Factors for Nationalism in South Africa

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
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Mandela, Nelson. (1994). Long Walk To Freedom 1918- 1962, Volume I Title, Brown
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MbekiI, Govan. (1936). The Struggle For Liberalization in South Africa. WWW.
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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