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The Early
Twentieth Century
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| Division |
Migration to Cape Town continued
during the twentieth century with an influx of people considered Bantu,
Coloured and Afrikaans, European and Jewish, Indian and West Indian. Prejudice
and government policy frustrated and separated these groups (more..)
Coloured people struggled, and failed, to forge a clear
identity or a consistent political voice. In the face of economic hardship,
rejection and discrimination the group was too diverse to respond to the
pressures upon it (more..)
Bantu (blacks) were growing in number and the first half of the
twentieth century saw the politicisation of Cape Town's black residents. Major
influences were the First World War, living conditions within the city,
unionisation and political leadership - both local and international (more..)
Through discriminatory employment practices wealth became tied
to race. The ruling elites consistently differentiated groups, with whites
receiving preferential treatment and attention. Increasingly, economic
differences separated the races into different suburbs, churches and
facilities. Laws and policies also enforced some segregation, but only on the
political margins was their opposition to increasing racial division (more..)
Amidst racial division and economic problems, Afrikaners
asserted their culture, especially in language and literature (more..). Although many Afrikaners spoke
English and remained loyal to the moderate United Party led by Jan Smuts, there
were others that turned to the rising tide of rightwing Afrikaner nationalism.
In 1933 South Africa's largest fascist organisation, the South
African Gentile National Socialist Movement (the Greyshirts) was established at
the Koffeehuis, the favourite meeting place of the Afrikaner nationalists in
Cape Town. Shortly before, South Africa's Nazi Party was founded by Professor
Hermann Bohle. This rightwing tide would in due course
find expression in the National Party Government of 1948 that brought in
Apartheid.
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Heritage Sections
· Culture ·
· Environment
·
History
· Society
Personalities ·
Areas
In this period of Cape History:
Overview
Introduction
Mother
City
Division
Growth and
Control
Conclusion
Bibliography &
Contacts
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