“International opposition was the most important reason for the collapse of apartheid.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that international opposition was the most important reason for the collapse of apartheid. Candidates may refer to international pressure from the 1960s onwards in sports, diplomacy and economics, and the role of African states in supplying bases and arms for the anti-apartheid struggle. The US embargo on investment post-1985 and world-wide financial and political pressure caused the government to make changes to end apartheid. Internal resistance to apartheid was somewhat effective as the Sharpeville and Soweto uprisings brought pressure for change despite strong military and police power; however, ANC guerrilla campaigns did cause white emigration, discouraged immigration and investment prior to 1985.The work of individuals such as Steve Biko and Desmond Tutu kept the issue of apartheid alive in the international consciousness as well as increasing domestic unrest and economic problems. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

This question on international pressure and the collapse of apartheid was very popular and often not well done. Many students had little knowledge of the nature of international pressure which was the focus. Others had no knowledge of the topic after the 1960's — thirty years before the collapse of apartheid — many wrote simple narrative of events prior to 1964. There was, overall, a major lack of ability to produce effective content and to produce an effective analysis of the topic in the question.