What caused the fall of apartheid?

Apartheid was a system of racial discrimination and segregation against black South Africans. The combination of international sanctions and leadership played an important role in dismantling apartheid and transitioning to a democratic nation. Sanctions placed economic and social pressure on South Africa, which, along with the strategic leadership of Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk, resulted in the peaceful downfall of the apartheid regime.

Sanctions put in place made international communities aware of the injustices of the apartheid movement, putting pressure on the government through protests and disinvestment. The Western media constantly report on “the daily brutalities in South Africa’s urban areas”, allowing people worldwide to see a society where the minority controls the majority (Chester A. Crocker). The global awareness about the reality of apartheid, and the systematic discrimination and oppression faced by black South Africans led to the implementation of sanctions. According to Peter David Eicher, the sanctions were relatively mile and informal, such as an arms embargo and a sports embargo. However, there was a public outcry over the sports embargo, pressuring the government to end apartheid so that South African sports teams could reenter international competitions. Likewise, protests on university campuses encouraged an investment sanction. Alan Lukens mentioned these investment sanctions urged American stockholders to disinvest in American companies in South Africa. This threatened the financial stability of the country, as the government was pressured to abolish apartheid so that the companies would stay. Overall, these sanctions, regardless of their effectiveness, pressured the South African government from multiple angles, which forced the nation to reconsider the value of apartheid.

The economic and political instability caused by the sanctions, as well as the social unrest among citizens, led President F.W. de Klerk to acknowledge the unsustainable nature of apartheid. South Africa was “highly charged politically” (John Dinger) and the nation was isolated from the international community, as it was not part of the UN or the African Union. The economic losses spent on circumventing sanctions were huge. Moreover, the apartheid movement sparked social unrest among the white South Africans, many of whom were Calvinists. They felt a sense of guilt in controlling the majority, as it went against their religion. They are not comfortable being in power anymore, but they are afraid of the consequences if the blacks wanted to take revenge (Richard Aker). President F.W. de Klerk noticed these problems and realized that due to the sanctions put in place because of apartheid, the country is politically and economically unstable – there is no good future for the country unless apartheid is ended. William Swing and Herman Cohen both consider de Klerk as a pragmatic person. Indeed, de Klerk decided that “apartheid doesn’t work anymore”. This led to a series of reforms to dismantle apartheid, including negotiating with Nelson Mandela.

Meanwhile, the early release of Nelson Mandela from prison, combined with his and President De Klerk’s effective leadership, ultimately brought an end to apartheid. Mandela was released early due to the internal pressures and global demands for his freedom. Upon his release, he emphasized the need for conversation instead of revenge. This soothed the fears of some of the white population, who didn’t want to give up power as they were afraid that the black wanted to seek revenge. De Klerk had a similar viewpoint, and so CODESA was formed. It was a series of negotiations that sought to dismantle apartheid without external mediation. CODESA was pivotal because it represented mutual cooperation between the apartheid government and anti-apartheid forces and the recognition of their shared culture. It highlights the non-violent manner which apartheid was successfully abolished (Herman Cohen). South Africa was close to chaos and violence, but the leadership of Mandela and de Klerk ensured peace and a smooth transition.

To conclude, the pressure caused by sanctions that made President de Klerk change his ideals and release Mandela greatly contributed to the end of apartheid.