Sharpeville massacre, South Africa: 21 March 1960

At Sharpeville, an African township near Johannesburg, panicking police open fire on 5,000 unarmed demonstrators protesting against pass laws. A total of 69 Africans are killed, including eight women and 10 children, and 180 wounded.

Non-violent black protests against the pass laws reach a climax in 1960. After the Sharpeville massacre, 15,000 Africans are arrested, and the African National Congress (ANC) and Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) are banned. Sharpeville is a turning point. After more than a decade of oppressive apartheid rule, violent black resistance begins.
ITN: news footage; sound was either not produced or is no longer available to use.

Back

Top