The international anti-apartheid movement played a significant role in ensuring the downfall of the apartheid regime in the 1980s - NSC History - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 2

The establishment of organizations like the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) and the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement (IAAM) galvanized action against apartheid. In the 1980s, the IAAM provided emergency relief and created networks to support political prisoners. Their efforts helped raise awareness of the human rights violations occurring in South Africa.

The 1981 New Zealand rugby tour protests against South Africa's apartheid policies demonstrated the power of sport as a political tool. The South African Council on Sport (SACOS) established links with the international community, and by the late 1980s, South Africa was largely excluded from world sporting events, which contributed to its international isolation.

Cultural boycotts saw international artists refuse to perform in South Africa. For instance, artists like Paul Simon and the British Actors' Union prohibited members from working with the apartheid regime. Academic boycotts restricted South African access to scholarly information, further isolating the regime.

In the 1980s, international sanctions intensified. The Sullivan Principles urged companies to divest from South Africa, leading to significant financial repercussions on the apartheid government. By 1985, over 200 multinational companies had left South Africa, causing economic instability.

Overall, the international anti-apartheid movement not only raised awareness and mobilized public opinion but also implemented tangible actions that pressured the apartheid regime economically and politically. This synergy of global activism played a critical role in the eventual dismantling of apartheid in the late 1980s.