Factors
for Nationalism in South Africa
The
Concept of Nationalism
Ø A
nation can be defined as the community of people who feel that they belong
together, they share significant elements of a common heritage and that they
have common destiny for the future. Therefore, a nation must posses some
distinct and unique characteristics which distinguish it from other nations.
(Crowder, 1981)
Ø Nationalism
is the desire for the oneness or togetherness whereby the people of the same
nation need to be together in all life spheres as economically, socially,
politically as well as technologically. The nationalism defers in aspects or
varieties in Africa an Europe as in that took place in African continent from
1950’s was just political nationalism. Meanwhile the nationalism that took
place in Europe consisted a number of varieties including Political
Nationalism, Cultural and Linguistic Nationalism, Pan Movements (Pan Germanism
and Pan Slavism), and Economic Nationalism. (Ibid,1981)
The term Nationalism is an expression of
hostility to alien rule. In the colonial context, nationalism is anti-
colonialism. Colonialism therefore should be regarded as one of the major
progenitor- ancestors of African nationalism, because of people subjected to
alien rule will struggle to overthrow that rule. (Kiwanuka, 1971). Generally
nationalism is a desire by a large group of people (such as people who share
the same culture, history, language, etc.) to form a separate and independent
nation of their own.
Nationalism is a belief, creed or political ideology
that involves an individual identifying with, or becoming attached to, one's nation.
Nationalism involves national identity, by contrast with the related construct
of patriotism, which involves the social conditioning and personal behaviors
that support a state's decisions and actions. (Rothi et al, (2005).
Concept of Nationalism In South Africa
Nationalism refers to an ideology, a form of
culture, or a social movement that focuses on the nation. It emphasizes the
collective of a specific nation. As an ideology, nationalism holds that 'the
people' in the doctrine of popular sovereignty is the nation. Nationalism ultimately is based on supporting
one’s own nation. African nationalism is a political movement for the
unification of Africa (Pan-Africanism) and for national self-determination.
African nationalism attempted to transform the identity of Africans. Rather
than seeing themselves as
Zulu,
Xhoasa, Sotho and other, nationalist leaders wanted Africans to view themselves
as South Africans (Onwubiko, 1985).
As a general definition, African nationalism in
South Africa can be seen, broadly, as all political actions and ideological
elements to improve the status, the rights and position of Africans in the
emerging society imposed by white intrusion and conquest. African nationalism, in South Africa, also
embraces the concept of a Pan Africanism.
It is a modern phenomenon which tries to build a nation within a
specific geographic area.
The
Root of Nationalism in South Africa
South Africa got her independence in 1910 and since
then she continued to be under minority rule still 1994 may 10th when majority
rule was attained. South Africa was invaded by the Dutch in 1652 and the
British from 1795. Before the arrival of the British at the Cape, South Africa
was ruled by the Dutch. When the British arrived at the cape they defeated the
Dutch- Boers and just started their rule while the Dutch sought independence by
establishing independent republics such as Natal in 1839, South African
Republic or Transvaal in 1852 and the Orange Free State in 1854 (Benson, 1966).
ECONOMIC
FACTORS FOR NATINALISM IN SOUTH AFRICA
Since the invasion of the cape of Boers in 1952 and
later by British in 1806 the Africans lost their (social, political) and
economic freedom completely, since then they experienced:
Ø Intensive land alienation according
to Stephen James including the 1913 land act by which African were given little
land ( though they are the majority) while the few settlers were given much land, again the fertile
one Africans were squeezed into reserves (James, 2008)
Ø Forced
labour, people in South Africa were forced to work into
the white economic center, for example into the mining while they were paid low
wages. This was aiming at fulfilling the interests of the whites in South
Africa. The discovery of minerals spread
on the British ambitions to govern the hinterland and the outcome of this was
that the British incorporated diamond
fields and Nqualand in the West in 1871 (Mwaijage, 2008).
Ø Discovery
of the minerals and consolidation of capitalism;
by the end of the 19th century, South African economy had been
transformed. The discovery of precious minerals brought fundamental changes in
economy of South Africa. That discovery caused a serious effects to the life of
black people in South Africa because they were forced to disposes their land
and to work in mines. The labor condition in mines were very difficult on the
part of Africans, as they were paid very low wages compared to whites.
Ø “The discovery of gold and diamond in
the late 19th c, the
1899-1902 South africa war and the 1910 Act of Union were all significant
landmarks in the formation of nationalist” (Berger&Smith, 1999:217)
Ø Introduction
of settler agriculture; the white settlers established
themselves as a stock farmers. They farmed and at the same time kept animals.
These white had occupied the fertile land of the indigenous of South Africa for
example by the 1770’s the Dutch or Boeres had advanced some 500 miles East of
Cape Town to the Great fish river. Between 1780 and 1820, more than five wars
took place between white expansionist and the South Africa indigenous. As far
as the south Africa indigenous wanted to retain their land, the crash raised
thus, nationalism struggle. (James, 2004)
Ø British
Control of the cape, the friendship between British who had
occupied the cape and the Boers was short lived. After the British
establishment at the cape the Boers were penetrating furth
POLITICAL
FACTORS FOR NATINALISM IN SOUTH AFRICA
Ø The
role played by internal political party in South Africa PAC and
ANC which lunched political campaign in the cape of South Africa. These two
political party PAC and ANC were formed by Blacks in South Africa so as to
fight against the white men in South Africa regime. Its purposes was to Unite the
African people and spearhead the struggle for fundamental political, social and
economic change, under leader Albert
Luthuli, Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Thabo Mbeki, Walter Sizulu, Oliver Tambo, Jacob Zuma and PAC under Robert
Sobukwe in 6th April 1959. (Mbeki, 1936).
“the
formation of the
Ø The
role played by strong and enabled leader
like Nelson Mandela who united people
solidify and brings awareness and conscious among the people about European
exploitation. Mandela he worked hard to make South Africa a peaceful
environmental where people of different ethnic backgrounds could live in
harmony in 1903, Mandela and F.W Klerk were
awarded with a Nobel peace prize for their constant efforts to end to Apartheid policies and for
providing South Africa with hope for future generation. (Jeffery, 2003).
Ø The
people in South Africa were tired of Apartheid system,
this led to the Afrikaners people to fight
her independence in any
means so as to get freedom. South Africa
endured many years under apartheid policies, fortunately F.W.de Klerk ended
apartheid of Feb 2, 1990 and
allowed organization like ANC and PAC to
officially run again. Mandela released from prison and elected to be first
legitimated President on May 10, 1994(Kibujjo,1995).
Ø The
emergence of New Powers USA and USSR which replace British,
France and German, that situation contributed much to the South African to
search for independence from helping of USA and USSR. The new powers wanted to
be free to pursue their trading interests in Africa wanted to spread the
ideology of capitalism also Russia, wanted to spread communism. They therefore
put pressure on colonial power to decolonization in Addition they provided
support to Liberations movements(Rosenthal, 1949) .
Ø The
loss of independence to foreigners and introduction of
foreign system of government caused feeling of resistance among rulers and
people of Africa. Therefore foreign control caused feelings of Nationalism in
South Africa, many whites settler since 1652 up to 1990 were so many in South
Africa and exploited segregation African, this situation led many people to
claim and demand
for independence in South Africa where the natives were made demonstration,
riots, and songs for nationalism (Antony, 2011).
Ø The
people were tired Against their assassination of political leaders in
South Africa like Stevebiko 1977, this situation contributed much to the people
tired with that humiliation hence they forced so as to eliminate that situation
hence formed ways on how to fight against colonialist like forming schools of
Blacks, political parties like ANC, PAC, Forming Riots and demonstration
(SteveBiko, 1986).
Ø Role
played by organization of African union (OAU) in 1963,
which provided Moral and Material support to South Africa freedom fighters like
Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela.
Ø The
contribution Made by Dr. NKwame Nkrumah in Ghana as
the charismatic leader in Africa and world at larger. After help Ghana to get
independence he contributed much to the rise of independence of other African
countries. “I have never regarded the struggle for the independence of the Gold
Coast, as an isolated objective, but always as a part of a general world
historical pattern. Africans of all territories as this vast continent shall
work up and nothing shall stand in the way of their fight for freedom” (David,
1998).
SOCIAL FACTORS FOR
NATIONALISM IN SOUTHA AFRICA
Ø Colonial
Education, this was one of the social factor which
stimulated Nationalism in South Africa. This was due to the fact that many
Africans had received education as a result they became with new ideas. “the
generation of mission-education men in Natal and especially in the Cape
province, pioneered modern African Nationalism in South Africa (Okoth,
2006:176).
“After the war many African had received education and the
leaders had modern thoughts of liberation. They started to put strong
opposition to the white rule….. ANC recruited young educated professionals…such
young people included Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu” (James,
2004: 166)
•
The question of Apartheid,
It was a system of racial segregation in South Africa which was introduced in
1948. The white race was promoted and was seen as superior to the other
races of the country. Public facilities such as shops, schools, toilets,
beaches, parks and restaurants were divided according to race. “After 1948 the
Boer government introduced apartheid policy which was a racial discrimination
against the Africans by denying them quality education, skilled labour in
mines, prohibiting landownership by black and overcrowding Africans in the
Bantustant. African nationalist struggle was started inorder to dismantle
apartheid” James (2007:165)
•
Role played by musician stimulated
nationalism struggle in South Africa.
Musician such as Salafina, Chakachaka and Luck Dube contributed much to
the Nationalism in South Africa. For example Luck Dube in his song No truth in
this world says that new South Afrrica will come by the changesof attitude
towards one another.
•
The role of writers,
these were one of the intellectuals who contributed much to the rise of
nationalism in South Africa. For example John Tengo who owned newspaper written
about African
opinion, “John Tengo Jabavu was the doyen of the cape African intellectuals,
who owned his own newspaper Invo Zabantsundu (African opinion) (Okoth,
2006:173).
•
Classes in settlement, People
African were segregate in the issue of settlement. They were lived in races.
For example Group Area Act 1950- Until then most settlement had people of
different races living side by side. “This act put an end to diverse areas and
determined where one lived according to race. Each race was allocated its own
area’’ (Rosenthal 1970:70-71)
•
Role played by churches, these churches were one of social factors
which contributed to the rise of
nationalism in South Africa, churches in south Africa were not happy with the
land act which passed by the whites. The churches to which they belong usually
supported the principles for which they fought such as those related to the
land act (Gruchy, 2005).
•
The issues of language, in south Africa people have got their
own language ,that is Afrikaners which is language of communication
between natives, so the coming of white
man they introduce English language as the major means of communication and
people were forced to use English in all aspect of communication hence they
react and wage resistant to eliminate that system.
•
Soweto massacre, it was the
period where many people were killed in south Africa especially in SOWETO,
WHERE PEOPLE were demonstrated most of them were pupils; who were against white
Afrikaans language of instruction in school on 16, 06, 1976, and Sharp vile
massacre in 1960s of many people of south Africa. Okoth supports that “In
September 1977,out of 700 the 600 SOWETO teachers joined the pupils
boycott which now spread throughout the country” (Okoth,2006:184) and Antupit
conlude that “The Soweto shooting touched off a series of protest and
disturbances around the country that involved colored as well as Africans’’
(Antupit, 1981:)
•
The role of Songs and poems, these were one of the factors which
spread the idea of nationalism in South
Africa, many arts compose songs and poems, the idea of these songs
carried the nationalism ideas in
south Africa. For example an Artist Luck
Dube who sang a song of ‘Africa Unite’, ‘No truth in this world’ and ‘The
Freedom’ The aim of these song was to give a message to the people of South to
be aware about freedom.
•
Poor working condition, this was one of the factors which
contributed to the rise of Nationalism in South Africa. There poor environment
like poor health services and house. Blacks in South Africa were not happy on
this situation and therefore movement started.
•
The economic boom of 192, 1The economic boom was soon threatened
by a post war economic crisis which resulted in great social upheaval. An
example of this crisis was the drop in the price of Gold from 130 shillings in
1919 to 95 shillings in 1921. “To maintain profitability the chamber of mines British decided to
reduce its white work force by employing semi skilled black works at lower
rates of pay in advent fostering conflict between black and while workers”
(Rosenthal 1970:70-71).
•
Poor working condition this one’s of the factors which
contributed to the rise of nationalism in South Africa. There was existence of
poor health services and houses, people
were paid low wages and they were working for a long hours, due to this
situation people were protesting for poor working of color Blacks; which
reserved high paying jobs for white only. In the 1920’s the S.A.N.N.C(SOUTH
AFRICA NATIVE NATION CONGRESS)BECOME MORE ASSERTIVE AS A RESULT OF AFRICAN
PEOLES disillusionment with poor living standard a specially after the first
world war, lack of jobs opportunities discrimination and increase hostility of
the state against African demand (Muru, 2008).
“workers union served with vehicles for
national organization, protesting segregation poor working condition and
the imposition of color bar which reserved high paying jobs for
whites only” (Bradley et’al, 2011)
NATIONALIST IN SOUTH
AFRICA
Ø Mandela,
Nelson Rolihlahla
Born in18 July 1918,
Mvezo, a village near Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Died: 5 December
2013, Houghton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
In summary: Lawyer,
anti-apartheid activist, banned person, ANC member, SACP member, MK Commander
in Chief, 1956 Treason Trialist, Robben Island prisoner, Nobel Peace Prize
winner and first elected President of a democratic South Africa in
1994 (Gastrow,1999)
Ø Oliver
Tambo, Born on October 25, 1917, in Bizana, South Africa, Oliver Tambo opened
the first black law firm in the country with Nelson Mandela. Tambo would go on
to serve in exile as acting president of the African National Congress, a party
that agitated to end his country's apartheid regime. He returned to South
Africa in 1990, turning over party leadership to Mandela. Tambo died on April
24, 1993.
Ø Oliver
Tambo was the acting president of the African National Congress, the South
African anti-apartheid political party. Tambo served primarily in exile (Joyce,
1999).
Ø Names: Sisulu, Walter Ulyate
Ø Born: 18 May 1912, Engcobo
area in the Transkei
Ø Died: 5 May 2003, His home in Linden,
Johannesburg
Ø In summary:
South African anti-apartheid activist, member of the African National Congress
and one of the foremost influences in South African politics (Gastrow, 1992).
CONCLUTION
Therefore nationalism
in south Africa has in the history in
the world, as we recognize the public
figure like Nelson Mandela in the contribution of new south Africa.
REFERENCES
Okoth, A. (2006). History of Africa, Volume 2 East
Africa. Education Publisher- Nairobi.
Jovitus K, (2004) Major Events In African History- Salvatorinum-Morogoro.
Kibujjo, Kalumba. M, (1995). The Political Philosophy Of
Nelson Mandela: A Primer
“Journal of social philosophy”.
Mandela, Nelson. (1994). Long Walk To Freedom 1918- 1962,
Volume I Title, Brown
and Company
MbekiI, Govan. (1936). The Struggle For Liberalization in
South Africa. WWW.
PAC.Org.Za:2013
Jeffery, Herbst.(2003). The nature of South Africa
Democracy. Political Dominace and
economic inequality page 206- 234
Steve Biko (1986). I Write what I like. San Francisco
Harper and Row Pg. 103- 104
Antony, Sampson. (2011). Mandela. The Authorized
biography London. HarperCollins.
David, Birmigham. (1998). Kwame Nkrumah;The father of
African nationalism. Athens:
Ohio University press
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