Apartheid

People you should know

• Steven Biko– Anti-apartheid activist (late 60’s and 70’s)– founder of BCM (Black Consciousness Movement)– died police custody: 9/77

• Donald Woods– Newspaper editor– Anti apartheid activist– Author: “Biko”

People you should know...• Nelson Mandela– leader of ANC (African National Congress)– anti apartheid; 27 years in prison– first black president of South Africa– established Truth and Reconciliation Commission– Nobel Peace Prize winner

• Frederic W. deKlerk– president South Africa: 1991– had supported apartheid– changed his position– freed Mandela – Nobel Peace Prize winner

People you should know...

• Bishop Desmond Tutu– Anglican bishop; first black archbishop of Cape Town– helped create Truth and Reconciliation Commission– 1980’s: supported economic sanctions against S.A.; vocal

opponent of apartheid – Nobel Peace Prize winner

Facts you should know• Apartheid: 1948 – 1994

• Separation of three races:– White: enjoyed the “good life;” held power– Coloured: people of mixed race or Asian; 2nd class citizens– Bantu: had little to no rights; very few freedoms

• Black living conditions:– homelands and townships

Political Climate

• Nationalist Party: – Governing party while apartheid was in place– Pro Afrikaner culture (Afrikaan language and ways)

• African National Congress– established 1912– led fight against apartheid– Mandela: ANC lawyer– becomes most powerful political party in SA

Last, but not least...• Truth and Reconciliation Commission– Reconciliation = forgiveness

– “You cannot forgive what you do not know.”Archbishop Desmond TutuHead of Commission

– Group formed to investigate unjust acts during apartheid