Negotiations to End Apartheid Essay - 2280 Words

Ethnic races in South Africa, have always been highly disproportionate with Africans being the overwhelming majority and the whites the minority. The ratio of races has not changed much over the years. Today, South Africa (which is twice the size of Texas) is home to some 50-million people; 79.5% African, 11.5% Coloured and Indian/Asian and 9% are white (South Africas population, 2012.) Not unlike many European countries, South Africa has a history dating back to the 1600’s that is rooted in crimes against humanity. However, South Africa was one of the few countries that created formal laws to endorse full-blown racism. The term â€Å"apartheid† directly translated from its Afrikaans origin means â€Å"separateness,† and absolute†¦show more content†¦They worked, but only by a fraction (King, 1991). While the â€Å"Indian Relief Bill† was implemented, the apartheid regime was forging ahead. In 1948, the driving force behind apartheid, the National Party, won majority seats in the general election. They won based on their policy of racial segregation (apartheid). Some laws instituted thereafter included: â€Å"Mixed Marriages Act†, which prohibited mix marriages. â€Å"The Immorality Act† which made sexual relations between a white person and a person of a different race a criminal offence. â€Å"The Population Registration Act† required all citizens to register as â€Å"white†, â€Å"black† or â€Å"coloured† – these races were determined by the following (Bobby-Evans, 2012): A White person is one who is in appearance obviously white – and not generally accepted as Coloured – or who is generally accepted as White – and is not obviously Non-White, provided that a person shall not be classified as a White person if one of his natural parents has been classified as a Coloured person or a Bantu...A Bantu is a person who is, or is generally accepted as, a member of any aboriginal race or tribe of Africa...A Coloured is a person who is not a White person or a Bantu... (Eng Kazanjian, 2003) Further, the â€Å"Bantu Education Act† of 1953 was enacted. It reduced the level of education attainable by black people, specifically not allowing them to study mathematics or science. In defense ofShow MoreRelatedWhat Did The Choice Of Nation Building And Reconciliation Help South Africa Avoid A Pending Civil War?1502 Words   |  7 Pageswhat extent did the choice of nation-building and reconciliation help South Africa avoid a pending civil war from 1990-1994’ INTRODUCTION The early 1990s in South Africa marked the start of a process leading to the official end of an oppressive and discriminatory apartheid regime. The period was characterised by sporadic bouts of political intolerance and indecisiveness leading to clear moments of political frustration between the opposition (the minority parties like National Party, AWB, FreedomRead MoreHow Far Has the Importance of Nelson Mandela in the Ending of Apartheid Been Exaggerated?1748 Words   |  7 PagesHow far has the importance of Nelson Mandela in the ending of apartheid been exaggerated? 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Nelson Mandela was a prominent political leader who brought a dynamic end to the apartheid struggle, fought for equal rights of all individuals, and became the nation’sRead MoreNelson Mandela Leadership Style1203 Words   |  5 PagesThis essay will examine Nelson Mandela s leadership style and sometimes controversial actions in the struggle to dismantle the system of apartheid in South Africa and how his style of leadership displayed many of Robert Green leaf s ten characteristics of Servant Leadership. History The Dutch East India Company established a small settlement at what is now Cape Town in 1652 and by 1795, almost two-thirds of Cape Town residents were slaves. Slavery was a feature of the new colony almost from dayRead MoreThe Trials From World War II, South Africa926 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"No one possesses a magic wand which the architects of the new dispensation could wave and, ‘Hey presto!’ things will be transformed overnight into a promised land flowing with milk and honey† (Tutu 3). After the apartheid, South Africa needed a way to reconcile the wrong that had taken place throughout the country. Instead of modeling the Nuremberg Trials from World War II, South Africa implemented Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC). This process â€Å"guarantees pardon for any confess crimeRead MoreApartheid in South Africa: The African National Congress and Nelson Mandela1506 Words   |  7 Pages Apartheid was a dark time in the history of South Africa. T he African National Congress played a major role in the breaking of Apartheid. Nelson Mandela played a critical role in bringing democracy to South Africa. This paper will show how the African National Congress was involved in the Anti-Apartheid movement and how the African National Congress and Nelson Mandela Changed the country as a whole. To understand how South Africa changed, one must know the history of Apartheid and the effects