Apartheid in Afrikaans means separation or apartness. The word apartheid is a seemingly simple one, until you consider the effects it has on humankind. Men classify men differently or as less than because of racial discrimination, oppression, and inequality. Apartheid can be studied to learn that the abuse of authority is present today in every corner of the world. How many other atrocities are we going to have to endure until humanity embraces their differences and treats everyone as a brother or sister?
South Africa’s precursor legislation to apartheid dates from the 1850s. In those days, laws were written to separate masters from slaves, and skilled workers from unskilled ones. Members of master classes and skilled workers were largely white. They benefited from laws. These laws were oppressive to servants and unskilled laborers, who were usually non-white. The Masters and Servants Acts of both 1856 and 1914 made it illegal for unskilled workers strike. And the Black Land Act of (1913-1991) prohibited non-whites owning land that was not in designated reserves.
The National Party came into power in South Africa and adopted apartheid, which lasted almost 50 long years. The white population accounted for only 20% at the time. Around 70% were blacks. Only around 2% Asians lived in South Africa (mostly India). And about 8% mixed-race people, or coloreds. South Africa’s history of racial prejudice was not new, but apartheid laws legalized abuses committed against non-whites. Since 1910, white South Africans have been practicing segregation. The National Party, made up of descendants living in Boer Republics (groups formed from Dutch settlers), began to enforce policies racial discrimination. Non-white South Africans would be forced to move to different areas, attend inferior, separate schools, or use separate facilities, such as public transportation, beaches, or parks. Non-whites traveling in the country were required to have identification and could be brutally arrested and beaten if they did not. Marriages of people from different races were forbidden or even illegal.
The African National Congress, an organization, responded to apartheid by civil disobedience and boycotts. Nelson Mandela was the leader of this organization, which began a campaign they called Defiance. Mandela was a mostly non-violent activist for almost 20 years against racial injustice before co-founding a militant group. He was arrested and sentenced to prison for conspiring against the government.
Harold Macmillan was the British Prime minister at the time and he spoke out against Apartheid during his Wind of Change speech, which took place in Cape Town in South Africa, in 1960. Few weeks later, the Sharpeville Massacre took place, where the South African police opened fire on a crowd protesters and killed 69 people. The incident drew international attention. The powerful white majority would use violence to suppress opposition to the racial inequalities. Western nations responded relatively slowly to apartheid, even though they began to see it as a threat to the peace between nations.
In 1966, the General Assembly of the United Nations launched formal discussion on South Africa. The National Party reacted by doubling-down on its efforts and further suppressing the majority of non-whites. The National Party presented many options for economic sanctions and the expulsion of South Africa as a member of the United Nations. Unfortunately, the United States and France, as well as Britain, voted against this proposed action, fearing financial losses. The United States also did not criticize South Africa’s segregationist policies. This is not surprising. Jim Crow was a similar policy in the United States at that time. The United States maintained a close relationship to the powerful, white leaders of South Africa. They didn’t care much about the non-whites. Ronald Reagan called the African National Congress (ANC) “a terrorist organisation.” Mandela remained on an U.S. terrorism list even as late as 2008 (Washington Post)
In 1973 the United Nations General Assembly condemned apartheid, in 1976 the United Nations Security Council issued a mandatory embargo on arms, and finally in 1985 the United States imposed economic sanctions on South Africa. These embargos created enough pressure on the International Community that the National Party repealed certain work-related legislation and lifted the interracial wedding ban. International community found that this was too little, too soon and influenced a change in power. F.W. de Klerk reformed National Party in 1989 to become the New National Party. De Klerk had a significant influence on Nelson Mandela’s release after 27 long years in prison. Together they brought an end to apartheid. Both men would win the Nobel Peace Prize for their alliance and efforts. On April 26, 1994, South Africa held the first multiracial elections. Nelson Mandela won the election with a majority of 22 million South Africans. He chose de Klerk as his first deputy.
The South African flag after apartheid symbolizes unity. The colors are red, blue, and white of the Boer Republics. Yellow, black, green, and brown of the African National Congress make up the flag. Mandela did his best to improve race relationships, discouraged the non-whites of retaliating and declared South Africa “a Rainbow Nation at Peace with Itself and the World.” Mandela also credits churches for their crucial role in dismantling Apartheid. He claims that religious leaders of all faiths have donated money and pressured the U.S. administration to put sanctions on South Africa.
Apartheid could only exist as long as South Africa remained isolated from the global stage. The light cannot allow evil to exist. Humanity could not tolerate apartheid once the world realized the effects of these laws on actual people. Hegemonic, coercive powers can only serve those who are powerful as long as the people allow it. The oppressed eventually will demand their rights. Politicians around the world should remember this. Divisiveness is only effective for a limited time before people begin to realize they share more similarities than differences.
