Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. It was based on the belief that the white minority was superior to the black majority and that they should be kept separate in all aspects of life.
Here are some key features of apartheid:
* Legal segregation: Laws were enacted to separate people based on their race, affecting areas like housing, education, employment, and public facilities.
* Disenfranchisement: Black South Africans were denied the right to vote, hold public office, or own land in designated white areas.
* Forced removals: Millions of black people were forcibly removed from their homes and relocated to segregated areas, often with poor living conditions.
* Pass laws: Black South Africans were required to carry passes, which allowed them to travel only in designated areas.
* Political repression: Opposition to apartheid was brutally suppressed, with many activists being imprisoned, tortured, or killed.
The international community condemned apartheid as a crime against humanity, and it led to numerous sanctions against South Africa. Eventually, after years of struggle and activism, apartheid was dismantled in 1994, with the first multiracial elections leading to the election of Nelson Mandela as president.
While apartheid was abolished, its legacy continues to affect South African society. It has left a deep scar on the nation's social fabric and continues to be a source of tension and inequality.