Peaceful protest until the 1950's

Social sciences: history

Grade 6

The road to democracy in sa since 1910

Module 5

Peaceful protest until the 1950’s

Activity 1:

To apply sources on peaceful protest during the 1920’s and 30’s

[lo 1.2]

PEACEFUL PROTEST IN THE 1920’S AND 1930’S

(a) Enter the missing names of republics and colonies before 1910 on the map. Consult your own sources.

The union of South Africa (1910)

The Union of South Africa was established on 31 May 1910, as a British dominium, with Louis Botha as the first premier. Black people, however, did not have the vote and could not take part in elections. Only in the Cape Province did Coloured People and some Blacks have the right to vote. In reaction to this, the SANNC (South African Native National Congress) was established in Bloemfontein in 1912, under the leadership of the Reverend John Dube. The movement was to strive for justice and freedom for the black people of SA. They were against violence and wanted to achieve their ideals through reason, patience and perseverance.

John Dube (1871 – 1946)

Zulu reverend and teacher

Sol Plaatje

A founder member of the ANC

During the 1920's organisations like the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union of SA of Clements Kadalie, the biggest trade union in SA in the 1920's, encouraged several strikes on farms and in towns and cities. Clashes with the police occurred and many people died. In 1923 the name of the SANNC was changed to the ANC (African National Congress). During the 1930's the movement almost ceased to exist because of internal divisions and financial problems.

Organising mass action against apartheid during the 1940's and 50's

In the 1940's, and especially just after the end of the Second World War, support for human rights increased world-wide. The ANC also experienced a renewal. However in 1948 the government was taken over by Dr Malan's National Party and apartheid, which was already being applied, became the official policy of the country and was strictly enforced. Black people had previously been able to use public conveniences and people of different races could mix and marry. New legislation, however, prohibited this:

- 1949: Mixed Marriages Act

- 1950: Group Areas Act (Example A)

- 1952: Pass Law

- 1953:Separate Amenities Act (Example C)

The Population Registration Act (1950) divided South Africans into four groups: Blacks, Whites, Indians and Coloureds. The law restricted the lives of people: it prescribed where they could live, work and be educated and curbed their freedom of movement. Coloured people living in the Cape Province lost the right to vote as a result of the Group Areas Act. People also had to vacate their homes and move away from residential areas like District Six, to undeveloped areas on the Cape Flats.

The following are three examples that caused dissatisfaction on a large scale amongst black people:

Example A: The Group Areas Act

(b) Suppose that you are an inhabitant of Sophiatown or an official involved with the removals from Sophiatown. Study the sources that are provided and write a short letter to a friend, or put together a wall chart on the events.