Evaluate the impact of the segregation policies of Smuts and Hertzog between 1910 and 1948.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the impact of the segregation polices of Smuts and Herzog. Impacts may extend beyond the time frame but must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to the impact of the Natives’ Land Act, which evicted many Africans from their land and reduced them to a state of permanent poverty and confinement to native reserves. Africans were excluded from towns unless they had permission to work there and complied with the laws which restricted their movements. Non-whites also lost jobs in the mining industry, railroads and government. Those employed were paid lower wages than whites. After 1936, no Africans held the franchise. A further impact was the formation of the ANC in 1912 to oppose segregation. The impact on whites was to encourage the growth of Afrikaner domination and nationalism through organizations such as the Broederbond which espoused extreme racial views. Candidates may also refer to the rise of apartheid, influenced by the view amongst Afrikaners that the segregation policies had not been sufficiently strict in controlling the African population. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the impact of the segregation polices of Smuts and Herzog. This question attracted a number of candidates and many of them showed a reasonable knowledge of the material. The best responses showed not only excellent knowledge but were able to address the key aspect of the question which was the evaluation or analysis of the impact of the segregation legislation on both white and black South Africans as well as institutions, laws etc.