There is a wide range of ways in which people have represented apartheid in popular culture. During (1948–1994) and following the apartheid era in South Africa, apartheid has been referenced in many books, films, and other forms of art and literature.

Films

*''

Goodbye Bafana ''Goodbye Bafana'', or ''The Color of Freedom'' ( US), is a 2007 drama film, directed by Bille August, about the relationship between Nelson Mandela (Dennis Haysbert) and James Gregory (Joseph Fiennes), his censor officer and prison guard, base ...

'' (2007), about

Nelson Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...

's censor, James Gregory. *''

Invictus "Invictus" is a short poem by the Victorian era British poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903). It was written in 1875 and published in 1888 in his first volume of poems, ''Book of Verses'', in the section ''Life and Death (Echoes)''. Backgr ...

'' (2009), starring Matt Damon and

Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director, and narrator. He is known for his distinctive deep voice and various roles in a wide variety of film genres. Throughout his career spanning over five decades, he has received ...

and directed by

Clint Eastwood Clinton Eastwood Jr. (born May 31, 1930) is an American actor and film director. After achieving success in the Western TV series '' Rawhide'', he rose to international fame with his role as the "Man with No Name" in Sergio Leone's "''Doll ...

. A film based on Nelson Mandela's role in the

1995 Rugby World Cup The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country. The World Cup was the first major sporting event to take place in Sou ...

in South Africa. The story is based on the John Carlin book ''Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation''. *'' Stander'' (2003), about the South African police officer-turned-bank-robber

André Stander André Charles Stander (22 November 1946 – 13 February 1984) was a South African criminal and policeman. One of the most infamous bank robbers in South Africa's history, Stander was notorious for the audacious manner with which he carried ...

, during the 1970s and 1980s. *'' Lethal Weapon 2'' (1989), starring Mel Gibson and

Danny Glover Danny Lebern Glover (; born July 22, 1946) is an American actor, film director, and political activist. He is widely known for his lead role as Roger Murtaugh in the ''Lethal Weapon'' film series. He also had leading roles in his films include ...

, about two detectives investigating a South African diplomat who runs a drug smuggling ring. *'' Cry Freedom'' (1987), about the activist

Stephen Biko Bantu Stephen Biko (18 December 1946 – 12 September 1977) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. Ideologically an African nationalist and African socialist, he was at the forefront of a grassroots anti-apartheid campaign known ...

and journalist Donald Woods *'' The Power of One'' (1992), based on the novel by

Bryce Courtenay Arthur Bryce Courtenay, (14 August 1933 – 22 November 2012) was a South African-Australian advertising director and novelist. He is one of Australia's best-selling authors, notable for his book '' The Power of One''. Background and early ye ...

*'' Sarafina!'', a musical that premiered in 1988, depicting the Soweto Riots. *'' Cry, the Beloved Country'' (1951), based on the 1948 novel by

Alan Paton Alan Stewart Paton (11 January 1903 – 12 April 1988) was a South African writer and anti-apartheid activist. His works include the novels ''Cry, the Beloved Country'' and '' Too Late the Phalarope''. Family Paton was born in Pietermaritzbu ...

*'' A Dry White Season'' (1989), based on the novel by

André Brink André Philippus Brink (29 May 1935 – 6 February 2015) was a South African novelist, essayist and poet. He wrote in both Afrikaans and English and taught English at the University of Cape Town. In the 1960s Brink, Ingrid Jonker, Etienne Lerou ...

*''

The Wilby Conspiracy ''The Wilby Conspiracy'' is a 1975 British adventure thriller film directed by Ralph Nelson and starring Michael Caine, Sidney Poitier, and Nicol Williamson. Filmed in Kenya, it was written by Rodney Amateau, based on the 1972 novel by Peter Dr ...

'', a 1975 thriller directed by Ralph Nelson, based on the 1972 novel by Peter Driscoll *'' A World Apart'', a 1988 anti-apartheid drama written by

Shawn Slovo Shawn Slovo (born 1950) is a South African screenwriter, best known for the film '' A World Apart'', based on her childhood under apartheid. She is the daughter of South African Communist Party leaders Joe Slovo and Ruth First. She wrote the screen ...

and directed by Chris Menges *'' Bopha!'', a 1993 drama directed by

and starring

*''

The Color of Friendship ''The Color of Friendship'' is a 2000 television film based on actual events about the friendship between two girls; Mahree & Piper, one from the United States and the other from apartheid South Africa, who learn about tolerance and friendship. Th ...

'', a 2000 Disney Channel Original Movie *'' In My Country'' (2004), based on the 1998 book ''

Country of My Skull ''Country of My Skull'' is a 1998 nonfiction book by Antjie Krog about the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa), Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). It is based on Krog's experience as a radio reporter, covering ...

'' by Antjie Krog, about the findings of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission *'' Catch a Fire'' (2006), based on the story of

Patrick Chamusso Patrick Chamusso (born in 1949 in Mozambique) is a member of the African National Congress (ANC) party of South Africa who participated in the militant actions of the organization during the apartheid era. One of three sons, Patrick came to live ...

, an apolitical man who becomes a guerrilla fighter at the height of apartheid. *'' Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony'' (Australia, 2002) * ''Red Dust'' (2004), starring Hilary Swank, based on the novel '' Red Dust'' by

Gillian Slovo Gillian Slovo (born 15 March 1952) is a South African-born writer who lives in the UK. She was a recipient of the Golden PEN Award. Early life and education Gillian Slovo was born on 15 March 1952 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her family moved ...

, about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission trials that gave amnesty to those who told the whole truth about atrocities committed during the apartheid era. *'' Skin'' (2008), based on the book ''When She Was White: The True Story of a Family Divided by Race'' by Judith Stone, about

Sandra Laing Sandra Laing (born 26 November 1955) is a South African woman who was classified as Coloured by authorities during the apartheid era, due to her skin colour and hair texture, although she was the child of at least three generations of ancestor ...

, a South African woman born to white parents, who was classified as "

Coloured Coloureds ( af, Kleurlinge or , ) refers to members of multiracial ethnic communities in Southern Africa who may have ancestry from more than one of the various populations inhabiting the region, including African, European, and Asian. South ...

" during the apartheid era. *'' District 9'' (2009); the title and premise of District 9 were inspired by events that took place in District Six, Cape Town, during the apartheid era. *''

Black Butterflies ''Black Butterflies'' is an English-language Dutch drama film about the life of South-African Afrikaans poet and anti-apartheid political dissident Ingrid Jonker. The film was directed by Paula van der Oest and premiered in the Netherlands on F ...

'' (2011), named after the poem by

Ingrid Jonker Ingrid may refer to: * Ingrid (given name) * Ingrid (record label), and artist collective * Ingrid Burley, rapper known mononymously as Ingrid * Tropical Storm Ingrid, various cyclones * 1026 Ingrid, an asteroid * InGrid, the grid computing project ...

, daughter of Abraham Jonker. Nelson Mandela used her poem "The Child" in his first speech in the South African Parliament in 1994.

Books

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When Smuts Goes ''When Smuts Goes'' is a dystopian novel by Dr. Arthur Keppel-Jones. The novel is set during a future history of South Africa, following the ascension of Afrikaner nationalists and their increasingly destructive quest for total ''apartheid''. It ...

'' (1947) by

Arthur Keppel-Jones Arthur Keppel-Jones (1909–1996) was a South African and Canadian historian and science fiction writer. He was a senior lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (), is a multi-campus S ...

*'' Cry, the Beloved Country'' (1948) by

*''

Burger's Daughter ''Burger's Daughter'' is a political and historical novel by the South African Nobel Prize in Literature-winner Nadine Gordimer, first published in the United Kingdom in June 1979 by Jonathan Cape. The book was expected to be banned in South Af ...

'' (1979) by

Nadine Gordimer Nadine Gordimer (20 November 192313 July 2014) was a South African writer and political activist. She received the 1991 Nobel Prize in Literature, Nobel Prize in Literature in 1991, recognized as a writer "who through her magnificent epic writin ...

*'' Tsotsi'' (1980) by

Athol Fugard Athol Fugard, Hon. , (born 11 June 1932), is a South African playwright, novelist, actor, and director widely regarded as South Africa's greatest playwright. He is best known for his political and penetrating plays opposing the system of apart ...

*'' The Covenant'' (1980) by

James A. Michener James Albert Michener ( or ; February 3, 1907 – October 16, 1997) was an American writer. He wrote more than 40 books, most of which were long, fictional family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and ...

*''

July's People ''July's People'' is a 1981 novel by the South African writer Nadine Gordimer. It is set in a near-future version of South Africa where apartheid is ended through a civil war. Gordimer wrote the book before the end of apartheid as her prediction ...

'' (1981) by

*'' "Master Harold"...and the Boys'' (1982) by Athol Fugard *''

Life & Times of Michael K ''Life & Times of Michael K'' is a 1983 novel by South African-born writer J. M. Coetzee. The novel won the Booker Prize for 1983. The novel is a story of a man named Michael K, who makes an arduous journey from Cape Town to his mother's rural bi ...

'' (1983) by J. M. Coetzee — Booker–McConnell Prize *'' Kaffir Boy'' (1986) by

Mark Mathabane Mark Mathabane (born Johannes Mathabane, 18 October 1960) is a South African author, lecturer, and a former collegiate tennis player and college professor. Early life in South Africa Mathabane was born in Alexandra, South Africa, an area that ...

*''

Age of Iron ''Age of Iron'' is a 1990 novel by South African Nobel Prize in Literature, Nobel Prize winner J. M. Coetzee. It is among his most popular works and was the 1990 Sunday Express Book of the Year, ''Sunday Express'' Book of the Year. In it, he pa ...

'' (1990) by J. M. Coetzee — 1990 ''Sunday Express'' Book of the Year *'' Vortex'' (1991) by Larry Bond and Patrick Larkin. *'' Disgrace'' (1999) by J. M. Coetzee — Booker–McConnell Prize *''Karoo Boy: A Novel'' (2004) by

Troy Blacklaws Troy Blacklaws is a writer and teacher from South Africa. He was born on 9 September 1965 in Pinetown, Natal Province. After his schooling at Paarl Boys' High School he studied at Rhodes University before being conscripted in to the South Africa ...

*'' October'' (2014) by

Zoë Wicomb Zoë Wicomb (born 23 November 1948) is a South African-Scottish author and academic who has lived in the UK since the 1970s. In 2013, she was awarded the inaugural Windham–Campbell Literature Prize for her fiction. Early life Zoë Wicomb w ...

*'' 117 Days'' (1965) by Ruth First *'' The Power of One'' (1989) by

*'' Down Second Avenue'' (1959) by Es'kia Mphahlele *'' A Dry White Season'' (1979) by

*''

Fools and Other Stories Fool, The Fool, or Fools may refer to: *A jester, also called a ''fool'', a type of historical entertainer known for their witty jokes *An insult referring to someone of low intelligence or easy gullibility Arts, entertainment and media Fictio ...

'' (1983) by Njabulo Ndebele *'' Mandela: The Authorised Biography'' (1999) by Anthony Sampson *'' Maru'' (1971) by

Bessie Head Bessie Amelia Emery Head (6 July 1937 – 17 April 1986) was a South African writer who, though born in South Africa, is usually considered Botswana's most influential writer. She wrote novels, short fiction and autobiographical works that are ...

*'' Miriam's Song'' (2000) by

*''

My Traitor's Heart ''My Traitor's Heart'' is an autobiographical book by Rian Malan first published in 1990 on his return from exile. It is subtitled ''South African Exile Returns to Face His Country, His Tribe and His Conscience'' or ''Blood and Bad Dreams: A So ...

'' (1990) by

Rian Malan Rian Malan (born 1954, in Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 larges ...

*'' Naught for Your Comfort'' (1960) by Trevor Huddleston *'' The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist'' (1984) by Breyten Breytenbach *'' When She Was White: The True Story of a Family Divided by Race'' (2007) by Judith Stone *'' Maverick: Extraordinary Women from South Africa's Past'' (2004) by Lauren Beukes *''No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa'' (1995) by Beverley Naidoo *''Journey of a Hope Merchant: From Apartheid to the Elite World of Solo Yacht Racing'' (2004) by

Neal Petersen Neal Petersen is a South African solo racing yachtsman, award-winning author of ''Journey of a Hope Merchant'', and the subject of a PBS documentary. Petersen completed a nine month single-handed yacht race around the world alone in a small yacht, ...

*''Mother to Mother'' (1998) by

Sindiwe Magona Sindiwe Magona (born 27 August 1943) is a South African writer. Early life Magona is a native of the former Transkei region, South Africa. She grew up in Gugulethu, a Cape Town township, and worked as a domestic while completing her secondary ed ...

*''

Tandia ''Tandia'' is Bryce Courtenay's 1991 sequel to his own best-selling novel '' The Power of One''. It follows the story of a young woman, Tandia, who was brutally raped and then banished from her own home. Tandia later meets up with Peekay, the ...

'' (1991) by

*'' The Sentinel'' (1994) by Madge Swindells *''

The Grass Is Singing Published in 1950, ''The Grass Is Singing'' is the first novel by the British author Doris Lessing. It takes place in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), in southern Africa, during the 1940s and deals with the racial politics between whites and ...

'' (1950) by

Doris Lessing Doris May Lessing (; 22 October 1919 – 17 November 2013) was a British-Zimbabwean novelist. She was born to British parents in Iran, where she lived until 1925. Her family then moved to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where she remain ...

*'' Long Walk to Freedom'' (1994) by

*'' Ways of Dying'' (1995) by

Zakes Mda Zakes Mda ( ), legally Zanemvula Kizito Gatyeni Mda (born 1948) is a South African novelist, poet and playwright and he is the son of politician A. P. Mda. He has won major South African and British literary awards for his novels and plays. He i ...

Poems

*" Nothing's Changed" by

Tatamkhulu Afrika Ismail Joubert (7 December 1920 – 23 December 2002), commonly known as Tatamkhulu Afrika, which is Xhosa for ''Grandfather Africa'', was a South African poet and writer. His first novel, ''Broken Earth'' was published when he was seventeen (u ...

*"Still Standing" by

Athol Williams Athol Williams (born 20 June 1970) is a South African poet, social philosopher and public intellectual based at Oxford University. Life Williams was born in Lansdowne, Cape Town, South Africa, and grew up in Mitchells Plain, the coloured tow ...

AE Ballakisten in ''Heap of Stones'' *"Mandela and I" by Athol Williams a.k.a. AE Ballakisten in ''Heap of Stones'' *"Leaders Great" by Mayihlome Tshwete

Popular music

*"Afrikaans" from the album '' Rainbow's End'' (1979) by Resurrection Band *"Biko" from the album ''

Peter Gabriel Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and activist. He rose to fame as the original lead singer of the progressive rock band Genesis. After leaving Genesis in 1975, he launched ...

'' (1980) by

*"Zuid Afrikan" from the album '' Between Heaven 'n Hell'' (1985) by Resurrection Band *"Soweto Soul" from the album ''Sound Alarm'' (A&M 1988) by Michael Anderson *"

Gimme Hope Jo'anna "Gimme Hope Jo'anna" is a British anti-apartheid song written and originally released by Eddy Grant in 1988, during the apartheid era in South Africa. The song was banned by the South African government when it was released, but was widely play ...

" from the album ''

File Under Rock ''File Under Rock'' is a 1988 album by Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant. The album includes the song "Gimme Hope Jo'anna" which was a hit in Switzerland and New Zealand as well as "Harmless Piece of Fun" which was a minor hit in the Netherlan ...

'' (1988) by

Eddy Grant Edmond Montague Grant (born 5 March 1948) is a Guyanese-British singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for his genre-blending sound; his music has blended elements of pop, British rock, soul, funk, reggae, electronic music, Afr ...

*"Colours" from the album '' ...But Seriously'' (1989) by

Phil Collins Philip David Charles Collins (born 30 January 1951) is an English singer, musician, songwriter, record producer and actor. He was the drummer and lead singer of the rock band Genesis and also has a career as a solo performer. Between 1982 and ...

*"Fire In Soweto" and "Papa's Land" by

Sonny Okosun Sonny Okosun (1 January 1947 – 24 May 2008) was a Nigerian musician, who was known as the leader of the Ozzidi band. He named his band Ozzidi after a renowned Ijaw languages, Ijaw river god, but to Okosun the meaning was "there is a message". ...

*"Free Mandela" by Majek Fashek *"Free Nelson Mandela" by The Specials *" Sun City" by Artists United Against Apartheid *"Township Rebellion" by Rage Against the Machine *"Silver and Gold" from the 1988 album '' Rattle and Hum'' by U2 *"Blanke Skaamte" from the album '' Bloeisels'' (2007) by Straatligkinders *"Weeping" by Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo *"It's Wrong (Apartheid)" from the album ''

In Square Circle ''In Square Circle'' is the twentieth studio album by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released in 1985. The album features the hit singles " Part-Time Lover" (No. 1), " Go Home" (No. 10), " Overjoyed" (No. 24), and "Land of La La" (No ...

'' (1985) by

Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris ( Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include rhythm and blues, Pop musi ...

*"Apartheid" from the album '' Equal Rights'' (1977) by

Peter Tosh Winston Hubert McIntosh, OM (19 October 1944 – 11 September 1987), professionally known as Peter Tosh, was a Jamaican reggae musician. Along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, he was one of the core members of the band the Wailers (1963� ...

*" Mandela Day" from the album ''

Street Fighting Years ''Street Fighting Years'' is the eighth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in May 1989 by record label Virgin Records worldwide apart from the US, where it was released by A&M. Produced by Trevor Horn and Stephen Lipson, ...

'' (1989) by

Simple Minds Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. They have released a string of hit singles, becoming best known internationally for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (1985), which topped the '' Billboard'' Hot 100 in the United St ...

*"Mortal Man" (2015) by Kendrick Lamar *"Cry for Freedom" by White Lion

References

{{reflist Apartheid in South Africa Works about apartheid