Abolition of Apartheid

What were the most significant factors in the ending of the apartheid system and who was more significant in that process: Nelson Mandela or F.W. de Klerk?

The end of apartheid is one of the most significant events in South African history and at the time presented much hope for the country in the form of peace and equality. This essay will outline the main influences in the ending of apartheid as well as discuss the significance of both Nelson Mandela and Fedrik Willem de Klerk in order to identify the most significant factor in the ending of apartheid. The apartheid in South Africa had meant that for 50 years the government had discriminated against the majority of South Africans because of the fact that they did not have white skin. This discrimination had caused death, racism, violence and uprisings. It had created an unstable and declining nation. There were however, two very significant men who are thought of as the two most important factors in the process of ending apartheid. Both Nelson Mandela and Fedrik Willem de Klerk (F W de Klerk) were crucial to the end of segregation in South Africa and the significance of their influence is not questioned. There were many factors, people and events that had major and minor impacts on both the end of apartheid and the decisions of Mandela and de Klerk. These factors included The United Nations, sanctions from surrounding nations, protest from the general public, several anti-apartheid groups, black activists, the ANC (African National Congress), violent uprisings, and black opposition in trade unions and schools among many others. It is clear just by the sheer amount of opposition that apartheid was severely disputed throughout both the country and the entire world. There were many influential, powerful and significant factors that helped peacefully end the apartheid in South Africa.

International pressure from nations across the world did influence and affect the country’s perspective on apartheid. The pressure on South Africa to change was coming from many governments as well as organisations such as the United Nations and other anti-apartheid groups. After the United Nations condemned apartheid in 1952 it tried to convince South Africa to discard their controversial form of government. The United Nations continued to criticize South Africa and eventually proposed tough economic sanctions to further convince the country that it needed to change. These sanctions would stop trade with South Africa, particularly in necessary supplies such as oil. Unfortunately, not all of the countries that were trading most with South Africa wanted this to happen. South Africa was also facing anti-apartheid governments in other nations. The Swedish government, who were strongly opposed to apartheid, supported and donated money to groups within South Africa against apartheid. The British Anti-Apartheid Movement however, instead of donating money, demonstrated their disapproval through sanctions on the sporting competitions between Britain and South Africa. They banned South Africa from the Olympics and stopped cricket and rugby matches between the nations. These sanctions were putting enormous pressure on the nation and consequently the South African economy started to struggle. International pressure as well as the pressure from within the country in terms of the declining economy was enough to convince most of the population that it was time for change in South Africa.

The raising awareness of the terrible realism of apartheid throughout the community also had a lot to do with certain black activists. These black activists were working to increase black consciousness and obtain equal rights for black communities. Leaders such as Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Steve Biko worked for and with black communities inspiring hope, optimism and faith. Walter Sisulu was a South African anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress. He was an active member of the ANC and travelled around the world gaining support for the apartheid struggle. Oliver Tambo was also a member of the ANC and worked alongside Sisulu trying to gain political power against apartheid as well as organising protests and riots to convince the South African Government to change. Steve Biko was slightly different in that he raised awareness amongst black communities of their worth and value. He tried to convince the black South Africans that they didn’t deserve to be discriminated against and that the government wasn’t right in treating them as less than equal. These three men as well as many other activists inspired the black communities to take a stand against the biased laws. They inspired and motivated protests such as the Soweto riots, the Vaal Triangle uprising, the Sharpeville Massacre and many other demonstrations. These protests raised enough awareness of the cause that the South African government realised people were prepared to question the law and order of the nation. Unfortunately, most of these uprisings ended with hundreds dead and thousands more injured. Black activists and anti-apartheid groups such as the ANC were very much a significant part in the changes in South Africa leading to the end of apartheid.

 Nelson Mandela was the most influential black activists in South Africa and worked for many years in order to fight the government and the rules of apartheid. In the earlier years of apartheid, Mandela led black protests in order to raise awareness of the unfair and unjust rules that were governing the country. He increased his anti-apartheid efforts when he joined the ANC and realised that peaceful protests were not working as effectively as they had hoped.  In 1960, Mandela proposed to the ANC that they set up a military wing to organise more noticeable acts of protest. The ANC agreed and Mandela proceeded to form Umkhonto we Sizwe. He organised bombings, and such acts, with no intention for injury or death but instead to bring attention to the anti-apartheid cause. In 1963, Mandela and several other members of Umkonto we Sizwe were arrested and stood trial for ‘plotting to overthrow the government by violence’. He and the eight other members were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island. During his years in prison, he became widely known and accepted by the black community as a symbol of resistance to the apartheid system. During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela inspired many uprisings and protests amongst black communities. This was because during all his time in prison he did not give up on his idea that the apartheid rules should be fought. Instead of negotiating his freedom, he continued his work and teachings.  He became known for his persistence and determination and was respected for it. His imprisonment raised awareness of the black peoples’ struggles both nationally and internationally. He is often associated with being the inspiration for all black protest in South Africa and can be truthfully credited for a lot of the black resistance to the apartheid system. While Mandela inspired the people and changed the way apartheid was viewed in South Africa and around the world, the government still refused to change. Mandela’s imprisonment, the increasing protests and the call for change meant that it seemed unlikely South Africa would ever be able to solve their escalating crisis without falling into civil war.

With the population and economy of South Africa suffering from national and international pressure, the nation knew that something would have to change. In 1989, F.W. de Klerk was elected to lead the country after promising to unite South Africa. F.W. de Klerk knew that as a leader, he had to do something to bring South Africa back to the situation of law and order. He also realised that because of international pressure, the South African economy was in distress. He knew that although he and his party, the National Party, had always strongly supported the apartheid laws, something in South Africa had to change.  He is considered one of the most significant influences to the end of apartheid because of the changes he made to ensure equal rights for each South African. To further demonstrate his belief in a multiracial nation, he released Nelson Mandela, unbanned the ANC (who had been banned since 1960) and promised to work towards a fair law system where there would be equal rights regardless of skin colour. He met with Mandela and other leaders and members of the ANC. They discussed the need for change in South Africa and attempted to identify a compromise to apartheid without upsetting the white minority. In his first act as the president of South Africa, de Klerk had completely and officially discarded the idea of white supremacy. His position had allowed him to take advantage of the existing pressure and need for change to ensure a peaceful transition out of apartheid. As president of South Africa, he managed to make drastic changes to the governing of a torn country, gained respect for working towards equal rights for all South Africans and allowed the nation to move forward in terms of law enforcement and economy. F.W. de Klerk was hugely significant in the ending of unfair discrimination and in the establishment of a new, multiracial, united South Africa.

Although Fedrik Willem de Klerk was extremely valuable and important, Nelson Mandela was more significant to the ending of apartheid in South Africa for a number of reasons. His impact on the process of ending apartheid was more significant in that it lasted for longer, affected more people and is still considered a representation of the struggle in South Africa. More so than de Klerk, he is recognised today as the single symbol of resistance. He affected people on an emotional scale and initiated the change of attitude within South Africa. His determination, passion and courage were crucial to his significance. As well as F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela there were many beneficial influences in gaining momentum for the anti-apartheid cause. However, although there were many factors that contributed to the ending of apartheid, Nelson Mandela was the most significant.

Bibliography

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"Biography." Nelson Mandela. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1993/mandela-bio.html>.

"The End of Apartheid - HistoryWiz South Africa." HistoryWiz: For Students, Teachers and Lovers of History. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://www.historywiz.com/end.htm>.

"Nelson Mandelas." Nelson Mandela Apartheid. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. <http://www.nelsonmandelas.com/apartheid.php>.