Blog Entry #4 - The South African racial ideology in the 1930s-1950s

Humanity has a natural tendency to judge others based purely on outward appearance which is why racism has been an issue in society for many centuries. A major issue in South Africa in the twentieth century was the concept of apartheid. Apartheid literally translates to ‘apart-ness’. Apartheid was the segregation of different ethnic groups in South Africa and it lasted for most of the 1900’s. This tension between groups originated mainly from the Anglo-Boer war and the events preceding this war.  The 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s were the years when the idea of apartheid began to develop though there was already much tension between cultures prior to this time.

                Apartheid in South Africa is generally known for the segregation of the whites and the blacks; however there was also racism between whites with different backgrounds such as the Dutch and the English Africans. This is seen in the bildungsroman in the hostile relationship between Peekay (English) and the judge (Dutch). Throughout Peekay’s life the animosity between races grew. In 1936, the blacks were removed from the voter’s toll. They were not considered worthy enough to vote. The system of apartheid was launched in 1948 by the South African government. At this time South Africa was governed by the British since they defeated the Afrikaners in 1902 during the Boer war. The system of apartheid was supported by the Dutch Reformed Church as they suggested that the Afrikaners were God’s chosen people while the natives where subordinate. In this year, the Afrikaner National governments lead by Prime Minister D. Malan ordered research to be conducted into the application of the official apartheid policy. In 1950, the Population and Registration Act authorised the government to classify South Africans according to their race. Racial segregation was extended by allocating certain parks, buses, libraries, restaurants etc. to the blacks. Separate homelands for the major black groups were created in 1959. The government at that time was judging individuals solely on their skin colour. The whites thought of themselves better than the blacks. This racism towards blacks is still around today but is not as malicious.

It is interesting how Courtenay decides to focus mainly on Peekay’s boxing career rather than on the issue of apartheid. This different point of view of South Africa during that time gives the story an interesting spin. Racial ideology during the 1930’s-1950’s is very evident in The Power of One and can be seen by the way Peekay is treated by the other boys. As it was the whites who were in government, it wasn’t until a man named Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa in 1994 that the blacks regained some power and authority.