Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa. It was established by the racist National South Africa party. Ultimately, it was a form of segregation determined by race which allowed the white Afrikaners to dominate the black/coloured population. During the time of the tour many events were starting to take place in south Africa. The Apartheid regime in South Africa had been in place since 1948 and continued till 1994 under various political party's. The system of Apartheid discriminated against the black population in South Africa forcing them to live by different laws, use different facilities and took took away many of their human rights. Laws and regulations were put in place to support this separation of white and black, and as a result of this system, South Africa became a victim of international pressure through the united nations and other organisations to stop Apartheid.
In 1968 a ban was called for by the United Nations to stop sporting contact with South Africa with the hope of trying to get the message through to South Africa that they do not agree with their racist political system. New Zealander's new about this racial segregation in South Africa, and most agreed that it is unfair and should be stopped. You can read in more detail about the Apartheid regime and its effects: here As a Multi racial country, New Zealanders were appalled with the treatment of the black South Africans. Many Maori, who are the native people of New Zealand could sympathize with the black population of South Africa despite never facing oppression as severe as they were undergoing. Many New Zealanders upheld the view that by hosting the Springbok's and allowing the tour to take place they were encouraging the racist Apartheid regime in South Africa. As a result of this lots of New Zealanders took it upon themselves to stand up and do what they thought was right and oppose the Rugby tour. "1,2,3,4 WE DON"T WANT YOUR RACIST TOUR" was a catch phrase seen in many of the protests. Apartheid was a key cause of the 1981 Springbok tour protests, many New Zealanders believed that by allowing the tour we were condoning the racial segregation that was present in South Africa. |