Yes, many factors led to the rise of African Nationalism in South
Africa from 1900 to 1953. For example, the formation of the African
People's Organisation (APO), the emergence of the South African
National Natives Congress (SANNC), which was later renamed the
African National Congress (ANC), the Industrial and Commercial
Workers' Union (ICU), the influence of World War II and the Atlantic
Charter and the formation of Congress Youth League (CYL). In this
essay, the impact of these factors resulting in an upsurge/increase
of African Nationalism in South Africa will be discussed.
African nationalism in South Africa started as a form of resistance to
colonialism and segregation. Black South Africans supported Britain
in the South African War (1899-1902) because they hoped that this
would ensure better economic and political conditions, including an
end to pass laws and the right to vote. However, Blacks were not the
only group to face discrimination; people of colour also experienced
injustice and exclusion from political life.
In 1902, after the South African War, a group of coloured South
Africans formed the APO under the leadership of Dr Abdullah
Abdurahman. APO was concerned primarily about the rights of
"coloured" South Africans. They protested against the segregation
laws and planned to exclude black South Africans from the right to
vote. They sent a delegation to London to appeal to the British
government to intervene. However, the British government ignored
their request, and in May 1910, the Union of SA was formed under
white control.
In reaction to the formation of the Union of SA, African nationalists
led by John Dube, Pixley Seme and Sol Plaatje formed the SANNC in
1912, later renamed the ANC. They aimed to unite all Africans to
oppose discrimination and to win political rights for all. In 1914 the
SANNC sent a delegation to London to protest against the Native
Land Act. However, they were unsuccessful. The ANC experienced
some setbacks and was seen as representing the educated urban
elite rather than the masses.
However, another organisation, the ICU, was formed in 1919 as a
trade union amongst Cape Town dockworkers. It attracted the
masses and played a leading role in organising protests against the