Apartheid

1. Apartheid South Africa Invictus

2. Apartheid • Literally means “apartness” in Afrikaans • Literally racism made into law • Institutionalized segregation made into law in 1948 when the Akfrikaaner National Party was in power (a bunch of white dudes). • South Africans were classified by race and given rights based on that race • Bantu (black African), White, or Coloured (mixed) • The “whiter” you were the more rights you had

3. History • The earliest European settlers in South Africa in the 1600’s were Dutch (Boers, is the Dutch word for farmer), followed by British who eventually gained control of the area. • Called themselves “Afrikaners” and spoke “Afrikaan” • The British abolished slavery in 1833, Dutch moved farther north—referred to as the “GROOT TREK” • Moved into the savannahs—referred to as outback • There they discovered Gold and Diamonds so the British claimed that too—Boer Wars (1899-1902)—British Won

4. 1910 Union of South Africa—all colonies united and declare an independent South Africa • Natives Land Act of 1913—blacks could live in only 8% of the country, the rest “belonged” to the whites • Whites Only—1948 Afrikaners gained control of the government • Believed they were “God’s chosen people” while the natives were subordinate. • New racist POLICIES • APARTHEID: means “apartness”—they wanted the blacks separated from them.

5. Categories • Blacks (Africans): NO RIGHTS denied citizenship (right to vote)—71% of population! • Whites (European heritage): ALL RIGHTS—kept them in control—16% • Coloreds (mixed race): SOME rights– 10% of population • Asians (India): SOME rights—3% of population

6. Blacks were denied citizenship, access to public restrooms, libraries, etc. • 1953—Reservation of Separate Amenities Act: segregated parks, buses, libraries, theatres, restaurants, post office entrances, beaches and so on. • Separate townships were set up—based on ethnic group (blacks given the poor rural areas) • This became your hometown whether or not you had ever been there (their real hometowns were given to the whites). • These were known as “black spots.” • Coloreds and Asians were denied many basic rights

8. Nelson Mandela • African National Congress (ANC)—leader Nelson Mandela • Charged with “high treason” found not guilty • Later arrested again and sentenced to LIFE IN PRISON • Served 28 years and was released in 1990 by De Klerk • De Klerk passed legislation that tore down Apartheid system • 1994 the first free election where blacks (the majority) are allowed to vote • Nelson Mandela elected President of South Africa • South African Tutu Commission—led by Rev. Desmond Tutu to forgive those who persecuted natives during Apartheid

10. Today • South Africa still remains a divided society—blacks and whites typically live in different neighborhoods, less paying jobs because whites controlled biggest businesses and newspapers, half of population still lives below the poverty level • Highest rates of HIV in the world—20% of adult population is HIV positive • New constitution grounded in Human Rights, free press including newspapers, radio, and television stations.

11. Reading Questions • AIDS is not only the worst health calamity since the Middle Ages, but likely the worst of what? • How many people world-wide have AIDS? How many in Sub-Saharan Africa? • Because of AIDS, by 2010 southern Africa will have how many fewer people? • When and where was AIDS first identified? • What factors contribute to the spread of AIDS? • By 2010 (this year) how many AIDS orphans will there be in Africa?