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.