SA in the 1980's (Grade 12)

Question 1

What was Botha’s total onslaught?

Answer 1

• Make people believe that there was a Communist plot to seize power in SA
• Mozambique, Angola and Zimbabwe = socialist governments
• This plot was called ‘Total Onslaught’ and would include military attacks, protests and international criticism

Question 2

Why was SA’s economy struggling towards the end of the 1970’s?

Answer 2

End of 1970s, SA economy struggling - there was a need for more Black people to work
* Needed skilled labour in Industry, can’t just have manual labourers
* = increased pressure from business leaders and black workers to reform Apartheid labour policies

Question 3

Why was it not possible to keep Black people in Homelands?

Answer 3

They were not economically viable.
* they made up 13% of the country and were split into various pieces, far from business centres
* they were economically dependent on the Apartheid state for survival.

Question 4

The contradictions of apartheid at the end of the 1970’s led to what conclusion for the govt?

Answer 4

Reforms were needed.

Question 5

What were the four main reforms?

Answer 5

1. Trade Unions (& Wiehahn commission)
2. Black Local Authorities
3. Tricameral Parliament
4. Pass Laws

Question 6

Discuss the Wiehahn Commission and Trade Unions.

Answer 6

• Until 1979, no Black trade unions were recognised by the SA govt
• strike action was illegal and workers who
  participated in strikes were arrested.
• As demand for stable labour increased, workers began to call for legally recognised unions
• In 1979 the Wiehahn Commission
  recommended that African Trade Unions be
  recognised by the govt
• Union membership expanded from 57 000 black members by 1980 to over half a million in 1984.

Question 7

What was COSATU?

Answer 7

COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) was a powerful trade union federation formed in 1985 to represent workers’ rights and fight against apartheid-era labour injustices. It played a key role in the broader anti-apartheid struggle, aligning closely with the ANC and mobilising mass worker-led resistance. It’s logo was the attached image.

Question 8

What did union leaders realise, and what did they do?

Answer 8

In order to become a powerful
political force, union leaders
realised they had to unite
* Formed a national base
* 1985 Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) formed
Most trade unions joined COSATU:
* Organised strikes, protests and fought
for workers rights
* Helped to put pressure on
government to end pass law system
by appealing to businesses

Question 9

What was the Black Local Authorities Act?

Answer 9

After Soweto, Community councils were established to administer the townships, under the control of white govt officials.
Botha made reforms to these councils:
* BLAA gave local councillors in
the townships more power
* Community councils could be
elected by local residents
* were given the right to control
the allocation of housing, licences, business sites, budgets, student bursaries, levies and rent collection

Question 10

What were the issues with the BLAA?

Answer 10

While Black councillors were given some autonomy, they did not enjoy the same rights as their White counterparts
* they remained under the control of the relevant minister in the govt
* The Act became defective in August 1983
* was resisted for not promoting political rights for Black people
* Black people viewed local authorities as puppets for the govt
* Strikes, boycotts and other resistance occurred and there were
violent clashes (necklacings)
* Civics established to replace Community Councils – established
people’s courts, organised protests etc.

Question 11

When was the BLAA introduced, and when did it become defective?

Answer 11

It was introduced in 1982 and became defective in August 1983.

Question 12

What does tricameral mean?

Answer 12

The term ‘tricameral’ means to have three chambers

Question 13

What was the name of Botha’s planned reconstruction of the parliamentary system, and in what year was it?

Answer 13

The Tricameral parliament, 1983

Question 14

What did the tricameral parliament involve?

Answer 14

An attempt to win support from the Coloured and Indian communities
* Gave them their ‘own’ chambers in an expanded parliament
* There were now separate parliaments for White, Coloured and Indian
representatives
* Each house would control their ‘own affairs’
* E.g. education, housing, social welfare, arts and recreation, local governments
* BUT ALL OTHERS MATTERS were controlled by the White Parliament (House of Assembly)

Question 15

What were the race proportions of the tricameral parliament?

Answer 15

The Tricameral parliament had
representatives on a proportional basis of 4:2:1 (white / coloured / indian ). Black SA’ns were totally excluded.

Question 16

When did the tricameral constitution take effect?

Answer 16

September 1984

Question 17

Political representation of black SA’ns was confined to the ______ and ______, with exclusion from the tricameral parliament.

Answer 17

homelands and Community Councils

Question 18

What strategy did the tricameral parliament use? What was the purpose of this strategy? Was it successful?

Answer 18

Divide and Conquer strategy:
Dislodge Indian and Coloured
communities from forming an alliance
with African nationalists and anti-
Apartheid groups. Not successful, was widely challenged by South Africans
(e.g. UDF)

Question 19

What was the structure of the tricameral parliament?

Answer 19

See attached image

Question 20

Discuss the pass laws.

Answer 20

Demands from the manufacturing industry for a more stable and permanent African working class increased = pressure on govt
* More people started to move into cities in spite of the pass laws
* Self-built informal settlements began to expand rapidly
* State attempted to prevent the influx
* Used arrests, forced removals and destroyed informal settlements - Didn’t work

Question 21

What happened to the pass laws as urbanisation increased?

Answer 21

• Urbanisation continued to increase = number of people breaking the pass laws increased
• 540 000 cases each year
• Courts and Prison systems = overloaded = pass system starts to break down

Question 22

When was the pass system abolished? Why?

Answer 22

• 1986 the Pass System was completely abolished
• ‘separate development’ in independent homelands could no longer exist

Question 23

What other reforms did Botha introduce?

Answer 23

• all race groups were allowed to
  use ‘international hotels’
• separate entrance signs were
  removed from parks, cinemas and
  theatres
• abolished the Mixed Marriages
  and Immorality Acts

Question 24

What did critics say about Botha’s reforms?

Answer 24

Critics complained that the
reforms were for show and only
designed to silence international
critics of Apartheid.

Question 25

What were 'civics?'

Answer 25

Local community organisations – referred to as ‘civics’ * focused on single community issues * Housing, rentals, bus and train fare increases etc. * Put pressure on authorities to improve facilities * Mobilised people to take action in boycotts, stay-aways etc. * Targeted black councillors who served on the Community Councils * Seen as collaborating with the government * Black councillors often forced to leave townships * Those who stayed often suffered horrible deaths (Necklaced) * Civic organisations stepped in to help run townships when the administration broke down

Question 26

Discuss the Trade Union Movement.

Answer 26

* Trade unions worked alongside community organisations * COSATU launched the Living Wage Campaign * Focused on the needs of communities in their struggle for political freedoms and labour rights * May Day: * Organised a stay-away on 1 May 1985 to highlight the importance of labour * By 1987, two-and-a-half million people supported the action * Government introduced legislation to curb industrial action on behalf of the unions * COSATU organised stay-aways and boycotts in response * In 1987, COSATU adopted the Freedom Charter * Aligned itself with a non-racial, democratic perspective * Called for: * An end to apartheid * The unbanning of political parties * The release of political leaders * One person, one vote in a Constituent Assembly

Question 27

What was the UDF?

Answer 27

Non-racial alliance launched in 1983 * Made up of 700 different organisations: * National, regional and local organisations; Trade unions; Civic, community, student, women’s, religious, sports, political and business organisations * Any type of organisation was welcome as long as they promoted an end to apartheid and were non-racial * Based its policies on the Freedom Charter and was supported by the ANC in exile * It was formed with the aim of opposing the Apartheid govt’s constitution under the Tricameral Parliament * The UDF launched a massive campaign to convince Coloured and Indian voters to boycott the elections for the Tricameral Parliament

Question 28

Who are some prominent UDF members?

Answer 28

Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Reverend Allan Boesak; Helen Josephs; Albertina Sisulu; Cyril Ramaphosa; Trevor Manuel and many more

Question 29

What did organised resistance look like in the UDF?

Answer 29

* Boycott elections of the tricameral parliament and local councils in townships * Rent boycotts, workers stay-aways, consumer boycotts * School protests

Question 30

UDF intensified the struggle on a ________ _______.

Answer 30

national scale

Question 31

The UDF being a united, coordinated opposition meant that they were what in their protest against the apartheid govt?

Answer 31

More effective

Question 32

When were the UDF banned?

Answer 32

1988

Question 33

What was the End Conscription Campaign?

Answer 33

* From the late 1970s onwards, compulsory military service for White men was extended from 9 months to 2 years. * Conscripts were involved in: * Fighting in border wars * Suppressing protests in townships * Refusing to do military service could lead to a sentence of up to 6 years. * The End Conscription Campaign (ECC) supported conscientious objectors (those who avoid military service for moral, political, or religious reasons). * The ECC ran awareness campaigns, such as the ‘Troops out of Townships’ campaign in 1985. * In 1985, 1,750 conscripts failed to report for military duty, which challenged government authority. * As a result, the ECC was banned in 1988

Question 34

What internal pressures (campaigns, movements etc) did the apartheid govt face?

Answer 34

Civic organisations, the UDF, Trade Union Movement, the End Conscription Campaign, Black Sash, student resistances (COSAS), Church leaders (SACC), The Mass Democratic Movement

Question 35

Who formed the Black Sash movement and when?

Answer 35

White women in 1955.

Question 36

What did the Black Sash movement oppose? How did they show this?

Answer 36

Opposed all aspects of Apartheid, but especially the Pass Laws * After pass laws were removed, they focused on welfare issues * E.g. housing and child support * Its members wore Black Sashes over one shoulder to draw attention to the govt’s human rights violations

Question 37

What shows of resistance did the Black Sash involve themselves in?

Answer 37

Forms of Resistance: * spoke at political meetings * kept vigils outside govt offices and parliament * stood with protest posters on main roads

Question 38

What two movements were formed by students against apartheid in the late 70's-80's?

Answer 38

Congress of South African Students (COSAS) formed in 1979 * Organised widespread protests and school boycotts * Slogan ‘Liberation before education’ * National Education Crisis Committee (NECC) formed in 1983 * Urged students and teachers to return to school and challenge the system of education from within * Slogan ‘Education for Liberation’ * ‘Peoples Education’ - developed alternative teaching materials to counter the apartheid ideology

Question 39

Discuss resistance by church leaders in SA.

Answer 39

South African Council of Churches (SACC) * Co-ordinated the opposition of churches * Supported conscientious objectors * 1985 ‘Kairos document’ * Called on Christians in South Africa to participate in the struggle for liberation * Asked them to support civil disobedience campaigns, consumer boycotts and strikes * Jewish and Muslim organisations openly supported the liberation struggle and protested against human rights violations * Many organizations were banned in 1987 and 1988 – church became the only legal voice of opposition for a brief time

Question 40

In 1989 the ANC called for the ‘_________.'

Answer 40

'Year of Mass Action’

Question 41

When was the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM)?

Answer 41

1989

Question 42

Give info on the MDM.

Answer 42

In August 1989, the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) formed * Broad alliance of anti-apartheid organisations * UDF supporters and COSATU were its core members * Hunger strike; Defiance Campaign; stay-aways and boycotts of Tricameral elections * MDM openly displayed the flag of the ANC and distributed its literature * MDM organised Freedom Marches in major cities * Govt no longer took action against marches * 40 000 people marched in CT, followed by country wide marches * By the end of 1989 the stage was set for major changes

Question 43

What external pressure did the apartheid govt face?

Answer 43

The Anti-Apartheid Movement (Britain), The Anti-Apartheid Movement (International), The Anti-Apartheid Movement (Ireland), the Release Mandela campaign, Boycotts (across sports, culture and academia), Disinvestment and sanctions, African support (using the influence of the OAU), aid from Frontline States.

Question 44

When was Britain's Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) founded?

Answer 44

June 1959.

Question 45

What was AAM initially?

Answer 45

initially a consumer boycott movement to encourage people to stop buying SA products

Question 46

What fund did the AAM set up?

Answer 46

International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF). This gave support to political prisoners and their families.

Question 47

The AAM called for..?

Answer 47

economic sanctions

Question 48

What were some of the AAM's achievements?

Answer 48

Campaigning for the release of people detained without trial. * Forcing the cancellation of the 1969-1970 Springbok rugby tour and 1970 cricket tour of England called “Stop the Seventy Tour”. * Encouraging Barclays Bank and other British companies to sell their SA subsidiaries. * Leading a national boycott of SA imports. * Release Mandela concert at Wembley Stadium (1988) – part of Release Mandela Campaign

Question 49

Why was the process of getting international support and sympathy for the AAM slow?

Answer 49

* Some felt that SA’s policies did not threaten world peace * SA should sort out its own ‘internal affairs’. * economic sanctions would not hurt the govt but working-class Black South Africans * boycott on goods would mean unskilled labourers would be retrenched * British institutions knew there was money to be made in SA.

Question 50

The Irish Anti Apartheid Movement (IAAM) was established in _____ initially as an ______.

Answer 50

1964; extension of the AAM

Question 51

IAAM was supported by Irish...?

Answer 51

church leaders, trade unionists and students

Question 52

Discuss the influence of the IAAM.

Answer 52

* The movement influenced trade unions * 1984 a cashier at a Dunnes Store in Dublin refused to sell SA fruit * Other Dunnes Stores followed this example – two and half year workers strike followed * In 1986, the Irish govt announced a boycott of coal and other food products from SA and closed its tourist office in South Africa

Question 53

What was the Release Mandela Campaign (RMC)?

Answer 53

* Nelson Mandela was used to mobilise anti-apartheid supporters in many countries * Petitions and letters of protest were sent to the South African government demanding his release * The Release Nelson Mandela Committee was formed in London * International campaigns, petitions, and marches demanding his release increased in the 1980s * Numerous awards, honorary doctorates, and street or place names were assigned to Mandela to draw attention to the need for his release * In 1985, P.W. Botha offered to release Mandela on condition that: * He renounce violence * He stop resistance against the South African state * Mandela rejected the offer

Question 54

Boycotts against SA covered what three parts of society?

Answer 54

Culture, academics and sports

Question 55

How were sports boycotts against SA implemented?

Answer 55

* Gleneagles Agreement 1977: Commonwealth states cut sporting ties with SA * Cricket, rugby, football and Olympic teams banned * Individuals could still compete though

Question 56

How were cultural boycotts against SA implemented?

Answer 56

* Playwrights, actors + musicians from the UK and USA enforced an isolation of SA * Equity (a British Actors Union) would not allow the performances of its actors to be shown in SA * Protest songs against Apartheid (E.g. Artists United Against Apartheid) * Some major artists refused to play in SA, e.g. the Beatles.

Question 57

How were academic boycotts against SA implemented?

Answer 57

* Academic links to SA were discouraged * Isolate SA from academic world & institutions * Academics excluded from international conferences

Question 58

Which influential leaders in the 1980's didn't believe in sanctions? What did this mean in relation to SA? Why?

Answer 58

Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. They decided to implement a policy of 'constructive engagement.' They were afraid of the Communist influence in the ANC and impact on economic investments and business.

Question 59

What happened despite Reagan's anti-sanction views?

Answer 59

US companies and the US Congress implemented sanctions on SA.

Question 60

In _____, the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act was passed by US Congress.

Answer 60

1986

Question 61

In 1986, the __________ passed by US Congress

Answer 61

Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act

Question 62

What did the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act comprise of?

Answer 62

* New investments and loans to South Africa were banned * Ban on importing certain South African products * Institutions sold off their shares in companies connected to South Africa * Large corporations (General Electric, IBM, General Motors, Pepsi, Mobil, and Kodak) closed down their operations in South Africa * South African Airways was not allowed to land at US airports

Question 63

What happened after Botha's Rubicon Speech? When was this, and why?

Answer 63

Botha’s 1985 “Rubicon” speech signalled the government’s refusal to end apartheid or release Nelson Mandela, despite growing international pressure. While acknowledging the need for a political solution for the urban black population, the speech was seen as a hardening of apartheid policy and was widely criticised as a missed opportunity for reform. This resulted in mass international disinvestment.

Question 64

What sanctions did the US impose relating to arms?

Answer 64

* United Nations established a special embargo against apartheid, including an arms embargo * Countries were prohibited from selling or supplying weapons to South Africa * The embargo was undermined by countries such as Israel, Taiwan, and Chile, which continued trading with the South African government * The UN played a role in imposing an oil embargo on South Africa * The apartheid regime was widely condemned, and member states were encouraged to take action against South Africa

Question 65

What did African support for the struggle look like?

Answer 65

* Organisation of African Unity (OAU) used its international influence to get South Africa expelled from organisations such as the World Health Organization and the Olympics * Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania were known as the ‘Frontline States’ * These countries were anti-apartheid but economically dependent on South Africa * In 1980, they formed the South African Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC) * The SADCC aimed to promote economic independence from South Africa

Question 66

Discuss the support of frontline states for the struggle.

Answer 66

* Frontline states provided aid to liberation groups * Allowed the ANC and PAC to establish bases in their countries * Umkhonto we Sizwe used these countries as launchpads for attacks on South Africa

Question 67

What consequences did the frontline states experience due to their support of the struggle?

Answer 67

* Frontline states paid a heavy price for their support * Became targets of South Africa’s policy of destabilisation, aimed at destroying bases and weakening support * Raids, hit squads, and bombing attacks were used, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians * The South African government supported anti-government guerrilla groups in these countries to undermine socialist policies * The government also targeted anti-apartheid activists in exile * Examples include Ruth First and Albie Sachs in Mozambique

Question 68

What was Botha's total strategy?

Answer 68

* Increased military build-up, bannings, censorship, detentions without trials, and a national state of emergency (1985; 1986) * Introduced limited reforms to try win over the growing black middle class + international community

Question 69

Was the TO/TS successful? Why or why not?

Answer 69

these measures failed to suppress resistance, which instead grew stronger and more organised internally through groups like COSATU, the UDF, Civics, students, and church leaders. External pressure also increased significantly through boycotts and sanctions * As part of the 'Total Strategy', the government introduced limited reforms like recognising Black trade unions, creating Black Local Authorities, establishing the Tricameral Parliament, and eventually abolishing Pass Laws . These reforms aimed to win over the black middle class and international critics. However, the reforms were largely rejected or empowered further resistance. Black trade unions became powerful political forces. Black Local Authorities were seen as "puppets" and resisted. The Tricameral Parliament, by excluding Africans, provoked the formation of the UDF, which successfully boycotted its elections. Other reforms were seen as merely "for show" * By the end of the 1980s, resistance had intensified to the point where the government no longer took action against large protests, and the sources state the "stage was set for major changes", indicating the strategy did not succeed in maintaining the status quo or defeating the perceived 'Total Onslaught'.

Question 70

What global event weakened Botha's Total Onslaught idea?

Answer 70

The cold war ended, and the threat of communism became obsolete.