1985-90 Talks with South African leaders while still in prison
External Pressures
In 1990 South Africa's economic relations with the international community had been significantly altered. Different countries outside of South Africa did countless things to fight against the end to apartheid and minority rule. The external pressures included things such as:
- Internal isolation in sport
- Economic sanctions
- Demonstrations and meetings
- Leaflet hand outs
Internal isolation in sport
Sanctions proved to be most successful in sport because Afrikaners were extremely enthusiastic towards sports. Rugby and Cricket were the most interested sports in South Africa however sports facilities would be segregated. South Africa was banned from the Olympic games and the West Indies cricket tour was abandoned. However this action only had a limited affect. In 1976 mixed race teams were allowed to represent South Africa but clubs inside South Africa remained segregated. Furthermore signs were put up to make the white South African rugby team feel uncomfortable and intimidated, the signs read “Tell the Springboks to go home and bring back their African brothers”.
Economical Sanctions
The UN condemned apartheid on numerous occasions; the applying of sanctions was an issue that divided world leaders. The UN knew that sanctions would not work appropriately because South Africa was the richest country and the most sufficient also other southern countries needed South African goods.
The USA, British and the French increased their trade with South Africa in the 1950’s and 1960’s. These countries considered that South Africa would be a constructive partner against communism, 70% of all foreign investment was provided by Britain in 1971 because companies liked the low-paid workers. Other African countries took action against South Africa and in 1963 she was expelled from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
In 1985 the American Mahattan bank refused to continue lending money to South Africa, Other banks also refused to lend money until the government got rid of apartheid. Dozens of international companies withdrew investments from South Africa including Barclays and Esso. The USA passed an anti-apartheid act to encourage US firms to take money out of South Africa. In 1986 both the USA and EEC imposed against South Africa. They had two affects, first they cost South Africa millions of pounds over the next few years and secondly black employment in township doubled.
Demonstrations
Bristol anti-apartheid group demonstrated in Broadmead to Dr Verwoods treatment of political prisoners. The Bristol anti-apartheid group also made several arrangements one of which included an interdenominational meeting to hear Bishop Trevor Huddleston speak on the immortality of apartheid.
Leaflet handouts
In the 1960’s 800 leaflets were distributed at the entrance to Avonmouth Docks. Four members of the Bristol anti-apartheid group urged a boycott on trade with South Africa. Five thousand leaflets had been printed and follow up campaigns were planned at the factories of Bristol Aeroplane co. and Bristol Siddeley Engines.
Sanctions did not bring a sudden end to apartheid because the sanctions did not cover everything and because too many companies found ways round the laws and went on trading.
In my opinion both De Klerk and Nelson Mandela were responsible for ending apartheid and the minority rule in South Africa.
Soon after being named president, De Klerk began dismantling many of the provisions of apartheid.
In September 1919 he promised that apartheid would be re-formed; he allowed anti apartheid marches to take place. By allowing anti-apartheid marches to take place it allowed the black people of South Africa to finally voice their judgment, I think this was a step towards black freedom.
In February 1990 he lifted a 30-year ban on the African National Congress and other black-liberation parties, after talking with Mandela in December 1989. De Klerk made an effort to visit Mandela and hear his point of view. By lifting a 30-year ban on the ANC meant that more things could be done about apartheid and the majority rule without consequence.
Furthermore he released Walter Sisulu and various other prisoners. De Klerk began to abandon petty apartheid and announced the separate amenitives act would be repealed. In December 1989 he met Mandela and agreed to lift the ban on the ANC additionally he announced that Mandela would be released without conditions.
In February 1991 de Klerk announces all apartheid laws to be ended. F.W. de Klerk, the last apartheid president, must have known his party would lose and that he was effectively handing the power over to the black people of South Africa seeing as the majority of the population were black.
Mandela risked his freedom, his family and his rights through trying to stop apartheid and the majority rule. His faithfulness influenced other people and brought a sense of realisation to
both people living within South Africa and people internationally.
In February 1990 Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison after 27 years and appears before millions without any bitterness towards the white people of South Africa and still declares peace. “I greet you in the name of peace, democracy for all”.
Nelson Mandela refused to talk to the government and ask the ANC to stop violence. If Mandela asked the ANC to stop violence then it would’ve not altered the government attitude. Following his release, In June 1990 Mandela visited Europe and America He launched a world tour in June 1990 to persuade Western leaders to maintain economic sanctions against South Africa.
Mandela did not ask for the international sanctions to end or violence to stop until apartheid was brought to an end. He insisted on a constitution that gave every adult a vote, this would mean that South Africa would have a black government.
In May 1994 Mandela became president of South Africa and (De Klerk was made Deputy president) consisted in containing peace and transforming the conditions of South Africa making it a country where all races would be equivalent. Apartheid was officially brought to an end.
I conclude by saying that without both Nelson Mandela and F.W de Klerk the end to apartheid would have not been possible. They both attempted ways to change the troubled conditions of South Africa President de Klerk was the first white individual that used his supremacy to change the state of apartheid. He realised that a transformation was going to have to take place in South Africa, and did not believe in the majority rule. However Mandela fought for the rights of all races to live in equal conditions and his involvement with the ANC and ANCYL meant that although once he was in prison he was in a enclosed atmosphere, people in South Africa carried on fighting for their rights. Also his dedication fled through countries internationally and influenced other people to end apartheid. For apartheid and minority rule to end it needed the both of F.W de Klerk and Mandela to converse with one another about the dilemmas and in de Klerk’s case, be willing to make compromises. The compromises that they both made had a big impact on South Africa as a united country
