Resistance: anti-apartheid banners, posters and slogans in Pietermaritzburg

Banners, posters, and slogans were an important part of the anti-apartheid struggle in Pietermaritzburg and elsewhere in South Africa. Their use promoted awareness, rallied people to take action, challenged racist ideology, and gave people the courage to continue resisting and make demands about their future. They also created an important 'visual bonding and solidarity’ (McQuiston 1993) between people to take forward the struggle to overthrow apartheid. Commenting on anti-apartheid resistance posters, Nelson Mandela said that they were ‘a very beautiful form of propaganda. They are a very powerful way of conveying information, provided they are simple and to the point. And the posters issued by the democratic movement in South Africa have been very effective’.

In Pietermaritzburg, anti-apartheid struggle messages and slogans were carried on posters and banners, and some were even painted on structures. There were different kinds of posters and banners. Some were professionally produced, some were made in-house by organisations themselves, while others had messages written and painted by individuals. Both national and local messages and demands were conveyed. Banners and posters were displayed at marches, pickets, funerals, press conferences and political meetings.

References

Mandela, N.R. 1991. Foreword. In: The Poster Book Collective/South African History Archive. Images of Defiance: South African resistance posters of the 1980s. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.

McQuiston, L. 1993. Graphic agitation. Social and political graphics since the sixties. London: Phaidon.

Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Women’s march against police brutality on Edendale Road, March 1990.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and United Committee of Concern (UCC) Don’t Vote meeting at Lotus Hall, September 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
March through the centre of Pietermaritzburg against the Labour Relations Act and to welcome home leaders, October 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
March on the University of Natal campus after a Don’t Vote Defiance Campaign meeting, September 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
African National Congress National Women’s Leagu0e march for peace in Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street, August 1990.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
March for peace through the centre of Pietermaritzburg from the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity to the Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street Police Station, July 1990.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Worker Education Day at the University of Pietermaritzburg, March 1987.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Mass funeral at the Edendale Lay Centre for people killed during the Seven Day war, April 1990.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Conscientious Objectors press conference at the Metro Methodist Church, September 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Demand Constituent Assembly picket, April 1991.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Commercial Catering and Allied Workers' Union members meeting to discuss the Labour Relations Amendment Act, Pietermaritzburg, August 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Protest march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg from the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity to the Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street Police Station, September 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
May Day meeting at the University of Pietermaritzburg May 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Demonstration against the Gatting rebel cricket tour, February 1990.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Mbali Youth Organisation peace meeting, August 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Anti-VAT march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg, October 1991.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Anti-VAT march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg, October 1991.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Worker Education Day at the University of Pietermaritzburg March 1987.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
March through the centre of Pietermaritzburg against Labour Relations Act and to welcome home leaders, October 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Graffiti next to the railway line in Sinathingi, November 1988.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Natal Indian Congress Don’t Vote mini vigil in Northdale, September 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
June 16 meeting at Wadley Stadium, June 1990.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Commercial Catering and Allied Workers' Union general meeting to discuss Labour Relations Act, August 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
African National Congress meeting at Pietermaritzburg City Hall, 1991. Speakers included Chris Hani and Kadar Asmal.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Mass Action march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg after negotiations at the Convention for Democratic South Africa broke down, August 1992.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Trueman Magubane welcome home meeting in Sobantu, April 1990.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Pietermaritzburg Combined Residents and Ratepayers protest meeting against a 118% rates hike at Lotus Hall, October 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Women’s march against police brutality on Edendale Road, March 1990.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Lawyers representing organisations such as Lawyers for Human Rights, National Association of Democratic Lawyers and Lawyers for Democracy picket outside the Old Supreme Court, September 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Mass Action march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg after negotiations at the Convention for Democratic South Africa broke down, August 1992.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Pietermaritzburg women protesting against police brutality marching through Pietermaritzburg, October 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
International Children’s Day celebration, November 1991.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Meeting in Market Square before the African National Congress National Women’s League march for peace in Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street, August 1990.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
March through the centre of Pietermaritzburg against Labour Relations Act and to welcome home leaders, October 1989.
Mandela_visit_Edendale_rd_3Apr90_AMazel.png
Pietermaritzburg women’s protest against police brutality at the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity, October 1989.
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
Resistance: anti-apartheid banners, posters and slogans in
Pietermaritzburg
Slide

Banners, posters, and slogans were an important part of the anti-apartheid struggle in Pietermaritzburg and elsewhere in South Africa. Their use promoted awareness, rallied people to take action, challenged racist ideology, and gave people the courage to continue resisting and make demands about their future. They also created an important 'visual bonding and solidarity' (McQuiston 1993) between people to take forward the struggle to overthrow apartheid. Commenting on anti-apartheid resistance posters, Nelson Mandela said that they were 'a very beautiful form of propaganda. They are a very powerful way of conveying information, provided they are simple and to the point. And the posters issued by the democratic movement in South Africa have been very effective'.

In Pietermaritzburg, anti-apartheid struggle messages and slogans were carried on posters and banners, and some were even painted on structures. There were different kinds of posters and banners. Some were professionally produced, some were made in-house by organisations themselves, while others had messages written and painted by individuals. Both national and local messages and demands were conveyed. Banners and posters were displayed at marches, pickets, funerals, press conferences and political meetings.

Slide
Women’s march against police brutality on Edendale Road, March 1990.
Women’s march against police brutality on Edendale Road, March 1990.
Slide
Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and United Committee of Concern (UCC) Don’t Vote meeting at Lotus Hall, September 1989.
Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and United Committee of Concern (UCC) Don’t Vote meeting at Lotus Hall, September 1989.
Slide
March through the centre of Pietermartizburg against the Labour Relations Act and to welcome home leaders, October 1989.
March through the centre of Pietermartizburg against the Labour Relations Act and to welcome home leaders, October 1989.
Slide
March on the University of Natal campus after a Don’t Vote Defiance Campaign meeting, September 1989.
March on the University of Natal campus after a Don’t Vote Defiance Campaign meeting, September 1989.
Slide
African National Congress National Women’s League march for peace in Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street, August 1990.
African National Congress National Women’s League march for peace in Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street, August 1990.
Slide
March for peace through the centre of Pietermaritzburg from the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity to the Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street Police Station, July 1990.
March for peace through the centre of Pietermaritzburg from the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity to the Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street Police Station, July 1990.
Slide
Worker Education Day at the University of Pietermaritzburg, March 1987.
Worker Education Day at the University of Pietermaritzburg, March 1987.
Slide
Mass funeral at the Edendale Lay Centre for people killed during the Seven Day war, April 1990.
Mass funeral at the Edendale Lay Centre for people killed during the Seven Day war, April 1990.
Slide
Conscientious Objectors press conference at the Metro Methodist Church, September 1989.
Conscientious Objectors press conference at the Metro Methodist Church, September 1989.
Slide
Demand Constituent Assembly picket, April 1991.
Demand Constituent Assembly picket, April 1991.
Slide
Women’s Day meeting at Wadley Stadium, August 1989.
Women’s Day meeting at Wadley Stadium, August 1989.
Slide
Protest march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg from the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity to the Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street Police Station, September 1989.
Protest march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg from the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity to the Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street Police Station, September 1989.
Slide
May Day meeting at the University of Pietermaritzburg May 1989.
May Day meeting at the University of Pietermaritzburg May 1989.
Slide
Demonstration against the Gatting rebel cricket tour, February 1990.
Demonstration against the Gatting rebel cricket tour, February 1990.
Slide
Mbali Youth Organisation peace meeting, August 1989.
Mbali Youth Organisation peace meeting, August 1989.
Slide
Anti-VAT march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg, October 1991.
Anti-VAT march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg, October 1991.
Slide
Anti-VAT march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg, October 1991.
Anti-VAT march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg, October 1991.
Slide
Jabu Ndlovu addressing the Worker Education Day at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, March 1987.
Anti-VAT march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg, October 1991.
Slide
March through the centre of Pietermaritzburg against Labour Relations Act and to welcome home leaders, October 1989.
March through the centre of Pietermaritzburg against Labour Relations Act and to welcome home leaders, October 1989.
Slide
Graffiti next to the railway line in Sinathingi, November 1988.
Graffiti next to the railway line in Sinathingi, November 1988.
Slide
Natal Indian Congress Don’t Vote mini vigil in Northdale, September 1989.
Natal Indian Congress Don’t Vote mini vigil in Northdale, September 1989.
Slide
June 16 meeting at Wadley Stadium, June 1990.
June 16 meeting at Wadley Stadium, June 1990.
Slide
Commercial Catering and Allied Workers' Union general meeting to discuss Labour Relations Act, August 1989.
Commercial Catering and Allied Workers' Union general meeting to discuss Labour Relations Act, August 1989.
Slide
African National Congress meeting at Pietermaritzburg City Hall, 1991. Speakers included Chris Hani and Kadar Asmal.
African National Congress meeting at Pietermaritzburg City Hall, 1991. Speakers included Chris Hani and Kadar Asmal.
Slide
Mass Action march through the centre of Pietermartizburg after negotiations at the Convention for Democratic South Africa broke down, August 1992.
Mass Action march through the centre of Pietermartizburg after negotiations at the Convention for Democratic South Africa broke down, August 1992.
Slide
Trueman Magubane welcome home meeting in Sobantu, April 1990.
Trueman Magubane welcome home meeting in Sobantu, April 1990.
Slide
Pietermaritzburg Combined Residents and Ratepayers protest meeting against a 118% rates hike at Lotus Hall, October 1989.
Pietermaritzburg Combined Residents and Ratepayers protest meeting against a 118% rates hike at Lotus Hall, October 1989.
Slide
Women’s march against police brutality on Edendale Road, March 1990.
Women’s march against police brutality on Edendale Road, March 1990.
Slide
Lawyers representing organisations such as Lawyers for Human Rights, National Association of Democratic Lawyers and Lawyers for Democracy picket outside the Old Supreme Court, September 1989.
Lawyers representing organisations such as Lawyers for Human Rights, National Association of Democratic Lawyers and Lawyers for Democracy picket outside the Old Supreme Court, September 1989.
Slide
Mass Action march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg after negotiations at the Convention for Democratic South Africa broke down, August 1992.
Mass Action march through the centre of Pietermaritzburg after negotiations at the Convention for Democratic South Africa broke down, August 1992.
Slide
Pietermaritzburg women protesting against police brutality marching through Pietermaritzburg, October 1989.
Pietermaritzburg women protesting against police brutality marching through Pietermaritzburg, October 1989.
Slide
International Children’s Day celebration, November 1991.
International Children’s Day celebration, November 1991.
Slide
Meeting in Market Square before the African National Congress National Women’s League march for peace in Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street, August 1990.
Meeting in Market Square before the African National Congress National Women’s League march for peace in Loop (Jabu Ndlovu) Street, August 1990.
Slide
March through the centre of Pietermaritzburg against Labour Relations Act and to welcome home leaders, October 1989.
March through the centre of Pietermaritzburg against Labour Relations Act and to welcome home leaders, October 1989.
Slide
Pietermaritzburg women’s protest against police brutality at the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity, October 1989.
Pietermaritzburg women’s protest against police brutality at the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity, October 1989.
previous arrow
next arrow


1989 Aron Mazel photographing


Aron Mazel

Exhibition Bio

In the 1980s and 1990s, I worked as an archaeologist at the KwaZulu-Natal Museum. At the time, people in Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas were fighting hard against the forces of apartheid. Many people were killed and injured, but only a few pictures were being taken to show what was happening. As part of my own fight against apartheid, I photographed anti-apartheid events and injustices.

Some of my photographs were published in newspapers and magazines. Sometimes I left the museum during work hours to photograph political actions.
 
 

References

Mandela, N.R. 1991. Foreword. In: The Poster Book Collective/South African History Archive. Images of Defiance: South African resistance posters of the 1980s. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.

McQuiston, L. 1993. Graphic agitation. Social and political graphics since the sixties. London: Phaidon.
 
 
Tweet
SOCIAL2S_SHARE_TEXT
SOCIAL2S_SHARE_TEXT
powered by social2s

Opening Times

Monday to Friday - 9:00 to 16:00 
Saturdays - 9:00 to 16:00 
Sundays - 10:00 to 15:00

ENTRANCE CHARGES

Adults (over 17 years) : R 20.00

Children (4-17 years) : R 10.00 

School Learners on tour : R 3.00 per child

Pensioners & toddlers : FREE