External Pressures on National Party Power 1974-83 Flashcards
(28 cards)
External economic power of SA
Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and Swaziland relied on SA for trade and ports
Controlled electricity and oil supplies, employing 280,000 surplus workers by 1984
Vorster’s efforts to maintain dependence
- Made loan available to nearby countries
- 1970s, 40 representatives from African countries in Pretoria
- 1974-75, Vorster met with the Ivory Coast and Liberia leaders
Initial attempt of SA in Rhodesia
After independence of Angola and Mozambique, SA tried to convince Rhodesia to negotiate with black groups
Regime in Rhodesia
Ian Smith was the white supremacist leader, opposed by black opposition leader, Robert Mugabe
ZANU and ZAPU(communists) against white regime
Agreement in Rhodesia
1979 met at Lancaster House and agreed to democratic elections. Elections won by ZANU Robert Mugabe in 1980 and black majority rule.
Renamed to Zimbabwe
Western gov gave funds to create loans to purchase white land.
ZANU and SA
- Hoped they could find an agreement with ZANU, even though they were backed by China. They feared more communist ZAPU, backed by USSR and Cuba.
- Didn’t really get involved and no ANC/PAC bases allowed
Situation in Mozambique
- Marxist FRELIMO gained power in 1975 led by Samora Machel.
- Allowed ZANU bases in Mozambique while they were fighting in Rhodesia
- South Africa supported FRELIMO’s rival, RENAMO, but had little success
MK and ANC in Mozambique
Slovo and MK has bases in the capital, meaning they remained a threat to SA.
However, with 1984 Nkomati Accords ANC bases were banned in Mozambque.
Angola civil war
- Most significant involvement by SA, due to the civil war after independence
- Marxist MPLA in charge, supported by USSR and Cuba. Against UNITA and FNLA, supported by SA and USA
Why did SA intervene in Angola?
Worried it would be a base for SWAPO, Namibia independence group
Operation Savannah
October 1975, SADF did a partial invasion of Angola, and provided $14 mil to UNITA and FNLA
Continued military involvement in Angola
By Dec 1975, 3,000 SADF troops fighting against 4,000 Cubans. Cubans stopped 3 SA columns attacking.
End of conflict and withdrawal
By December, UNITA and FNLA were weak, US support reduced.
- Congress refused continuing funding and SA was left alone
- SA withdrew in 1976 but continued supporting FNLA and UNITA
UN involvement in Namibia
- 1963, UN formally ended the mandate, and in 1973 declared occupation of SA troops illegal.
- Troops given until the 30th May to leave but ignored it
Why was Namibia important to SA?
- White youth underwent military training there, and there were recruits of the local tribes (San)
- Buffer zone against communist threat from Angola
Negotiations in Namibia
- Fighting a war against SWAPO until peace in 1989 with Resolution 435.
- SA blamed for incidents, e.g. Kassinga Massacre 1978, 300 childeren died.
South Africa isolated and close ties
By the end of 1970s, South Africa was unpopular and countries encouraged reform
Maintained close ties with Israel and Taiwan, supplying arms.
Southern Africa Development Coordination Conference
The SADCC created by 9 Southern African states in 1980 aiming to counter Apartheid.
- Built economic and political links between member but difficult due to SA ports.
South Africa strengths in 1980s
- 1982 non-aggression pact with Swaziland
- 1984 Nkomati Accord with Mozambique, stopping ANC bases there.
Attempted to expel from UN and opposition to Apartheid
- UN tried to expel SA in 1973 but was vetoed by Britain, France and USA
- Set up an international committee on sanctions in 1964 but many countries refused
- UN called for an oil embargo from 1960 but wasn’t mandatory
Britain boycott
- Continuous boycotts of food, e.g. a month-long boycott post Sharpeville
Why were Britain, USA and France reluctant to impose sanctions?
- Useful ally against communism
- Believed that SA would be more willing to reform if it was part of the international community
- Sanctions would likely hurt the Africans the mostA
Arms embargos
The only mandatory sanctions.
Voluntary from 1963, but made mandatory in 1977 with Resolution 418 after Soweto
Commonwealth Conference 1971
- Commonwealth countries created an arms embargo and Britain stopped supplies of helicopters/frigates.
