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Canada and the Fight Against Apartheid
For almost 50 years, South Africa was ruled by apartheid — a brutal system of racial separation that kept the nation's black majority in poverty while a white minority held the wealth and power. As unrest grew, South Africa seemed destined for a bloodbath. Canada — like many nations — was slow to react but, by the 1980s, assumed a leading role in forcing economic sanctions against South Africa. Canadian business people, activists and clergy also played parts in bringing about all-race elections in 1994, and a surprisingly peaceful end to apartheid.
Last updated: December 19, 2012
Page consulted on December 19, 2012
All Clips from this Topic
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Justice Blackwell says South Africa's races should live apart. (poor a...
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Is apartheid just a "natural social separation," or a threat to world ...
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Canadian journalist Norman Phillips is arrested for criticizing the So...
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Groups conspire in secret to get South Africa out of the Commonwealth.
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Pierre Berton challenges the Canadian government to isolate South Afri...
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Dief thinks this conference will determine the future of the Commonwea...
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Whites in shock, shares slump, but little practical effect expected.
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Max Ferguson makes fun of Canada's role.
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John Diefenbaker helps force South Africa's exclusion from the Commonw...
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Harold Wolpe defended oppressed blacks until he was imprisoned.
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Canadian businesses rediscover South Africa; James Graham and Hugh Win...
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The former PM reminisces about South Africa's Commonwealth departure o...
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Unidentified couple lived together 8 years and had 2 children, but wer...
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Four people who fled apartheid talk about adjusting to life in Canada.
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South Africa's foreign minister says Canada's new sanctions are hypocr...
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Rev. Thomas Anthony is one of 53 clergymen jailed last month over anti...
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Church groups remind shareholders of links to South African military.
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Joe Clark announces new sanctions, but critics say it's more bark than...
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Five former South Africans tell CBC TV why they left for Canada.
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Exiled ANC leaders and pampered diplomats vie for Canadian public opin...