TOPIC 4Civil Resistance in

South Africa 1970s to 1980s

What was the nature of the civil society resistance after the 1960s?

1

The challenge of Black Consciousness to the Apartheid state

• The nature and aims of Black Consciousness;

• The role of Steve Biko;• Black Consciousness

Movement (BCM);• BC and challenges posed to

the state;• The 1976 Soweto Uprising;• The legacy of Black

Consciousness on South African politics.

The crisis of Apartheid in the 1980sGovernment attempts to reform Apartheid• Contradictions of Apartheid emerge – intensification

of labour unrest.• Botha introduced the policy of ‘Total Strategy’ of

repression and reform.• The 1982 Urban Bantu Authorities Act attempted to

give more power to local councillors in the townships. • The Tricameral system gave limited representation to

South Africans that were classified as 'Coloured' and 'Indian' but excluded the majority African population.

A cartoon by Bob Connolly in the mid-1980s commenting on the political reforms introduced by PW Botha.

4

Internal resistance to reformsGrowing power of the Trade UnionMovement from 1973• Black South African workers were denied any

legal rights in the work place before 1979.• Black trade unionism was suppressed and

marginalised by the apartheid state. • By the 1970s, African trade unionism began to

emerge because of high food prices, low wages coupled with increased unemployment.

Labour’s ‘Rolling Mass Action’

• Roles and impact of FOSATU; CUSA and COSATU in worker struggles.

6

Response to Botha’s ‘reforms’• Labour and civil society movements

embarked on ‘rolling mass action’.• Formation and roles of the UDF, MDM,

ECC in making the country ungovernable.

7

International Response: International Anti-Apartheid Movements (AAM)

AAM in Britain and Ireland• AAM campaigned to end

Apartheid by means of boycotts and isolating South Africa from the international community.

• AAM was founded in Ireland in 1964, led by Kader Asmal. Embarked on sports, cultural, economic and academic boycotts as well as supporting liberation organisations like the ANC.

Support for the anti-Apartheid struggle in Africa

• In 1970 Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe etc. met to co-ordinate their support for the liberation movements in exile.

• Most of the economies of the frontline states were dependant on South Africa for imports/exports/migrant labour- it became difficult for them to impose sanctions and isolate South Africa.

The beginning of the end• The South African economy was in trouble because

of the imposition of international sanctions• Combination of disinvestment, boycotts and

internal mass resistance played a significant role in the eventual demise of the Apartheid regime.

10

Activity 4.8: Assessment

• Refer to the information provided in the Resource Pack:

• Formulate an essay question, • Prepare a marking guideline and • Elaborate on the necessary skills required for a

good essay. • Report Back and discussion

11

Thank you!

12