The Colonizing of South Africa
In April 1652, Jan van Riebeeck — a Dutch colonizer and businessman — established a re-supply station for the Dutch East India Company in what is now Cape Town, South Africa. His objective was to provide passing Dutch ships with adequate food, water and supplies to continue their voyage. In spite of constant conflict with the native Khoikhoi, the newly established port grew and thrived, and the demand for labor increased exponentially. As soon as it became evident that there was not sufficient man power, the Dutch East India Company began to import slaves from other regions of Africa — predominantly the Eastern side of the continent and Madagascar. Ultimately, a massive influx of Dutch and other European settlers dominated the area and, by the late 17th century, all of the Cape Colony (today’s South Africa) was colonized and occupied by the Dutch.
The Dutch held a firm grip over the region until the late 18th century, when rule flip-flopped several times between British and Dutch powers. By 1806, the British seized complete control of the Cape Colony and many descendants of Dutch settlers (known as Boers or Afrikaners), moved to Northern regions not controlled by the Brits. By 1854, the Boers founded both the Republic of Orange Free State and the Transvaal Province: sovereign regions free from British rule. However, conflict between the British and Dutch arose once again with the discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1884. Suddenly, a renewed and intensified effort to subjugate the locals and establish absolute power emerged. The British wished to combine the Boer republics and gain control of their bountiful gold mines, but the Boers resisted British control or collaboration. Consequently, the Anglo-Boer War broke out: the British occupied Boer territories and placed their enemies in segregated concentration camps. In 1902, a peace treaty was signed by both sides, but the British won by every measure; the Boers lost control of both their land and resources.
Interracial Relations
While there was certainly substantial conflict between European colonizing powers, the omnipresent tension between the black and white communities was arguably more relevant to the future of South Africa. From the moment the Dutch arrived, the native population was forced into unfair trade and land agreements. Additionally, the import of black slaves from other African countries intensified hostile race relations. Alfred Milner, the man tasked with reconstructing the Cape Colony and forming the Union of South Africa after the Anglo-Boer war, aimed to create an all-white governing body and systematically restrict the land owning rights of black South Africans. By 1903, black South Africans were not granted employment on any farm or in any industrial position without a “pass.” Consequently, Chinese workers were brought to the country to replace black South Africans in the mines, further impoverishing the black population.
The most severe action taken to eliminate the black population's ability to own land was the Natives’ Land Act, written into law in 1913. This act preserved 87% of South Africa’s land exclusively for the white population. Black South Africans were expressly forbidden from buying or leasing land not explicitly set aside in the remaining 13%. A group of black South Africans travelled to London to protest the law with an audience of colonial policy makers, but were told that no change would occur.
The Union of South Africa was officially established in 1910, and the first Prime Minister immediately enacted formal racial segregation laws. White government officials controlled nearly every aspect of black communities. In 1914, the Afrikaner National Party formed specifically to ensure the continuation of extreme segregation and hierarchal society. In the following three decades leading up to Apartheid, devastating racial disparity and inequity continued to build and dominate the political and social scene within South Africa.
In April 1652, Jan van Riebeeck — a Dutch colonizer and businessman — established a re-supply station for the Dutch East India Company in what is now Cape Town, South Africa. His objective was to provide passing Dutch ships with adequate food, water and supplies to continue their voyage. In spite of constant conflict with the native Khoikhoi, the newly established port grew and thrived, and the demand for labor increased exponentially. As soon as it became evident that there was not sufficient man power, the Dutch East India Company began to import slaves from other regions of Africa — predominantly the Eastern side of the continent and Madagascar. Ultimately, a massive influx of Dutch and other European settlers dominated the area and, by the late 17th century, all of the Cape Colony (today’s South Africa) was colonized and occupied by the Dutch.
The Dutch held a firm grip over the region until the late 18th century, when rule flip-flopped several times between British and Dutch powers. By 1806, the British seized complete control of the Cape Colony and many descendants of Dutch settlers (known as Boers or Afrikaners), moved to Northern regions not controlled by the Brits. By 1854, the Boers founded both the Republic of Orange Free State and the Transvaal Province: sovereign regions free from British rule. However, conflict between the British and Dutch arose once again with the discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1884. Suddenly, a renewed and intensified effort to subjugate the locals and establish absolute power emerged. The British wished to combine the Boer republics and gain control of their bountiful gold mines, but the Boers resisted British control or collaboration. Consequently, the Anglo-Boer War broke out: the British occupied Boer territories and placed their enemies in segregated concentration camps. In 1902, a peace treaty was signed by both sides, but the British won by every measure; the Boers lost control of both their land and resources.
Interracial Relations
While there was certainly substantial conflict between European colonizing powers, the omnipresent tension between the black and white communities was arguably more relevant to the future of South Africa. From the moment the Dutch arrived, the native population was forced into unfair trade and land agreements. Additionally, the import of black slaves from other African countries intensified hostile race relations. Alfred Milner, the man tasked with reconstructing the Cape Colony and forming the Union of South Africa after the Anglo-Boer war, aimed to create an all-white governing body and systematically restrict the land owning rights of black South Africans. By 1903, black South Africans were not granted employment on any farm or in any industrial position without a “pass.” Consequently, Chinese workers were brought to the country to replace black South Africans in the mines, further impoverishing the black population.
The most severe action taken to eliminate the black population's ability to own land was the Natives’ Land Act, written into law in 1913. This act preserved 87% of South Africa’s land exclusively for the white population. Black South Africans were expressly forbidden from buying or leasing land not explicitly set aside in the remaining 13%. A group of black South Africans travelled to London to protest the law with an audience of colonial policy makers, but were told that no change would occur.
The Union of South Africa was officially established in 1910, and the first Prime Minister immediately enacted formal racial segregation laws. White government officials controlled nearly every aspect of black communities. In 1914, the Afrikaner National Party formed specifically to ensure the continuation of extreme segregation and hierarchal society. In the following three decades leading up to Apartheid, devastating racial disparity and inequity continued to build and dominate the political and social scene within South Africa.