Theme 4: 1984-94 Flashcards
Violent protests
MK - 1983 bombed the SA air force HQ killing 19 and injuring 200 more. By 1985 record number of MK in SA carried out 137 including bombing a supermarket in Durban.
- Alexandra, Johannesburg - Known as ‘Six day war’ and was triggered when youth activist Michael Diradeng was shot by security guard at the end of Jan 1986. Night Vigil was organised on 14th Feb amd burn down store he was killed in, stoned cars, stabbed policeman. Funeral the next day accompanied attacks on police who then opened fire and tear gassed crowd of 100 people, killing 4 residents. Resulted in rally of 40,000 people in a staidum that was then sealed off by the army and killed 27 people
How did Botha’s total strategy to overcome internaional threats by having military force on SA borders, increase state security and have economic and diplomatic links with neighbouring nations fail?
- Security forces unable to stop ANC raid attacks within SA from the borders. Incidents rose from 45 in 1984 to 281 in 1988
- 1986 the NP bombed the capital cities of 3 of its neighbouring nations which showed it had no control over borders
Failure of Botha’s total strategy to overcome international condemnation and sanctions by appearing more consitutional by reducing petty apartheid and improving Bantustans and education, and having diplomacy with the west
1986 - US Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act overrode Reagans veto and imports from SA restricted
By 1988 SADF used 8000 troops for violence on ordinary South Africans; 43 deaths in police custody admitted, 29,000 arrests amd 30 organisations (inc. UDF) banned - condemnation grew
Facts to show the consitution and elections as a genuine democracy in 1994
- Used democratic elections with the universal franchise (vote) in 1994
- Secured international support. Investment returned and boycotts ended. SA hosted 1995 Rugby World Cup and 1999 Cricket World cup. 1994 became 53rd member of UN
Township costs as reason why the Township’s revolted in 1984-87
Township councils had control over housing allocation and could employ local officials giving out contracts or licenses for alcohol -> attracted elite twonship businessmen and entrepreneurs i.e. Taxi business -> councillors (who already seen as sell outs by other blacks) had to collect local reant which was used to pay for improving living conditions -> attempts so stop shack housing resulted in more tensions and riots -> by 1989 rent arrears rose to 0.5 billion rand
United Democratic Front (UDF) as a reason why township’s revolted in 1984-87
By 1983 opposition groups wanted to go against those who were working with Botha’s reforms (Black Labour Party, urban Blacks and councillors -> UDF created Aug 1983 in Mitchells Plain township in Cape Town and had about 3 milliom -> became like wing of ANC with members like Winnie Mandela and Albertina Sisulu, + a new generation of Christian leaders like Desmond Tutu and Frank Chikane
ANC call to action as a reason for the Township’s to revolt in 1984-87
Oct 1984 Tambo called to make SA ‘ungovernable’ to the militant Youth -> Youths used toyi toyi dance, waved ANC flags and used slogan ‘Amandala Ngwaethu’ (power to the people) -> MK escalated it and targeted human life by bombing SA air force HQ killing 19 and injuring 200, by 1985 record number of MK attacks with 137 -> Youths now called themselves comrades in war. 6 day war in Alexandra sparked after Michael Diradeng was shot shot by security. Involved petrol bombs, burnt house and stabbed policeman -> police used tear gas on 6,000 youths and killed 4 -> eventually township sealed off
Facts to show the constitution and 1994 election as not democratic
- Pace of change and improvement in SA was slow -> lack of investment, education and infrastructure for 35 years meant people lacked skills to access opportunities and crime remained high
- Many whites left in fear
- Many new public servants were accused of corruption
How did Botha’s total strategy of relaxing economic and petty apartheid, allowing migration and some integration in order to combat the threat of losing white voter and business support in SA fail?
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