both these organizations were either arrested or forced underground
Many let the country to continue the fight against Apartheid from outside the country
Both ANC and PAC realised that peaceful protest against Apartheid was ineffective - adopted the aimed struggle
ANC-Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK): Spear of the nation
PAC-Poco: Pure
Leaders of both organizations arrested and imprisoned
Political protestors came to a stand still
It was during this vacuum the ideas of Black Consciousness (BC) was born in SA towards the end of the 1960’s
BCM developed out of NUSAS, a student’s body at universities
Steve Biko argued that NUSAS was white, controlled and could not be expected to champion the cause of Blacks
NUSAS must educate other whites to fight apartheid
BCM (2)
Blacks had to be liberated psychological- the belief that Blacks were inferior to Whites
Biko wanted to set up their own organizations with Black Leadership
Biko founded the SASO- South African Students Organization at Black Universities
BCM wanted to end Psychological and Physical oppression of Blacks
In BCM ‘Blacks’ referred to Africans, Coloureds and Indians
Black Peoples’ Convention (BPC) was an umbrella body for all BC aligned organizations
BCM ideology- Blacks must develop a positive awareness/ identity/ consciousness of themselves as Blacks
BCM-Community development (ubuntu)
Clinics, creches, adult classes set up
Arts, literature and poetry played a role in developing black pride and consciousness
Black pride- rejected use of skin lightness- be proud of being black
BCM drew ideas from black leaders of USA
Initially the SA govt, did not see BCM as a threat- not aligned to any banned organization- cultural movement
BCM also wanted to rid SA of white domination
Leaders banned/ house arrests
Biko arrested and killed in custody
18 BCM organisations banned in 1978
Influence of BCM declined
BCM ideas carried forward in the 1980’s by AZAPO- Azanian Peoples’ Organisation
BCM restored black pride and self worth
Changes occurring in SA during the early 1970’s
Early 1970’s rising tensions amongst people
Tide turning against the Apartheid govt
Growth of BCM and 1976 Soweto Students Uprising to be seen against this background
1960’s boom in SA economy
Urbanisation of Blacks- shortage of housing in cities/ lack of services- led to dissatisfaction/ frustrations among Blacks
Early 1970’s boom faded
1973 world oil crisis- OPEC raised oil prices
Uncertainty in world economies
1973 strikes in Durban and East Rand- Low Wages
trade Unions formed- higher wages for workers
1975 Mozambique and Angola received independence from Portugal- gave hope to blacks
How Black Consciousness was expressed in SA
Emphasis put on black pride
blacks must accept their blackness
Use of skin lighteners, hot oil combs and wigs frowned upon/ discouraged
Afro hairstyle encouraged
Slogans “I am Black”, “Black is Beautiful” developed among BCM
Black Culture- Fashion/Music/Literature/Poetry
BCM placed emphasis on community development- blacks must establish their own support structures in the communities- don’t wait for the govt
BCM influences thinking around the role of churches in the struggle. They questioned the positivity of some white Christians in the face of oppression
Impact of the philosophy of BCM on student movements
Students in Black schools were angry with the inferior education system they were receiving compared to other race groups
Bantu Education was introduced to give pupils enough education to work as unskilled workers
Schools did not have proper equipment-teachers unskilled-result were poor-high dropout rate-maths/science not emphasized
Government spent 15 times more on white education than black
Black parents had to pay for text books-white pupils received it free
By 1976, a generation of bitter, angry, determined young people
1975 govt introduced a law where Afrikaans will be medium of institution in certain subjects
Impact of the philosophy of BCM on student movements (2)
Teachers/principals/pupils objected to this policy
1976 Black teachers refused to implement the policy-dismissed/registered
By May 1976 schooling disrupted
Students joined organizations to voice their oppositions to Apartheid
SASM-BCM aligned grew in numbers
SASM discussed political/ educational matters-newspapers THRUST
BCM ideas spread among students at universities
Govt banned THRUST-leaders arrested/banned
Some BCM leaders became militant and forged secret links with the ANC in exile
Impact of the philosophy of BCM on student movements (3)
1976-SASM supported pupils protect and encouraged them to boycott the June exams
Soweto Students Representative Council (SSRC) formed
planned a march for 16 June to demonstrate their opposition to the teaching medium of Afrikaans in certain subjects
16 June Soweto Uprisings began-turning point in SA today
Demonstrations spread throughout the country-initially against Afrikaans as medium of instructions and later against the Apartheid System
16 June 15000 pupils marched peacefully towards Orlando Stadium
300 police blocked them off-told them to disperse-pupils refused
Police fired teargas and shot live ammunition-Hector Petersen 1st victim
Pupils set up barricades- stoned cars- set fire to govt buildings and killed two white officials- rioting continued
Black parents Association formed- organized funerals for victim
Impact of Students’ protests and the Soweto Uprisings
July 1976 the govt withdrew the controversial law- Afrikaans Policy
Unrests still continued
Many students arrested/killed/ wounded
During the unrest the leadership of the ANC (banned) in exile maintained contact with the student leadership- ANC issued pamphlets
BCM inspired the students protests
12000 students left the country and joined the ANC in exile to receive military training
After the Soweto Uprisings military activity in SA increased- MK and POQO used new recruits to strike at the govt
Soweto Uprisings had negative impact of SA overseas
Police brutality shocked the international world
Economic/ Diplomatic sanctions applied against SA
In 1977 the govt banned 18 organizations (BCM)
Govt believed BCM was behind the Soweto Uprisings a threat to white domination
Impact of BCM and BIKO on SA politics
BCM played an important role in the demise of Apartheid
Biko says the success of BCM lies in the fact that Blacks are no longer afraid of the govt
BCM gave Blacks the confidence to take up positions in non-racial organizations and society as equals
Blacks no longer regarded themselves as inferior to whites
Legacy of BCM lies in the fact that many leaders in SA today received their political schooling in the BCM during the 1970’s- with that confidence they were able to make a significant contribution to the dismantling of Apartheid and development of the new SA
