Black Consciousness.pdf

ESSAY QUESTION The challenge of Black Consciousness to the Apartheid state Definitions Civil protest: Opposition (usually against the current government's policy) by ordinary citizens of a country Uprising: Mass action against government policy Bantu Homelands: Regions identified under the apartheid...

ESSAY QUESTION The challenge of Black Consciousness to the Apartheid state Definitions Civil protest: Opposition (usually against the current government's policy) by ordinary citizens of a country Uprising: Mass action against government policy Bantu Homelands: Regions identified under the apartheid system as so-called homelands for different cultural and linguistic groups. Prohibition: order by which something may not be done; prohibit; declared illegal Resistance: When an individual or group of people work together against specific domination Exile: When someone is banished from their country Definitions Stay away action: A form of protest in which people are told not to go to work. Activists: Someone who is involved in furthering a specific goal. Legacy: Everything for which someone (organization) will be remembered. Terrorism Act: The South African Government's Terrorism Act of 1967 allowed the police to arrest anyone he considered a 'threat to law and order' and detain him for 60 days without ' a trial. Mobilization: To prepare for specific actions. Medium of Instruction: The use of a specific language for communication Background “South Africa as an apartheid state in 1970 to 1980 1978 PW Botha and launched his "Total Strategy" There were limited powers granted to the Colored, Indians and black township councils to ensure economic and political white supremacy Despite these reforms, Africans still did not gain any political rights outside their homelands Government's response to violence against government reform policies the declaration of a state of emergency in 1985: Background Banishment of the ANC and PAC to Sharpeville in 1960 - Underground Organizations Leaders of the Liberation Movements were in prisons or in exile New legislation - Terrorism Act - increases apartheid government's power to suppress political opposition Detention without trial - leads to the deaths of many activists Torture of activists in custody Increasing militarization within the country Bantu education ensures a low-paid labour force Apartheid regime had total control In the late 1960s there was a new kind of resistance - The Black Consciousness Movement Nature and Objectives of Black Consciousness Nature and Objectives of Black Consciousness In the late 1970s, a new generation of black students began to organize resistance Many were students at “forest college” established under the Bantu education system for black students such as the University of Zululand and the University of the North They accepted the Black Consciousness philosophy The term "black" was a direct dispute with the apartheid term "nonwhite". "Black people" were all who were oppressed by apartheid - including Indians and coloured people Main Objectives of Black Consciousness: Blacks' attitudes and thinking must change they must free themselves from the psychological state of inferiority Black people must develop pride, self-respect Black is beautiful - you are right as you are, recognize your human dignity Biko believes in self-liberation: Must mobilize themselves to fight apartheid Solidarity among black people Many of the ideas of the Black Consciousness showed similarities with the black power in the USA Promote black assertiveness Followers of the Black Consciousness were influenced by the ideas of new leaders in Africa Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana); Julius Nyerere (Tanzania); Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia) The driving force behind the Black Consciousness was SASO led by Steve Biko Black Consciousness Philosophy Be proud of your blackness Free yourself from oppression Reject the term non-white Emphasize solidarity among black people It is a state of mind and not a political movement Black people must empower themselves THE ROLE OF STEVE BIKO During Steve Biko's studies at the University of Natal he became involved in student politics Under the influence of a French-speaking author - Frantz Fanon - he researched the economic and psychological effects of imperialism on colonized people. Imperialism led blacks to believe that they were inferior Was a member of NUSAS: National Union of South African Students NUSAS was dominated by white liberal students In 1968, Biko broke away and founded SASO for black students Biko believes that black students must take responsibility for the fight against apartheid Believe that black people should free themselves from the psychological state of inferiority Biko sees Black Consciousness as a way to create solidarity and pride among black South Africans Biko believed Blacks must develop pride, self-respect and self-liberation Must establish their own organizations Black people need to change their mindset and thinking Steve Biko Charismatic speaker Brilliant leader BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT The Black Consciousness Movement was an umbrella name for various organizations formed in the early 1970s: SASO established the Black People's Convention (BPC) in 1972 SASM SASM was formed in 1971 by scholars in Soweto SASM encouraged students to disclose their grievances and needs Foundation of the Black Allied Workers Literacy campaigns Health projects Clinics Legal advice Social upliftment projects THE CHALLENGES FOR THE STATE THE IDEAS OF BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS Initially, the apartheid government's response to the Black Consciousness Movement was positive Thought that the Black Consciousness was a philosophical movement and would have no direct political impact Over time, the SB posed new challenges to the state. Mass movement In time it became clear that the Black Consciousness was strongly against the government SB was also opposed to homeland policy Sweep workers to strike Biko speeches: Blacks must reject apartheid Government's response: Suppression increases The government expelled students who were members of SASO from universities SASO and BPC leaders harassed - banned from giving speeches 8 SASO members banned Terrorism Act passed - SB activists could be detained 1977: Steve Biko is killed by Security Police THE 1976 SOWETO REBELLION, RELATED TO THE INFLUENCE OF THE SBB ON STUDENTS Scholars in black schools across South Africa were angry about the inferior system of Bantu education By the early 1970s, young people were more determined than ever to bring about change Many young people have joined organizations such as the South African Student's Movement (SASM) SASM was a Black Consciousness organization that has grown rapidly since 1973 - especially in Soweto SASM Branches was the forum where education and political issues were discussed SASM also published a militant newspaper, THRUST. The influence of the Black Consciousness spread among scholarly activists The government's response to the newspaper was to ban it Many of the learners were banned or locked up Education policy Scholars boycott classes in protest in Soweto The leaders of SASM supported the protest Teachers and learners who spoke out against education policy were detained An Action Committee (SSRC) was formed at a SASM meeting on 13 June 1976. SSRC plans a march for 16 June A peaceful mass protest against the new language policy During the protest, the police overreacted and fired at protesting pupils After the Soweto uprising, protest marches would spread through SA 16 June 1976 was a mass protest against the new language policy The Soweto uprising was followed by a nationwide protest Although the Soweto uprising began as a protest against education policy, it became a general uprising against apartheid Protests took many forms: boycotts, clashes with the police, destruction of state property and evictions In July 1976 the government renounced the Afrikaans language policy Many student leaders were detained - more than a thousand were killed mostly by police action Disruption in schools continued until next year 16 June 1976 was a mass protest against the new language policy During the Soviet uprising, the ANC (in exile) maintained contact with the student and issued pamphlets It was the ideas of the Black Consciousness that inspired the protest More than 12,000 students left the country and joined the ANC in exile Students received military training - join MK The armed wings of the ANC and the PAC used the new recruits in sabotage missions in the country In 1977, the government banned 17 antiapartheid organizations Including the SASM, the BPC, SASO and the SSRC. The government believed that the ideology of the Black Consciousness was the main reason for the Soweto uprising Black consciousness leaders arrested Steve Biko, among others, died in prison in September 1977 after brutal abuse by the police THE LEGACY OF BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS ON SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS The Black Consciousness Organization was banned after 1976 A new organization that adopted their political ideas (AZAPO) was formed in 1978 AZAPO had strong support for the University of the North In Soweto, the organization was mostly supported by journalists and scholars AZAPO was never as popular as the ANC or PAC and failed to make much of an impact in the 1980s. Many supporters of the Black Consciousness joined the ANC in exile or underground after 1976 The Black Consciousness had a great impact on South African politics It revived pride and self-confidence in the 1980s The Black Consciousness also gave momentum to community organizations and social welfare organizations Rural home industries for women were started Leadership training among young black activists was organized Many of these activists later became important political and administrative leaders after the end of apartheid. Mamphela Ramphela - Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Director of the World Bank Other black leaders who held important positions in post-apartheid were Barney Pityana (head of the Human Rights Commission and rector of the University of South Africa) Tito Mboweni - President of the Reserve Bank Mamphela Ramphela Barney Pityana Tito Mboweni A. Do you agree with the statement? A statement is given. Candidates are asked to take a stand Essay questions can be asked in the following 3 ways: B. Critically discuss… Take a stance to what extent a statement or finding within an piece of evidence is true, or to what extent you agree with it. Provide evidence that both agrees with an argument or opposes it. Reach a final conclusion, based on your decision you found to be the most important factors and justify how you came to your decision. C. Explain to what extent… To state the particular extent to which something is the reality or believed to be the situation: the type of question asks for a thorough assessment of the evidence. QUESTION: CIVIL RESISTANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA 1970s TO 1980s: SOUTH AFRICA: Essay question: The Black Consciousness Movement successfully used its goals and ideas of self-confidence to challenge the apartheid system in South Africa in the 1970s. Do you agree with this statement? Support your argument with relevant historical evidence. 1 Read the essay question carefully to understand the question focus. 2 Underline the instruction word, question focus, direction related to the content focus and time frames are given. 4 The essay must be in chronological order (the order in which events took place has) be written 3 You must take note of the format of the essay, namely: Introduction, Body (in paragraphs) and summary 5 The introduction must be a direct response to the question. You are expected to take a stand and use evidence to support your point of view Essay writing tips 6 Use the evidence mentioned in your introduction to further your point of view 7 Conclusion: Learners must complete the essay by referring to the question asked. knit in your essay. Learners should round off the argument by reverting to the question posed. P = POINT: The opening sentence of your paragraph must make a clear statement or point. SKILL: (PEELMETHOD E = EXPLAIN: The next few sentences in your paragraph should explain the point you have just made. E = EVIDENCE: The next few sentences should give evidence to substantiate [support] the statement [point] you have made above. This will be the dates, details, facts, figures from reading your textbook and source material. L = LINK: At the end of your paragraph you must link back to the essay question and/ or forward to the next paragraph Resources Refer to the resource package for additional resources