Apartheid
Definition:
Apartheid was a system of state-sanctioned racial segregation and discrimination that was enforced in South Africa between 1948 and 1994. The term “apartheid” comes from Afrikaans, meaning “apartness” or “separateness,” and it aimed to establish and maintain strict separation and control between different racial groups.
Key features:
- Racial Classification: Apartheid classified people into racial groups based on their appearance and ancestry, primarily distinguishing between Blacks, Whites, Coloreds, and Asians.
- Segregation: It enforced the physical separation of races in all aspects of life, including residential areas, education, medical facilities, and public amenities like parks, beaches, and transportation.
- Discrimination and Inequality: Non-White racial groups were subjected to various discriminatory laws that limited their rights and opportunities and reinforced racial hierarchy. This included the infamous “pass laws” that controlled the movement of Black individuals.
- Political Oppression: Apartheid aimed to maintain White minority rule through the suppression of political opposition and the denial of suffrage to non-White citizens.
- Forced Removals: The government forcibly relocated millions of non-White individuals from their homes under the Group Areas Act, often leading to the destruction of close-knit communities.
- Resistance: Apartheid was met with widespread domestic and international opposition, leading to various forms of resistance, including mass protests, strikes, boycotts, and the formation of political organizations like the African National Congress (ANC).
Abolition:
Apartheid officially ended in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela as the first Black President of South Africa. His presidency marked the beginning of a process of reconciliation and the dismantling of apartheid-era laws and policies.