The Alexandra bus boycott wins a compromise

Delegates adopted a programme declaring that South Africa belonged to all who lived in it and demanding democratic government, equal rights, land reform and social welfare.

About 2,000 women of different racial backgrounds marched to the Union Buildings against the planned extension of pass laws to African women.

Women delivered petitions opposing passes for African women and stood in disciplined silence before singing the protest song later associated with the phrase: You strike a woman, you strike a rock.

Police raids across the country led to the arrest of 156 activists of different racial backgrounds. The resulting Treason Trial attempted to criminalize the Freedom Charter movement.

Residents refused to use PUTCO buses after a fare increase. Thousands walked long distances to work, and the action spread to other townships.

Verwoerd, previously the minister responsible for Bantu Education, became prime minister and intensified the apartheid programme of racial separation and Bantustans.

Africanists who had broken from the ANC formed the PAC at Orlando Community Hall. Robert Sobukwe became president and emphasized African leadership and anti-colonial liberation.

The act abolished limited African parliamentary representation and divided Africans into state-defined ethnic units. It advanced the Bantustan project while denying common South African citizenship.

After years of prosecution, defence lawyers began presenting the case for the activists accused of plotting to overthrow the state. The proceedings had already imposed heavy costs on the Congress...

Sobukwe informed the police that the Pan Africanist Congress would begin a disciplined, nonviolent campaign against pass laws on 21 March.