Apartheid in Literature......

By prof.Abdelhamid Fouda 

Apartheid in Literature. 

Apartheid is a movement which started in Africa by the British, the African party, and Afrikaners community,  the National party. The collaboration of the two parties establish the union of South Africa. The former and the latter share power until 1948 when the National Party wins the general election. The Afrikaners immediately established the policy known as apartheid.

Apartheid is a term coined in South Africa by National party which means “separation or apartness”. It is used for policy initiated by the government. This means that there should be separation between all communities in South Africa including the whites and non-whites; Africans and other non-whites; all African ethnic groups; and rural Africans and urban Africans. Similarly, it is very exigent to list the seismic acts passed by the government that are not less than despotic. These acts are namely, the Land Act which aims to restrict the black formers to diminutive and exiguous land and the Population Registration Act that forcefully registers all racial people. They are required to carry a pass that identifies them. They are also circumscribed and not allowed to access the suburbs of white people. Besides these acts, Mixed Amenities Act codifies racial segregation in public facilities. The policy of segregation extends to every aspect of society with separate section in public transport, area, beaches, and many other facilities. Add salt to the wound when the Immorality Act has been passed illegalizing while-black marriages. 

Identically and practically, it is a mean of institutionalizing and preserving the white supremacy but unconsciously they replenish the jar of hatred in their hearts and an invitation to the destruction that brings calamity in the country.  Eventually, the oppressed grows restless and strikes, boycotts, and demonstrations become prominent. The African National Congress (ANC) protesting apartheid, with the goal of establishing a transracial alliance to end apartheid and creates a multiracial democracy.

However, this task is even more difficult because there is not much unity among the non-European communities for the reason  these groups have been kept apart for so long and are not communicating. There is also not much support from the black community groups in the urban and rural areas. Because of this intense fragmentation, the apartheid regime managed to hold off its opposition through the 1960s. 

However, the liberation groups muster the strength by 1960. In 1976, under the supervision of Steven Biko, a revolt by students in Soweto against an offensive educational system spreads like wildfire throughout the country. The arresting and killing of latter in police custody serve as fuel and creates a fresh outburst of public anger. In 1977, organizations associated with the black consciousness movement were banned, and many of the people involved were put into jail or forced into exile. The arresting and banishment of the mob lead the country into greater turmoil. The situation becomes intense and grave. By the 1980, the south Africa is facing worst time in the history such as international boycott, divestment, and campaign geared to prevent non-South African companies from investing in the country, including an attempt to ban any exports from South Africa. Vandalized economy starts creeping. Strikes, work stoppages, boycotts, civil disobedience, and acts of sabotage all lead to the collapse of the African reservations. Hundreds of  thousands  of  impoverished  people  ignored  the  laws  and  flooded  into  the  cities  in  search  of work,  food  and  shelter. Nelson  Mandela,  who  had  been  involved  with  the  ANC  since  the Second  World  War,  had  been  sentenced  for  life  in  prison  for  sabotage.  After  27  years  as  a political prisoner, he  was  released by  President F.W. de  Klerk. 

By and  large,  the  term  apartheid  acquires  very  widespread  resonance  and  it  becomes  commonly used  outside  the  South  African  situation to  designate  a  variety  of  events  in  which  racial discrimination was institutionalized by  law.