the 1960 sharpeville massacre marked the beginning of an era of vicious apartheid and greater repression of african culture. after the sharpeville incident, the government imposed a state of emergency, made mass arrests, issued thousands of bannings, and put activists who challenged apartheid laws on trial. the repression extended to african arts. jazz was an expressive force seeking musical and social equality. the apartheid system could not tolerate it. performances were not allowed, jazz was prohibited from radio broadcasts, and prominent musicians were threatened.