South AfricaInvictus

Apartheid

Literally means “apartness” in AfrikaansLiterally racism made into lawInstitutionalized segregation made into law in

1948 when the Akfrikaaner National Party was in power (a bunch of white dudes).

South Africans were classified by race and given rights based on that raceBantu (black African), White, or Coloured

(mixed)The “whiter” you were the more rights you had

Apartheid

The earliest European settlers in South Africa in the 1600’s were Dutch (Boers, is the Dutch word for farmer), followed by British who eventually gained control of the area.

Called themselves “Afrikaners” and spoke “Afrikaan”The British abolished slavery in 1833, Dutch moved

farther north—referred to as the “GROOT TREK”Moved into the savannahs—referred to as outbackThere they discovered Gold and Diamonds so the

British claimed that too—Boer Wars (1899-1902)—British Won

History

1910 Union of South Africa—all colonies united and declare an independent South Africa

Natives Land Act of 1913—blacks could live in only 8% of the country, the rest “belonged” to the whites

Whites Only—1948 Afrikaners gained control of the governmentBelieved they were “God’s chosen people”

while the natives were subordinate.New racist POLICIESAPARTHEID: means “apartness”—they wanted

the blacks separated from them.

Blacks (Africans): NO RIGHTS denied citizenship (right to vote)—71% of population!

Whites (European heritage): ALL RIGHTS—kept them in control—16%

Coloreds (mixed race): SOME rights– 10% of population

Asians (India): SOME rights—3% of population

Categories

Blacks were denied citizenship, access to public restrooms, libraries, etc.

1953—Reservation of Separate Amenities Act: segregated parks, buses, libraries, theatres, restaurants, post office entrances, beaches and so on.

Separate townships were set up—based on ethnic group (blacks given the poor rural areas)This became your hometown whether or not you had

ever been there (their real hometowns were given to the whites).

These were known as “black spots.”Coloreds and Asians were denied many basic rights

African National Congress (ANC)—leader Nelson MandelaCharged with “high treason” found not guiltyLater arrested again and sentenced to LIFE IN

PRISONServed 28 years and was released in 1990 by De KlerkDe Klerk passed legislation that tore down Apartheid

system 1994 the first free election where blacks (the majority)

are allowed to voteNelson Mandela elected President of South AfricaSouth African Tutu Commission—led by Rev. Desmond

Tutu to forgive those who persecuted natives during Apartheid

Nelson Mandela

South Africa still remains a divided society—blacks and whites typically live in different neighborhoods, less paying jobs because whites controlled biggest businesses and newspapers, half of population still lives below the poverty level

Highest rates of HIV in the world—20% of adult population is HIV positive

New constitution grounded in Human Rights, free press including newspapers, radio, and television stations.

Today

1. AIDS is not only the worst health calamity since the Middle Ages, but likely the worst of what?

2. How many people world-wide have AIDS? How many in Sub-Saharan Africa?

3. Because of AIDS, by 2010 southern Africa will have how many fewer people?

4. When and where was AIDS first identified?5. What factors contribute to the spread of

AIDS?6. By 2010 (this year) how many AIDS orphans

will there be in Africa?

Reading Questions