1. Growing up during the
APARTHEID ERA
A view of South Africa from theA view of South Africa from the
inside by Marianne J Du Toitinside by Marianne J Du Toit
2009-20102009-2010

2. Growing up during the APARTHEID ERA
 As a child growing up at the time apartheidAs a child growing up at the time apartheid
was at its peak, the ‘wrongs’ of it wasn’twas at its peak, the ‘wrongs’ of it wasn’t
immediately evident to me. Things were prettyimmediately evident to me. Things were pretty
‘normal’ as far as I was concerned – I went to‘normal’ as far as I was concerned – I went to
school with all the other white kids, we had aschool with all the other white kids, we had a
domestic working cleaning our house, mydomestic working cleaning our house, my
mom was a homemaker and my dad worked inmom was a homemaker and my dad worked in
a large factory.a large factory.

3. My first awareness that there was a difference between
black & white was when we’d fetch my dad from work at
night, and on our way there, you’d see black people,
walking hurriedly from work to their homes in the
townships. The rule at that time was that at 6.00pm, a
siren would sound, which meant that no black people
were allowed on the streets after that time. If they were
accosted by the police, they had to show their ‘passbook’
(a form of identity), and if they couldn’t produce this, they
were arrested and put in jail – no questions asked.

4. • Black people didn’t own anything during that era –Black people didn’t own anything during that era –
no houses, no cars and if memory serves meno houses, no cars and if memory serves me
correct, they weren’t allowed to have accounts ofcorrect, they weren’t allowed to have accounts of
any kind. The realisation hit home one day, when Iany kind. The realisation hit home one day, when I
accompanied my mom to the mall for someaccompanied my mom to the mall for some
shopping. I needed to go to the bathroom and as weshopping. I needed to go to the bathroom and as we
walked, I noticed our bathroom door had a sign on it.walked, I noticed our bathroom door had a sign on it.
It read:It read: ‘Whites Only’‘Whites Only’. A little further away, I noticed. A little further away, I noticed
the bathrooms for the black people, and what athe bathrooms for the black people, and what a
contrast it was. Where our bathroom was neat andcontrast it was. Where our bathroom was neat and
tidy, theirs reeked of urine and hadn’t been cleanedtidy, theirs reeked of urine and hadn’t been cleaned
for God-knows how long.for God-knows how long.

5. • When we left the mall, I recall a park at the entrance with
a few park benches. As we walked, we noticed a
policeman having an argument with a black woman
seated on the bench, a small child in her arms.
Eventually she got up reluctantly, picked up her child and
a few bags of shopping, and left the park. When we got
closer, I immediately saw the reason why she was asked
to leave … she sat on a bench ‘reserved’ for Whites only.
I looked at my Mom and asked her why this was
happening. She looked at me and answered; ‘because itbecause it
is the law in our country.’is the law in our country.’
Whites sit on a bus stop bench with blacks twoWhites sit on a bus stop bench with blacks two
weeks after the city of Johannesburg in Southweeks after the city of Johannesburg in South
Africa allowed blacks to travel on 'whites-only‘Africa allowed blacks to travel on 'whites-only‘
buses in February, 1990.buses in February, 1990.

6. I remember our domestic worker veryI remember our domestic worker very
well– she’d been with us for as long as Iwell– she’d been with us for as long as I
could remember, and I loved her. Shecould remember, and I loved her. She
had a daughter who’d come to visithad a daughter who’d come to visit
once in a while, and I remember the 2 ofonce in a while, and I remember the 2 of
us playing for hours, making up allus playing for hours, making up all
kinds of fantasies as we played. Tracykinds of fantasies as we played. Tracy
was my friend, and it didn’t matter to mewas my friend, and it didn’t matter to me
that her skin was black … I never reallythat her skin was black … I never really
saw that … all that mattered to me wassaw that … all that mattered to me was
that she was someone I could play with.that she was someone I could play with.
The 2 of us would often eat together tooThe 2 of us would often eat together too
… on a blanket, under the tree we’d… on a blanket, under the tree we’d
enjoy the food her mother had preparedenjoy the food her mother had prepared
for us. Not everyone thought the samefor us. Not everyone thought the same
as I did, not everyone was as tolerant oras I did, not everyone was as tolerant or
sympathetic to the life the black peoplesympathetic to the life the black people
were subjected to.were subjected to.

7. This was the malignant diseaseThis was the malignant disease
called ‘apartheid’ – and the vastcalled ‘apartheid’ – and the vast
implications it had on a countryimplications it had on a country
and its people. If after readingand its people. If after reading
about this you still feelabout this you still feel
discrimination against anydiscrimination against any
other racial group, then Iother racial group, then I
suggest you try imagine how itsuggest you try imagine how it
is living under suchis living under such
circumstances.circumstances.

8. • The National Party (NP) introduced apartheid as The National Party (NP) introduced apartheid as
part of its campaign in the 1948 elections and part of its campaign in the 1948 elections and
with its victory, apartheid became the governing with its victory, apartheid became the governing
political policy for South Africa until the early political policy for South Africa until the early
1990s. Although the official policy of apartheid is 1990s. Although the official policy of apartheid is
generally associated with the NP victory, it built generally associated with the NP victory, it built
on a long history of racial segregation and on a long history of racial segregation and
discriminatory laws intended to ensure indefinite discriminatory laws intended to ensure indefinite
white supremacy. The migrant labour system, white supremacy. The migrant labour system,
based on special land reserves and highly based on special land reserves and highly
restrictive pass laws; masters’ and servants’ laws restrictive pass laws; masters’ and servants’ laws
which hampered African trade union which hampered African trade union
organization; the job colour bar, which reserved organization; the job colour bar, which reserved
work defined as skilled for whites only; and work defined as skilled for whites only; and
urban influx control were all established in the urban influx control were all established in the
wake of the discovery and exploitation of South wake of the discovery and exploitation of South
Africa’s vast mineral resources.Africa’s vast mineral resources.

9. • In terms of the Population Registration Act of In terms of the Population Registration Act of
1951 all South Africans were classified by race: 1951 all South Africans were classified by race:
“European” (white); “Native”, later “Bantu” “European” (white); “Native”, later “Bantu”
(African); “Coloured”; and “Indian” (Asian). (African); “Coloured”; and “Indian” (Asian).
• These racial definitions determined every aspect These racial definitions determined every aspect
of life: where individuals lived, what jobs they of life: where individuals lived, what jobs they
held, what type of education they received, held, what type of education they received,
whom they could marry, even where they were whom they could marry, even where they were
buried. Apartheid laws prohibited most social buried. Apartheid laws prohibited most social
contact between races, and authorized contact between races, and authorized
segregated public facilities (such as reserving segregated public facilities (such as reserving
certain beaches for the use of whites only, or certain beaches for the use of whites only, or
stipulating separate entrances in post offices).stipulating separate entrances in post offices).

10. Apartheid law
A complex network of laws sustained aA complex network of laws sustained a
hierarchical structure of discrimination,hierarchical structure of discrimination,
exploitation, and deprivation, in whichexploitation, and deprivation, in which
Coloureds and Indians formed oppressedColoureds and Indians formed oppressed
minorities in relation to whites, but hadminorities in relation to whites, but had
considerable privileges compared toconsiderable privileges compared to
black Africans. They were segregated inblack Africans. They were segregated in
specifically defined suburbs in the so-specifically defined suburbs in the so-
called white or common areas, in terms ofcalled white or common areas, in terms of
the Group Areas Act.the Group Areas Act.
Only those black Africans needed in theOnly those black Africans needed in the
white-controlled economy were allowedwhite-controlled economy were allowed
into the urban areas.into the urban areas.

11. • Those who openly opposed apartheid were considered
communists and the government passed draconian
security legislation that, in effect, turned South Africa into
a police state.
• After peaceful demonstrations were called by the PAC
against the pass laws, protestors were fired on by the
police at Sharpeville in March 1960, killing 67 black
Africans and wounding nearly 200 others. The
government banned the ANC and PAC after what
became known as the Sharpeville Massacre.

12. By 1969 the first cracks in the NP’s By 1969 the first cracks in the NP’s
edifice of control appeared with edifice of control appeared with the the
founding of the Black founding of the Black
Consciousness Movement by the Consciousness Movement by the
charismatic leader Stephen Biko, charismatic leader Stephen Biko,
who was later murdered by the who was later murdered by the
police while in their custody in police while in their custody in
19771977. A wave of strikes in 1972 and . A wave of strikes in 1972 and
1973 signalled the resurgence of 1973 signalled the resurgence of
worker militancy, while the worker militancy, while the
independence of neighbouring independence of neighbouring
Angola and Mozambique as well as Angola and Mozambique as well as
Zimbabwe and Namibia added to Zimbabwe and Namibia added to
the ferment of the times.the ferment of the times.

13. On June 16, 1976, some 10,000
schoolchildren in Soweto
demonstrated against the
imposition of the Afrikaans
language in schools. When the
police fired on the students,
popular protest reached a new
level and shattered
much-fostered illusions of the
stability of the apartheid state.
Soweto student uprising ‘76

14.  The war in Namibia and South Africa’sThe war in Namibia and South Africa’s
destabilization of its neighbours haddestabilization of its neighbours had
become increasingly costly for the Southbecome increasingly costly for the South
African government in men and money.African government in men and money.
The ANC began to enjoy renewedThe ANC began to enjoy renewed
support and publicity inside the country;support and publicity inside the country;
prominent businessmen visited itsprominent businessmen visited its
leaders in exile, and members of theleaders in exile, and members of the
government began talks with its still-government began talks with its still-
imprisoned leader, Nelson Mandela.imprisoned leader, Nelson Mandela.

15.  In February 1990 the new president, F. W.In February 1990 the new president, F. W.
de Klerk, proclaimed a formal end tode Klerk, proclaimed a formal end to
apartheid with the lifting of the ban on theapartheid with the lifting of the ban on the
ANC and the PAC, and the release ofANC and the PAC, and the release of
ANC leader Nelson Mandela from prison,ANC leader Nelson Mandela from prison,
after a worldwide campaign.after a worldwide campaign.
Nelson Mandela together with FW de Klerk at press
conference

16.  In April 1994 South Africa held its firstIn April 1994 South Africa held its first
democratic, non-racial elections.democratic, non-racial elections.
 On May 8, 1996, South Africa adopted aOn May 8, 1996, South Africa adopted a
new post-apartheid constitution thatnew post-apartheid constitution that
embodied a unique set of fundamentalembodied a unique set of fundamental
human rights. Under it racial, religious,human rights. Under it racial, religious,
and gender discrimination are prohibited;and gender discrimination are prohibited;
education, health, housing, food, andeducation, health, housing, food, and
water are fundamental human rights; andwater are fundamental human rights; and
freedom of expression and other politicalfreedom of expression and other political
rights are protected. This was a majorrights are protected. This was a major
achievement after two years ofachievement after two years of
negotiation.negotiation.

17.  A body known as the A body known as the Truth andTruth and
Reconciliation CommissionReconciliation Commission was set up bywas set up by
act of parliament in 1995act of parliament in 1995 “to enable South“to enable South
Africans to come to terms with their pastAfricans to come to terms with their past
on a morally accepted basis and toon a morally accepted basis and to
advance the cause of reconciliation”advance the cause of reconciliation”..
Archbishop Desmond Tutu

18. Despite the declared end of apartheid, the long Despite the declared end of apartheid, the long
years of state-enforced discrimination and years of state-enforced discrimination and
deprivation have left a difficult legacy.deprivation have left a difficult legacy.
Whites still hold economic power despite the Whites still hold economic power despite the
growth of a small black middle class, while black growth of a small black middle class, while black
Africans suffer the brunt of extremely high Africans suffer the brunt of extremely high
unemployment, poor education, appalling unemployment, poor education, appalling
housing, and impoverished living conditions.housing, and impoverished living conditions.
Nevertheless, the ending of apartheid and the Nevertheless, the ending of apartheid and the
establishment of democratic non-racial rule in establishment of democratic non-racial rule in
South Africa remains one of the major South Africa remains one of the major
achievements of the 20th century.achievements of the 20th century.

19. We refer to ourselves asWe refer to ourselves as
the ‘rainbow’ nation andthe ‘rainbow’ nation and
rightly so! Our country isrightly so! Our country is
made of so manymade of so many
different and diversedifferent and diverse
cultures, and despite ourcultures, and despite our
differences, we all strivedifferences, we all strive
to make this transitionto make this transition
process as successful asprocess as successful as
possible. There are,possible. There are,
however, a few thingshowever, a few things
that hamper ourthat hamper our
progress – crime,progress – crime,
unemployment, racialunemployment, racial
xenophobia – to namexenophobia – to name
but a few, but we remainbut a few, but we remain
positive that we willpositive that we will
prevail and succeed.prevail and succeed.

20. • In 1995 we hosted the Rugby World Cup a
few months after our first democratic
elections. Rugby was always seen as a ‘white’
sport and often other races would jeer the
players. This time, however, the whole country
stood behind our national rugby team, TheThe
SpringboksSpringboks. I think a lot of it had to do
because our (then) President, Nelson
Mandela, supported them 100%.
• I still recall when Mr. Mandela asked François
Pienaar how it felt to win in front of 47 000
people (the attendees at Ellis Park), Pienaar
smiled and answered; ‘We won in front of 45
million South Africans’.

21. François Pienaar receiving the trophy
from the president´s hands.
Mr. Mandela with Webb trophy

22. That day, all of us, no matter who we
were or what we did for a living, felt a
part of something so unbelievable;
something I think we might’ve given
up on … the feeling of HOPEHOPE – the
belief that we can overcome our
differences and make this beautiful
country of ours a place we could all
be proud of. My Africa – my home.My Africa – my home.

24. • The work of art is not yetThe work of art is not yet
complete …there are still socomplete …there are still so
many pieces of the painting thatmany pieces of the painting that
need attention. We’re a work inneed attention. We’re a work in
progress, and I do believe thatprogress, and I do believe that
we would succeed in ourwe would succeed in our
endeavours, and leave behind aendeavours, and leave behind a
legacy we can all be proud of...legacy we can all be proud of...

25. • The Pledge of the Peaceful Silent Majority reads asThe Pledge of the Peaceful Silent Majority reads as
follows:follows:
• I am proudly South African.I am proudly South African.
• I publicly declare my opposition to any form ofI publicly declare my opposition to any form of
prejudice and discrimination.prejudice and discrimination.
• I believe in the right of every individual to be treatedI believe in the right of every individual to be treated
with dignity and respect.with dignity and respect.
• I will strive to build bridges and break down barriersI will strive to build bridges and break down barriers
between myself and my neighbour.between myself and my neighbour.
• I will treat others as I want them to treat me.I will treat others as I want them to treat me.
• I celebrate the unique role I play in ensuring aI celebrate the unique role I play in ensuring a
prosperous future for the diversity of peoples whoprosperous future for the diversity of peoples who
make up our Rainbow Nation.make up our Rainbow Nation.
• I endorse the vision of our great leader, Mr NelsonI endorse the vision of our great leader, Mr Nelson
Mandela who said: “Never, never, never again shall itMandela who said: “Never, never, never again shall it
be that this beautiful land will again experience thebe that this beautiful land will again experience the
oppression of one by another and suffer theoppression of one by another and suffer the
indignity of being the skunk of the world.”indignity of being the skunk of the world.”
• I will invest in our future: I undertake to instil theseI will invest in our future: I undertake to instil these
values in our children.values in our children. Archbishop Emeritus TutuArchbishop Emeritus Tutu

26. Nelson Mandela, icon of peace
Nelson Mandela is an icon of peace, and a wise man that everybody turns to for advice on how
to solve their countries' problems and promote good ideas. He was not afraid to criticize the
policies of President George W. Bush, and Israel, or the campaign against Islam. He also
directly contributed to South Africa's success in winning the right to host to the 2010 FIFA
World Cup, in what represents a historic "masterstroke," The world has the right to be proud of
Nelson Mandela, for he is a true legend that is living amongst us.