1970s
Summary
International sanctions punishing South Africa for apartheid policies negatively impact economic growth. The national government, however, continues to weave segregation throughout the legislative fabric while applying some flexibility to generate economic development. The National Physical Development Plan establishes a framework to provide locations and incentives for industry to locate near homelands, while nearby satellite cities provide a reservoir of black labor that can be shuttled in by means of subsidized transport systems. The national government then centralizes control of all black development issues under the Bantu Affairs Administrative Board.
As greater resistance to apartheid policy builds, the national government declares some of the homelands to be independent states; black trade unions form and South African freedom fighters gain increasing support, especially from neighboring independent black countries. This culminates in the Soweto uprising of June 16, 1976, which becomes the trigger for an expanded armed struggle by youth against apartheid policies.
To address the rising concerns about urban issues, the Urban Foundation, a private sector-funded lobby regarding urban policy and development is created.
Influences
- International pressure condemning apartheid; sanctions, isolation.
- Black trade union movement (Congress of South African Trade Unions) emerges.
- Economic slowdown.
- Following Soweto riots (1976), blacks leave to organize politically outside of South Africa.
- ANC adopts policy of armed struggle.
- Wildcat strikes.
- Pieter Willem Botha elected President (1978).
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Policies and Programs
- Implementation of national policy to create independent black homelands.
- Grand Apartheid.
- Resettlement of residents from "black spots" and housing demolition (e.g., District Six in Cape Town and Sophiatown in Johannesburg).
- Urban renewal properties purchased.
- Deconcentration policy to further remove blacks from mainstream: satellite cities (black suburbs).
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Institutional Roles
- Regional boards responsible for black development under the Department of Community Development.
- National Party faces internal division regarding apartheid policies and practices.
- Urban Foundation established: a private sector think tank to propose alternatives to government policies.
- National government imposes stronger control over local authorities with slum clearance legislation.
- Bantu Councils.
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Methods, Tools, and Practices
- Leaseholds tenure for occupants of rental housing as concession to black demand for more security.
- National Physical Development Plan.
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Lessons and Outcomes
- National government appeases black unions to suppress violent resistance and mitigate international pressure.
- Private sector questions apartheid policy.
- Local governments no longer control black areas.
- Urban renewal and regeneration.
- Government attempts to control urbanization by reducing housing construction result in backyard shacks being built in townships.
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