Station 1: Constructing a Timeline

Overview: Construct a timeline to visualize the key events and laws of the apartheid era in South
Africa.

Instructions:
1. Draw Your Timeline: Using a long piece of paper, draw a horizontal line to represent your
timeline from 1948 to 1994. Mark the beginning, middle, and end of the timeline with the
respective years.
2. Place events on the timeline: Using the list of significant events and apartheid laws, place each
event/law on the timeline at the correct year. You could use colours or symbols to differentiate
them.
3. Write a brief reflection: Were there any patterns or pivotal years that stood out to you? What
information can you gather from seeing this completed timeline?
4. If you have extra time, begin to research these events/laws on your chromebook and provide a
brief description on the back of your timeline.

List of Apartheid Events:

1976 - Soweto Uprising (Large-scale protests by students against the compulsory use of Afrikaans
in schools; hundreds are killed.)
1984 - Tricameral Parliament Established (A new constitution creating separate chambers of
parliament for Asians and "Coloureds," but still excluding Black South Africans.)
1990 - Release of Nelson Mandela (After 27 years in prison, Mandela is released, signaling the
beginning of the end for apartheid.)
1994 - First Democratic Elections (South Africa holds its first democratic elections, and Nelson
Mandela is elected as the first Black president of South Africa.)
1953 - Bantu Education Act (Segregated educational system designed to limit education for Black
South Africans.)
1986 - Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act (Law enacted in the United States imposing economic
sanctions against South Africa.)
1991 - Repeal of the Remaining Apartheid Laws (The South African government begins the
process of repealing apartheid legislation.)
1993 - Multi-party Negotiations Begin (Negotiations between the apartheid government and anti-
apartheid movements pave the way for a democratic South Africa.)
1950 - Population Registration Act (Law requiring South Africans to be classified and registered
by race.)
1960 - Sharpeville Massacre (Police open fire on a peaceful protest, killing 69 people. This event
leads to the banning of the ANC and PAC.)
1964 - Nelson Mandela Imprisoned (Nelson Mandela is sentenced to life imprisonment for
sabotage against the government.)
1990 - ANC Unbanned (The government unbans the African National Congress and other anti-
apartheid organizations.)
1950 - Group Areas Act (Established separate residential areas for each race.)
1948 - Election of the National Party (National Party coming to power in South Africa.)
1952 - Defiance Campaign (The ANC leads a series of peaceful protests against apartheid laws.)
 Station 2: Diary Entry

Overview: Reflect on and respond to the provided (fictional) diary entry written during apartheid in
South Africa.

Instructions:
1. Read the Diary Entry: Read carefully into this diary entry depicting a person's daily life. Note
the emotions, challenges, and experiences described.
2. After reading, on a piece of paper write down your initial reactions. What surprised you?
3. If in a group, discuss with your group and then write down your answers to the following
questions:
-Empathy: How do you think the person writing the diary felt? Mention at least one specific
detail from the entry that made you feel this way.
-Connection: Can you find any aspect of the diary entry that relates to something in your
own life or something you've learned about? It doesn't have to be directly related to
apartheid, but rather how people react to challenging situations.
-Reflection: What's one thing you learned about life under apartheid from this diary entry
that you didn't know before?
4. If you have extra time, discuss/write down what you think a diary entry of someone supporting
apartheid would look like?

Diary Entry:
Date: May 16, 1982
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Dear Diary,

This morning was colder than usual. I took the long way to school again to steer clear of the
soldiers that have been around our area more these days. My friend Thabo wasn’t in school today.
His family is having trouble with their passbooks, those papers that control where we can go. It’s
weird to think how much they affect our lives.
In history class, we learned about our country's past, but not about the people fighting
against unfair rules now. Our teachers have to be careful about what they talk about. It makes me
curious about all the stories they’re not telling us.
After school, I helped Mama at her stall. We sell things from a small window in the back
because of the rules about where we can have businesses. I heard some grown-ups talking about a
protest tomorrow. I feel a mix of excitement and worry when I hear about these things. Mama
always says we have to be patient and keep hope.
Tonight, I’m thinking about how different life could be. I imagine not having to take the
long way to school, where Thabo and I could learn about everyone who’s trying to make our
country better, and Mama’s stall could be anywhere she wants. But for now, these are just thoughts
before I sleep.
As I end my day, I think about how each day is a step toward change, even if it feels slow.
Here's to hoping for a better future.

Goodnight, Diary. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Overview: Interpret the following political cartoons and explore the underlying messages about
South Africa during the apartheid era.

First Cartoon (created 1985 during apartheid):

Instructions:
Write down your answers to the following questions:
1. Carefully examine the first political cartoon. What is the man labelled? What is the dinosaur
labelled?
2. Analyze the symbolism in the cartoon. Why might the artist use a dinosaur to represent
apartheid?
3. What could the swamp/tar the dinosaur is stuck in symbolize in the context of South Africa's
situation?
4. Reflect on and write a very short interpretation of the cartoon’s overall message. What do you
think the cartoonist is trying to say about apartheid and South Africa’s role in it?
Second Cartoon (created 1992 after apartheid began to be dismantled):

Instructions:
Write down your answers to the following questions:
1. Carefully examine the second political cartoon. What is the dragon labelled?
2. Analyze the symbolism in the cartoon. Why might the artist use a dragon (or monster) to
represent apartheid? What might the arrows signify?
3. Focus on the dialogue of the archer: "Actually, that was the easy part. Now we have to bury it."
Taking into account your knowledge of our previous lessons on Rwanda's history, and the
difficulties it underwent post-colonization, what do you think this cartoon suggests about the
process of ending apartheid?
 Station 4: Nelson Mandela Video

Overview: Watch the provided video on the life of Nelson Mandela and answer the questions below
on his role in ending apartheid, his leadership qualities, and the enduring global impact of his
legacy.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyfOrbO0xf4 "Nelson Mandela, Anti-Apartheid Activist

Instructions:
1. Critically view the video.
2. Identify, list, and write down three pivotal moments or achievements in Mandela's life as
presented in the video. If need be, replay parts of the video for clarification.
3.What were some of the challenges Mandela faced both personally and politically?
4. Reflect on the leadership qualities Mandela exhibited. Choose one quality you find most
significant or that you feel strongly contributed to his later success. Write it down and explain why.