Embedded Files
A Map of South Africa (Turho, 2020)
The "noneuropean" people being the colored and black residents. A racially segregated train station entrance during apartheid (Apartheid Museum, n.d).
Thousands of White and Black South Africans protesting with the Anti Apartheid Movement in the streets of South Africa (Jarvis, 1986).
Brief Colonial History
South Africa is located on the furthermost tip of the continent of Africa. It is distinguished by its natural beauty, cultural diversity, varied topography and intriguing history. About 1000 CE, South Africa was home to hunter/gatherers, peaceful farmers, and tribes. The craftsmen usually worked in gold, iron, and other metals, and east coast merchants negotiated trade along the Indian Ocean. European explorers (specifically Portuguese) began journeying to find a water route to Asia and ended up at the southern tip of the African coastline. In the late 18th century, the British then intervened in Dutch/French wars and seized Cape Town. In 1815, the Dutch city was officially transferred to Britain and became reorganized as Britain's Cape Colony (Bundy, 2022).
Brief Apartheid History
At this point South Africa is inhabited by many different cultures and people. Let's fast forward to when it all gets messy. Due to the fact that it resides thousands of miles distant from major cities this fueled the horrific experience of “apartheid.” As defined by the Webster Merrian Dictionary apartheid is “racial segregation specifically : a former policy of segregation and political, social, and economic discrimination against the nonwhite majority in the Republic of South Africa.” Race became more of a political construct that furthered inequality. South Africans needed to both deny the significance of race and recognize the significance of race in their efforts to create a democracy that was fair to all in every situation (Napier et al., 2012, 105). This meant that their goal was to not be colorblind but at the same time, make sure everyone was treated equally—regardless of skin color. This segregation was made possible through the Population Registration Act of 1950. The act categorized all South Africans as either Bantu (Black Africans), Colored (those of mixed race), white, or Asian (Indian and Chinese) was later added. The apartheid system in South Africa ended through a series of negotiations between the governing National Party, the African National Congress, and other political organisations from 1990 to 1994. The consequences of poverty, racism and violence have resulted in psychological disorders, and a generation of maladjusted children all due to apartheid and the inequalities.
This video explain apartheid in a more friendlier way to encourage better understanding.
References
Bundy, C. J. (2022, June 12). South Africa | History, Capital, Flag, Map, Population, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa
Napier, D. B., Lebeta, V. T., & Zungu, B. P. (2012, July 12). The Struggle for Democracy in South Africa: Race, History and Education. Theory & Research in Social Education, 28(3), 445-450. Taylor and Francis Online. 10.1080/00933104.2000.10505916
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse