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Apartheid

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Sayf Mohamed
Sayf Mohamed

The document summarizes the system of apartheid that was implemented in South Africa beginning in 1948 when the National Party came to power. Key aspects of apartheid included segregating the population by race through legislation, prohibiting interracial relationships and dividing South Africa into separate racial groups. The apartheid system enforced discrimination and segregation in all public areas from beaches and hospitals to public transportation. Over time, the apartheid laws became even more oppressive and forced the removal of many non-white communities from their homes and neighborhoods.

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Apartheid Segregation In 1948 the National Party came to power with a manifesto of apartheid. Although discriminatory policies already existed, this was to be a systematic categorisation and segregation of the population, enshrined in law, with the white group accorded privilege and power. Legislation was soon enacted that required all residents to register their race. The National Party intended to segregate whites and coloureds and expel all Africans from the Western Cape to 'homelands'. Under the 'Group Areas Act' suburbs of the city were zoned according to race; inevitably the privileged and desirable areas were zoned 'white'. The Prohibitions of Mixed Marriages Act of 1950 and the Immorality Act prevented coloureds or Indians having sexual relations with whites, in the same way that Africans were already prohibited. Such rules brought heartbreak - one 20 year old coloured youth who could not legally marry his pregnant white girlfriend committed suicide. In 1950 the Population Registration Act officially divided South Africa into 'White', 'Coloured', 'Asian' or 'Native' (African). It was mandatory for all Capetonians over 16 years to carry Identity cards specifying their racial group. Those who were previously able to enjoy an ambiguous racial status were assigned a race, and given no choice in this. In a subsequent act 'Chinese' and 'Indians' were declared subgroups of the category 'Coloured', as were some 'Malays' but only if they lived within particular areas. Later one could appeal against one's racial classification, and if one could not prove one's ancestry then a physical examination of hair, nails and eyelids was undertaken. There were many controversial cases in Cape Town, with some Coloureds seeking to prove they were white. In one absurd case a family was split as one twin was re-classified white while her sister remained coloured. From 1951 a permit system was established that controlled property transfers and changes of occupancy from members of one 'race' to another. This had serious effects on the businesses of many African and coloured shop-owners and artisans, who were suddenly prevented from operating in 'white' areas. In the early 1950s there was increasing pressure on Capetonians to move voluntarily into areas designated to their racial classification, as the authorities tried to avoid having to use force. Petty Apartheid Discrimination occurred at two levels, there was Grand Apartheid, which established separate homelands and areas, and 'Petty Apartheid' which segregated everyday places. The Separate Amenities Act of 1953, included a clause stating that separate facilities no longer had to be 'substantially equal', so allowing the government to provide better facilities to whites. Every amenity imaginable was subject to racial categorisation, from taxis and ambulances, parks, maternity wards and graveyards to walkways over roads and parking spaces. Beaches were strictly segregated with those offering more facilities, bathing and interest (such as Boulders Beach) designated 'White only'. Africans were only permitted on Mnandi Beach, and although coloureds were
allocated more coastal areas these were unattractive and lacking in facilities. In the mid-fifties, the government attempted to further restrict racially mixed gatherings by amending the Group Areas Act to prevent anyone going to a restaurant, a concert or the cinema in an area not zoned for their racial group. The Native Laws Amendment Act (1957) prohibited Africans from going to church services in white areas. Apartheid Enforced The apartheid hierarchy of privilege was enforced systematically and ruthlessly. In the late fifties, further proposals were made under the Group Areas Act including the removal of all non-Europeans in Cape Town (except domestic servants) beyond the railway lines in the Northern and Southern Suburbs. Over the years entire areas were destroyed, of which District 6 remains the most infamous of the 'forced removals'. The area was totally destroyed and 60,000 people were forced to leave. In 1955, 'reference books' were introduced in Cape Town for all blacks over the age of 16. These were sanctioned under the Natives Act, and were meant to consolidate all the previous documents that Africans were required to carry (permits, passes, certificates etc.). They carried a photograph and a copy of the famous section 10 of the Natives Act that required Africans to work continuously in the Cape if they were to retain their right to live there. Thus if someone was born and brought up in the Cape, but left for year with their family, they were 'endorsed out' of Cape Town. Between 1954 and 1962 this was the fate of more than 18,000 men and 6,000 women. The police could stop black people at any point and demand to see their papers. It was humiliating and criminalised many black people unable to immediately produce the correct documents. A very limited education system was introduced for blacks called 'Bantu education', a curriculum designed to equip Africans 'in accordance with their opportunities in life' i.e. for menial work. Silent Years Between 1960 and 1976 apartheid dictated all aspects of life for a large proportion of Capetonians, and all opposition was silenced. The National Party imprisoned or banished many of its major opponents. Even the Liberal Party, co-founded by the author Alan Paton, was dissolved in 1968 under the Prevention of Political Interference Act that prohibited multiracial parties. The opposition movements, notably the PAC and ANC, felt they had no alternative but to turn to armed resistance. The police, however, were highly effective in suppressing their activities. Further laws increased police powers. The Sabotage Act of 1962 enabled the Minister of Justice to impose house arrest. The 'ninety day' Act permitted detainment without trial, or access to a lawyer, for ninety days. A blind eye was drawn to how police treated suspects, gathered intelligence and enforced control.

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Apartheid

  • 1. Apartheid Segregation In 1948 the National Party came to power with a manifesto of apartheid. Although discriminatory policies already existed, this was to be a systematic categorisation and segregation of the population, enshrined in law, with the white group accorded privilege and power. Legislation was soon enacted that required all residents to register their race. The National Party intended to segregate whites and coloureds and expel all Africans from the Western Cape to 'homelands'. Under the 'Group Areas Act' suburbs of the city were zoned according to race; inevitably the privileged and desirable areas were zoned 'white'. The Prohibitions of Mixed Marriages Act of 1950 and the Immorality Act prevented coloureds or Indians having sexual relations with whites, in the same way that Africans were already prohibited. Such rules brought heartbreak - one 20 year old coloured youth who could not legally marry his pregnant white girlfriend committed suicide. In 1950 the Population Registration Act officially divided South Africa into 'White', 'Coloured', 'Asian' or 'Native' (African). It was mandatory for all Capetonians over 16 years to carry Identity cards specifying their racial group. Those who were previously able to enjoy an ambiguous racial status were assigned a race, and given no choice in this. In a subsequent act 'Chinese' and 'Indians' were declared subgroups of the category 'Coloured', as were some 'Malays' but only if they lived within particular areas. Later one could appeal against one's racial classification, and if one could not prove one's ancestry then a physical examination of hair, nails and eyelids was undertaken. There were many controversial cases in Cape Town, with some Coloureds seeking to prove they were white. In one absurd case a family was split as one twin was re-classified white while her sister remained coloured. From 1951 a permit system was established that controlled property transfers and changes of occupancy from members of one 'race' to another. This had serious effects on the businesses of many African and coloured shop-owners and artisans, who were suddenly prevented from operating in 'white' areas. In the early 1950s there was increasing pressure on Capetonians to move voluntarily into areas designated to their racial classification, as the authorities tried to avoid having to use force. Petty Apartheid Discrimination occurred at two levels, there was Grand Apartheid, which established separate homelands and areas, and 'Petty Apartheid' which segregated everyday places. The Separate Amenities Act of 1953, included a clause stating that separate facilities no longer had to be 'substantially equal', so allowing the government to provide better facilities to whites. Every amenity imaginable was subject to racial categorisation, from taxis and ambulances, parks, maternity wards and graveyards to walkways over roads and parking spaces. Beaches were strictly segregated with those offering more facilities, bathing and interest (such as Boulders Beach) designated 'White only'. Africans were only permitted on Mnandi Beach, and although coloureds were
  • 2. allocated more coastal areas these were unattractive and lacking in facilities. In the mid-fifties, the government attempted to further restrict racially mixed gatherings by amending the Group Areas Act to prevent anyone going to a restaurant, a concert or the cinema in an area not zoned for their racial group. The Native Laws Amendment Act (1957) prohibited Africans from going to church services in white areas. Apartheid Enforced The apartheid hierarchy of privilege was enforced systematically and ruthlessly. In the late fifties, further proposals were made under the Group Areas Act including the removal of all non-Europeans in Cape Town (except domestic servants) beyond the railway lines in the Northern and Southern Suburbs. Over the years entire areas were destroyed, of which District 6 remains the most infamous of the 'forced removals'. The area was totally destroyed and 60,000 people were forced to leave. In 1955, 'reference books' were introduced in Cape Town for all blacks over the age of 16. These were sanctioned under the Natives Act, and were meant to consolidate all the previous documents that Africans were required to carry (permits, passes, certificates etc.). They carried a photograph and a copy of the famous section 10 of the Natives Act that required Africans to work continuously in the Cape if they were to retain their right to live there. Thus if someone was born and brought up in the Cape, but left for year with their family, they were 'endorsed out' of Cape Town. Between 1954 and 1962 this was the fate of more than 18,000 men and 6,000 women. The police could stop black people at any point and demand to see their papers. It was humiliating and criminalised many black people unable to immediately produce the correct documents. A very limited education system was introduced for blacks called 'Bantu education', a curriculum designed to equip Africans 'in accordance with their opportunities in life' i.e. for menial work. Silent Years Between 1960 and 1976 apartheid dictated all aspects of life for a large proportion of Capetonians, and all opposition was silenced. The National Party imprisoned or banished many of its major opponents. Even the Liberal Party, co-founded by the author Alan Paton, was dissolved in 1968 under the Prevention of Political Interference Act that prohibited multiracial parties. The opposition movements, notably the PAC and ANC, felt they had no alternative but to turn to armed resistance. The police, however, were highly effective in suppressing their activities. Further laws increased police powers. The Sabotage Act of 1962 enabled the Minister of Justice to impose house arrest. The 'ninety day' Act permitted detainment without trial, or access to a lawyer, for ninety days. A blind eye was drawn to how police treated suspects, gathered intelligence and enforced control.