Working toward solutions
November 21, 1989
There is nothing petty about apartheid—at least not any more.
Last Thursday, South African President Frederik W. de Klerk announced an end to “petty apartheid” by declaring all beaches open to all races and by promising to scrap further apatheid restrictions. It might seem trivial to pay credit to de Klerk for this move, but, on the contrary, it is quite an accomplishment when one considers the many years of hard-line repression and segregation in South Africa.
De Klerk also promised to put to rest the Separate Emenities Act, which is a foundation block of apartheid. The act has been in effect since 1953 to reserve for “whites only” many of the country’s public facilities, such as beaches, parks, restrooms, public transportation and recreational facilities.
In a statement, de Klerk said, “There is no alternative for South Africa but the road of reconciliation, of creating opportunities for all the people of this country in a way which is fair, just and equitable.”
It is clearly obvious that these small changes are not going to reverse the terrible tide still ebbing and flowing in South Africa, but it is another attempt by a government to rescue itself from assured revolution and enormous bloodshed.
If an end to apartheid is indeed in sight, the white minority needs to stand behind the recent developments. If they choose not to, the result will not be pretty.