Life in South Africa c1948: race, segregation and discrimination;…

The idea

By 1948 South Africa was a society built on racial hierarchy: segregation laws and customs restricted Black, Coloured and Indian people in land, work, movement and politics. Industrialisation, especially mining and manufacturing, drew workers to cities such as Johannesburg, where townships like Soweto grew as segregated dormitories with poor housing, overcrowding and migrant labour. Rural life remained harsh: African tenant farmers and labourers faced insecure tenure, while white-owned farms depended on cheap labour. Afrikaner culture and politics centred on language, religion and a shared sense of grievance, expressed through bodies such as the Broederbond and the National Party. Britain's influence persisted through trade, investment, Commonwealth membership and constitutional links, though Afrikaner nationalism increasingly challenged it.

What earns the marks

• Explains how race shaped everyday life through segregation and discrimination in residence, education, employment and public facilities.
• Links urbanisation and industrialisation to the growth of townships and the experience of township life, including housing shortages and migrant labour.
• Describes rural society, including the position of African tenants, labourers and landless people on white-owned farms.
• Explains Afrikaner culture and politics, including language, religion, the Broederbond and the growth of Afrikaner nationalism.
• Assesses the influence of Britain through trade, investment, Commonwealth ties and constitutional arrangements.
• Uses specific examples, such as Johannesburg and its townships, to support general points about life in South Africa.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating apartheid as beginning only in 1948.

  Put it right: Recognise that segregation and discrimination were already entrenched before 1948, and 1948 marks a political turning point.

• Describing townships only as places of poverty.

  Put it right: Also note community life, churches, schools and informal economic activity.

• Assuming Britain had no influence after 1948.

  Put it right: Explain continuing economic, Commonwealth and constitutional links alongside growing Afrikaner nationalist pressure.

Exam tips

• Plan by theme: race, urban and industrial change, rural society, Afrikaner culture and politics, and British influence.
• Anchor each theme with a precise example, such as a named city, township or institution, rather than general assertion.
• When discussing Britain, distinguish economic, political and constitutional forms of influence and link each to South African responses.