Blanke verset teen verandering van die politieke bestel in Algerië (1958-1962) en Suid-Afrika (1990-1994) : 'n vergelyking

Abstract

White resistance against change in the political dispensation {1958-1962) in Algeria and in South Africa {1990-1994): a comparison. By 1950 Algeria and South Africa were the two countries in Africa with the largest white populations. The whites in both countries constituted a minority of the total population. In both countries the whites had greater political; economic and social privileges than the indigenous population and in both countries violent resistance occurred against steps aimed at transferring power to the majority of the population. In the late 1950's and the early 1960's there was wide-spread resistance in Algeria against the political actions of the French government that intended to decolonise the region, in line with its other colonies. Thirty years later there were acts of resistance among whites in South Africa who opposed the introduction of a new constitution that would lead to a black majority government. In this mini - dissertation a comparative study is made of the causes, progress and result of the white resistance actions in Algeria and South Africa, and primarily on the basis of available scientific publications. The conclusion is made, that in spite of clear similarities, there also are important differences. In the case of Algeria the white colonists enjoyed great support in France and initially also from the French government. The hesitant approach of the French government contributed to the decolonization process being accompanied by great loss of blood. Animosity prevailed between the natives and the colonists. It was difficult for them to remain in Algeria and to co-exist with the indigenous people in the same country. With independence, about one million colonists were uprooted and had to be resettled in France. In South Africa, on the other hand, the government succeeded in retaining the support of the majority of whites, as well as of the defence force, up to the election. of 1994. No important white leaders propagated violent resistance. Sporadic instances of violence occurred that probably claimed fewer than a hundred lives.