The steps taken by the Whites to end Apartheid
• Right from the start, the white urban workers opposed apartheid - especially the laws against trade unions.
• The United Party under Smuts and Hofmeyr opposed apartheid laws. However, the death of their leaders in the 1940s weakened such opposition.
• In 1951, the Torch Commando Organisation was formed. It was made up of a number of white ex-service men led by sailor Malan- a former air force ace. However, police was brutal towards the protests organised by the Torch Commandos.
• In parliament, the United Party representatives continued condemning the apartheid laws and policy. (This was between I960 - 1979).
• Another party- the Liberal Party opposed apartheid but the white liberals were harassed by the Nationalist government police and gave up.
• The Progressive Party's representative Helen Suzman also opposed apartheid.
• From 1965 onwards, Verwoerd (Prime minister) introduced the policy of detente by which he opened up dialogue with a number of African states.
• When Pieter Botha came to power in 1978, he started a positive trend towards dismantling apartheid.
• Botha allowed Africans to join trade unions and to use strikes as a mode of expressing their dissatisfaction.
• Pieter Botha also introduced some constitutional changes whereby he set up two Presidential Councils, one for whites , coloured and Asians and the second for blacks in Bantustans. These Presidential councils were purely advisory.
• Better housing facilities and wages were granted to urban workers.
• Social places like theatres, restaurants and sports grounds were made open to all races in urban centres. However in rural areas, the situation remained unchanged.
• In 1985, sexual relations between peoples of various races were made free. Inter-marriages were allowed.
• A number of white liberals continued with their pressure for reforms through out the 1980s.
• The Dutch reformed church also called for reforms in the apartheid policy after realizing the increasing world condemnation of the system.
• In 1986, the passbook laws were abolished and this was a big step towards dismantling apartheid.
• In the same year U.S.A stopped giving loans to South Africa. This weakened apartheid.
• Meanwhile pressure for African elites, church leaders like Desmond Tutu, artists like Lucky Dube and ANC guerrillas continued.
• In 1989, F.W. De Clerke came to power with a lot of determination to end apartheid.
• In 1990, he released political prisoners including Nelson Mandela who had served imprisonment for 27 years.
• De Clerke legalized the ANC and started negotiations with black nationalists.
• He granted independence to Namibia in 1990 and this was a great step towards the black man's freedom in South Africa.
• He dismantled all the apartheid laws in both urban and rural areas. Henceforth Nelson Mandela called for an end of ANC violence and peace talks continued.
• He made arrangements for a new multi-racial constitution to be discussed by representatives from all races in South Africa.
• He organised the 1994-multi racial elections, which were won by the ANC. Hence forth, a government of National Unity came in place under the presidency of Nelson Mandela.
• The United Party under Smuts and Hofmeyr opposed apartheid laws. However, the death of their leaders in the 1940s weakened such opposition.
• In 1951, the Torch Commando Organisation was formed. It was made up of a number of white ex-service men led by sailor Malan- a former air force ace. However, police was brutal towards the protests organised by the Torch Commandos.
• In parliament, the United Party representatives continued condemning the apartheid laws and policy. (This was between I960 - 1979).
• Another party- the Liberal Party opposed apartheid but the white liberals were harassed by the Nationalist government police and gave up.
• The Progressive Party's representative Helen Suzman also opposed apartheid.
• From 1965 onwards, Verwoerd (Prime minister) introduced the policy of detente by which he opened up dialogue with a number of African states.
• When Pieter Botha came to power in 1978, he started a positive trend towards dismantling apartheid.
• Botha allowed Africans to join trade unions and to use strikes as a mode of expressing their dissatisfaction.
• Pieter Botha also introduced some constitutional changes whereby he set up two Presidential Councils, one for whites , coloured and Asians and the second for blacks in Bantustans. These Presidential councils were purely advisory.
• Better housing facilities and wages were granted to urban workers.
• Social places like theatres, restaurants and sports grounds were made open to all races in urban centres. However in rural areas, the situation remained unchanged.
• In 1985, sexual relations between peoples of various races were made free. Inter-marriages were allowed.
• A number of white liberals continued with their pressure for reforms through out the 1980s.
• The Dutch reformed church also called for reforms in the apartheid policy after realizing the increasing world condemnation of the system.
• In 1986, the passbook laws were abolished and this was a big step towards dismantling apartheid.
• In the same year U.S.A stopped giving loans to South Africa. This weakened apartheid.
• Meanwhile pressure for African elites, church leaders like Desmond Tutu, artists like Lucky Dube and ANC guerrillas continued.
• In 1989, F.W. De Clerke came to power with a lot of determination to end apartheid.
• In 1990, he released political prisoners including Nelson Mandela who had served imprisonment for 27 years.
• De Clerke legalized the ANC and started negotiations with black nationalists.
• He granted independence to Namibia in 1990 and this was a great step towards the black man's freedom in South Africa.
• He dismantled all the apartheid laws in both urban and rural areas. Henceforth Nelson Mandela called for an end of ANC violence and peace talks continued.
• He made arrangements for a new multi-racial constitution to be discussed by representatives from all races in South Africa.
• He organised the 1994-multi racial elections, which were won by the ANC. Hence forth, a government of National Unity came in place under the presidency of Nelson Mandela.
National Movements and New States in Africa