South African resistance to war
Encyclopedia
South African resistance to war has a long tradition, and a history that includes conscientious objectors, pacifists, deserters and draft dodgers, as well as those whose objections are based upon the notion of "just war" as opposed to unjust or illegal war.
was an organisation active from 1983-1994, that for the most part, pursued the notion of objection to war based upon freedom of conscience.
placed on prosecution for not responding to the call-ups. [7]
However this moratorium does not apply to cases of absence without leave or desertion. In other words, although conscription
is not enforced, those who deserted under the apartheid system or who failed to respond to call-ups could still, technically, be prosecuted.
in South Africa and conducted research into the South African military structure and resistance. Its magazine 'Resister' became the leading magazine on South Africa's militarisation. In 1990, when the sentencing of conscientious objectors (CO's) in South Africa changed considerably, the majority of COSAWR decided to return to South Africa.
(COSG), an umbrella organisation, was formed in 1978. In 1982 263 CO's were serving sentences in military detention barracks
. In 1983 the Defence Act was amended, providing for the first time a six-year substitute service outside the armed forces for CO's.
was an anti-war
organisation which opposed the Second Boer War
.
It was formed by William Thomas Stead
in 1899. Its president was John Clifford, and prominent members included Lloyd George
and Keir Hardie
. The group was generally seen as pro-Boer
.
Conscientious objectors
Those who based their objection to war either on grounds of the rejection of a particular system, such as the Apartheid State, or doctrines that exclude war based upon illegal means. The End Conscription CampaignEnd Conscription Campaign
The End Conscription Campaign was an anti-apartheid organisation allied to the United Democratic Front and composed of conscientious objectors and their supporters in South Africa...
was an organisation active from 1983-1994, that for the most part, pursued the notion of objection to war based upon freedom of conscience.
Pacifists, deserters and draft dodgers
Those who resisted war in general or in part due to either religious, private or personal convictions. Either by failing to enlist, deserting, or refusing to do service by other means. Desertion is punishable under the Military Discipline Code (MDC) which forms part of the 1957 Defence Act. Although the present 1957 Defence Act requires military service obligations after completion of the initial military training, these obligations are not enforced owing to an August 1994 moratoriumMoratorium (law)
A moratorium is a delay or suspension of an activity or a law. In a legal context, it may refer to the temporary suspension of a law to allow a legal challenge to be carried out....
placed on prosecution for not responding to the call-ups. [7]
However this moratorium does not apply to cases of absence without leave or desertion. In other words, although conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
is not enforced, those who deserted under the apartheid system or who failed to respond to call-ups could still, technically, be prosecuted.
Committee on South African War Resistance
The Committee on South African War Resistance (COSAWR) was founded in 1978 by the merging of two groups of South African war resisters active in Britain. It functions as a self-help organization for South African military refugees. It also worked to raise the issue of militarismMilitarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
in South Africa and conducted research into the South African military structure and resistance. Its magazine 'Resister' became the leading magazine on South Africa's militarisation. In 1990, when the sentencing of conscientious objectors (CO's) in South Africa changed considerably, the majority of COSAWR decided to return to South Africa.
Conscientious Objector Support Group
The Conscientious Objector Support GroupConscientious Objector Support Group
The Conscientious Objector Support Group , a support group to conscientious objectors in South Africa, was formed in 1978. The organisation grew in the context of South African resistance to war, at the time of Apartheid....
(COSG), an umbrella organisation, was formed in 1978. In 1982 263 CO's were serving sentences in military detention barracks
Barracks
Barracks are specialised buildings for permanent military accommodation; the word may apply to separate housing blocks or to complete complexes. Their main object is to separate soldiers from the civilian population and reinforce discipline, training and esprit de corps. They were sometimes called...
. In 1983 the Defence Act was amended, providing for the first time a six-year substitute service outside the armed forces for CO's.
Stop the War Committee
The Stop the War CommitteeStop the War Committee
The Stop the War Committee was an anti-war organisation that opposed the Second Boer War. It was formed by William Thomas Stead in 1899. Its president was John Clifford and prominent members included Lloyd George and Keir Hardie...
was an anti-war
Anti-war
An anti-war movement is a social movement, usually in opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or carry on an armed conflict, unconditional of a maybe-existing just cause. The term can also refer to pacifism, which is the opposition to all use of military force during conflicts. Many...
organisation which opposed the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
.
It was formed by William Thomas Stead
William Thomas Stead
William Thomas Stead was an English journalist and editor who, as one of the early pioneers of investigative journalism, became one of the most controversial figures of the Victorian era. His 'New Journalism' paved the way for today's tabloid press...
in 1899. Its president was John Clifford, and prominent members included Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
and Keir Hardie
Keir Hardie
James Keir Hardie, Sr. , was a Scottish socialist and labour leader, and was the first Independent Labour Member of Parliament elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
. The group was generally seen as pro-Boer
Boer
Boer is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, which came to denote the descendants of the Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 18th century, as well as those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle in the Orange Free State,...
.
See also
- Angolan Civil WarAngolan Civil WarThe Angolan Civil War was a major civil conflict in the Southern African state of Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Prior to this, a decolonisation conflict had taken...
- End Conscription CampaignEnd Conscription CampaignThe End Conscription Campaign was an anti-apartheid organisation allied to the United Democratic Front and composed of conscientious objectors and their supporters in South Africa...
- Military history of South AfricaMilitary history of South AfricaThe history of South Africa chronicles a vast time period and complex events from the dawn of history until the present time. It covers civil wars and wars of aggression and of self-defense both within South Africa and against it...
- South African Border WarSouth African Border WarThe South African Border War, commonly referred to as the Angolan Bush War in South Africa, was a conflict that took place from 1966 to 1989 in South-West Africa and Angola between South Africa and its allied forces on the one side and the Angolan government, South-West Africa People's...