Apartheid
By: Anna Hayden and Jessica Quay
Overveiw
The Apartheid is a set of laws that racially segregates South Africa. Most of the laws were put in place by the British leaders, and were enforced by the National Party government. The Apartheid made Blacks angry and feel degrated. Blacks made up most of the country, yet whites dominated. This is because white people heald office. Blacks ended up revolting and starting programs to demolish the Apartheid.
Laws and rights:
Many laws were put in order to segregate the blacks from the white, leaving the blacks with poorer living conditions. Black people where living in ghetto areas of the country that barely were fit for humans to live in. The blacks had little of anything, including bathrooms. Blacks where forced to have around 300 people to one toilet. Whites and Blacks were seperated in more ways then bathrooms. Laws were put in order making it so Whites and Blacks attended different schools, librarys, parks and even the simple things like benches. The British (whites) were head of the governement putting these laws in order. Laws made it so Black citizens had to carry around whats known as a "pass book". These pass books has to be on them at all times and being caught with out one could resoult in jail time. Blacks were abused and degrated by these laws. In 1948 some of these segragation laws were lifted but Blacks were still not treated as equal.
Government and leaders:
In South Africa during the Apartheid, P.W. Botha was President. When Nelson Mandela started to change peoples views on the apartheid he was in jail at Robben Island, the most notorious jail in South Africa. He spent 26 years there. Mandela was apart of the ANC which was a group trying to get rid of racial segregation. Even when he was in jail his wife 'Winnie' continued to be a big part of the ANC. When people started commanding Mandela release, the government had little to no chose to comply. Mandela went on to form the first multi-racial government in South Africa, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and became the first popularly elected President.
Economy (food/jobs):
The economy was poor, blacks could hardly make a living. They had to use passbooks by law to find work. No one wanted to hire a black man or women for work. Only jobs that blacks were apointed to were low paying and degrating such as store cleaners and street sweepers. Blacks were paid unfair wages and worked long hard hours. Black people could barely pay rent or morgage wich resulted in homelessness. Even if black people did have enough to keep a house or living incrament they were left with little money for food. Black people often went hungry. Money was always an issue. They never had a good economic situation.
Social (School/ social classes):
Social conditions were very poor for blacks in south africa. Schools would not except them, unless it was a segragated school strictly for blacks. These types of schools gave a low level of eduaction and only accepted certain ages. Blacks were left with a poor education and were forced to find work at a young age. Blacks were at the very lowest end of the social classes. White people looked at Black people as scum and low lifes. The Blacks were social outcasts. Whites only used them for jobs they did not want. Blacks had low educations and were looked upon as low lifes.
South Africa Now:
The apartheid was demolished and a new leader has taken control. Black people are still not treated exactly equal but there social rank rises daily. There are no longer laws segragating them or putting them down. Black people have hope of a day were they are completely equal now because they are no longer segagated are degrated by a law. White people have not fully accepted blacks but they are coming together as one comunity now more than ever. Black people are no longer social outcasts or forced to use differnt faciluties than white. Black people are attending the same school and working for the same wages. Whites and Blacks have the ability to live in the same area as eachother and have the ability to be equal. Acceptance has taken tole in their commuties and blacks are hopeful of a better future.