GEND 3057 -- Special Topics in Human Rights and Social Justice
Monday 12:30-3:30
Room A236
APARTHEID AND THE "NEW" SOUTH AFRICA
Instructor: Dr. Rosemary Nagy
Office: H128, Ext. 4156
Email: rnagy@nipissingu.ca
Office hours: Mondays 3:30-5:00 or by appointment
Course Description:
South Africa's transition to democracy after nearly fifty years of racial capitalism is heralded as one
of the great triumphs of freedom over brutality in the twentieth century. Not only was civil war
avoided but reconciliation, embodied in the personal stances of President Nelson Mandela and
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, became the mantra of the "rainbow nation." Today, fourteen years
into democracy, pressing concerns such as crime, poverty, and HIV/AIDS have eclipsed the
euphoria of political freedom. In 1994 the ANC government promised "a better future for all." But
how much has changed in the 'new' South Africa?
In this survey course we first examine the structure and nature of apartheid and the dynamics of
South Africa's negotiated transition to democracy. How did race, class, ethnicity, gender and other
social cleavages interact in the struggle for and against apartheid? In the second half of the course,
we examine how these social cleavages or groupings interact today both as the "legacy" of apartheid
and in the face of new challenges wrought under conditions of globalisation.
Course Format: Weekly lecture and seminar.
Course Texts
Krog, Antjie (1998) Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorrow and the Limits of Forgiveness in the New South
Africa. New York: Random House. [available in bookstore]
Course reader available at PrintPlus.
Online articles through internet, Ref-share or e-books
Here are some useful websites:
African National Congress
Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
Community Agency for Social Enquiy
Government of South Africa
HRSC Press (free academic press)
Independent Online (newspaper)
Institute for Democracy in South Africa
Mail & Guardian (newspaper)
www.anc.org.za
www.csvr.org.za
www.case.org.za
www.gov.za
www.hrscpress.ac.za
www.iol.co.za
www.idasa.org.za
www.mg.co.za
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SA History online
www.sahistory.org.za
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (volumes 1-7)
www.doj.gov.za/trc
Women's Net
www.womensnet.org.za
Centre for Social Science Research
www.commerce.uct.ac.za/Research_Units/CSSR/index_display.asp
Course Evaluation
4 Response papers (2-3 pages each; 7.5% each)
Essay (8-10 pages); Due April 2nd:
Final Exam (regular exam period):
Participation:
30%
30%
30%
10%
Response Papers:
Over the term, students are expected to hand in 4 pieces that critically reflect upon the required
readings for a given week. These are not to be simple summaries. Rather they should attend to
major themes, challenges or tensions in the reading(s). Your paper may respond to a question posed
by the professor (see class discussion topics for each week in course readings below) or a
question/theme of your own design. You might address problems that you detect in the readings, or
identify and address tensions that exist between claims made in the readings, or reflect upon what
you view as the most important insights you have garnered from the readings. You may in your
response also refer to prior discussions and readings in the course.
Response papers are evaluated for:
 Engagement with articles (integrative approach to the articles, critically grasps the topic at
hand, in-depth, beyond simple summary)
 Argument and Structure (clearly organized with thesis statement, paragraph structure flows,
opinions are substantiated with footnoted reference to articles)
 Writing Style (scholarly style, clearly written, proper grammar)
These written responses are due in class of that week's readings. The first two response
papers should be done within the first half of the course (up to and including the week of February
9).
Essay (8-10 pages) Due April 2nd
The essay assignment provides students the opportunity to engage with an issue of their choice in
greater depth. It is required that a minimum of five sources be cited in your essay. You may use
course readings or films shown in class. Other acceptable sources include articles from peerreviewed journals, chapters in edited books, books, documentaries, primary documents, and reports
from reputable non-governmental organizations. If you are uncertain about the quality of a source,
please ask. All students must clear their essay topic with me in person by January 26.
Essays must include proper citation and bibliography (outside the page count). Chicago or MLA
style are preferred. See http://www.eclibrary.ca/library/content/view/39/71/ for style guides.
Academic integrity is fully expected. See Nipissing University's policy on academic dishonesty,
including the definitions, penalties and procedures for dealing with plagiarism at
http://www.nipissingu.ca/calendar/studentpolicies_academicdishonesty.asp or in the calendar
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Participation
While attendance is mandatory it cannot alone satisfy participation requirements. Students are
expected to contribute to class discussions in an informed manner that demonstrates critical
engagement with the week’s readings and course themes in general.
Late policy
Reaction papers will not be accepted other than in the class for that week's readings (if you fall ill on
the day of class but had prepared a response, you may email it to me that day).
I cannot grant an extension for the essay because it is due on the last day of classes—extensions
after this point are a matter for the registrar's office.
Course Outline
*asterisked readings are recommended
PART 1: APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA
1. Jan 5 – Course Introduction
Lecture: Why study South Africa?
*First two response papers due between Jan 12 and Feb 9 in class of that week's readings
2. Jan 12 – Segregation and Apartheid
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa, TRC Report, Volume 1, chapter 2 "Historical
Context" pages 24-43 at http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/trc_frameset.htm. [beware: the
info.gov.za website does not have volumes 1-5 of the report]
Beinart, William and Saul Dubow (1995) "Introduction: The historiography of segregation and
apartheid," in Segregation and Apartheid in Twentieth-Century South Africa, eds. W. Beinart and S.
Dubow. London/New York: Routledge. pp.1-24 [NU e-book].
Bozzoli, Belinda (1995) "Marxism, Feminism and South African Studies" in Segregation and Apartheid
in Twentieth-Century South Africa, eds. W. Beinart and S. Dubow. London/New York:
Routledge. pp.118-145 [[NU e-book].
Lecture: Modes of analysis
Class Discussion: The system of apartheid: origins, ideology, structure, oppression.
 How many things or groups are kept "apart" under apartheid?
 What role does law play in the system of apartheid and why is this significant?
 Why is apartheid often referred to as "racial capitalism" or "settler capitalism"? What forms of
oppression and/or explanation does this term overlook? Why is it a useful term?
3. Jan 19 – Life under Apartheid
Bernstein, Hilda (1978) For their Triumphs and their Tears: Women in Apartheid South Africa at
http://www.anc.org.za/books/triumphs.html. At least Part 1, "The Migrant Labour
system".
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Abel, Richard (1995) Politics by Other Means. New York, Routledge. Ch. 7 "State Terrorism: The
Response of Medicine and Law to Police Torture," pp. 211-243; 253-258. ISBN: 0-41590817-5. [course pack]
*Barrett, Jane et al. (1985) South African Women on the Move. Toronto: Between the Lines. [in library]
Lecture: The relationship between "ordinary" and "extraordinary" violence
Class discussion: Where people lived and how people lived
 What is a homeland (or Bantustan) and how were they central to apartheid ideology?
 Why did whites find it so important to guard against "urban influx"? What main legislative and
administrative tools were used to regulate the movement and habitat of Africans?
 Why were no families allowed in the migrant hostels? (only single men or single women?)
 Discussion of the film
Film: Maids and Madams (1985; 52 minutes; 109507)
4. Jan 26 – The Struggle Against Apartheid 1948-1976
Beinart, Twentieth Century South Africa, Ch.6 last section, "Sharpeville and the Republic", pp. 165-69;
Ch. 9 first three sections, pp. 228-242. [e-book]
Mandela, Nelson "I am prepared to die", Statement from the dock at the opening of the defence
case in the Rivonia Trial Pretoria Supreme Court, 20 April 1964. Available at:
http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/rivonia.html
Biko, Stephen. n.d. Select quotations at http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/governenceprojects/black-consciousness/biko/newspaper-his-own-words.htm and "Black
consciousness and the quest for a new humanity" at
http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/governence-projects/blackconsciousness/biko/writings-humanity.htm.
Ndinda, Catherine and Korwa Adar (2005) "The Interaction of Nationalist and Feminist Goals with
Reference to the South African Liberation Movement," Jenda: A Journal of Culture and African
Women Studies Issue 7 at http://www.jendajournal.com/issue7/ndinda-adar.html.
*Dhlamini (Mbeki), Zanele "Women's Liberation" Sechaba, Volume 6, No. 9, September 1972 at
http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/library-resources/articles_papers/zanele-mbekiwomens-liberation.htm.
*Adam, H. and Moodley, K. (1993). "Psychological Liberation: Black Consciousness and
Africanism" in The Negotiated Revolution Society and Politics in Post – Apartheid South
Africa. Jonathan Ball Publishers: Johannesburg. Available online at
http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/governence-projects/blackconsciousness/biko/psychological-liberation.htm.
*Mzabalzo "A History of the African National Congress" at
http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?doc=/ancdocs/about/umzabalazo.html.
*ANC Freedom Charter at http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/charter.html.
Lecture: Key organizations, moments and campaigns in the struggle(s) against apartheid
Class Discussion: Is it foremost a struggle against racialism or capitalism?
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What were the main tenets of Black Consciousness? What is the political significance of calling
oneself "black"? Why was Biko critical of "white liberals" who opposed apartheid? Was this a
justified critique or "reverse racism"?
Was the use of anti-apartheid violence justified (in the 1960s? in the 1980s?) Were you aware the
Nelson Mandela used violence in his struggle against apartheid?
Why was women's equality (and other groups) largely subsumed under the struggle against
apartheid? Does this seem justified given the overwhelming racism of apartheid?
Discussion of the film
Film: You have struck a rock (1991; 28 minutes; 105138)
*Essay topic to be cleared with me in person by this week
5. Feb 2 -- Violence and Transition: Apartheid in Crisis 1978-1994
Beinart, Twentieth Century South Africa, Ch. 9, last section, pp. 243-253; All of Ch. 10 "Insurrection,
Fragmentation and Negotiations 1984…1994" pp. 254-285 [NU e-books]
Ellis, Stephen (1998) "The Historical Significance of South Africa's Third Force," 24 Journal of
Southern African Studies 261-299 (2). [ref-share]
*Bennun, Mervyn E. (1995) 'Understanding the Nightmare: Politics and Violence in South Africa'
in M.E. Bennun & M.D.D. Newitt, eds., Negotiating Justice: A New Constitution for South Africa.
Exeter: University of Exeter Press. pp 26-61. [copy on file with professor]
*Cock, J. (1989) 'The Role of Violence in State Security Strategies 1984-88', paper presented at the
Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, Seminar No. 1, 21 March 1989 at
http://www.csvr.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=721. [under
"torture and state violence" publications subject heading]
Lecture: How it all started to fall apart
Class Discussion:
 While the verligtes prevailed within the NP after Vorster's resignation, they nonetheless clung to the
logic of apartheid. How is this evident in the reforms of PW Botha?
 Botha's policy was a "total strategy" – reforms accompanied by an intensification of repression.
How was this total strategy supposed to work? Why did it fail?
 The crisis in South Africa in the 1970s and 80s is often called "organic," that is, both political and
economic. What were the main features of the organic crisis facing the NP government?
 How does so-called black-on-black violence emerge out of apartheid itself? Why is so-called
black-on-black violence political, rather than criminal?
6. Feb 9 – Elite Pact: Non-racial Democracy
Alexander, Neville (2002) An Ordinary Country: Issues in the Transition from Apartheid to Democracy in
South Africa. Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press. Chapter 2, "The Peculiarities of the
Transition to Democracy in South Africa" pp.43-58. [course pack]
Gumede, William (2007) Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC. London/New York: Zed
Books. ISBN: 978-1-84277-848-7. Chapter 5, "Was the ANC trumped on the Economy?"
pp. 79-114 (focus on 79-101; 105-109; 113-114). [course pack]
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Mahlerbe, Rassie (2000) "A New Beginning: Introducing the South African Constitution and Bill of
Rights", Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights 18(1):45-65. [ref share]
*Kotzé, Dirk (1996) "The New (Final) Constitution" Journal of Theoretical Politics 8(2):133-157.
*Bond, Patrick (2000) Elite Transition: From Apartheid to Neoliberalism in South Africa. London; Sterling
VA; Scottsberg, SA: Pluto Press; University of Natal Press. [ILL or copy on file with
professor]
*Marais, Hein (2001) South Africa: Limits to Change: The Political Economy of Transition. London, New
York and Cape Town: Zed Books and UCT Press. [ILL or copy on file with professor]
Film: Apartheid's Last Stand (109837; 1993; 60 minutes)
Class discussion:
 What was the basic trade-off that blacks and whites negotiated?
 Buthelezi…
 Was the ANC "duped" on the economy or was this simply a realistic outcome of globalisation?
 What for you is the most remarkable feature of South Africa's transition to democracy?
 Compare South Africa's Bill of Rights with our own Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Do you
notice any significant differences?
Lecture: The TRC
7. Feb 16 – Study Week
*Last two response papers due between Feb 23 and Mar 23 in class of that week's readings
PART 2: THE 'NEW' SOUTH AFRICA
8. Feb 23 – Truth and Reconciliation
Krog, Antjie (1998) Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorrow and the Limits of Forgiveness in the New South
Africa. New York: Random House.
Class discussion: themes of the book; literary devices.
Note: Hollywood produced a movie version of this book ("In My Country"). I thought it was so
badly Americanized that I shut it off after ten minutes. If you want to watch it on your own time,
that's fine (hey – maybe it's better than I thought), but it cannot substitute for reading the book.
9. Mar 2 – Poverty and Inequality
Statement of Deputy President Thabo Mbeki at the Opening of the Debate in the National
Assembly, on "Reconciliation and Nation Building, National Assembly Cape Town, 29 May
1998. At http://www.dfa.gov.za/docs/speeches/1998/mbek0529.htm.
Sapa (1 Oct 2008) "Poverty, inequality – not enough done" at
http://www.polity.org.za/article.php?a_id=144254.
Benjamin, Saranel (2007) "The Feminization of Poverty in Post-Apartheid South Africa," Journal of
Developing Societies 23, 1-2: 175-206. [ref share]
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*Seekings, Jeremy. "Poverty and Inequality After Apartheid." Centre for Social Science Research
Working Paper No. 200. September, 2007. At:
www.commerce.uct.ac.za/Research_Units/CSSR/Working%20Papers/papers/wp200_JS.pd
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Lecture: It's not about race anymore? The rise of the black middle class and the feminization of
poverty.
Class discussion:
 Does white privilege still exist? Does it still matter? (with respect to the economy and
development? With respect to reconciliation?)
 Some critics (on the left) have argued that Mbeki's Two Nations speech is somewhat
disingenuous. Why might that be?
 The ANC is now in the unenviable (and perhaps inevitable) position of being subjected to mass
protests in the anti-eviction campaigns etc. Is this protest a sign of a healthy democracy? Is civic
discontent correct to take aim at GEAR?
 Why is poverty a gendered problem?
10. Mar 9 – Gender, Sexuality and Equality
"SA's gender ratings drop," Cape Times,13 November 2008. Available at www.iol.co.za [try
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=124&art_id=vn20081113052836983C6
45545 or else search within iol].
Ratele, Kopano (2006) "Ruling Masculinity and Sexuality," Feminist Africa 6:48-64 at
http://www.feministafrica.org/uploads/File/Issue_6/07_issue6_feature_article4.pdf
Robins, Steven (2008) "Sexual Politics and the Zuma Rape Trial," Journal of Southern African Studies
34(2): 411-427. [ref-share]
Hames, Mary (2006) "Rights and Realities: limits to women's rights and citizenship after 10 years of
democracy in South Africa," Third World Quarterly 27(7):1313-1327. [ref-share]
*Hassim, Shireen (2006) Women's Organizations and Democracy in South Africa. University of Wisconsin
Press, Madison, WI. [NU library]
Class discussion:
 Jacob Zuma: the next president of South Africa!?
 Realizing rights: gender equality on paper only?
11. Mar 16 – HIV/AIDS
Guest speaker: Dr. James Abbot, Geography Dept.
Dugger, Celia (25 November 2008) "Study cites toll of AIDS policy in South Africa," New York
Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/world/africa/26aids.html?_r=1&hp.
Posel, Deborah (2005) "Sex, Death and the Fate of the Nation: Reflections on the Politicization of
Sexuality in Post-Apartheid South Africa," Africa 75, 2 (2005): 125-153. [ref-share]
Nolen, Stephanie (2007) 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa. Toronto:Knopf Canada. Chapter 14 "Zackie
Achmat," pages 179-197. ISBN: 9780676978223. [coursepack]
*TAC court decision (Constitutional Court 2002)
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* Gevisser, Mark (2007) Thabo Mbeki: The Dream Deferred. Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball. ISBN: 978-186842-101-5. Chapter 41, "'Does it fester like a sore, then run?' The AIDS crisis," pp. 727765. [copy on file with professor]
Film: State of Denial (2003; 83 minutes; 263191)
Class discussion:
 Explain how more sympathetic portrayals (such as Gevisser's) of Mbeki's stance on AIDS look to
race as the main explanatory factor. Posel is less sympathetic—Mbeki doesn't want to invoke
"any public scrutiny" of black male sexuality. Compare the two accounts.
 To what extent and how are Mbeki and the ANC's stance on HIV/AIDS a reflection of the
struggle history? A reflection of African realities of poverty and underdevelopment?
 The remarkable story of the TAC, which is often heralded as a model for global activists, is also—
perhaps—a story about the triumph of constitutional rights in South Africa. Why? Could you see
this sort of decision emerging in Canada?
12. Mar 23 – Racism and Xenophobia / Zimbabwe in Crisis
Reading tbd
13. Mar 30 – Conclusions and Review
Readings tbd
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