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How many people died under apartheid – #RaceFreeMonth – SEO Racism

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February has been declared Race Free Month and every day in February we at MyPE will be combating the subtle racist nuances that hamper our thinking, cloud our judgement, restrict our development and increase the tension in South Africa.

This morning was a bit of a revelation for me as I typed this question into Google; “how many people died under apartheid“.

And Google in it’s normal (albeit in my opinion racist) fashion popped out it’s own suggestions for the results. Of the 10 results on the first page the first result asked ‘how many blacks died under apartheid’ the second spoke about hate crimes, the fourth title was ‘How many blacks died under Apartheid’ – a Google Group, the fifth title asked ‘Are SA whites really being killed like flies’ and only the seventh result asked ‘ How many people died during the apartheid’.

I realise that Google tries to serve each individual searcher with results tailored to their previous searches – as a writer on many subjects I sometimes do get the weirdest results so I went to my ad free browser in which I am not logged into Google or any other site and tried the same search.

Result: Using this different browser I got exactly the same results, so Google was serving the results according to their algorithm and not tailoring their results to my previous searches and visits to other web sites.

Okay I realise that I may be boring you a bit – but the question I asked was a revelation for me in the following ways:

  1. I instinctively asked Google for the number of people – not no. of black/coloured/indian/white. This is significant because deep down we are all a little afraid that we may be racist and my take on this is that if I was that leetle bit racist then I would have asked for the number of people killed who were different to my race.
  2. Out of the 11 400 000 results that Google thought relevant I ask you with tears in my eyes how can the very first result (titled: How many blacks died under Apartheid?) be relevant to my wanting to know how many ‘People’?

Knee Jerk Conclusion – Google is being a bit racist here!

So how many people did die under apartheid?

According to an answer on Answers.com: In a Human Rights Commission report submitted to the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) in 1997 the number of blacks that died during Apartheid (1948 to 1989) was 7 000.

So it would seem that we are nowhere nearer the answer of how many people died – surely coloured, indian, chinese and white people also died under apartheid?

South African History online has a list of 132 political prisoners executed at Pretoria Prison:

James Apleni, Hlati Blayi, Nyamalipeli Blayi, Thomas Blayi, Washington Bongco, Mxolisi Damane, Dumisa Dambalaza, Payiyana Dladla, Zibongile Dodo, Kholisile Dyakala, Livingstone Fatyela, Godula Gelem, Shadreck George, Kekani Gudlulwayo, Raymond Gwebushe, Benjamin Gxothiwe, Nicolas Hans, Frederick Harris, Mcenjulwa Hlongwe, Mnyand Jantjies, Vezile Jaxa, Samuel Jonas, Samuel Jonas, Wilson Khayingo, Msayineke Khuzwayo, Sipo Khuzwayo, Baden Koboka, Siphiwo Lande, Peter Lebajao, Joel Leballo, Tsepo Letsoare, Tobile Lloyd, Michael Lucas, Mlungisi Luphondo, Cylion Mabaso, Barnabas Magawana, Douglas Magawana, Bawukazi Magqikani, Light Magqikani, Maqadaza Magushe, Solomon Magwasha, Sipho Mahala, Goqo Mahemu, Victor Mahlangu, Menze Makhezwana, Hebson Malinga, Jeffrey Mangena, Voxwana Mapamela, Lushozi Maqadeni, Ndovela Marelane, Nkosincinci Maseti, Isaac Masigo, Mluleki Masinga, Vanele Matinkinca, Alex Matsepane, Zenzeke May, Notimba Mboto, Nqaba Memani, Brian Mgumbungu, McDonald Mgweba, Mlamli Mielies, Poli Mili, Vuyisile Mini, Zwelidumisle Mjekula, Zinakile Mkaba, Ntshwenca Mkolelwa, Siwana Mlahleki, Khuzwayo Mlangeni, Phineas Mlotywa, Abraham Mngomezulu, Schoolboy Mnthembu, Josiah Mocumi, Mbiso Modi, Thelle Mogoerane, Thomas Molatlhegi, Benjamin Moloise, Jerry Mosololi, Thabo Motaung, Richard Motsoahae, Samani Mpabaniso, Bennet Mpetu, Joseph Mqitsane, Thembinkosi Mthembu, Mfuyo Mtoleni, Petrus Mtsholtoe, Manini Mzankwa, Jonas Mzondi, Fillemon Nangolo, Daniel Ndongeni, Nkosinam Ngalo, Jim Ngantweni, Bonakele Ngcongolo, Wilson Ngobe, Aaron Njokwana, Masipalati Nkomo, Kwatla Nota, Johannes Notwayo, Mqokeleli Nqulwana, Gladstone Nqulwana, Donker Ntsabo, Mteteleli Ntuli, Titus Nyovu, Clarence Payi, Nokali Petse, Khathazekile Pilapi, Veyusile Qoba, Lungile Rewu, Frank Rivers, Maduse Sandlobe, Joseph Segoto, Albert Sheweni, Majola Shusha, Mhlaba Sigwayi, Joseph Sililo, Nwayi Singxesa, Ndumiso Siphenuka, Jonathan Sogwagwa, Goli Sonamzi, Chamane Thompson, Corry Tyini, Msimasi Tyobeka, Bonase Vulindlela, Bekapansi Vulindlela, Shilegu Vulindlela, Maliza Vulindlela, Sadunge Vulindlela, Mtalatala Xhego, Sipho Xulu, Sipho Xulu, Gavu Zadunge, Leonard Zambodla, Andrew Zondo.

Take some time and read the names above and then say a quiet few words of prayer or reflection on the pain these people and their families suffered and probably continue to suffer to this day.

Sign the Pledge to go Race Free.

Related: February 2016 Race Free Month Articles

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.