The Apartheid Project 1948 - 1994

<p>D.F. Malan’s Afrikaner-based National Party (NP) wins a narrow election victory. For the next four decades, the NP will cling to power and institutionalise its ideology of racial ‘apartness’ — <em>apartheid</em>.</p>

National Party takes power

D.F. Malan’s Afrikaner-based National Party (NP) wins a narrow election victory. For the next four decades, the NP will cling to power and institutionalise its ideology of racial ‘apartness’ — apartheid.

1948

<p>Unisa holds its first graduation ceremony for students “tutored by post”.</p>

Correspondence students graduate

Unisa holds its first graduation ceremony for students “tutored by post”.

1949

<p>Parliament passes the first Group Areas Act, which enforces the splitting of cities and towns into racially segregated areas. “Non-whites” living in “the wrong area” face brutal forced removals.</p>

“Group Areas” enforced

Parliament passes the first Group Areas Act, which enforces the splitting of cities and towns into racially segregated areas. “Non-whites” living in “the wrong area” face brutal forced removals.

1950

<p>After two decades of civil war across China, nationalist-controlled Taiwan and the communist-controlled mainland establish separate states. Chinese communism will influence many aspects of Africa’s liberation struggle and postcolonial emergence.</p>

China divides

After two decades of civil war across China, nationalist-controlled Taiwan and the communist-controlled mainland establish separate states. Chinese communism will influence many aspects of Africa’s liberation struggle and postcolonial emergence.

1950

<p>Malan’s government starts to institute “tribal homelands” (<em>Bantustans</em> to their critics), with the long-term aim of creating satellite states to receive black South Africans denaturalised from citizenship of an all-white South Africa.</p>

Bantustans instituted

Malan’s government starts to institute “tribal homelands” (Bantustans to their critics), with the long-term aim of creating satellite states to receive black South Africans denaturalised from citizenship of an all-white South Africa.

1951

<p>Unisa’s last remaining constituent colleges, Rhodes and Potchefstroom, become independent universities — and Unisa’s new role as a distance learning institution starts to become paramount.</p>

Last colleges fall away

Unisa’s last remaining constituent colleges, Rhodes and Potchefstroom, become independent universities — and Unisa’s new role as a distance learning institution starts to become paramount.

1951

<p>When <em>The Star</em> newspaper questions the war record of a recently appointed Unisa philosophy lecturer, Belgian-born Herman de Vleeschauwer (who had been sentenced to death for his crimes), Unisa’s right-leaning administration conceals that De Vleeschauwer had been a notorious Nazi collaborator.</p>

Right-wing leanings

When The Star newspaper questions the war record of a recently appointed Unisa philosophy lecturer, Belgian-born Herman de Vleeschauwer (who had been sentenced to death for his crimes), Unisa’s right-leaning administration conceals that De Vleeschauwer had been a notorious Nazi collaborator.

1953

<p>Fidel Castro leads an armed revolution against the American-dominated regime of President Fulgencio Batista and takes power in 1959. Later, Castro’s military interventions in southern Africa will counterweigh apartheid South Africa’s.</p>

Revolution in Cuba

Fidel Castro leads an armed revolution against the American-dominated regime of President Fulgencio Batista and takes power in 1959. Later, Castro’s military interventions in southern Africa will counterweigh apartheid South Africa’s.

1953-59

<p>After more than three decades of renting office space, Unisa begins moving into its own newly-constructed building in Skinner Street, Pretoria.</p>

A home of our own

After more than three decades of renting office space, Unisa begins moving into its own newly-constructed building in Skinner Street, Pretoria.

1953

<p>The Bantu Education Act institutionalises racially separate educational facilities and imposes syllabi calculated to relegate black school leavers to the unskilled labour market.</p>

Bantu Education institutionalised

The Bantu Education Act institutionalises racially separate educational facilities and imposes syllabi calculated to relegate black school leavers to the unskilled labour market.

1953

<p>The Congress of the People, a mass gathering of progressive organisations from across the country, adopts the Freedom Charter. The apartheid state responds by arresting 156 leaders in 1956 and trying them for high treason. By 1961, all 156 will have been acquitted.</p>

Freedom Charter adopted

The Congress of the People, a mass gathering of progressive organisations from across the country, adopts the Freedom Charter. The apartheid state responds by arresting 156 leaders in 1956 and trying them for high treason. By 1961, all 156 will have been acquitted.

1955

<p>Dr François de Villiers is appointed Chancellor. During his 20-year tenure, he will — at some cost to the University’s independence — draw substantial funding to Unisa from both government and the business sector.</p>

A fund-raising chancellor

Dr François de Villiers is appointed Chancellor. During his 20-year tenure, he will — at some cost to the University’s independence — draw substantial funding to Unisa from both government and the business sector.

1956

<p>Unisa establishes its Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. The museum’s first artefact is a cast of the cranium of <em>Homo neanderthalensis</em> or “Neanderthal man”.</p>

Anthropological museum underway

Unisa establishes its Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. The museum’s first artefact is a cast of the cranium of Homo neanderthalensis or “Neanderthal man”.

1957

<p>Ghana, formerly the British Gold Coast, becomes the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from the colonising powers.</p>

Ghana achieves independence

Ghana, formerly the British Gold Coast, becomes the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from the colonising powers.

1957

<p>Bridglal Pachai becomes the first Indian South African to receive a master’s degree from Unisa for his groundbreaking thesis on Gandhi’s early career and years in South Africa.</p>

First MA for an Indian South African

Bridglal Pachai becomes the first Indian South African to receive a master’s degree from Unisa for his groundbreaking thesis on Gandhi’s early career and years in South Africa.

1958

<p>The so-called “Extension of University Education Act” creates four new, “non-white” university colleges, and prohibits “non-whites” from registering at formerly open universities without written permission from the Minister of Internal Affairs.</p>

Deeper segregation of universities

The so-called “Extension of University Education Act” creates four new, “non-white” university colleges, and prohibits “non-whites” from registering at formerly open universities without written permission from the Minister of Internal Affairs.

1959

<p>Unisa is mandated to administer the syllabi and examinations of the new “non-white” colleges: Durban’s University College, and the university colleges of the Western Cape, the North, and Zululand.</p>

Federalism reborn under apartheid

Unisa is mandated to administer the syllabi and examinations of the new “non-white” colleges: Durban’s University College, and the university colleges of the Western Cape, the North, and Zululand.

1959

<p>Through its Department of Business Economics, Unisa establishes the Bureau of Market Research. The Bureau’s surveys and seminars will prove popular with government and the business sector alike.</p>

Bureau of Market Research

Through its Department of Business Economics, Unisa establishes the Bureau of Market Research. The Bureau’s surveys and seminars will prove popular with government and the business sector alike.

1960

<p>Panicking police fire into a gathering of anti-Pass Law protesters and kill 69 people, many of whom are shot while fleeing. Across the country, intensified mass protests follow, and the United Nations calls on South Africa to abandon apartheid.</p>

Massacre at Sharpeville

Panicking police fire into a gathering of anti-Pass Law protesters and kill 69 people, many of whom are shot while fleeing. Across the country, intensified mass protests follow, and the United Nations calls on South Africa to abandon apartheid.

1960

<p>The Department of History of Arts and Fine Art makes a “modest debut” under University of Pretoria graduate Karin Skawran (who will be elevated from “Miss Skawran” to “Professor Skawran” in 1972).</p>

Fine art department debuts

The Department of History of Arts and Fine Art makes a “modest debut” under University of Pretoria graduate Karin Skawran (who will be elevated from “Miss Skawran” to “Professor Skawran” in 1972).

1961

<p>Led by hard-line nationalist Hendrik Verwoerd, South Africa leaves the British Commonwealth and declares itself a republic. Hereafter, Verwoerd’s government refuses to accept black ambassadors from Commonwealth states.</p>

Verwoerd’s Republic

Led by hard-line nationalist Hendrik Verwoerd, South Africa leaves the British Commonwealth and declares itself a republic. Hereafter, Verwoerd’s government refuses to accept black ambassadors from Commonwealth states.

1961

<p>The Soviet Union places nuclear missiles in Cuba at close range to the US. Escalation towards nuclear war follows, but concessions from both the Soviet and American sides eventually defuse the crisis.</p>

Cold War crisis

The Soviet Union places nuclear missiles in Cuba at close range to the US. Escalation towards nuclear war follows, but concessions from both the Soviet and American sides eventually defuse the crisis.

1962

<p>Dutch manufacturer Philips introduces the standard compact audio cassette to the world. Easily posted, compact cassettes are an appealing instruction medium for distance learners such as Unisa’s.</p>

Compact cassettes launched

Dutch manufacturer Philips introduces the standard compact audio cassette to the world. Easily posted, compact cassettes are an appealing instruction medium for distance learners such as Unisa’s.

1963

<p>Unisa begins discussions about the introduction of a master’s degree in business leadership with South African commercial and industrial organisations. By 1969, Unisa’s School of Business Leadership is established.</p>

Developing business leadership

Unisa begins discussions about the introduction of a master’s degree in business leadership with South African commercial and industrial organisations. By 1969, Unisa’s School of Business Leadership is established.

1963-69

<p>Ten opponents of apartheid, among them Nelson Mandela, face charges that include sabotage, which carries the death penalty. After a dignified and moving defence, eight are sentenced to life imprisonment.</p>

The Rivonia Trial

Ten opponents of apartheid, among them Nelson Mandela, face charges that include sabotage, which carries the death penalty. After a dignified and moving defence, eight are sentenced to life imprisonment.

1963-64

<p>South African Communist Party activist Ahmed Kathrada, imprisoned on Robben Island after the Rivonia Trial, becomes the first of the Island’s many notable political prisoners to enrol with Unisa.</p>

Enrolment from Robben Island

South African Communist Party activist Ahmed Kathrada, imprisoned on Robben Island after the Rivonia Trial, becomes the first of the Island’s many notable political prisoners to enrol with Unisa.

1965

<p>Minister of Education Jan de Klerk lobbies to relocate Unisa to Johannesburg to serve purely as an Afrikaans-medium, residential university. Unisa’s <em>Broederbond</em>-connected principal, Samuel Pauw, stubbornly resists De Klerk’s plan.</p>

Bilingualism threatened

Minister of Education Jan de Klerk lobbies to relocate Unisa to Johannesburg to serve purely as an Afrikaans-medium, residential university. Unisa’s Broederbond-connected principal, Samuel Pauw, stubbornly resists De Klerk’s plan.

1965

<p>Unisa becomes one of the first South African universities to acquire a photocopier — an American invention that only became widespread in the 1960s.</p>

Early photocopying

Unisa becomes one of the first South African universities to acquire a photocopier — an American invention that only became widespread in the 1960s.

1967

<p>Steve Biko, Barney Pityana and others form the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO), which calls on black students to articulate their own struggle and not be prescribed to by liberal whites.</p>

SASO emerges

Steve Biko, Barney Pityana and others form the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO), which calls on black students to articulate their own struggle and not be prescribed to by liberal whites.

1968

<p>Martin Luther King is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. King had won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to combat America’s institutionalised racism through civil disobedience.</p>

King assassinated

Martin Luther King is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. King had won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to combat America’s institutionalised racism through civil disobedience.

1968

<p>A telephone exchange with ten switchboards, the largest manual exchange in the country, is installed in Unisa’s new Muckleneuk building. It will be replaced by an automatic exchange in 1976.</p>

A ten-switchboard exchange

A telephone exchange with ten switchboards, the largest manual exchange in the country, is installed in Unisa’s new Muckleneuk building. It will be replaced by an automatic exchange in 1976.

1969

<p>The Bantu Homelands Citizenship Act designates all black South Africans as citizens of nominally independent “tribal homelands”, cancelling their South African citizenship and making them aliens in “white” South Africa.</p>

Black South Africans lose citizenship

The Bantu Homelands Citizenship Act designates all black South Africans as citizens of nominally independent “tribal homelands”, cancelling their South African citizenship and making them aliens in “white” South Africa.

1970

<p>Using the ‘@’ sign to separate the individual user from the receiving computer, American programmer Ray Tomlinson implements the core principles of the email system that we use today.</p>

Email arrives

Using the ‘@’ sign to separate the individual user from the receiving computer, American programmer Ray Tomlinson implements the core principles of the email system that we use today.

1971

<p>Newly purchased machines duplicate 20,000 cassettes per month. Meanwhile, many study guides are switched from folio to A5 format to allow students to read more easily by candlelight.</p>

New technologies and old

Newly purchased machines duplicate 20,000 cassettes per month. Meanwhile, many study guides are switched from folio to A5 format to allow students to read more easily by candlelight.

1972

<p>Unisa’s “imposing new home” on Muckleneuk Ridge is officially opened by State President J.J. “Jim” Fouché.</p>

Muckleneuk opens

Unisa’s “imposing new home” on Muckleneuk Ridge is officially opened by State President J.J. “Jim” Fouché.

1973

<p>Unisa’s Department of Nursing Science (now the Department of Health Studies) is established under Professor Charlotte Searle, “the doyenne of South African nursing” and a champion of equal opportunities for “non-white” nurses.</p>

Nursing at Unisa

Unisa’s Department of Nursing Science (now the Department of Health Studies) is established under Professor Charlotte Searle, “the doyenne of South African nursing” and a champion of equal opportunities for “non-white” nurses.

1975

<p>After a left-wing military coup in Lisbon, Portuguese forces are withdrawn from Mozambique. Rhodesia and South Africa’s borders will become exposed to liberation fighters hosted by Samora Machel’s newly independent state.</p>

Portugal withdraws from Mozambique

After a left-wing military coup in Lisbon, Portuguese forces are withdrawn from Mozambique. Rhodesia and South Africa’s borders will become exposed to liberation fighters hosted by Samora Machel’s newly independent state.

1975

<p>High school students in Soweto, protesting against government’s enforcement of Afrikaans as the sole language of instruction, spark a series of countrywide protests that shake the apartheid state.</p>

Uprising in Soweto

High school students in Soweto, protesting against government’s enforcement of Afrikaans as the sole language of instruction, spark a series of countrywide protests that shake the apartheid state.

1976

<p>Unisa scraps its age-old racial separation of the toilets, tea rooms and other amenities provided to black and white staff.</p>

Separate amenities scrapped

Unisa scraps its age-old racial separation of the toilets, tea rooms and other amenities provided to black and white staff.

1979

<p>Rhodesia, whose white minority regime broke away from a decolonising Britain in 1965, holds democratic elections. Robert Mugabe becomes Prime Minister of the new state, Zimbabwe.</p>

Independence for Zimbabwe

Rhodesia, whose white minority regime broke away from a decolonising Britain in 1965, holds democratic elections. Robert Mugabe becomes Prime Minister of the new state, Zimbabwe.

1980

<p>Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is clinically observed for the first time in the United States. The AIDS pandemic will soon begin to devastate southern Africa and the developing world.</p>

AIDS observed

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is clinically observed for the first time in the United States. The AIDS pandemic will soon begin to devastate southern Africa and the developing world.

1981

<p>Deuteronomy “DBZ” Ntuli, an acclaimed writer in Zulu and lecturer in the Department of African Languages, is appointed as Unisa’s first black full professor.</p>

First black professor

Deuteronomy “DBZ” Ntuli, an acclaimed writer in Zulu and lecturer in the Department of African Languages, is appointed as Unisa’s first black full professor.

1983

<p>The United Democratic Front (UDF), a mass movement fighting for the overthrow of apartheid, is established as an umbrella body for civic associations, progressive churches, and trade and student unions.</p>

Uniting against apartheid

The United Democratic Front (UDF), a mass movement fighting for the overthrow of apartheid, is established as an umbrella body for civic associations, progressive churches, and trade and student unions.

1983

<p>After years of resistance from the University’s more conservative administrators, Unisa’s Centre for Women’s Studies (later the Institute for Gender Studies) is founded.</p>

Women’s studies arrive

After years of resistance from the University’s more conservative administrators, Unisa’s Centre for Women’s Studies (later the Institute for Gender Studies) is founded.

1984

<p>Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union. His reforms will dissolve the Soviet bloc and defuse predictions that a black-ruled South Africa could become a communist state.</p>

Soviet reforms begin

Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union. His reforms will dissolve the Soviet bloc and defuse predictions that a black-ruled South Africa could become a communist state.

1985

<p>Amid swelling mass protests, President P.W. Botha announces the first of a series of national states of emergency. These brutally curtail civil freedoms and ultimately hasten apartheid’s end.</p>

States of emergency

Amid swelling mass protests, President P.W. Botha announces the first of a series of national states of emergency. These brutally curtail civil freedoms and ultimately hasten apartheid’s end.

1985

<p>Moved from Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison to more comfortable conditions at Victor Verster Prison near Paarl, Nelson Mandela is able to complete his LLB with Unisa.</p>

Mandela completes law degree

Moved from Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison to more comfortable conditions at Victor Verster Prison near Paarl, Nelson Mandela is able to complete his LLB with Unisa.

1988-89

<p>British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee integrates two existing technologies — hyperlinked computer text and the Internet — to create the World Wide Web.</p>

World Wide Web invented

British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee integrates two existing technologies — hyperlinked computer text and the Internet — to create the World Wide Web.

1989

<p>In a speech delivered on 2 February, P.W. Botha’s successor, F.W. de Klerk, unbans the leading liberation movements and enters into “talks about talks” aimed at transforming South Africa. On 11 February, Nelson Mandela is released from Victor Verster prison.</p>

Towards a new South Africa

In a speech delivered on 2 February, P.W. Botha’s successor, F.W. de Klerk, unbans the leading liberation movements and enters into “talks about talks” aimed at transforming South Africa. On 11 February, Nelson Mandela is released from Victor Verster prison.

1990

<p>After a bitter struggle led by the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) against apartheid South African rule, an intervention by the United Nations results in South Africa granting full independence to Namibia.</p>

Namibia gains independence

After a bitter struggle led by the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) against apartheid South African rule, an intervention by the United Nations results in South Africa granting full independence to Namibia.

1990

<p>In coordination with the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE), an international commission condemns Unisa for accepting underprivileged black students’ fees while not offering adequate academic support.</p>

Adequacy of support challenged

In coordination with the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE), an international commission condemns Unisa for accepting underprivileged black students’ fees while not offering adequate academic support.

1992

<p>At Boipatong, near Vereeniging, machete-wielding supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party massacre over 40 “ANC people”, including infants. The police are accused of complicity, and South Africa’s negotiations towards democracy teeter.</p>

Horror at Boipatong

At Boipatong, near Vereeniging, machete-wielding supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party massacre over 40 “ANC people”, including infants. The police are accused of complicity, and South Africa’s negotiations towards democracy teeter.

1992

<p>The vice-chancellorship of <em>Broederbond</em> member and National Party stalwart Professor Cas van Vuuren ends. He is replaced in 1994 by Professor Marinus Wiechers, a reformer who attempts to make sweeping changes.</p>

Last Broederbond Vice-Chancellor

The vice-chancellorship of Broederbond member and National Party stalwart Professor Cas van Vuuren ends. He is replaced in 1994 by Professor Marinus Wiechers, a reformer who attempts to make sweeping changes.

1993

<p>Severe restrictions on freedom of movement and association are imposed on leaders from both the black South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) and the white liberal National Union of South African Students (NUSAS).</p>

Student leaders banned

Severe restrictions on freedom of movement and association are imposed on leaders from both the black South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) and the white liberal National Union of South African Students (NUSAS).

1973

<p>The US Supreme Court hands down a landmark ruling in <em>Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka</em> (a city in Kansas), declaring racially segregated schooling to be unconstitutional.</p>

Civil rights vs segregated education

The US Supreme Court hands down a landmark ruling in Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka (a city in Kansas), declaring racially segregated schooling to be unconstitutional.

1954