Racism and Apartheid in Southern Africa - South Africa and Namibia

A book of data based on material prepared by the Anti-Apartheid Movement and published by the Unesco press.

Reviewed by Brian Anderson

Any right-thinking' person who saw the recent film Last Grave at Dimbaza could have only been filled with abhorrence and disgust at the treatment which is presently being meted out to the black Africans by the South African authorities. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is (and its certainly a popular platform for excuse), most people, although painfully aware that the situation exists, are quite prepared to forget about it until the stark realities of the situation are brought home to them. This book, serving a similar function as Last Grave at Dimbaza, does just this by presenting a reasoned, factual representation of the situation in South Africa - a presentation which would be very difficult to ignore.

As the title suggests, this book is divided into two sections. The first part deals with the situation in South Africa itself. The reader is guided through a brief outline of the historical development of apartheid in South Africa and its intimate relationship with the development of the economy in that area. Probably the most informative and most interesting section of this book is the chapter entitled 'Apartheid in Operation.' Here is outlined the apartheid policy, its aims and how, through a series of repressive legislative Acts this policy has been effected.

There are statistics and statements demonstrating the inequities between the races in South Africa. For example, the average wage of an African working in the coal mines in 1973 was 21 Rand compared with the 421 Rand which the white worker earned for doing similar work. This situation is bad enough in itself but when it is considered that the PDL (Poverty Datum Line) for a five member family is calculated to be in the region of 60-96 Rand, it is only then that the harsh realities become apparent.

The principles which govern the education policies of the South African government were laid down by Dr Verwoerd in Parliament in 1953:

Native education should be controlled in such a way that it should be in accord with the policy of the State.... If the Native in South Africa today .... is being taught to expect that he will live his adult life under a policy of equal rights, he is making a big mistake ...

In 1971-72 the South African Government expenditure per pupil per year was 25 31 Rands for Africans and 461 Rands for whites. The pupil-teacher ratio is roughly 60:1 in schools for Africans and 20:1 in schools for whites. These are only a few of the many discrepancies evidenced in this book.

There is a rundown of the pass law regulations. The policy of the South African Government to establish 'Homelands' or 'Bantustans' is outlined - apartheid has been built on an unequal division of the land (as provided for in the Native Trust and Land Act 1936) by which the whites will retain control of 86.3 percent of the land and 13.7 per cent will eventually be passed over to the Africans (although it is doubtful whether the Africans will gain complete autonomy even in these areas).

The remaining chapters in the first section of the book look at the various storms of opposition which has arisen to the policy of apartheid both within South Africa and from the world outside and the effect that these have had on that policy.

The second, shorter section of the book considers the situation in Namibia - the name given to the former territory of South West Africa by the General Assembly when the United Nations terminated the South African mandate for it in 1966. In spite of this termination of the mandate South Africa continues to effectively govern the territory, having refused to allow Namibia to become a trustee territory. "In June 1971 the International Court of Justice declared the South African presence in the territory illegal, and prescribed Member State obligations towards securing expulsion. The legal position is thus unequivocal but few practical measures have been taken to bring the real situation into line' With a few minor concessions Namibia is subject to the same apartheid policy as South Africa itself.

As a general text on apartheid, this book is excellent. It is concise, well presented and easy reading. After reading this book I am further convinced that the only way to bring pressure on the South African Government to change its apartheid policies is for other nations of the world to adopt a policy of complete isolation - both in sport and trade. For those who are still wandering around with footballs for brains I would echo the words of Chief Albert Luthuli who said:

"I would ask you to unite in demanding that your governments should honour the resolutions taken at the United Nations. I would urge that you and your government be not deterred from any action by the excuse often advanced by our oppressors - that boycotts and sanctions will bring to us blacks more suffering than to whites. We have been victims of suffering long before our boycott and sanctions call to the nations of the world. We are committed to suffering that will lead us to freedom - as it has been the lot of all oppressed people before us from time immorial. What we are determined not to do, cost what it may, is to acquiesce in a status quo that makes us semi-slaves in our country

.. the time must surely come when South Africa must emerge from the dark night of racial fanatisicm to take its place among the free nations of the world. You all - people and governments - can, to your honour, hasten this day.

.... To the nations and governments of the world ... I say: Cast aside your hypocrisy and deceit ... Do not think we will be deceived by your pious protestations as long as you are prepared to condone, assist and actively support the tyranny in our land ... The test is action - action against oppression.

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