OVERCOMING RACISM: Blacks in South Africa
by Ruth Councell

      1. Cape Town, South Africa
      2. Apartheid laws enacted, 1948
      3. “Townships”, or ghettos were created for black South Africans.
      4. “Blacks, Coloureds, and Asians” had separate facilities from whites.
      5. School children demonstrate in Soweto demanding the right to use their native language in school.
      6. Police open fire on the student demonstrators.
      7. Hector Peterson, age 13, was killed by police gunfire.
      8. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, tirelessly fought to end Apartheid.
      9. Nelson Mandela, leader of the African National Congress, was imprisoned for 27 years for resisting Apartheid. Next to Mandela is the ANC’s symbol.
      10. Steven Biko, an outspoken advocate of black consciousness. He was killed by police and his murder covered up.
      11. Donald Woods, a newspaper editor who investigated and brought the truth of Steven Biko’s death to the attention of the world.
      12. FW DeKlerk, who oversaw the dismantling of apartheid during his term as Prime Minsiter.
      13. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up to bring to light atrocities committed during apartheid. Victims of violence committed by both sides of the struggle came to the commission to tell their stories and receive compensation. The perpetrators of violence were offered amnesty from prosecution if they made full disclosure.

 

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