TOPIC 4
Civil Resistance in
South Africa 1970s to 1980s
What was the nature of the civil
society resistance after the 1960s?
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The challenge of Black Consciousness to
the Apartheid state
• The nature and aims of
Black Consciousness;
• The role of Steve Biko;
• Black Consciousness
Movement (BCM);
• BC and challenges posed to
the state;
• The 1976 Soweto Uprising;
• The legacy of Black
Consciousness on South
African politics.
The crisis of Apartheid in the 1980s
Government attempts to reform Apartheid
• Contradictions of Apartheid emerge – intensification
of labour unrest.
• Botha introduced the policy of ‘Total Strategy’ of
repression and reform.
• The 1982 Urban Bantu Authorities Act attempted to
give more power to local councillors in the townships.
• The Tricameral system gave limited representation to
South Africans that were classified as 'Coloured' and
'Indian' but excluded the majority African population.
A cartoon by Bob Connolly in the mid-1980s commenting on
the political reforms introduced by PW Botha.
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Internal resistance to reforms
Growing power of the Trade Union
Movement from 1973
• Black South African workers were denied any
legal rights in the work place before 1979.
• Black trade unionism was suppressed and
marginalised by the apartheid state.
• By the 1970s, African trade unionism began to
emerge because of high food prices, low wages
coupled with increased unemployment.
Labour’s ‘Rolling Mass Action’
• Roles and impact
of FOSATU; CUSA
and COSATU in
worker struggles.
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Response to Botha’s ‘reforms’
• Labour and civil society movements
embarked on ‘rolling mass action’.
• Formation and roles of the UDF, MDM,
ECC in making the country
ungovernable.
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International Response: International
Anti-Apartheid Movements (AAM)
AAM in Britain and Ireland
• AAM campaigned to end
Apartheid by means of
boycotts and isolating South
Africa from the international
community.
• AAM was founded in Ireland
in 1964, led by Kader Asmal.
Embarked on sports, cultural,
economic and academic
boycotts as well as
supporting liberation
organisations like the ANC.
Support for the anti-Apartheid struggle in Africa
• In 1970 Angola, Botswana, Mozambique,
Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe etc. met to coordinate their support for the liberation
movements in exile.
• Most of the economies of the frontline states
were dependant on South Africa for
imports/exports/migrant labour- it became
difficult for them to impose sanctions and
isolate South Africa.
The beginning of the end
• The South African economy was in trouble because
of the imposition of international sanctions
• Combination of disinvestment, boycotts and
internal mass resistance played a significant role in
the eventual demise of the Apartheid regime.
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Activity 4.8: Assessment
• Refer to the information provided in the
Resource Pack:
• Formulate an essay question,
• Prepare a marking guideline and
• Elaborate on the necessary skills required for a
good essay.
• Report Back and discussion
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Thank you!
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