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Boers
The Boers were a group of Dutch settlers who arrived to South Africa in 1652. They reaped the land's resources, taking food and water to give to passing ships. The Boers began lives of subsistence farming and hunting. -
Foreshadowing of Apartheid
While slaves were "freed" on paper, they still experienced marginalization and were tied to their lands. Colonialists continued this system for centuries. -
British dispatches troops to the Cape
British authorities took military action in the Cape because of conflicts between them and other Western European countries. This affected trade, with India because of the compromised port town. -
The Zulus
The Zulus began as a small group, but grew in population as time went on, especially under the rule of kings who favored them, namely the Shaka Zulu. The people who wanted to avoid them had to relocate North because they couldn't defend themselves. -
British colony of India
After slavery was abolished in Britain, the British colony of India sought new, cheap labor in South Africa. Middle Eastern settlers showed up in large numbers in the early 1800s and began to join the work-force. The more wealthy served as merchants, and others worked on plantations. -
War for Independince
War broke out in Transvaal over the recent discovery of gold and other natural resources, which at the time were being reaped by settlers.The South African Republic prevailed against British occupants, and regained their independence. -
John Tengo Jabavu
John Tengo Jabavu was an early activist, who fought for women's education, voting rights, and led to the beginnings of the Union of Native Vigilance Association. He established a newspaper to inform locals on the tyranny of the Cape Legislative Assembly. -
Indian Population
The South African Indian population rose exponentially in the Natal colony, where they then dominated economically. -
Efforts for Change
Means for social and political change were exemplified by famous activists like Mohandas Gandhi, and lawyer Pixley ka Isaka Seme. Seme was involved with the early notions of what now is the African National Congress. -
A Collective Afrikaner People
In effort to control gold mines, British occupants once again fought for Transvaal land, violently and cruelly. They sent thousands of families to concentration camps, burned land and killed livestock. This tragic turn of events later became a key point in Afrikaner nationalism, giving the people a sense of unanimity. -
Returning to Afrikan Culture
As Afrikaners made strides in their efforts for equality and their culture, white elitists began to make preventative changes. They phased non-Dutch influences out of South African language, and then solidified the new modified version as the new national language. This created social rifts, making schooling and government documents more difficult for native people. Not only that, it was an attempt to rid the Afrikan people of their culture. -
Segragation
The passing of the Representation of Natives Act, the Native Trust and Land Act, and the Native Laws Amendment Act caused the reinstitution of segregation in South Africa. -
Restoring Afrikan Self Confidence
War reenactments, the building of monuments, and memorial services were all a part of the commemoration of the Afrikan victory during the Boer War. Afrikan people won over the Zulus 100 years prior, with a key event being the Battle of Blod River. Celebrating success in their efforts created a sense of unity among the African people -
Apartheid
Apartheid began in 1948, as a series of prejudiced laws imposed by white politicians. This denied black people (the racial majority) the right to vote, involved forceful removal from homes, and allowed racial discrimination.