Post-Apartheid South Africa

1. Post-Apartheid South Africa Mr. Herneisen HRVHS 2008-09

2. Vocabulary Apartheid– former policy in South Africa of separating people according to race. Distribution – the way people or things are spread out over an area or space. Multiracial – made up of people from several ethnic groups Segregation – the separation of one group of people from another, such as by race.

3. WHAT WAS APARTHEID? • Apartheid • The former official South African policy of separating people according to race. • Gave most political and economic power to whites (Europeans).

4. How did this happen? • Colonialism • 1650s – Southern Africa colonized by Europeans looking for natural resources – oil, gold, copper • Also good land for farming • Dutch settlers • Also called Boers (farmers) • Developed new language called Afrikaans Afrikaans Language English: I eat an apple. Afrikaans: Ekeet 'n appel. Dutch: Ikeeteenappel. German: IchesseeinenApfel.

5. Racial Mixing • Eventually, the Europeans and Africans married and had families • Their children were called “coloreds” • 1860s • Asians begin moving to South Africa to work on plantations • Major ethnic groups in South Africa • Whites • Coloreds • Asians

6. South Africa During Apartheid • South Africa becomes independent nation in 1910 • Whites were given complete power over government • Policy of segregation instituted • Whites and nonwhites were separated • Neighborhoods, schools, beaches, parks, restaurants, etc. • Asians and Coloreds treated as second class citizens with restricted rights and opportunities • Denied jobs, good schools, health care

7. Nobody Treated Worse than Blacks • Forced to move to “homelands” and poor townships • Shacks with no electricity or water • No health care • Minimal education • No math or science taught to blacks or coloreds • Not allowed to move around freely • Worked in “White” cities, but had to return to townships at night

8. Protests Lead to Political Change • African National Congress • Political party formed to fight for black rights • Nelson Mandela • ANC Lawyer • Sent to prison for 27 years for protest activities (1962) • Violent protests – many protestors killed or put in prison

9. End of Apartheid • 1991 – Apartheid ended by white president F.W. de Klerk • All South Africans can now vote and run for office • Mandela released from prison • Elected as President of South Africa

10. South Africa Today: Jobs • Government Programs for Jobs • Employment Equity Act (1998) • Law that requires fair pay and companies to hire from all races and genders • Backlash: Some whites resent jobs being given to nonwhites, simply because they aren’t white. Whites are now being denied jobs, just because they are white.

11. South Africa Today: Education • Schools now open to all ethnic groups • Same schools, same education • South Africa has emphasized preparing all citizens for good jobs • More nonwhites attending college • More education = better job opportunities

12. South Africa Today: Living Conditions • Cities becoming less segregated • Most “white cities” still too expensive for nonwhites • Improving housing conditions • Healthcare still limited • South Africa has highest number of HIV/AIDS victims in the world (5 million) • 2003 : 370,000 South Africans died of AIDS • Most victims are working-age adults • Fewer workers = poorer economy