SABC News | Sport | TV | Radio | Education | TV Licenses | Contact Us
 
Back to the Glossary

school boycotts

Explanation
School boycotts originated in the Western Cape in April 1980 and spread to several other regions in South Africa. Grievances initially concerned the standard and quality of education but these grew into wider political protest. Street protests and police actions resulted in widespread violence. In the Cape, police shootings led to over 40 deaths. In the Orange Free State, police made use of force and firepower to break up crowd demonstrations, often resulting in injury and, in some cases, death. In Natal, boycotting pupils in KwaMashu defied Chief Buthelezi's calls to return to school, resulting in clashes between pupils and Inkatha supporters. These boycotts allegedly led to an increased exodus of youth from the country to join the ANC. Towards the end of 1985 , the UDF adopted a campaign to make the townships ungovernable. Educational institutions and trade unions became key sites of revolutionary activity. School boycotts and strikes were transformed into scenes of violent conflict and bloodletting. A state of emergency was declared in July and extended in October. It continued until the first democratic election in 1994.

TV Series Hearing Transcripts TRC Final Report TRC Victims
Showing 1 to 20 of 58
1 •2 •3 Next Page•Last Page
MPETA, Ernest Sikhumbuzo
had his house burnt down by CAYCO members in Guguletu, Cape Town, in March 1986, during school boycotts in the area. He was opposed to school boycotts.
/victims/mpeta_ernest_sikhumbuzo.htm
MBATHA, Themba
A COSAS member who was abducted and imprisoned by IFP supporters during school boycotts in KwaMashu, Durban, on 16 June 1980. He was taken to Ulundi to appear before the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly, and was ordered to give up his leadership role in the school boycotts.
/victims/mbatha_themba.htm
MPETA, Vivienne
She had her house burnt down by CAYCO members in Guguletu, Cape Town, in March 1986, during school boycotts in the area. He was opposed to school boycotts.
/victims/mpeta_vivienne.htm
JARA, Silverman Mzondeleli
A Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) supporter who was stoned to death while trying to stop students from stoning a school during school boycotts in Alice, Ciskei, on 15 September 1980.
/victims/jara_silverman_mzondeleli.htm
MOQHOLOSANE, Tohlang Ismael
He was the principal of a primary school. He had his home burnt down by unidentified persons in Tumahole, Parys, OFS, in June 1991. This occurred at a time of a widespread and lengthy school boycotts in areas of the OFS.
/victims/moqholosane_tohlang_ismael.htm
TABETE, Vusumuzi Zamani
Was shot and injured by Inkatha supporters in KwaMashu, Durban, in 1986 in violent conflict between pupils and AmaButho members over school boycotts. IFP members were allegedly patrolling the township in open trucks and attacking school pupils, when Mr Tabete was shot.
/victims/tabete_vusumuzi_zamani.htm
MALEKA, Solomon
He died after being shot by members of the SAP at Kliptown, Soweto, Johannes-burg, on 3 May 1987 when police reportedly passed his high school in a Hippo during school boycotts.
/victims/maleka_solomon.htm
AUGUST, Felisizwe Lucky
A youth congress activist and ANC supporter who was severely beaten by members of the SAP at a school in Fort Beaufort, Cape, during the 1980s school boycotts. He was subsequently arrested and detained on numerous occasions during the 1980s, and subjected to severe torture by named SAP members. He ...
/victims/august_felisizwe_lucky.htm
DLADLA, Scelo Daniel
An ANC supporter who was shot dead by SAP members on 10 March 1986 during the school boycotts at Lamontville, near Durban.
/victims/dladla_scelo_daniel.htm
DLAMINI, Themba Kenneth
Was shot in the arm by members of the SAP in Zola II, Soweto, Johannesburg, on 18 September 1976 during mass demonstrations and boycotts by high school pupils following the Soweto uprising.
/victims/dlamini_themba_kenneth.htm
DYANTYI, Wandile Leonard
His knee was injured when police fired shots into a crowd of demonstrating students during school boycotts in Adelaide, Cape, in March 1981.
/victims/dyantyi_wandile_leonard.htm
BOBE, Mandla Christopher
Was shot and injured by members of the CDF at a funeral in Zwelitsha, Ciskei, on 27 July 1985 during the 1985 school boycotts.
/victims/bobe_mandla_christopher.htm
DYASI, Xolani Patrick
Was paralysed after being shot in the head and neck by members of the Municipal Police in Port Elizabeth, on 17 July 1985. At the time he was shot, Xolani was assisting his cousin who had been shot by the police during the 1985 school boycotts.
/victims/dyasi_xolani_patrick.htm
DAWETI, Nontobeko Edith
A SAAWU member who was sjambokked and severely injured by a member of the Ciskei Police during school boycotts in Zwelitsha, Ciskei, in October 1985.
/victims/daweti_nontobeko_edith.htm
BONGISILE, Honey Mzimkhulu
A UDF supporter who was beaten by members of the SAP in Grahamstown, Cape, on 1 August 1986, during the 1986 school boycotts. He was later charged and served a commuted sentence of two years and six months.
/victims/bongisile_honey_mzimkhulu.htm
BOTIPE, Ilan
An ANC supporter who was shot dead by the SAP in Odendaalsrus, Orange Free State (OFS) on 3 March 1990, when conflict broke out between police and boycotting students. This occurred at a time of widespread and lengthy school boycotts in the OFS region.
/victims/botipe_ilan.htm
CHAKA, Sekgoba Piet
An ANC supporter who was shot dead by a named police officer in Kutloanong, Odendaalsrus, Orange Free State (OFS), on 14 April 1990. This occurred at a time of widespread and lengthy school boycotts in areas of the OFS.
/victims/chaka_sekgoba_piet.htm
BOTA, Mlandeli
Drowned in the Buffalo River on 23 July 1985 after being chased by members of the Ciskei Police during school boycotts in Zwelitsha, Ciskei.
/victims/bota_mlandeli.htm
DHLAMINI, Aaron Makhosi
Was abducted during a period of school boycotts and political conflict in Kroonstad, Orange Free State, on 14 March 1990, and has never been seen again.
/victims/dhlamini_aaron_makhosi.htm
JANUARY, Mongameli Theophilus
A member of a student committee who was beaten with a bar by members of the SAP at Kirkwood police station, Cape, in June 1980. This took place during the 1980 school boycotts.
/victims/january_mongameli_theophilus.htm
Showing 1 to 20 of 58
1 •2 •3 Next Page•Last Page
  
SABC Logo
Broadcasting for Total Citizen Empowerment
About the SABC Contact Us Jobs
Advertise Disclaimer Site Map
DMMA Logo
SABC © 2026
>