South Africa Apartheid

Land act

1913

There are many earlier examples of segregation but one of the most important ones is the land act of 1913. In this act the land of South Africa was divided into two groups: the black South Africans who got around 7% and the white South Africans who got the rest of the more fertile land. This made for an early example of the massively uneven distribution which is so signifying to apartheid.

Policy of apartheid (separateness) adopted when National Party (NP) takes power.

1948

In 1948 the previously set laws were going to be strictly enforced and there were laws and regulations set to control every aspect of live for the different races in South Africa. These laws and regulations were though of by Hendrik Verwoerd and called ‘Apartheid’.

Sharpeville massacre

1960

On the 21st of March 1960 a crowd of around 10.000 protesters went to the South African township of Sharpeville in order to demonstrate, by means of not bringing their passport and letting themselves get arrested. This however resulted in what is now known as the Sharpeville massacre in which 69 people were killed, including 8 women and 10 children, injuring 180. A devastating blow against anti-apartheid and a message by the government that would change the nature of the demonstrations.

Hendrik Verwoerd

1966

A politician with a Dutch nationality who is the most important figure in the creation of Apartheid. He started his career at the National party and became the president of South Africa from 1958 until 1961 he then created the republic of South Africa which he continued to rule until his assassination in 1966. He was a big supporter of white supremacy and a conservatism politician.

Coweto demonstrations

1976

The most bloodiest and gruesome of days is the 1976 protest in Coweto by a long shot. At the 16th of June around 10.000 – 20.000 students demonstrated against the language requirements the South African government had put on them. These demonstrations would result in 176 deaths (some estimations up to 700) and politicize an entire generation for the rest of their life. This was also a turning point in which the black South Africans fought back.

Steve Biko

1977

Steve Biko was a highly influential person during this time as he made the black South Africans become proud of themselves, their culture and their heritage. He set up a movement and organisation specifically for black people in South Africa. Steve Biko was beaten to death by police officers when imprisoned creating awareness and uprisings throughout South Africa.

The rebel tour

1981

There were frequent rugby tours from and to each others countries. With Apartheid instated this made for a lot of problems and international backlash for these tours to continue to a degree never seen before. This made the South African government name this tour “the rebel tour”.

Nelson Mandela visits Netherlands

1990

From the beginning of Apartheid on, the Netherlands was one of the first countries to support the anti-Apartheid movement. Demonstrations, anti apartheid posters and buttons were created and they were a big precursor on the international front in the boycotting and disapproving of apartheid. This was noticed by the biggest figure in Apartheid, Nelson Mandela and on the 15th of June he visited the Leidseplein to preach for anti-apartheid.

Nelson Mandela

1991

The most influential person in the struggle for apartheid. An intelligent, charismatic and just man. Mandela joined the ANC political organization that later became the leading party in South Africa, demonstrated against un-rightful apartheid laws and through this was un-rightfully imprisoned for 27 years. Mandela was a lawyer who mostly served the interest of black South Africans. Later held speeches against apartheid and in 1994 he became the president of South Africa.

Albertina Sisulu

1991

Albertina was seen as one of the most prominent anti-apartheid leaders, also referred to as ‘the mother of the nation’. From humble beginnings she became one of South Africa most respected and influential icons. being strong and resilient through years of persecution makes her an extraordinary woman. She was also the wife of another one of South Africa’s most prominent anti-Apartheid activists, Walter Sisulu.