The Radicalization of the Native South African

By the end of the 1950s, the harsh Verwoerdian style apartheid began to break down. The increase in oppressive policies and the exceedingly excessive use of violence had the opposite of its intended effect. The native South African felt that he had no other choice but to respond to the government’s actions with violence. Policies meant to oppress the native merely further radicalized his position. The philosophy of “black consciousness” made the native proud of whom he was and encouraged him not to accept the subservient position given to him in South African society. The increase in demand for skilled labor in the factories allowed natives to organize labor unions and dissatisfaction in Bantu education caused students to become politically active. All of these things put together created an unmanageable social environment that led to the collapse of apartheid as well as creating social and economic problems that would carry over into post-apartheid South Africa.

IN 1952, the ANC launched the Defiance Campaign in response to the government’s oppressive policies. They used non-violent protest techniques and peacefully broke laws they saw as unjust to air their grievances. The Government reacted by banning leaders of the opposition and arresting thousands of demonstrators, accusing them of Communist activities which was made illegal under the Suppression of Communism Act of 1950. The Defiance Campaign had little to no effect and many members of the ANC had become fed up with the slow pace at which they were moving. “Critics within the ANC argued that its alliance with other political groups, particularly the white Congress of Democrats, had caused their organization to make too many compromises and fail to represent African interests.” Such critics, who called on the ANC to take more action, were forced out of the organization and formed the Pan-Africanist Congress.

The PAC organized demonstrations as part of their campaign against the pass laws marching to the police station without their passes in protest. At one demonstration in Sharpeville, the police responded to the peaceful march by firing on the crowd, killing at least 69 and wounding 186. This event not only caused international criticism of apartheid policy, it also inspired more natives to take action. The increased opposition caused the government to outlaw both the ANC and PAC, forcing them to go underground. Both organizations set up armed divisions to fight for their freedom. After many years of non-violent practices, the natives were forced to use violence. “They argued that the state itself was illegitimate and that because it used violence to repress political opposition, they needed to begin an armed struggle.” It had become clear that non-violent protest was not going to work, more drastic measures needed to be taken if they wanted to make any real progress.