Educational Media Reviews Online

Made in 1974, this documentary highlights how blacks in South Africa were on the receiving end of the white government’s apartheid policy. The documentary provides the viewer with a clear understanding of the life of the average black person in South Africa. The narrator explains how the South African government systematically implemented its Christian nationalist policies in favor of white South Africans to the detriment of blacks.

The Group Areas Act of 1950 did not allow blacks to live in the same areas as whites. The government claimed that under apartheid, blacks could develop separately. Whites lived on 87% of the land and blacks lived in the black areas that made up 13% of the land. Whites lived in cities and suburbs. Blacks lived in townships that were located up to 30 miles away from white areas. In order to live in the townships, blacks had to have a job. Non productive blacks were forcefully removed to the Bantustans

All industry and farms were found in the white areas. There were 8 million blacks in the white areas and 7 million blacks in the Bantustans; the government was working on the forced removal of 4 million non productive blacks to the Bantustans. The Group Areas Act was also enforced against Indians and colored. The government wanted its cities to be white.

A color bar existed in all industry. There were no positions for blacks that were higher in rank than white ones. All skilled positions were for whites. South Africa called this a civilized labor policy. The color bar served as the basis for inequality of income. The average white family of five earned an income of £60 / week, while the average black family of five earned £4.50 / week.

Under the master and servant law, blacks could go to jail for being absent, trying to change their job, or refusing to obey an order. Black unions were not recognized under the law. The labor system was dependent on the control and movement of blacks. This was controlled by the pass laws. All Bantus from the age of sixteen had to carry a pass that stated where they were permitted to live and the job they were permitted to have. Failure to produce a pass book could lead to arrest.

This slow paced, slightly grainy, documentary provides a window to a world one cannot easily forget. The explanation of the law and the visual comparison between white and black is startling.

Awards

• Best Film, 1975 FESPACO African Film Festival
• Best Film, 1975 Melbourne International Film Festival
• George Sadoul Prize, 1975 Paris Film Festival
• International Prize, 1975 Grenoble Film Festival
• Peace Prize, 1975 Leipzig Documentary Festival