Day 32 – Q 3.How did the policy of apartheid affect South Africa? Also discuss the struggle in South Africa that ended the apartheid regime.
3. How did the policy of apartheid affect South Africa? Also discuss the struggle in South Africa that ended the apartheid regime.
नस्लवाद की नीति ने दक्षिण अफ्रीका को कैसे प्रभावित किया? दक्षिण अफ्रीका में नस्लीय शासन समाप्त करने के संघर्ष पर चर्चा करें।
INTRODUCTION
Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation that existed in South Africa from 1948s to early 1990s for Imperial gains. It was characterized by authoritarian political culture based on baasskap ( white supremacy) . The economic legacy and social effects of apartheid continue to the present day.
BODY
As Apartheid’s literal meaning meant “Separateness” it lead to total isolation and exclusion of natives from Political, Social and Economical scenario, the effects could be seen in various spheres according to the following ways-
- Political Suppression
- Blacks were not allowed to vote or participate in important political processes.
- Denied all political rights to African blacks.
- There was no Black representation in the government.
- South Africa faced arms embargo and sanctions from UN.
- Social Suppression
- Deprived of any rights, blacks were confined to small locations.
- Blacks were alloted to separate lands called “homelands”
- Separate Schools and Hospitals were opened for Blacks and Whites.
- Income inequalities
- Whites were involved in top jobs, whereas Blacks were involved in labor and maid jobs.
- Culturally
- Inter-racial marriages were prohibited under Marriage Act.
- Non whites were not allowed to use specific public places
- Economically
- Deprived of any economic resources.
- Made to work for long hours on low wages.
- Land from the whites was taken away and redistributed among the blacks.
- Educationally
- Meager and basic educational qualifications were provided to the natives
- Only one tenth of the budget was allocated in comparison to the budget allocated in white schools.
- Blacks were allowed to take courses only relevant to labor class.
- Psychological Effect
- It captured the imagination of population of South Africa.
- It crushed the confidence of the Blacks.
- The ‘Superiority of whites” was ingrained in their mental construct.
- The effects of psychological suppression could be seen even today.
Struggle which ended the Apartheid consists of the following ways –
- Embraced violence
- In the earlier phase, the movement used violent means and methods. Eg- Bombing and Shooting officials
- Preference to Non violence by Mandela
- Mandela was inspired by M.K.Gandhi and the freedom struggle of India.
- He, kept the struggle in South Africa Non Violent
- Civil Disobedience and Non Cooperation were some of the methods used to promote the Non violent freedom stuggle.
- His determination and resolve dint weaken even after spending 27 years in jail.
- Institutionalized Revolt
- The creation of ‘African National Congress’ played to be major institutional vehicles of resistance.
- The revolt was carried out in a phased , planned manner by the efforts of ANC.
- Series of Protests
- The African National Congress in 1955 adopted a “Freedom Charter”, which asserted that South Africa, belongs to all those who live in it.
- In 1963, police arrested popular leader, Nelson Mandela and put him in prison where he remained till 1990.
- During 1970s ,the Black students raised their voices at the world stage , resulting which UN General Assembly denounced Apartheid in 1976
- Under International pressure, the national party government in South Africa agreed to take back racial acts & by 1994, a new Constitution free of racial discrimination was enacted and implemented.
- International Influence
- The Decolonization process throughout the world had a great effect.
- The UNGA resolution put an immediate end to so called “Racial Discrimination”
- The independence of Mozambique and Angola lead to the final realization of the suppressive rule.
- Non Aligned movement supported the South African struggle
CONCLUSION
Though Apartheid was exploitative and biased in all dimensions had to be scrapped off, with growing modernization and democratic values throughout the world. But, more importantly it would always remind us about the dark ages of human history and the way the struggle was carried out to end Apartheid, plays a huge role in the mental construct on the ideology of people around the world. The Struggle for Apartheid has strengthened the resolve for peaceful, non violent struggle around the world and increased the value for democracy.
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