The Signs that Defined the Apartheid

The result of South Africa's Reservation of Separate Amenities Act

By Africa Media Online

Apartheid signs (1989) by Graeme WilliamsOriginal Source: Baileys African History Archive / african.pictures

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 The act was repealed on 15 October 1990.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) by Drum Social HistoriesOriginal Source: Baileys African History Archive / african.pictures

1950: Europeans only, Slegs. vir blankes
Apartheid signs were common in all cities in South Africa.

Apartheid signs (1954) by Drum Social HistoriesOriginal Source: Baileys African History Archive / african.pictures

1954: love at the bus stop
A love story unfolding in Sophiatown.

Apartheid signs (1953) by Drum Social HistoriesOriginal Source: Baileys African History Archive / african.pictures

1953: Bench with 'European Only' sign
A white man reading a book, and a black man standing behind him.

Apartheid signs (1953) by Drum Social HistoriesOriginal Source: Baileys African History Archive / african.pictures

1953: post office
A sign 'african telephone' at the post office.

Apartheid signs (1953) by Drum Social HistoriesOriginal Source: Baileys African History Archive / african.pictures

1953: Natives Restaurant
Restaurants were also segregated.

Apartheid signs by Eric MillerOriginal Source: Eric Miller / african.pictures

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) by Arena Holdings CollectionOriginal Source: Baileys African History Archive / african.pictures

1970: Subway entrance
Whites only entrance to the subway at Ellis Park Station.

Apartheid Signs (1989) by Cedric NunnOriginal Source: Cedric Nunn / african.pictures

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) by Guy TillimOriginal Source: Gille de Vlieg / South Photos / african.pictures

Children at the beach
Two children standing beneath a sign reading 'Beach and Sea Whites only.'

Apartheid signs by Eric MillerOriginal Source: Graeme Williams / South Photos / african.pictures

At the beach
The Whites only sign at the beach at Millers Point.

Apartheid signs (1989) by Eric MillerOriginal Source: Eric Miller / african.pictures

1989: patrolling the beach
Policeman patrols the beach at the Strand in Cape Town.

Apartheid signs (1989-01-01) by David A. LarsenOriginal Source: Gille de Vlieg / South Photos / african.pictures

1989: demonstrating at the beach
Dr Alan Boesak, cleric and anti-apartheid activist, at a beach demonstration against apartheid.

Credits: Story

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

Credits: All media

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