Apartheid Explained

Summary

Apartheid, a system of racial segregation in South Africa from 1948 to 1994, enforced the domination of white South Africans over non-whites in all aspects of life. It was rooted in colonial injustices and divided people into racial categories, segregating public facilities and education. The system designated 'homelands' for blacks, which were overcrowded and jobless, forcing them into low-wage migrant labor. Despite the severe repression of protests, resistance led by figures like Nelson Mandela eventually helped end apartheid.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa's first democratically elected president in 1994, marking the end of apartheid.
• 🏛️ Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that lasted for nearly 50 years in South Africa.
• 📜 The term 'apartheid' is an Afrikaans word meaning 'separateness' and was made law in 1948 by the National Party.
• 👥 It aimed to maintain the domination of white South Africans over non-whites in all aspects of life.
• 🏡 Apartheid laws included the separation of public facilities, strict racial classifications, and residential segregation.
• 🛂 Blacks were required to carry ID permits, obey curfews, and were subject to forced labor in designated homelands.
• 💼 The system was economically motivated, with a focus on providing a cheap workforce, particularly for the gold mining industry.
• 🏢 Powerful mining companies had a vested interest in apartheid due to their reliance on low black wages.
• 📚 Education was also segregated, with black schools receiving significantly less funding and shorter mandatory education periods.
• 🚫 Non-whites had no political rights and were not considered citizens, thus they couldn't vote.
• 💪 Resistance to apartheid was met with repression, but it also led to the emergence of leaders like Mandela, Tambo, and Sisulu.

Q & A

What does the term 'apartheid' mean?

Apartheid is an Afrikaans word that means 'separateness'. It was a system of racial segregation that governed South Africa for nearly 50 years.

When was apartheid officially made law in South Africa?

Apartheid was officially made law in 1948 by the Afrikaner National Party.

What was the primary goal of apartheid laws?

The primary goal of apartheid laws was to protect the domination of white South Africans over non-whites in every aspect of life.

How did the colonial history of South Africa contribute to the rise of apartheid?

During the colonial grab for the country between the Dutch-descended Afrikaners and the British, the rights of native black South Africans were sidelined, which led to the continuation of injustices when apartheid was officially made law.

What were the four racial categories established by apartheid laws?

The four racial categories established by apartheid laws were white, black, Indian, and colored (people of mixed race).

What was the purpose of dividing blacks into 'homelands' under apartheid?

The purpose of dividing blacks into 'homelands' was to create rural, overcrowded areas lacking jobs, forcing blacks to seek work as migrant laborers in white-dominated areas.

How did apartheid affect the wages and working conditions of black laborers?

Apartheid kept black wages low, and it was illegal for workers to strike, ensuring a cheap workforce, particularly for the country's gold mines.

What were the restrictions on non-whites in terms of political rights during apartheid?

Non-whites had no political rights during apartheid as they were not technically citizens and couldn't vote.

How was education structured for black South Africans under apartheid?

Education was divided, with a separate education system for blacks that received a fraction of the funding that white schools did. Mandatory education ended at age 13 and was structured to funnel blacks into menial, migrant labor.

What was the response of black South Africans to apartheid laws, and who were some of the leaders that emerged from these struggles?

There was resistance to apartheid laws, with protests often led by black students and youth. Leaders like Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Walter Sisulu emerged from these struggles and played a significant role in the eventual end of apartheid.

What was the economic motivation behind apartheid policies?

The economic motivation behind apartheid policies was to maintain a cheap workforce, particularly for the mining industry, as profits depended on keeping black wages low.