The Coloured schools' boycott began as a result of students' dissatisfaction with the South African educational and political systems. Students from about 60 Coloured high schools, teacher training facilities and the University of the Western Cape joined the protest and refused to attend classes.The boycott was joined by pupils at a number of Indian schools in Pretoria and KwaZulu-Natal. Black Consciousness groups also pledged their support. The action was widely observed by approximately 100,000 students from 70 schools over the course of three weeks.
Event record
Indian students join the Coloured schools boycott
- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019

Students marching during the 1980 Western Cape school boycott Image source
How we know this
- 01Kalley, J.A.; Schoeman, E. & Andor, L.E. (eds)(1999). Southern African Political History: a chronology of key political events from independence to mid-1997, Westport: Greenwood.
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Indian students join the Coloured schools boycott. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012418
South African History Online (2011) 'Indian students join the Coloured schools boycott', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012418 (Accessed: 24 October 2026).
South African History Online, Indian students join the Coloured schools boycott [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012418, (accessed 24 October 2026).
"Indian students join the Coloured schools boycott." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012418. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "Indian students join the Coloured schools boycott." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012418.
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