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How significant was the use of government censorship to the maintenance of white minority rule in South Africa between 1966 and 1980? Explain your answer.

Level

IGCSE

Year Examined

2023

Topic

SOUTH AFRICA, c.1940–c.1994

👑Complete Model Essay

How significant was the use of government censorship to the maintenance of white minority rule in South Africa between 1966 and 1980? Explain your answer.

To what extent was the use of government censorship significant to the maintenance of white minority rule in South Africa between 1966 and 1980?

Following the assassination of Hendrik Verwoerd in 1966, the South African government, under new leadership, intensified its commitment to upholding white minority rule. This essay will argue that while government censorship played a role in suppressing dissent, it was ultimately less significant than the broader expansion of state security apparatuses and legislative measures in maintaining apartheid during this period.

Censorship: A Tool of Control

Government censorship undoubtedly contributed to controlling the narrative and limiting exposure to anti-apartheid sentiment. Building on earlier censorship laws like the 1956 Suppression of Communism Act, John Vorster's government further tightened its grip on information. The establishment of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) monopoly in 1976 provided the government with a powerful tool for disseminating propaganda and controlling the flow of news. The banning of books, films, and publications that mentioned liberation movements like the African National Congress (ANC) and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) further limited public awareness of the struggle against apartheid. By 1977, government agencies had banned over 1200 publications and 44 films, highlighting the extent of censorship. This undoubtedly helped to keep many white South Africans partially unaware of the realities faced by the black majority and the brutality of the regime.

Beyond Censorship: The Pillars of Repression

However, while censorship played a role, it was the comprehensive expansion of state security and legislative power that proved more crucial in maintaining white minority rule. Vorster significantly empowered security organizations, making them central to the regime's survival. The Bureau for State Security (BOSS), established in 1969, operated with significant autonomy, coordinating intelligence agencies and engaging in covert operations to neutralize dissent. Similarly, the State Security Council (SSC), formed in 1972, played a key role in devising and implementing security strategies. The Terrorism Act of 1967 and the Internal Security Amendment Act of 1976 provided the legal framework for detaining individuals without trial, effectively silencing opposition figures and instilling fear. These acts allowed for indefinite detention and solitary confinement, effectively crushing any form of resistance.

Furthermore, the government significantly increased military spending, reaching 20% of the total budget by 1978. This military build-up, coupled with the expansion of the police force, demonstrated the regime's commitment to using force to maintain control. The abolition of the last vestiges of non-white voting rights by 1968 further solidified the government's grip on power. The expansion of the Bantustan system, while presented as a step towards "separate development," served as a tool for controlling the movement of black South Africans and disenfranchising them politically.

Conclusion: Censorship as a Supporting Act

In conclusion, while government censorship contributed to the maintenance of white minority rule by suppressing information and shaping public opinion, its significance should not be overstated. The expansion of state security organizations, the enactment of draconian legislation, the increased militarization, and the continued disenfranchisement of the black majority were far more instrumental in upholding apartheid. Censorship served as a tool to control the narrative and limit dissent, but it was the broader apparatus of repression that truly sustained white minority rule in South Africa between 1966 and 1980.

Sources:


⭐Thompson, L. (2001). A History of South Africa. Yale University Press.
⭐Worden, N. (2010). The Making of Modern South Africa: Conquest, Segregation, and Apartheid. Wiley-Blackwell.

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Essay Outline: Censorship vs. Security Measures in Apartheid South Africa (1966-1980)

I. Introduction:

Introduce the context of apartheid South Africa and the government's efforts to maintain white minority rule.
Briefly state the debate surrounding the significance of censorship versus other repressive measures.
Present your argument, emphasizing either the importance or limitations of censorship in maintaining the apartheid regime.

II. Body Paragraph 1: The Role of Censorship

Explain how and why the South African government employed censorship from 1966 to 1980.
Provide specific examples of censorship practices, including the banning of books, films, and news reports.
Analyze the impact of censorship on the South African population, particularly non-white groups.
Argue how censorship contributed to maintaining white minority rule by controlling narratives and suppressing dissent.

III. Body Paragraph 2: The Significance of Security Measures

Introduce the argument that security measures were more impactful than censorship in maintaining apartheid.
Detail the expansion of security forces and powers, including the establishment of BOSS and SSC.
Discuss the implementation of legislation like the Terrorism Act and Internal Security Amendment Act.
Analyze the impact of these measures on suppressing resistance and controlling the population.

IV. Body Paragraph 3: Comparing Censorship and Security Measures

Directly compare and contrast the impact of censorship and security measures on South African society.
Acknowledge the limitations of censorship, recognizing that it alone could not maintain apartheid.
Emphasize the effectiveness of security measures in controlling dissent and enforcing segregation.
Provide specific examples to illustrate the interplay between censorship and security measures.

V. Conclusion:

Restate your argument, emphasizing the relative significance of censorship in the context of other repressive measures.
Briefly summarize the main points discussed in the essay.
Offer a nuanced conclusion, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of apartheid's control mechanisms.
Conclude with a final thought on the lasting impact of censorship and state violence on South African society.

Extracts from Mark Schemes

How significant was the use of government censorship to the maintenance of white minority rule in South Africa between 1966 and 1980? Explain your answer.

Yes

Government had already censored books and films since 1956 after the Freedom Charter and Treason Trials of 1961; John Vorster extended the powers of the state further after Verwoerd's assassination in 1966; committed to increasing repression and stamping out resistance to white minority rule; in 1976 the SABC monopolised TV and radio stations and became the voice of official government propaganda; censored news reports and banned anti-apartheid themes in TV shows and films; books, pamphlets and other sections of the communication media were checked by government organisations if they mentioned the ANC or PAC; 1977 government censorship agencies banned over 1200 publications and 44 films; many South Africans remained partially ignorant to the state of the nation and the plight of non-white people, etc.

No

More significant – Vorster increased the powers and oversight of security organisations; BOSS set up in 1969 to coordinate security forces and the police as well as military intelligence; reported directly to the PM and its activities remained secret; SSC established in 1972 to advise the PM on security matters and strategies – included members of the police, armed forces, foreign affairs officials and the department of justice; Terrorism Act in 1967 made terrorism a crime equal to treason and carried the death penalty; Internal Security Amendment Act in 1976 allowed for the detention of suspects for 12 months without charge and six months solitary confinement; military expansion and some police expansion during the period; military budget 20% of total government expenditure by 1978; abolition of non-white voting by 1968; expansion of Bantustans allowed the government to remove black people from urban areas, etc.

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