The Crisis of Apartheid in the 1980s

Government Attempts to Reform Apartheid

• 1982 Black Local Authorities Act
  • More powers to councils made up of elected representatives, but widely rejected by communities.
• 1983 Tri-cameral Parliamentary System
  • Introduced limited political reform with separate chambers for Coloureds and Indians, but power remained with the white parliament.

Internal Resistance to Reforms

• Rise of trade union movements and new mobilization methods like 'rolling mass action'.
• Key unions and federations:
  • 1979: FOSATU (Federation of South African Trade Unions)
  • 1982: NUM (National Union of Mineworkers)
  • 1984: SAAWU (South African Allied Workers Union)
  • 1985: COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions)
• Breakdown of pass laws leading to urbanization and informal settlements.

Apartheid Economy

• Based on Bantu education, unskilled black labor, industrial color bar, and homeland system.
• Increased need for skilled workers and pressure to reform labor practices.

Township Revolt (1984-1986)

• Started in Vaal Triangle, triggered by school and rent boycotts.
• Nationwide uprising and formation of street and area committees, people's courts.

State Response

• 1985 Partial State of Emergency
• 1986 Full State of Emergency
  • Extra powers given to SAP and SADF, censorship intensified, thousands detained/killed.

The United Democratic Front (UDF)

• Non-racial alliance launched in 1983, identified with the Freedom Charter.
• Organised rent and consumer boycotts, school protests, worker stayaways.
• 1988 UDF banned, continued under Mass Democratic Movement (MDM).

Role of Students

• New organisations: COSAS, AZASO (later SANSCO), NUSAS.
• Protest actions disrupted schooling, emphasized education for liberation.
• National Education Crisis Committee formed to address educational issues.

End Conscription Campaign (ECC) and Black Sash

• ECC opposed conscription for national service, supported conscientious objectors.
• Black Sash, founded in 1955, focused on welfare issues in the 1980s.

Mass Democratic Movement (MDM)

• Launched in 1989, called for end to segregation and organized Freedom Marches.

The National Forum

• Formed by AZAPO, united Black Consciousness groups, rejected Western capitalist values.

ANC in Exile

• Encouraged internal activism, focused on armed propaganda and political mobilisation.
• Recognized by UN as official representative of South Africans.

Destabilizing the Frontline States

• Included countries like Angola, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
• Faced challenges due to economic dependence on South Africa.
• SADCC formed to promote regional development and economic independence from SA.

Summary of the 1980s

• Limited political reform juxtaposed with mass mobilization and development of organs of people's power.
• The decade ended with dramatic changes and the dismantling of apartheid.