2: Resistance & consolidation of NP power 1960-68

• What caused the Sharpeville Massacre?

  The PAC called for anti-pass protests throughout South Africa on 21 March 1960. The response was disappointing but there was a sizeable demonstration in the township of Sharpeville. Commuters were often pressured in supporting the protest rather than going to work.
• 1: What happened at the Sharpeville Massacre?

  21 March 1960: Between 5000 and 20000 gathered outside the fences of the police station and PAC leaders request to arrest them for not carrying their passes. The police refuse and the standoff continues all morning.
• 2. What happened at the Sharpeville Massacre?

  By 1pm, police reinforcements arrived to try to take control. They came from outside the area and were commanded by a more aggressive Chief of Police, Lieutenant Colonel Pienaar. 400 police, 200 white officers armed with rifles and 200 Africans carrying clubs.
• 3. What happened at the Sharpeville Massacre?

  Nyakane Tsolo (PAC leader) refused to order the crowd to disperse and he was arrested. Pienaar lined the police up and gave the order to fire. Police began to shoot at the crowds; they fired two rounds, one directly into the centre killing those at the head of the crowd and a second hitting those who were fleeting.
• What was the result of the Sharpeville Massacre?

  69 protestors were killed and almost 200 injured, many later dying from their wounds. 70% of those killed were shot in the back. Witnesses saw the police placing stones on the station side of the fence to falsify evidence that they had been thrown before they opened fire. The police were also accused of kicking and even killing the wounded.
• What was the international response to Sharpeville?

  The UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning Sharpeville and called for a reversal of apartheid and racial discrimination. The UN passed resolutions condemning apartheid every year since 1952.
• How was the Sharpeville Massacre significant?

  The government declared a State of Emergency on the 30 March 1960. Over 10000 people were arrested, 2000 within the first few days. This included Mandela and others who were still involved in the Treason Trial.
• 2. What happened at the Sharpeville Massacre?

  8 April 1960: The ANC and PAC are declared illegal under the Unlawful Organisations Act, effectively making protesting against apartheid illegal.
• 1963 General Laws Amendment Act:


  Could arrest anyone for 90 days without charges and access to a lawyer.
• Under the Sabotage Act (1962) the security forces increasingly resorted to torture to extract confessions.
• The Wessels Commission Of Enquiry 1960:

  Claimed that the police acted in self-defence against a hostile crowd at Sharpeville. The commission appeared reluctant to interview African people and critics have accused it of being whitewashed.
• How was the Republic of South Africa established?

  In October 1960, white South Africans voted by a narrow majority of 52% for a republic. Black opposition rejected this as it was done without consultation of the majority of the population. It became a Republic on 31 May 1961. They left the Commonwealth in 1961 to stop foreign influence.
• What was the significance of Sharpeville to the resistance groups?

  They took up arms.
• What was Poqo?

  The military wing of the PAC formed in 1961. They targeted white people whom it saw as an enemy.
• What was MK?

  The informal military wing of the ANC launched in December 1961. They targeted strategic sites e.g. communications posts and power units, to avoid the risks of loss of life. MK was short for Umkhonto we Sizwe.
• Why was Nelson Mandela arrested?

  • Went underground after the Treason Trial
  • Spent time hiding at a a farm called Liliesleaf in Johannesburg district of Rivonia
  • The farm was secretly owned by the CP who were in close co-operation with MK
  • Here Mandela helped plan the activities of the MK
  • Mandela went abroad to seek support and funds. He trained in guerrilla warfare
  • In August 1962, on his return, he was arrested and accused of incitement to strike and travelling abroad without a passport; sentenced to 5 years without parole
• What was the Rivonia Trial?

  While Mandela was in prison, security forces raided Liliesleaf farm and found MK operatives, weapons and 250 incriminating documents. The trial began in October 1963.
• Why was the Rivonia Trial significant?

  Nelson Mandela performed a 4 hour speech admitting the charges but justifying the ANC struggle against apartheid: "But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
• What was the verdict of the Rivonia Trial?

  • They were charged with treason which carried the death penalty
  • The 8 defendants were spared the death penalty but were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island
  • Most of the leadership of the ANC and MK were caught up in the trial
• The impact of the Rivonia Trial:

  • The structures of the ANC destroyed
  • All principle ANC and PAC leaders arrested and their activities diminished
  • Resistance had to regroup and and organise outside of South Africa, in countries friendly to anti-apartheid struggle e.g. Tanzania and Mozambique
• What was the anti-apartheid movement (AAM)?

  Formally founded in 1960 in London. A global movement against apartheid. Made threats leading to South Africa being banned from the Olympics. Encouraged people to boycott South African companies.
• What was life like for white South Africans between 1961-68?

  Had plentiful economic opportunities and excellent social services. Many could afford at least one servant. The had generally comfortable homes with modern conveniences. They had little access to alternative views as TV was banned until 1976, literature was strictly censored and they rarely came into contact with other races outside of master-servant relations.
• What was life like for black South Africans between 1961-68?

  Challenging. The lack of opportunities were made worse by the total apartheid policies pursued by the government e.g. Bantustans. Did not enjoy the national wealth despite being a larger ethnic group.
• Who came after Verwoerd?

  John Vorster
• The South African Defence Force (SADF) was created in 1957 with the task of defending borders and combatting counter-insurgency. In 1963 it had a strength of 25000. This extended after 1967 when conscription was introduced for white men: initially had to serve for 9 months. During the 1960s this meant that it focused on preventing infiltration by anti-apartheid groups.