Work in groups of three or four to prepare a news story to present to the class on a significant event in the struggle against apartheid. The stories could take the form of a reporter making live news report or a reporter interviewing someone involved in the event. Another possibility is to use a PowerPoint presentation to incorporate photographs, video footage, or a segment of an actual interview.
The news stories should provide a concise description or summary of the event and convey the response of various sectors of South African society to the story. The report also should explain the history or context that lead up to the event.
Here are some events you might select. Use the Essays or Multimedia Resources page about the event for background information and resources you might incorporate into your news story.
• Adoption of the Freedom Charter by the Congress of the People, June 26, 1955
• Women’s March against the Pass Law August 9, 1956
• The Sharpeville Massacre, March 21, 1960
• The Durban strike, January – March, 1973
• The Student uprising in Soweto, June 16, 1976
• The killing of Steven Biko by the South African police, September 12, 1977
• The release of Nelson Mandela from prison, February 11, 1990
• The first democratic election, April 26, 1994
• Presentation of the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to President Mandela, October 29, 1998