Before the construction of the Suez Canal, ships travelling from Europe had to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to reach Asia. The Cape route as it was known resulted in European settlements in this area which controlled and operated trading stations as well as port activities.
The European population called themselves ‘Afrikaaners’ and systemized the practice of racial segregation in South Africa, known as apartheid. Apartheid was legalized officially in 1948 when the National Party, led by Daniel Malan gained office the same year. This included banning native people from public facilities, white residential areas and even parliament. The natives were relegated to backward areas called ‘bantustans’.
This monstrous disregard for human rights led to a global boycott of South Africa with the U.S. and UN imposing trade sanctions on it.
Apart from global pressure, the South African government had to deal with growing resentment in the native population at home. Racial tensions sparked unfortunate incidents like the Sharpeville massacre on March 21, 1960 when 69 African protesters were killed by police officers.
The African National Congress, which was established on January 8, 1912, to defend the rights of the African people, established a military arm to launch attacks on white infrastructure. The government retaliated by declaring the ANC as illegal and arresting dozens of their leaders, including Nelson Mandela who was held in prison for 27 years.
After more than four decades of struggle and censure, the white minority in South Africa voted to end racial discrimination on March 17, 1992. Nelson Mandela became the first African president of South Africa winning a fully represented democratic election in 1994.
This year, we celebrate 30 years of referendum for the abolition of apartheid in South Africa.
Picture Credit : Google
