Anti-Apartheid Campaign - Case Study Example

Campaign Analysis Name: Institution: Course: Date: Campaign Analysis Introduction According to Klotz (2002), in the 19th century, South Africans black majority started a campaign against separateness (apartheid). Apartheid system was being used by the government of the day which was led by the minority whites. This system brought about a society that encouraged oppression against the majority of the blacks in South African. Anti-apartheid campaign was spearheaded by the black people living in the United States of America. These people started this campaign with an aim of attracting international attention concerning the brutality of South African regime of the day. Since the migration of Dutch from their native country, Holland, to South Africa; the local South African communities started experiencing segregation. The Dutch deliberately segregated the natives with a sole aim of ensuring that all powers were concentrated in the hands of the whites. The locals waged various protests against their oppressors for decades without any meaningful gains (Smith, 2014). A more oppressive regime assumed power in the year 1943 when the Nationalist Party won in white only elections. Therefore, the paper is going to discuss on the anti-apartheid campaign and how relevant the topic is on this unit. Literature review Similar studies on anti-apartheid have been conducted by Cambridge University. The study aimed at political healing and reconciliation in South Africa. In this relation, the study is going to focus on the struggles South Africans went through before gaining their independence. During the Nationalist Party regime, new and harsher apartheid laws were introduced to maintain white supremacy by ensuring that all South Africans are identified as European, Indian, Colored, or African. This was to enable segregation of people according to their race. All non-whites living in South Africa were forcibly relocated to environmentally poor and poverty stricken areas. Non-whites were also required by law to obtain permission from the authority so that they can be allowed to travel, voting rights were reserved to the whites only and no non-white had a right to land ownership. Every time those non-whites tried to resist oppression, the government responded aggressively. In most instances of protests against discrimination, protesters such as Steve Biko were killed and others such as Nelson Mandela were arrested. In the 1970s, emergence of civic associations was largely witnessed in towns that were mostly occupied by the black. These associations started activism against apartheid by using a new approach focusing on community development as opposed to political action. According to Ballard, Habib & Valodia (2006), more attention needed to be directed towards the issues that directly affected people locally. Main purpose of this approach was to build the confidence that through their united mass action, they can intervene and change their lives no matter how small it could be. Findings Anti-apartheid campaign The United Democratic Federation led in organizing the anti-apartheid campaigns in the 1980’s. The campaign was conducted by a coalition of more than 500 anti-apartheid organizations that came about as a result of limited government reforms. When the authorities weakened the activists’ movement the black Confederation of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) played a major role in continuing with the anti-apartheid campaign through strikes (Nesbitt, 2004). By localizing their organization, black South Africans started taking ownership of their own government by establishing street committees. These committees rendered the local councils, which were representatives of central government, irrelevant to the ordinary black citizens. The committees used their positions to influence people to take part in strikes and boycotts. These committees were also given the mandate of settling disputes, organizing and coordinating social activities such as garbage removal, street cleaning, and policing and health services. These activities weakened even further the influence of apartheid regime and gradually the “peoples” power started to take root. The local organizations enabled the anti-apartheid movement to conveniently engage the local people in a non-violent way. Aim of the Anti-apartheid campaign The core message of the anti-apartheid movement was that, segregation must come to an end and that black citizens of South Africa must be given their rights. They showed their strength as the majority of the South Africa population through non-violent tactics such as non-cooperation with the system of the day. They utilized their influence and economic power through, consumer boycotts of businesses owned by black apartheid collaborators or whites, rent boycotts, work stay-a ways and student and worker strikes. The participants and techniques used in the campaign The movement came up with favorable ways of ensuring that older and moderate members of the black community, majority of whom had distanced themselves from the anti-apartheid movement activities actively participated in the activities of the movement. These old members had withdrawn from the movement following previous violence and extremism they had experienced. These members were given leadership roles in the movement and this ensured that there was sufficient intergenerational support. However, As a result of persisted rebellion among the black, the government declared a state of emergency in 1986. During the emergency period the government arrested and imprisoned thousand s of people without trial leading to failure of the campaigns (Arnold & Hammond, 1994) Discussion The context of the campaign The leaders of anti-apartheid movement considered local campaign on basic issues as a basic step towards formation of more political forms of associations. This process would facilitate the formation of the national democratic resistance movement. This national resistance would direct all efforts towards a common goal and that was formation of United Democratic Front (UDF). The activists made it clear by declaring that “we want all our rights and, we want them here and we want them now” Methods used In order to achieve this objective, activists realized they had to go beyond a series of unpremeditated mutiny to form a countrywide organization. As the young leader Mkhuseli Jack once declared, the movement needed to “take this fight in the towns where white South Africans resided in large numbers. This led to the boycott countrywide that paralyzed the smooth running of the country. The purpose boycotting was to pressure the government by destroying the local economy, thus proving that the country could not move forward under apartheid; as Molefe put it, “We were saying to business (es): you are part of this country. If the majority of South Africa are not treated like human beings, if their human rights are not respected, then there cannot be stability in the nation, and your business cannot thrive under conditions of instability.At this period the activism needed support from the international community to subdue apartheid. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu declared “We face a catastrophe in this land and only the action of the international community by using pressure can save us” (Tutu Risks Treason Charge in urging South Africa Sanctions. Desmond Tutu called for punitive sanctions against the government to help in establishing a new and an all-inclusive South Africa and form a government that would have support of over 70% of black citizens (Wilson, 2001). Effects and critics of the campaigns The activists were aware that sanctions would cause short-term negative effects to the economy but, they were ready to experience it as a price they would have to pay for their much needed freedom. Via the international protests and media coverage, the activists were able to convince a large number of states to introduce sanctions against South Africa. As a result of the persistence pressure both at home and internationally, the activists believed that eventually anti-apartheid movement would come out victorious. Consumer boycott was marked as the most effective since it led to reduction of profits therefore putting the business owners, who were majority white, and the government in disagreement. As a result of unfavorable business environment, the business owners demanded that the government change the policy (Shepherd, 1977). As usual the regime continued with its policies and it tried to make its presence felt at local level by appointing officials in town councils. Black South Africans declined to support these appointees and instead maintained loyalty to the street committees. In the middle of 1980s, violence erupted and quickly spread across the nation. During this violence black councilors (appointees of apartheid regime), police officers, and any suspected informants were brutally killed. Consequently, many councilors and police officers resigned and this led to collapse of government authority in townships and the power vacuum was filled by the street committees. Why the campaign was successful Simultaneously, activists worked to attract international attention by creating awareness of segregation. In the year 1989, the movement undertook mobilization task aiming at spearheading resistance against racial oppression on beaches and in hospitals while organizing protests as well as work stay-away.Activists also used civil rights language that would easily attract the attention of civil rights campaigners across the world. Those who were in detention also played a role by using hunger strike to attract publicity internationally (Bezuidenhout, 2000). Therefore, the moves made by the activists made the campaign a success. Summary and Conclusion As discussed in the Unit, the “anti-apartheid” campaign gained support internationally. Its strength and influence continued to be felt through academic boycott of South Africa universities and scholars, sports boycott as well as divestment campaign that saw economic asset drained from the country. Anti-apartheid became more globally recognized and its leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu were recognized with Nobel Peace Prizes. Eventually, South Africa regime realized that it could not withstand the local and international pressure and accepted that negotiation was the only way out. In the 1990, the then white president, F.W de Klerk released Nelson Mandela from jail and apartheid laws were reviewed. In 1994 democratic elections were conducted and Mandela was overwhelmingly voted the president of a new nation that majority fought for. After many years of racial segregation; black South Africans achieved freedom from racial discrimination. Nelson Mandela made a declaration that “never again shall it be that this beautiful will again experience the oppression of one by another” (Nelson Mandela “Inaugural Address” Cape Town. 10th May 1994). The campaign achieved its intended goal, freedom, and equality regardless of race. Desmond Tutu once said “Once a people are determined to become free, then nothing can stop them from achieving their goal”. Reference Smith, C. (2014). Disruptive religion: The force of faith in social movement activism. Routledge. Klotz, A. (2002). Transnational activism and global transformations: The anti-apartheid and abolitionist experiences. European Journal of International Relations, 8(1), 49-76. Ballard, R., Habib, A., & Valodia, I. (Eds.). (2006). Voices of protest: Social movements in post-apartheid South Africa (pp. 301-324). Durban: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press. Nesbitt, F. N. (2004). Race for sanctions: African Americans against apartheid, 1946-1994. Indiana University Press. Wilson, R. (2001). The politics of truth and reconciliation in South Africa: Legitimizing the post-apartheid state. Cambridge University Press. Seidman, G. (2001). Guerrillas in their midst: Armed struggle in the South African anti-apartheid movement. Mobilization: An International Quarterly,6(2), 111-127. Bezuidenhout, A. (2000). Towards Global Social Movement Unionism?: Trade Union Responses to Globalization in South Africa. International Institute for Labour Studies. Arnold, P., & Hammond, T. (1994). The role of accounting in ideological conflict: lessons from the South African divestment movement.Accounting, Organizations and Society, 19(2), 111-126. Klotz, A. (1995). Norms reconstituting interests: global racial equality and US sanctions against South Africa. International Organization, 49(03), 451-478. Adler, G., & Webster, E. (1995). Challenging transition theory: The labor movement, radical reform, and transition to democracy in South Africa.Politics and Society, 23, 75-75. Marx, A. W. (1992). Lessons of struggle: South African internal opposition, 1960-1990. Oxford University Press on Demand. Johnson, P., & Martin, D. (1986). Destructive engagement: Southern Africa at war. Red Sea Pr. Shepherd, G. W. (1977). Anti-apartheid: Transnational conflict and western policy in the liberation of South Africa (No. 3). Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. Read More

Findings Anti-apartheid campaign The United Democratic Federation led in organizing the anti-apartheid campaigns in the 1980’s. The campaign was conducted by a coalition of more than 500 anti-apartheid organizations that came about as a result of limited government reforms. When the authorities weakened the activists’ movement the black Confederation of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) played a major role in continuing with the anti-apartheid campaign through strikes (Nesbitt, 2004). By localizing their organization, black South Africans started taking ownership of their own government by establishing street committees.

These committees rendered the local councils, which were representatives of central government, irrelevant to the ordinary black citizens. The committees used their positions to influence people to take part in strikes and boycotts. These committees were also given the mandate of settling disputes, organizing and coordinating social activities such as garbage removal, street cleaning, and policing and health services. These activities weakened even further the influence of apartheid regime and gradually the “peoples” power started to take root.

The local organizations enabled the anti-apartheid movement to conveniently engage the local people in a non-violent way. Aim of the Anti-apartheid campaign The core message of the anti-apartheid movement was that, segregation must come to an end and that black citizens of South Africa must be given their rights. They showed their strength as the majority of the South Africa population through non-violent tactics such as non-cooperation with the system of the day. They utilized their influence and economic power through, consumer boycotts of businesses owned by black apartheid collaborators or whites, rent boycotts, work stay-a ways and student and worker strikes.

The participants and techniques used in the campaign The movement came up with favorable ways of ensuring that older and moderate members of the black community, majority of whom had distanced themselves from the anti-apartheid movement activities actively participated in the activities of the movement. These old members had withdrawn from the movement following previous violence and extremism they had experienced. These members were given leadership roles in the movement and this ensured that there was sufficient intergenerational support.

However, As a result of persisted rebellion among the black, the government declared a state of emergency in 1986. During the emergency period the government arrested and imprisoned thousand s of people without trial leading to failure of the campaigns (Arnold & Hammond, 1994) Discussion The context of the campaign The leaders of anti-apartheid movement considered local campaign on basic issues as a basic step towards formation of more political forms of associations. This process would facilitate the formation of the national democratic resistance movement.

This national resistance would direct all efforts towards a common goal and that was formation of United Democratic Front (UDF). The activists made it clear by declaring that “we want all our rights and, we want them here and we want them now” Methods used In order to achieve this objective, activists realized they had to go beyond a series of unpremeditated mutiny to form a countrywide organization. As the young leader Mkhuseli Jack once declared, the movement needed to “take this fight in the towns where white South Africans resided in large numbers.

This led to the boycott countrywide that paralyzed the smooth running of the country. The purpose boycotting was to pressure the government by destroying the local economy, thus proving that the country could not move forward under apartheid; as Molefe put it, “We were saying to business (es): you are part of this country. If the majority of South Africa are not treated like human beings, if their human rights are not respected, then there cannot be stability in the nation, and your business cannot thrive under conditions of instability.

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