Timeline: Resistance to Apartheid in South Africa (1952-1963) by

June 26, 1952: Defiance Campaign Begins

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

The ANC launched the Defiance Campaign against Unjust Laws, marking the first large-scale, multi-racial political mobilization against apartheid laws. Over 8,500 people were arrested for deliberately violating discriminatory laws. The campaign brought together various anti-apartheid organizations and significantly increased ANC membership from 7,000 to over 100,000 members.

June 26, 1955: Congress of the People Adopts Freedom Charter

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

The Congress of the People met in Kliptown, Soweto, bringing together 3,000 delegates from various anti-apartheid organizations. They adopted the Freedom Charter, a revolutionary document that declared 'South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.' This charter became the principal manifesto of the anti-apartheid movement.

August 9, 1956: Women's March

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the extension of pass laws to women. Led by Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, this demonstration showed the powerful role of women in the resistance movement. Their slogan 'Wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo' (You strike a woman, you strike a rock) became iconic.

December 5, 1956: Treason Trial Begins

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

156 activists, including Nelson Mandela and almost the entire executive committee of the ANC, were arrested and charged with high treason. The trial lasted until 1961, ending with all defendants being acquitted. The trial highlighted the state's attempts to suppress anti-apartheid activism while simultaneously showcasing the determination of the resistance movement.

March 21, 1960: Sharpeville Massacre

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

Police opened fire on peaceful protesters in Sharpeville who were demonstrating against pass laws, killing 69 people and wounding 180. Most victims were shot in the back while fleeing. This event marked a turning point in South Africa's history, leading to increased international condemnation of apartheid and the ANC's decision to abandon its non-violent approach.

March 30, 1960: State of Emergency Declared

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

Following the Sharpeville Massacre, the government declared a State of Emergency, banning the ANC and PAC. This led to the arrest of over 18,000 people and drove both organizations underground, marking a significant shift in resistance strategies.

December 16, 1961: Formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK)

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

The ANC's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), was formed with Nelson Mandela as its commander-in-chief. This marked the beginning of the armed struggle against apartheid, following the government's violent suppression of peaceful protests. MK launched its first sabotage attacks on government installations on this day.

January 11, 1962: Mandela's Secret Trip

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

Nelson Mandela secretly left South Africa to gather support for the armed struggle and receive military training. He traveled through various African countries and visited England, becoming known as the 'Black Pimpernel' due to his ability to evade authorities. This journey helped strengthen international support for the anti-apartheid movement.

August 5, 1962: Mandela's Arrest

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

Nelson Mandela was arrested near Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, after being on the run for 17 months. He was charged with leaving the country illegally and inciting workers to strike. This arrest would eventually lead to the Rivonia Trial and his 27-year imprisonment.

June 12, 1963: Rivonia Raid

rmoorcroft2 — 2025-02-26 17:41:44 UTC

Police raided Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia, arresting key ANC leaders and discovering documents detailing MK's Operation Mayibuye. This raid led to the famous Rivonia Trial where ten leaders of the ANC were tried for sabotage. The trial gained worldwide attention and highlighted the brutality of the apartheid regime.

6 April 1959: PAC Forms

2025-02-28 11:02:40 UTC

In 1959 in response to the ANC’s adoption of the freedom charter, the minority group of radical Africanists left the conference and formed the PAC (Pan African Congress) with Robert Sobukwe (a 35-year-old lecturer at Wits University) as president and Potlako Leballo as secretory. They believed that whites and Asians should not be in leadership roles in the Apartheid struggle which they viewed as an “African” struggle. They also opposed to the ANC’s growing interest in communist ideology which they referred to as “foreign.” https://youtu.be/10h7BPqW8oc?si=nu9y_q6-kIKixmgU

1953-54: Opposition to the Bantu Education Act

2025-02-28 11:08:32 UTC

In 1953 the Bantu Education Act was introduced. The act included the inferior education of black students compared to white students. Initially black students were educated by missionary schools which were later overthrown by the government, thus taking over the syllabus entirely. This was to ensure that Black people would remain as cheap labour given white people a superiority role and jobs in society. The opposition to the Bantu Education act was heavily criticised and objected by the entirety of the Black community. This opposition was introduced in 1954 by the ANC when they called for ‘total rejection’ of the act. The opposition was implemented by the parents of the black community influenced by the ANC. They called for black South African parents to boycott the inferior education taught by removing their children from schools. This did cause a dilemma of choosing no education to an inferior one. Eventually black citizens decided to rather have a suppressed education compared to now.

1954-57: Community Struggles in Alexandria and Sophiatown

2025-02-28 11:10:13 UTC

Community struggles included forced removal of people in Sophiatown (1954-56), a mixed-race suburb in Johannesburg, the people would be moved to Meadowlands in Soweto. Opposition was present in the ANC, who launched a campaign against removals protesting. The government responded by banning meetings in Johannesburg. The date for the removals starting was moved forward to 9 February 1955 in order to disorganise the resistance. Sophiatown was destroyed.

Struggles were also seen in the Alexandra Bus Boycott in 1957. The reason for the boycott is attributed to the increase in bus fares, meaning people would have to walk to work. The slogan ‘Azikwela!’ (We shall not ride) was adopted and they refused to stop boycotting despite police intimidation. The government eventually agreed to lower the fares, being one of the few protests that achieved its goals.

1955: Formation of SACTU

2025-02-28 11:10:35 UTC

A number of trade union officials were banned from holding office due to the Suppression of Communism Act, this movement was dominated by right wing conservatives who refused to allow African or mixed trade unions to their body. As a result the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) was formed in 1955. SACTU played an active role in politics and was a member of the Congress Alliance, which organised the Congress of People at Kliptown.