Peaceful protest until the 1950's  (Page 2/2)

(Remember the who, where, when, what and why.) First have a class discussion on the event. Afterwards, compare information and add on where necessary.

SOURCE A

SOURCE B

Black people, likewise, had to vacate Sophiatown on the West Rand (which today is Triomf), near Johannesburg in 1955. In February 1955 black people were moved to Meadowlands (now part of Soweto).

Example B: Homelands

Ten homelands were set apart for black South Africans. Four of the homelands gained complete independence, but were only accredited by the South African government. The homelands policy, however, was rejected by most of the black people and also by the international community, because they believed that all South Africans should have full civil rights in SA.

(c) Fill in the names of the previous homelands next to the corresponding number:

(a) B________________________

(b) L _______________________

(c) V _______________________

(d) G _______________________

(e) Ka ______________________

(f) Kw ______________________

(g) T ______________________________

(h) C ______________________________

(i) Q ______________________________

(j) Kw _____________________________

Example C: Separate Amenities Act

According to these laws, black people who worked in towns and cities had to carry passes (identity documents) from 1952. If anyone was found without a pass, he was given a jail sentence. Black people had to live in locations (slum areas). Mass action occurred more and more frequently in the 1950's. And the membership of the ANC increased from 7 000 to 100 000.

Chief Albert Luthuli (1898 – 1967)President of the ANC from 1952-1960. He received the Nobel Prize for Peace.

Oliver Tambo (1917 – 1993)ANC-president from 1960 - 1991

(d) Answer the questions on the following cartoon, which appeared in 1953. You may work in pairs:

• Why do the people on the left seem astonished?
• Explain the abbreviation: SAR&H.
• Which law is referred to?
• Supply your own caption for the cartoon.
• What have you learnt from this exercise?

Subsequently two mass actions (Freedom Charter and Alexandra bus boycotts) especially, followed that demonstrated the dissatisfaction of the black people.

Example A: Freedom Charter

As a last effort to peaceful protest, black people formulated their rights and grievances officially. This document is known as the Freedom Charter. On 25 and 26 July 1955, more than 3 000 people gathered at Kliptown, just outside Johannesburg, under the leadership of the Congress Alliance to adopt the Freedom Charter. The Charter voiced a plea for a democracy that would represent all the inhabitants of South Africa, with equal rights for all. Different political organisations of all the races signed the Freedom Charter. In 1984, however, the government prohibited publication of the charter.

The Congress Alliance

(f) Design your own poster on children’s rights and privileges. First have a class discussion what the basic human rights are of each person? Human rights is the right to freedom that each person should have.

THE ALEXANDRA-BUS BOYCOTTSReaders Digest. 1984. Illustrated History of S.A., Cape Town.(p.391)

Example B: Alexandra-Bus Boycott

During January of 1956 approximately 60 000 black people boycotted the PUTCO buses on the Rand to protest against an increase in fares that was instituted without consultation. Many people could simply not afford the higher tariffs. The protesters walked the 15 km between Alexandra and the Johannesburg city centre, or cycled. The boycott was ended by an agreement that the bus company would be subsidised. On 9 August 1956 approximately 20 000 women were involved in a march to the Union Buildings to protest against the pass laws.

Assessment