This section of our server will attempt to outline the origin and development of apartheid over several pages. We will be addressing some of the many issues brought forward by apartheid beginning with the term apartheid itself: When did we start talking about "apartheid" and what does it mean? We will also attempt to identify which of the many factors were key in pushing the development of apartheid in another direction.

The term 'apartheid' was not invented by nationalist Afrikaners following the victory of the National Party in 1948. Indeed, many of the racist policies introduced into South Africa following this victory had already been introduced under the banner of segregation by previous governments. The National Party, however, built upon, strengthened and radicalized these policies

[Back to top of page]

The first traces of racism in South Africa can be found as far back as the occupation of the country's Cape region by members of the Dutch East Indian Co. in the second half of the 17th century. This trading corporation differentiated between employees of the company, free citizens, slaves and foreigners ("bushmen and Hottentots"). White and European groups did not exist at this time. The tendency of the company to recruit whites only during the 18th century bolstered the self-confidence of the white grouping and it moved closer to the so-called free-citizens. A social hierarchy was formed over time with company employees at the top and blacks and slaves at the bottom.

Undoubtedly, white group identity was also nourished by religious roots. White Christianity and an elementary education were regarded as being the characteristics of civilization. This resulted in whites or rather Christians regarding themselves as superior to "Kaffers" or heathens

Afrikaners became restless under British rule. Following the emancipation of their slaves by British law and the return of recently annexed land to African tribes, around 10,000 people set off on what was to become known as the Great Trek north and northeast and founded the Afrikaans Republics of Transvaal (1852) and the Orange Free State (1854). The feeling of white superiority was reflected in the electoral system: Only whites were allowed to vote!

[Back to top of page]

This extremely brief outline on the roots of racism in South Africa has, until now, concentrated on the racism that can be traced back to Afrikaners, since it was this group that went onto form the monstrosity that was apartheid. For the sake of completeness, however, we should also take a look at Natal. Under British rule, the Scotsman and State Secretary for the Affairs of Natives, Sir Theophilus Shepstone, clearly intended territorial segregation of the black and white populations, in order to counteract the disintegration of black culture through the stronger white culture.

A combination of warlike conflict between Afrikaners and black tribes, the legislative development of British-run Natal and the creation of the Afrikaans states of Transvaal and Orange Free State formed the foundations for the white South Africans' radical racial segregation policy at the beginning of the 20th century.

The first gold deposits were discovered in the mountains around Witwatersrand around an area that would become Johannesburg. These deposits of gold and diamonds led to an enormous economic transformation of South Africa. By the middle of the 20th century, South Africa had transformed from being a purely agricultural nation to an agricultural and mining nation to a country dominated by industry. In the search for work, whites without land, especially Afrikaners, and black workers flocked into the area around Johannesburg.

[Back to top of page]

South Africa's urbanization and industrialization can be said to be at the heart of the later development of its segregation policy. In the conurbations surrounding the new mines, young Afrikaners - characterized by a rural mentality and the racist belief that they were superior - suddenly found themselves in direct competition with huge numbers of blacks for work. Indeed, South Africa's economy never developed a united mixed group of black and white workers in its industrialized areas. Afrikaners refused to work for the same wages as their black colleagues and, rather than attempting to force through wage increases for everyone, concentrated instead on trying to guarantee privileges for whites with trade unions and politicians.

With the foundation of the Union of South African in 1910, only white males had the right to vote. This can be regarded as the period in South Africa's history in which the basic foundation stones were laid for the policy of racial segregation. South Africa's parliament now began to legislate for segregation according to race.

[Back to top of page]

Eight decades of apartheid laws and regulations can be divided into four sub-categories:

1. A shortage of farmland and the problems connected with urbanization and industrialization (mentioned above) meant that spatial segregation was given priority.

2. At the same time attempts were made to force through segregation in the working economy.

3. Closely interlinked with the segregation in the working economy was political discrimination of non-whites.

4. It was not until the end of the 20s that legislation was introduced for segregating the private lives of all South Africans, which stretched into the most intimate of areas.

[You will find more detailed information on the apartheid laws in the characteristics of apartheid section]

[Back to top of page]

The following forms a brief summary of how apartheid developed after the National Party's election victory in 1948:

Under

During the rule of H.F. Verwoerd (1958-1966), the policy of segregation according to race enjoyed top priority. In a new move, the areas formally occupied by South Africa's tribes were to become independent states known as homelands. It was hoped that this action would lead to the creation of a smaller, richer white South Africa. But Verwoerds plan didn't work: Faced with millions of blacks in the cities and non-recognition of homelands internationally these plans were thwarted. Indeed, international criticism grew during Verwoerds time in office but had little real impact on South Africa. Instead euphemistic changes were made with terms such as "segregated development" and "The Department for Cooperation and Development" replacing "apartheid" and "The Department for the Affairs of Natives" respectively.

[Back to top of page]

South Africa became increasingly isolated during Vorster's term in office (1966-1978). In 1976 there was a black uprising in Soweto, a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, and even the formally friendly colonies of Angola and Mozambique declared themselves 'frontline' states declaring war on South Africa. To counter this isolation, the government entered into tentative talks with non-whites, which led to the government dropping most of its petty apartheid laws in 1974.

[Back to top of page]

This signaled the end of apartheid. In the period that followed efforts were directed towards developing a constitution for a shared and democratic South Africa. Nelson Mandela emerged as South Africa's first president from South Africa's first all-inclusive election.

[Back to top of page]

[More information on the ending of apartheid can be found in the section entitled how was apartheid defeated?; other chapters address the resistance movement and the situation in South Africa today]

[Back to top of page]

Subjects:  Human Rights  I  Democracy  I  Parties  I  Examples  I  Europe  I  Globalisation  I  United Nations  I  Sustainability

Methods:    Teaching Politics    II    Peace Education    II    Methods