This thesis deals with the policy of apartheid in the SAU and later in the SAR and its reflexion in the foreign countries. Massacre in Sharpeville, which took place on March 21, 1960 close to Johannesburg had an important impact on the approach to the policy of racial segregation. South African police opened fire on the crowd of protesters against pass law, 69 people were killed and many others wounded. Sharpeville became a symbol of the policy of racial segregation and oppression of the non - white population of South Africa and it gained worldwide response. Thesis is focused on the impact of this event on the short - term domestic crisis. The main part deals with the influence in international relations. It analyzes the impact of worldwide critique of apartheid on the relation with Commonwealth, United Nations Organization, Organization of the African Unity and USA. Key words Apartheid, South African Union, South African Republic, Sharpeville

S.J.P. Kruger, four times president of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), played a central role in the Afrikaners' struggle for independence both in the 19th and 20th centuries. His significance as a leader also becomes apparent when considering the plethora of literature written on him both during his lifetime and after. Not only is his own life story intertwined with the history and development of the ZAR and rise of Afrikanerdom, but as a leading figure he was also subject to much criticism. This was particularly evident in the years leading up to and during the South African War (1899-1902) when the ZAR forces clashed with Britain. Against this dualistic background a stereotypical and binary portrayal of Kruger emerged. Some of these have been perpetuated into the literature of the 21st century. However, despite the array of works published on Kruger, it remains remarkable why his involvement in the South African War has not received extensive scrutiny, principally his "behind-the-scenes" contribution. It is to this prominent event in the life of Kruger that this study turns with particular reference to the year 1900 which has been identified as a so-called "crisis period". Using the War telegrams dispatched by Kruger during the said period, this study endeavours to not only investigate Kruger's War-time contribution and motives, but also to reassess his character in the context hereof. Although much of the evidence suggests that the Kruger persona is somewhat entrenched, the War telegrams however point to additional representations of Kruger and call thus for further reappraisal. / Dissertation (MHCS)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Historical and Heritage Studies / MHCS / Unrestricted