Exposed: The Shocking Reality of Apartheid in South Africa’s Startling Photos
Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that was enforced by the South African government between 1948 and the early 1990s. The apartheid system was characterized by a range of laws and policies that discriminated against the majority black population in favor of the minority white population.
Under apartheid, black South Africans were subjected to brutal forms of oppression, including forced removal from their homes, limited access to education, healthcare, and other basic services, and restricted job opportunities. They were also denied political representation and basic civil rights, such as the right to vote and the right to free speech.
The apartheid regime used violence and repression to maintain its power, and the police and military were given wide-ranging powers to suppress dissent and maintain order. This often led to brutal crackdowns on peaceful protests, and extrajudicial killings of political activists and opponents of the regime. The brutality of apartheid was not limited to black South Africans alone; it also affected other racial and ethnic groups, such as Indian and Colored people, who were also subjected to discrimination and marginalization.
The photos showcased in this article,
A reminder of the devastating impact of apartheid on South African society. Each image tells a story of struggle and resistance, of courage in the face of adversity. They capture the harsh realities of a system that sought to dehumanize and control black South Africans through violence, oppression, and intimidation. From the forced removal of entire communities to the violent suppression of peaceful protests, these photos offer a window into a world that many of us can barely imagine. They are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder of the need to continue fighting for justice and equality, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
#1 On March 21, 1970, the Anti-apartheid movement gathered outside South Africa House
On March 21, 1970, members of the anti-apartheid movement gathered outside South Africa House in Trafalgar Square to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre. This tragic incident saw the deaths of 69 anti-apartheid protesters in South Africa who were shot by government armed forces during a peaceful demonstration against the oppressive ‘Pass Laws’ that restricted the movement of black people.
The commemoration was marked by a re-enactment of the Sharpeville massacre, which served as a powerful reminder of the violence and brutality that characterized the apartheid regime. The event was a solemn moment of reflection for the activists, who were united in their commitment to ending apartheid and fighting for the rights of all South Africans, regardless of their race or ethnicity. The commemoration also served as a symbol of hope and resilience, as the anti-apartheid movement continued to gain momentum both in South Africa and around the world.
#2 Police Officer Charging Demonstrator in South Africa
A South African police officer charges a United Democratic Front demonstrator with a sjambok whip during a Front demonstration in Johannesburg, South Africa.
#3 South African Police Arresting Demonstrator
South African police officers aggressively arrest Moses Mayekiso, a prominent trade union leader, during a protest march in Johannesburg, South Africa.
#4 SOUTH AFRICA-APARTHEID-SHARPEVILLE MASSACRE
Wounded people lie in the street, 21 March 1960 in Sharpeville, near Vereeniging, where at least 180 black Africans, most of them women, and children, were injured and 69 killed, when South African police opened fire on black protestors. The protest was organized by the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) against passing laws, which required all blacks to carry passbooks (identity cards) at all times. On 30 March 1960, the government declared a state of emergency, detaining more than 18,000 people. The Sharpeville massacre led to the banning of the ANC and PAC and signaled the start of armed resistance in South Africa with the foundation of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the ANC, and Poqo, the military wing of the PAC.
#5 Protestors burn South African Foreign Minister Eric Louw
Anti-apartheid protestors burn South African Foreign Minister Eric Louw in effigy on October 13, 1961. At one time pro-Nazi and an ardent supporter of apartheid, Louw left his post in 1963 following official censure from the United Nations.
#6 Police Dragging Protestor at Anti-Apartheid Demonstrations in Soweto
Police Dragging Protestor at Anti-Apartheid Demonstrations in Soweto.
#7 Trial that changed South Africa
The trial that changed South Africa took place in October 1963 and put ten anti-apartheid activists on trial in an attempt to save their lives. The ten protestors, including Nelson Mandela, were charged with two counts of sabotage and eight of them would be convicted. Mandela would serve 27 years in prison.
#8 Black high school students protested
A series of protests began on June 16, 1976, in Soweto in response to an official decree that introduced Afrikaans, the language of the Afrikaners, as the language of instruction in local schools. Black high school students protested in the streets of Soweto and were met by armed police. The death toll was 176, though some estimates say 700 perished.
#9 Teenage South African Boy in the Back of Police Vehicle
A teenage boy in the back of a South African police vehicle after being arrested during a riot involving students and police in Athlone township in Cape Town, South Africa. Due to emergency restrictions it was illegal to photograph demonstrations, and the photographer was in the back of the police car after being arrested as well.
#10 In 1986, a young black man rides a whites-only bus
In 1986, a young black man rides a whites-only bus in an act of non-violent resistance against apartheid. As the government continued to persecute non-whites, more political groups would rally and protest, allowing the anti-apartheid movement to gain support across the globe.
