Under apartheid there was strict censorship which affected many writers and artists. In spite of this, South Africans of all colours managed to express themselves and the arts did not die.

From the 1950s onwards many countries, including Britain and the USA imposed cultural boycotts on South Africa. This meant that South Africa was isolated from outside influences in the arts. Local artists developed their own original style, which was called Resistance theatre and art. Its aim was to encourage resistance to the government's suppression of freedom. Much of it was produced by black South Africans.

The country also produced an indigenous form of music enjoyed by all sections of the population. Musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Miriam Makeba developed a distinctive South African jazz sound, which has found success throughout the world.

Some English-language newspapers tried to write about the news accurately, even though the government censored reports. In 1986, an issue of the Weekly Mail in Johannesburg carried an almost blank front page, with the heading, "Our lawyers tell us that we can say almost nothing critical... but we'll try." Drum magazine, which began in the 1950s, promoted a number of successful black writers, including Bloke Modisane, Henry Nkumalo, Tennyson Makiwane and Lewis Nkosi. They wrote in the slang of the townships, mixing English, Afrikaans and black languages. There are several South African authors who are internationally well-known for their writing in English. Among them are Nadine Gordimer, Andre Brink, Athol Fugard and Herman Bosman.

Since the elections of 1994, South Africa has become part of the international community once again and this is clearly demonstrated by the variety of artists, singers and actors who now perform on South African stages.

“In the English-speaking World”