African Political Organization

The African Political Organization, later known as the African People's Organization, (APO) was a coloured political organisation in early-20th-century South Africa.^[1] Founded in Cape Town in 1902, the organisation rallied South African coloureds against the South Africa Act 1909.^[2]

Trafalgar High School was created as a direct result of criticism of the Cape School Board in the APO newspaper in August 1911. Investigations found that the board had created no benefit at all for students who were non-white. Abdullah Abdurahman lobbied the board and the first school for coloured children was created. The school was led by Abdullah Abdurahman's prodigy, Harold Cressy.^[3]

The APO represented South African coloured protest politics until its demise in 1923 while also publishing a major newspaper called The APO.

See also

• Abdullah Abdurahman, prominent leader and Cape Town city councillor

References

1. Adhikari, Mohamed (July 1997). "'The Product of Civilization in its most Repellant Manifestation': Ambiguities in the Racial Perceptions of the APO (African Political Organization), 1909–23". Journal of African History. 38 (2): 283–300.
2. "African People's Organization (political party, South Africa)". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
3. History, school site, retrieved 11 August 2014