South Africa 1946

Synopsis

In August 1946 the African Mine Workers Union (AMWU) in South Africa called a strike of black miners in the country's Witwatersrand gold producing region. The strike was the first widespread action taken by African workers since 1920. Nearly 100,000 black workers struck, completely or partially shutting down 13 mines. Despite the fact that in 1942 the government of prime minister Jan Smuts had declared all strikes by black workers to be illegal, the AMWU took an active role in demanding higher wages for black workers. When the government and the Chamber of Mines largely ignored the demands of the AMWU, the black workers struck. The government quickly used force to crack down on the strike. More than 1,200 people were injured and nine were killed. Authorities also arrested the strike leaders and dismissed some 70 workers. The defeat of the strike marked the...