The Rise of Black Consciousness in South Africa

In: Race: the journal of the Institute of Race Relations, Heft 2, S. 149-165

Abstract

The interplay between legitimizing ideology & contradictory reality opens one avenue of challenge to the existing power in South Africa. The internal economic scene with its own dictates would seem to lead to an alternative setting in favor of the subordinates. The blacks will be able to act with possible success in a strike situation. A new movement was started in 1968 by black African students to promote black consciousness by omitting whites & white sympathizers from their new movement. The blacks no longer want separation or segregation, their goal has changed into "liberation" & this includes rejection of many Western values. The weakest point of the Black Consciousness movement would appear to be the methods it utilizes to realize its ideals. Natal Indians in the country fear a "genuine danger of Black Consciousness leading to Black racism" & therefore support the goal of a common society. Bantustan leaders, Chiefs Buthelezi, Mantazima, & Mangope have for the first time publicly stressed the need for black unity. Zulu Chief Gatshe Buthelezi has especially emerged as a widely respected leader who strikes a deep accord with ordinary Africans. L. DeForge.