After Mandela’s release he became president of South Africa in 1994, and with help from his White deputy, de Klark, managed to dismantle the Apartheid state.
When Mandela took refuge it was at a time when a trend swept across the continent of Africa. During the late 50s and throughout the 60s, the White colonies that ruled over 30 countries in Africa gave independence to the Black peoples of the countries. This allowed Black people to govern themselves. The trend seamed to spread from North to South-Africa from Libya, in the North in 1951 through to Egypt in 1954, further South to Tanzania in 1961 and Swaziland in 1968. Even though many countries were autonomous, just a few remained with White supremacy and rule. Throughout the world the news spread of this. Prime Minister Mc Millan decided to take a tour of the African continent to conclude how well the Black governments were managing. He ended his tour in Cape Town, where he gave a memorable speech. “The wind of change is blowing throughout the continent…the aim is to create a society which respects the rights of the individuality.” He Mc Millan warned of changing in the African continent, that society should be built upon people’s individuality, not race. Here he also warns that non- Whites will eventually strike back, “This growth of national consciousness is a political fact” Mc Millan also criticised the South African government for Apartheid.
By 1968, only Portuguese colonies and South Africa was still under White government. Otherwise the whole African continent was liberated. Naturally, this cause controversy and uprising amongst South Africans.
African Nationalism helped to end Apartheid because each time an African country was handed to Black rule they joined the United Nations (UN) the UN was entirely against Apartheid. Of course, this applied pressure of South Africa White government’s shoulders.
In 1963, all countries in Africa under Black rule came together to form the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The OAU’s main aim, decided at the first meeting, was to abolish the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
Later, in 1969, the leaders of 14 African nations met in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka. They issued the Lusaka Manifesto, which consisted of their plans for human equality in South Africa. Three of their points were to address “the denial of the principles of human equality”, “a rejection of racialism, not a reversal of existing racial domination” and “peaceful protest is blocked”.
Which concludes to the OAU’s need of equality that the non- Whites are ready to live in harmony with other races with no racial domination but bought to light how difficult it is with all peaceful progress being halted.
The assassination of PM Verwoerd in 1966 led Balthazaar Johannes Vorster to power. Vorster made sure he had a reputation of a ruthless Apartheid enforcer. Before he became PM, he was a minister of justice. BJ Vorster introduced laws to imprison opponents of Apartheid without trial and detain witnesses for up to six months. He also created a secret police force, the Bureau of State Security, BOSS, and he used them to enforce the policy of creating Bantustans.
Unfortunately for Vorster, his Apartheid policies began to backfire and cause disruption amongst Whites.
At the time, technology was modernising in industries that meant that employers needed a steady, skilled workforce that could be trained to use new technology. They could no longer depend on migrant workers. Vorster removal of Black workforces to Bantustans bought about a shortage of stable workforce.
Employers began to find breaches in the Apartheid laws to allow Black workers. Later, Blacks realised the power given to them, these White employers relied upon the Black workforce. So they used it for their advantage and negotiated for better conditions and wages. So, between1973 and 1975, widespread walkouts by illegal Black trade unions, across South Africa, demonstrated and confirmed this power and potential ability Blacks now had.
Vorster set up two commissions to find a quick solution to the labour shortages, one of which was the Riekert /commission. In 1979 it was recommended the scrapping of the reservation of jobs for Whites and legalising African trade unions. So eventually, he was forced to compromise his policies.
In 1973 Vorster approved of a plan recommended of a plan supported by his minister of information, Dr. Connie Mulder. The idea was a secret propaganda war to enhance the image of Apartheid abroad, and also to suppress critics of Apartheid in South Africa. Vorster used 64 million Rand of taxes (£4 million) on bribes, projects and dirty tricks.
The scandal was uncovered and labelled the Muldergate Scandal. This led to a huge collapse in Afrikaner confidence towards the National Party. Luckily, for the party they gained an election victory in 1977, but Vorster resigned his PM, on the grounds of apparent ill health and took up the less challenging position of President. Eventually, he did resign in disgrace in 1978.
On the subject of pressures on the government. South African government was put under pressure by the powers of the world of the time, mass public objection, a series of boycotts, rallies and sanctions. An example of British objection was a picket outside a branch of Barclays bank in Bristol. This was because the company bought £600,000 of South African government defence bonds and Barclays supported South African government. Also, anti-Apartheid groups were set up, badges were worn by supporters to spread the word, leaflets were handed out at docks were staged. At one time, protesters made the all-White South African rugby team suffer the night before an important match. They set off stink bombs, internal “wake up” calls were made all night and the fire alarms were set off causing two hotel evacuations in the night.
These are all examples of small-scale objections. Although these didn’t cause major distress to South African government, it boosted the anti-Apartheid cause around the world. Governments, however, used large-scale sanctions in support of the downfall of Apartheid. They included not trading with South Africa, not competing in sporting events with South Africa and not investing money in South African businesses. It was also encouraged not to buy certain commodities imported from South Africa, for example, oranges.
Some major powers and countries did not support the sanctions against South Africa. Of course this neutralised, to some extent, the sanctions.
PM Margaret Thatcher believed withdrawing money from South African business would create unemployment amongst non-Whites. She also believed well off non-Whites would put pressure on the South African government. Apartheid was also tolerated, to an extent, by US president Reagan and British PM Thatcher because it was less of a threat than communism. South Africa was a strong country, it was feared that if Apartheid ended communism would replace it. The US and UK thought South Africa as a Cold War ally and blocked moves to introduce full sanctions.
As the US and UK did not fully support South African sanctions and they were among the major powers of the time it meant the sanctions were not as powerful as they could have been
It could be argued that the sanctions were effective against South Africa because it meant there were angrier, unemployed non-Whites. This meant non-Whites could take more time to fight Apartheid by joining and being more involved with the ANC.
A state of emergency was introduced in 1985 and over the years the sanctions were in place, it cost the South African government millions of Rand.
Even though the South Africa government lost millions due to the sanctions, they only lost a fraction of their wealth. South Africa was rich and fertile in valuable minerals; it had 53% of the world’s gold, 33% of the world’s platinum and 49% of the world’s vanadium. Also, the country was rich with fruits, vegetables and meat. South Africa could cope alone as all that was needed they had.
Many other important individuals besides Mandela played a significant role in the end of Apartheid. For example, F W de Klerk. De Klerk took some of the first steps of White, South Africa man in power towards ending Apartheid. When de Klerk was elected president in 1989, his opening speech to parliament consisted of his plans to demolish the whole Apartheid state.
Also a factor to be considered is whether he felt threatened. De Klerk allowed the ANC, the PAC, the Communist Party as well as 30 other previously illegal organisations.
De Klerk freed political prisoners and suspended the death sentence. Nine days later he released Mandela, without questions.
Also, to increase equality among South Africans, in 1991, de Klerk disbanded the Group Areas act and the Land act. Meaning non-Whites were free to live anywhere and roam free among Whites.
There are several theories to explain why de Klerk halted the system. According to de Klerk’s close friends, it is exclaimed that de Klerk received a “calling from God”, to save the people of South Africa.
When de Klerk took office in 1989, he faced an inquisitive nation on why over 4000 people had been killed on the streets, since 1985; why 50000 people were in prison without trial. Also, troops were based in townships and he had the future of White supremacy.
In 1989, the National Party suffered from the worst election results since 1948. The party had two options, to reform and end Apartheid or to return to a strict Apartheid regime. As over the years more Whites sympathised with the non-White majority, de Klerk decided that reform would appeal to most voters.
De Klerk appears to be one of the strong, main factors in steps to end Apartheid. Even though it may not have been for the good of humanity, his selfishness would eventually lead to the end of Apartheid. It was important as it led to non-Whites having the basic rights.
In my opinion Mandela was only a small factor in the ending of Apartheid in comparison to other factors.
Although Mandela was a huge success at what he did and influenced others I think de Klerk put the finishing touches to the ending of Apartheid. Non-White roles also played a huge part, with the ANC and OAU. Also Vorster mistakes really added to the success.
