Bantustan ( African: Bantoestan ) is a territory used as reserves for the indigenous black population of South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia ) as part of apartheid policies. Ten bantustanov were in South Africa and ten were in the SWA that was under her control. The purpose of their creation was to focus on a limited territory representatives of one nationality, which made Bantustans ethnically homogeneous.
The term "bantustan" began to be used in the late 1940s . It is formed by adding the root of the Bantu and the suffix -stan . Initially, it was used primarily by critics of the reservation system ( English homeland , African. Tuisland ). Today the word "bantustan" can be used in a derogatory sense, denoting a country or region that does not have full sovereignty .
Some Bantustans gained independence “on paper” ( Transkei , Venda , Boputatsvan and Siskey in South Africa ; East Caprivi (Lozi), Cavangolend and Ovambolend in South-West Asia); several more ( Kvazulu , Lebova , Kvakva ) received limited autonomy. The status of Bantustan as sovereign independent states has not received international recognition.
However, the formal “independence” of Boputatswan bantustan provided an opportunity to organize a gambling business in South Africa, which was prohibited by the legislation of this country. The city of casino Sun City was built on the territory of Boputatsvana.
Life in Bantustans
Bantustans were generally poor and had few jobs. One of the main sources of income was gambling and topless shows, banned by the National Party as immoral. This circumstance directly prompted the creation of mega-resorts, such as Sun City in Boputatswana Bantustan. In addition, some Bantustans issued their own postage stamps.
Another source of financial injections was the direct assistance of Pretoria. For example, in Bantustan Transkey in 1985, it accounted for 85% of budget revenues. The underdeveloped economy and corruption of local authorities directly pushed the Bantustan population to seek work in the “white” territory of South Africa. So, up to 65% of the population of Bantutan Boputatsvan constantly worked outside its borders.
It is not surprising that bantustans were extremely unpopular among the urban black population. Their residents were forced to stay in South Africa on the rights of "foreign workers." Many people assigned to one or another Bantustan never lived in it, or came from other places. The division of Bantustanov according to the ethnic principle in conditions of mixing different nationalities did not always correspond to reality.
After Apartheid
The elimination of Bantustanov was a central element of the African National Congress program. After 1994, they were incorporated back into South Africa. This process, as a rule, was peaceful, but in some cases met resistance of local elites. The dissolution of the Bantutustan Boputatswan and Siskey was difficult. In March 1994, troops were brought into Siskey.
See also
- Native American reservation