Was The Ending of White Minority Rule Achieved Only by Nelson Mandela Essay Example

at dismantling apartheid. Although he was not put to death for his actions, Mandela was convicted and given a 28-year prison sentence after making statements in court.

Despite being restricted from public speaking for 28 years due to fears of inciting others, Nelson Mandela's role in ending apartheid was limited. Therefore, it is crucial to acknowledge other integration factors during his time. In the 1950s and 60s, various colonies in Africa saw the replacement of white rule with black governments. African Nationalism led to self-governance by African countries, resulting in independence for nations such as Sudan in 1956 and Zaire in 1960.

African Nationalism led to the Sharpeville Massacre where members of the African National Congress and Pan African Congress were shot from behind by police at a peaceful protest in Sharpeville demanding a change in the Pass Law. This incident shocked nations like the USA, Britain, and France and allowed them to provide support towards ending apartheid. Additionally, African Nationalism also prompted other countries to get involved in South Africa's situation.

In his speech, Macmillan, who was the British Prime Minister during that era, expressed his dislike for Apartheid and called for its abolition stating, '...

The objective is to establish a community that respects the individual's rights. The South African government is questioned for claiming that blacks have equal rights, as it was crucial for attracting international attention and bringing the issue to the forefront. This would have influenced the government to eradicate apartheid, as seen in the considerable pressure exerted by the UN, OAU, and Lusaka Conference on South Africa. The UN, a prominent country, was significant, and every African nation sought to participate in ending

apartheid. The Lusaka Conference emphasized condemning racism and related points.

This pressurised South Africa because it was a large organisation that could defy the government. African Nationalism gained support from other countries and helped to replace white governments, ultimately contributing to the end of apartheid. Mandela played a crucial role in this process by both sneaking out to bring attention to the situation and by actively participating in campaigns such as the Defiance Campaign and the Freedom Charter. Overall, I believe that Mandela's contributions were more significant in ending apartheid.