Mom what is an Apartheid?
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”[1]
– Nelson Mandela
In 1988, I remember sitting with my parents as we watched a concert with celebrities and singers such as Whoopi Goldberg, Whitney Houston, Tracy Chapman, Stevie Wonder, etc. all sing in support of a man by the name of Nelson Mandela. I didn’t quite understand the significance of this event but I could feel the energy through the TV as people would speak about freedom and something called “Apartheid”. The memory that continues to play in my head is when all of the singers and celebrities came together and sand a song that said “Free Mandela”. It was a catchy tune. My brother and I would sing it around the house not knowing fully why the song was created. I can recall asking my mom “why is this man in jail?” and “what is Apartheid?”. It wasn’t until a few years later that I was reminded of what was taking place in South Africa when I saw Nelson Mandela released from jail on national television. He had spent a long 27 years in jail for his leadership and contribution to the plan of over throughing the rule of the National Party who instituted the Apartheid in his country. He stated “I do not deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation and oppression of my people by the whites“[2]. Within the next four years, more monumental events took place–the constitutional changes , the political shift and election of Nelson Mandela as President. From 1988 to 2013, I had a fond admiration for the work and dedication of Nelson Mandela. However, up until now I had not had a full grasp of the historical context, political climate and racial tension that existed in South Africa.
Let’s fast forward to 2017. This fall I have an opportunity to go to Cape Town, South Africa. Who would have known that as a child, while I only witnessed glimpses of the struggles that occured during the fall of the Apartheid, I now have an opportunity to see the aftermath and impacts the Apartheid has had on the country and culture. During this term we have been reading books that cause us to reflect on the cross cultural life and experience of those who live within the continent of Africa. This week we read the book The Rise and Fall of Apartheid by David Welsh. From 1948 until 1994 the country was governed by Apartheid system. Welsh discusses the Apartheid in three timeboxes:[3]
- 1948-1959 – The National Party had taken power in 1948. From the onset they had instituted legislation that reinforced the expansion of racial segregation in the country.
- 1959-1966 – Bantustans were established. The government forced racial segregation within the distrubution and habitation of the land. Non white africans were forced out of their homes and land. Their land was sold to white farmers at a low cost. In short, this caused them to be displaced and forced to dispurse and live in government specified areas.
- 1966-1994- This is the time where the political climate began to shift. There was an increase in support for the current NP leadership but also there was an increase in protest and strength within the African National Congress (ANC). As a result, this began the fall of apartheid.
However, it is important to state that racial segregation began long before the Apartheid. In 1659, Govenor van Riebeeck had mandated fences be set up to divide the white and black africans in Cape Town. In 1913, the Natives Land Act made it so that Africans could only own land in reserves. This legislation also reinforced preferential treatment and placement of whites in specific job fields. The legislation passed by the National Party in 1948 only formally institutionalized the current existence of racial segration.
There is no one historical occurence that lead to the beginning of the Apartheid or its demise. Within his book, Welsh discusses topics such as the significance of international sanctions, the significance of the work of Nelson Mandela, the impact of the church and the various affliate organizations influence during the Apartheid. Overall, this book gives a sobering account and political analysis of the impacts of the Apartheid on South Africa and the world.
I am looking forward to our trip this fall. I hope that it will be both enlightening and challenging. A side note, as we are nearing the end of our first year in this program, I found one of Nelson Mandela’s quotes so befitting to my journey so far “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” So TRUE!
[1] “Nelson Mandela Quotes,” BrainyQuote, , accessed June 08, 2017, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nelsonmand447252.html.
[2] Ibid.
[3] David Brokensha, “The Rise and Fall of Apartheid ,” Journal of International and Global Studies, 2009,146 , accessed June 8, 2017, http://www.lindenwood.edu/files/resources/146-148-2.pdf.
[4] “Nelson Mandela Quotes,” BrainyQuote, , accessed June 08, 2017,https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nelsonmand378967.html
About the Author
Christal Jenkins Tanks
13 responses to “Mom what is an Apartheid?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Great quote from an inspirational leader. Looking forward to meeting up with the cohort in South Africa and experiencing the country for ourselves.
As a white high school/college student during the late 80s/early 90s, Mandela and South Africa’s apartheid laws were certainly part of what we followed in the news. It was trendy to support Mandela, yet inconsequential to us. Even the “boycott South Africa” movement only seemed to be relevant because it was “cool” (and what did it mean for a high school student to boycott a foreign country??). I didn’t ask my parents any questions about it, because we didn’t talk about it at all. But I’m trying to raise my boys differently.
I’m curious to see how South Africa has changed since the removal of apartheid– what’s changed for the better, and how the effects of the past have lingered on.
Katy you bring up a great point about how world issues are not often discussed in American households. I am glad that you and Kip have raised your children to have a worldview and not solely an American perspective. It is so important for us to raise our children to see and become aware of the issues of the world.
Christal, I’m looking forward to Cape Town as well. Thanks for the reminder that ‘apartheid’ started way before it was formally legalized in 1948. I think there has always been prejudice based on jealousy, fear, hatred, or just down right superiority since Cain killed Abel. We might make laws against ‘apartheid’ but it is harder to make people love each other.
Wow! we sure have a lot of historians in our group. I love it!!!!!!!!!
Mary you bring up a good point. Laws can change but it takes a longer time to shift the way people think and interact with each other.
Interesting and informative post. What a powerful memory as a child, being introduced to who Nelson Mandela was. Now it must mean so much more with what you know today. Great reminder that discrimination and segregation has been present for centuries before the apartheid. I enjoyed that historical tidbit. I’m looking forward to our trip this Fall too!
Thanks Christal for sharing your experience. It is most important to realize the impact of that program had on your memory. If nothing else, it was effective to inspire and make aware that Apartheid existed.
South Africa will impact us all.
South Africa is one example of when global opinion became a force of positive change in the world. It is a time when diplomacy prevented a horrific civil war.
Unfortunately, countries like Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea, and D.R. Congo were not so fortunate.
Yes Stu it is true. Unfortunately, I believe it has to do with the Western perspective of Africa and the people in those countries.
I can’t wait to learn more and discuss this more in Cape Town this fall.
I have vivid memories of the Stop Apartheid movement in this country (I’m a little older than you, haha), and I remember the disgust and helplessness I felt at the images on TV, not unlike the feelings I have today when we see the same things in the US, but even more so in countries where no one seems to care about tribes and people groups slaughtering each other. I am in this program to learn how we as leaders can be voices for change. I am glad I can learn from/with you!
Kristin I am with you. It is sad to see events take place today. Especially when there is no real advocacy and change on the ground. I think social media helps and hurts these situations. It helps by bringing awareness and at times understanding. It hurts because people rally through sharing and hashtags but do not go as far as seeing actual change take place.
It is very interesting how these moments as children seemed to shape so many of us….. It makes me wonder how the cultural events of today will affect our children (between terrorism, Trump, etc.)
Our parents answers to our questions helped shaped the lens for which we see the world…. Highlights the importance of how we discuss these things with our kids.
Chip it is so true! I think about this a lot. Especially with the deaths of the young black men at the hands of police officers. We have to talk with our young son and no parent wants to have that conversation but it is important. As parents, it is important for us to be a safe haven where our children can inquire and learn about current and world events.