1978-89 South Africa Apartheid

• In 1973, illegal wildcat strikes broke out at brickworks in Durban, with no specific leader/representatives, meaning no individual could be arrested and silenced. By March 1973, this led to 160 strikes nationally involving 60,000 industrial workers (mass protests).
• In 1976, Angola and Mozambique white rule had ended.
• South Africa stir up civil wars in recently liberated countries from white rule such as Mozambique, attempting to assassinate oppositional leaders.
• Namibia had been under South Africa's rule since WW1. In 1971, the ICJ (International Court of Justice) ruled that their occupation was illegal.
• The SA police force had a responsibility of maintaining Apartheid domestically whilst the SADF attempted to control the rest of Southern Africa.
• In 1972, mandatory conscription was introduced every South African male was forced to do 9 months military service.
• In 1981, the South African defence force (SADF) numbered over 250,000 with another 250,000 in reserves.
• Ruth First, wife of Joe Slovo, was killed by a parcel bomb.
• Botha attempted to reduce internal and international opposition by making reforms to Apartheid.
• Job Reservations previously held for whites were now for anyone regardless of race.
• Influx laws were relaxed.
• In 1979, blacks could only buy housing in townships, however they could not live in “white“ areas. Advertisements began to focus on housing for new wealthy middle-class black people.
• The Urban Foundation built better new homes for black people.
• Botha’s 1983 Constitution introduced the tricameral Parliament in which only whites, ,coloured, and Indians were enfranchised.
• The 1983 constitution meant blacks could elect local black assemblies to take over the running of some local affairs. This resulted in outrage and boycotts.
• The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) was repealed, pass laws were abolished in 1986 and the Separate Amenities Act was relaxed and then abolished in 1990.
• By excluding Africans, Botha could pretend that whites represented a majority in the tricameral Parliament.
• Bitter white opposition by conservatives, reopened old rivalries within the NP.
• Treurnicht formed the Conservative party of South Africa in 1982, as a result of his exclusion from the NP.
• In 1985, Botha was so desperate to end the unrest that he offered to release Mandela from prison if he renounced his violence. When Mandela refused the offer, the government was faced with a choice endure continuing unrest or consider meaningful change.
• The Boycott Campaign of the tricameral Parliament:

  • only 29% of coloured and 19% of Indians voted
  • elected mayor of Soweto with a population of 2 million, received just over 1100 votes
• There was white opposition as well as a result of Botha’s Apartheid reforms.
• Treurnicht led 18 MP’s out of the NP and into the conservative party.
• In 1984, rent increases whilst 30% of blacks were unemployed in SA.
• The government sent 7000 SADF troops as part of "Operation Palmiet" into the black townships to crush the uprising.
• Botha declared a State of Emergency in July 1985. This act was eventually enforced nationally in 1986.
• During the State of Emergencies, newspapers were heavily censored, 25000 UDF members were detained, children were not allowed outside by day in an effort to enforce them into school.
• Botha's Rubicon Speech delivered in 1985 in Durban was foregrounded by anticipation from the world of major reforms, including abolishing the Apartheid system and the release of Nelson Mandela.
• The international media reaction to the Rubicon speech was devastating, the international value of the rand plummeted by 35% as sanctions began to arrive.
• Security forces enlisted large numbers of African men, known as the Kistonstables.
• State-employed vigilantes, such as the white scarves terrorised African squatters in the crossroads.
• Government officials denied any involvement with vigilante groups arguing "black on black" violence was reflective of blacks inability to govern themselves.
• Between 1984 and 1985, 90 US companies pull out of SA, including Barclays.
• In 1986, the US congress, overriding President Reagan's veto, passed the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, implementing mandatory sanctions.
• In 1986, Botha, committed to his Total Strategy, launched commando raids on ANC and PAC bases in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• In 1986, Botha announced in parliament that SA had "outgrown the outdated concept of Apartheid", and stated that pass laws would be repealed and influx control ended.
• Between 1984 and 1988, there was a 50% reduction in US investment.
• By 1989, rents had largely ceased to be paid and the arrears were in excess of half a billion rand.
• In 1986, there 306 cases of Necklacing.
• In 1985, The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act is repealed.