SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL
RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Nathan B. Gilson
Southwest Middle School

Initially, South Africa was a vital stop on the trade
routes to India due to its position at the southern tip of
Africa

Early Imperialistic countries to establish colonies were
predominantly Dutch (Netherlands)

Later the British began to push out the Dutch,
exploiting their superior imperial power.
EARLY IMPERIAL INFLUENCES


Through a series of wars with the Zulu Kingdom in the
late 1800’s, Britain established dominance over the
indigenous people

Shortly after, Britain discovered gold in the region, which
led to massive migration of British citizens into the area.

At its height of production, 2/3 of all British gold came
from South Africa
Boer Wars between British and Dutch resulted in total
British dominance of the colony by the early 1900’s.
BRITISH POWER CONSOLIDATED

South Africa is a combination of many different ethnic groups

British (Imperial rule beginning around 1800)

Dutch or Boers (Imperial rule beginning in 1600’s)

Zulu (predominant indigenous group)

Indians (Imported as cheap labor in the 19th and 20th centuries)

Slave groups (imported from East Africa, Madagascar, and West
Africa)
SOUTH AFRICA ETHNICAL DIVERSITY

Even once Britain established control over South Africa, revolts continued to be common.

During WW1, significant groups refused to fight Germany, and many revolted.

During the fight against the apartheid government, many South Africans continued to resort
to violence to try to end the repressive government.

Violence and crime continue to be very high in South Africa today.
VIOLENCE AND REVOLTS

Apartheid (apar-tide) became the official policy of the government of S. Africa in 1948

Afrikaans (combination of indigenous and Dutch languages) word meaning “apartness”

Many laws had been in place much longer, and were absorbed into the apartheid government


The Dutch in particular were very racialist throughout their colonial rule and had enforced strict
segregation throughout their time in control of S. Africa.
Organized all citizens into “homelands”, restricted movement between homelands without
proper documentation, enforced strict segregation of public places, restricted land ownership
and rights of all black citizens, and eventually took away all voting rights of black South Africans.
APARTHEID

The African National Congress (ANC) began to be a locally
elected representative body which represented the black
majority within the country


Did not have actual political power, but was appointed as a voice
of the black majority within the country.
Nelson Mandela became a prominent leader (and for a time
president) of the ANC

RISE OF THE ANC
In connection with the ANC, Mandela always argued for civil
disobedience and non-violence, in accordance with the teachings
of Gandhi.

Throughout his leadership, Mandela began to become
convinced that non-violence could not work against a
government that met non-violent protests with violent police
brutality.

Mandela began to organize with other groups to commit acts of
sabotage against the government, hoping that by destroying
government buildings, they would take peaceful options more
seriously.

Mandela never encouraged anyone within the ANC to participate
in violent acts

Mandela also instituted as a policy that great lengths should be taken to
ensure that no people are harmed as a result of the acts of sabotage
MANDELA RESORTS TO VIOLENCE

Mandela is caught by the government, and sentenced to life in
prison for his participation in acts of terrorism and sedition against
the government

Continues work to fight against apartheid government while in
prison, but becomes very concerned over growing violence
toward citizens.


Many fellow prisoners are too radical, and Mandela is disheartened
by their lack of desire to even attempt peaceful negotiations.
Finally, after 27 years of imprisonment, international sanctions
against the apartheid government and political pressure result in
Mandela’s release in 1991.
27 YEARS

Apartheid ended officially in 1994, when all citizens were granted the
right to vote

Mandela voted as the first black president of South Africa


This is a big deal because 85% of the country is black, so it demonstrates
how effectively the white minority kept the majority voice silenced in the
nation.
Mandela focused on two primary issues during his presidency and
subsequent public life:

Ensuring the end of all racism and cooperation of all ethnic groups

Working to end or reduce the impact of poverty (especially against
black citizens) through the implementation of socialist policies

Government would pay for many programs to improve lives of the poor.
END OF APARTHEID

Even after retiring from public life, Mandela continued to be an
important political figure in the international world

Won a Nobel Peace Prize

Founded and Sponsored the Mandela Children’s Foundation

Large influence in getting South Africa to be the host nation of the
2010 World Cup

After release from prison, Mandela strongly believed that sports had an
enormous opportunity to influence and heal the racial divides in the
nation.
MANDELA’S RETIREMENT

South Africa continues to be a country with much higher
than average crime rates compared with other nations

South Africa experiences about 50 murders per day

1/3 women in a recent survey said they had been raped in
the last year. 25% of all men surveyed admitted to raping
somebody.

Car thefts are so common in some areas that there are
street signs warning against it.

Many middle class families have homes and businesses
surrounded by concrete reinforced walls 10 feet high with
barbed wire on top.

Standard of living between black and white citizens
continues to be very different and unequal.
SOUTH AFRICA TODAY