The Signs that Defined the Apartheid
The result of South Africa's Reservation of Separate Amenities Act
Whites only - Slegs blankes
The Reservation of Separate Amenities Act, Act No 49 of 1953, legalised the segregation of facilities based on race. This act was one of the foundations of the system of apartheid in South Africa. According to the act the facilities for different races did not need to be of an equal standard and in reality the white facilities were inevitably of a higher standard than the others. The act was repealed on 15 October 1990.
Apartheid signs (1950)Original Source: Baileys African History Archive
1950: Europeans only, Slegs. vir blankes
Apartheid signs were common in all cities in South Africa.
Apartheid signs (1954)Original Source: Baileys African History Archive
1954: love at the bus stop
A love story unfolding in Sophiatown.
Apartheid signs (1953)Original Source: Baileys African History Archive
1953: Bench with 'European Only' sign
A white man reading a book, and a black man standing behind him.
Apartheid signs (1953)Original Source: Baileys African History Archive
1953: post office
A sign 'african telephone' at the post office.
Apartheid signs (1953)Original Source: Baileys African History Archive
1953: Natives Restaurant
Restaurants were also segregated.
Apartheid signsOriginal Source: Eric Miller
Segregated toilets in Johannesburg
In the days of apartheid segregated toilets in the city for black and white people.
Whites Only entrance (1970-11-07)Original Source: Museum Africa
1970: Subway entrance
Whites only entrance to the subway at Ellis Park Station.
Apartheid Signs (1989)Original Source: Cedric Nunn
1989: park life
A apartheid sign in Boksburg park.
Apartheid signs (1989)Original Source: Guy Tillim
1989: families at the beach
A family standing near a sign reading 'Beach and Sea Whites only' at the. beach in Cape Town.
Apartheid signs (1980)Original Source: Guy Tillim
Children at the beach
Two children standing beneath a sign reading 'Beach and Sea Whites only.'
Apartheid signsOriginal Source: Eric Miller
At the beach
The Whites only sign at the beach at Millers Point.
Apartheid signs (1989)Original Source: Eric Miller
1989: patrolling the beach
Policeman patrols the beach at the Strand in Cape Town.
Apartheid signs (1989-01-01)Original Source: David Larsen
1989: demonstrating at the beach
Dr Alan Boesak, cleric and anti-apartheid activist, at a beach demonstration against apartheid.
Photographer — Eric Miller
Photographer — Graeme Williams / South Photographs
Photographer — Cedric Nunn
Photographer — Guy Tillim / South Photographs
Photographic Archive — Museum Africa
Photographic Archive — Baileys African History Archive
Photographer — David Larsen
