Page 60 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

58  INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRIC A

The Apartheid Years

In 1910, the Union of South Africa became a self-governing Transvaal
colony within the British Commonwealth. The future of black Orange SWAZILAND
Natal
Free
South Africans was largely left undecided, leading to the State LESOTHO
founding of the South African Native National Congress (later Cape Province
known as the ANC) in 1912. The Great Trek centenary of 1938
renewed the white Afrikaners’ hope for self-determination.
In 1948, the Afrikaner-based National Party (NP) came to Apartheid South Africa
power and, by manipulating the composition of parliament, Provincial boundaries (1994)
managed to enforce a series of harsh laws that stripped Homelands up to 1984
black South Africans of most of their basic human rights.
In 1961, Prime Minister Verwoerd led the country out of the
Commonwealth and into increasing political isolation.

Delville Wood
One of the most
vicious battles of
World War I was
fought at Delville
Wood, in France. For
five days, 3,000 South
African soldiers held
out against the
German line.

Burning Pass Books
The 1952 Natives Act required all
black men older than 16 to carry a
pass book (permit to work in a “white”
The Great Trek Centenary area) at all times, and show it to the
The ox wagons rolled again in 1938, headed for a sol emn police on demand. In 1956, the law
celebration in Pretoria, where the first stone of the Voortrekker was extended to women. In 1960,
Monument (see p325) was laid. This re- enactment of the thousands burned their pass books at
Great Trek was an impressive display of Afrikaner solidarity, township police stations countrywide.
patriotism and political strength. The law was repealed in 1986.

1907 Sir James 1912 South African 1928 Kirstenbosch
1905 Cullinan Diamond Percy FitzPatrick Native National Botanical Gardens and 1936 First
found at Premier writes Jock of Congress founded University of South printing of the
Diamond Mine the Bushveld (later becomes ANC) Africa founded Bible in Afrikaans
1900 1910 1920 1930
1914 South Africa declares
1904 President 1910 war on Germany. Boer 1922 Miners’ 1927 Compulsory
Paul Kruger dies Formation of rebellion put down by rebellion racial segre gation
the Union of Union government. The breaks out at dec lared in many
President Paul South Africa first National Party formed coal mines in urban areas
Kruger in Bloemfontein Witbank

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