Use the image of a sign posted on public facilities in South Africa during apartheid to answer the question.
The sign reads: For use by white persons. These public premises and the amenities thereof have been reserved for the exclusive use of white persons. By order [of the] Provincial Secretary.
The top of the sign is in English, and the bottom of the sign is in Afrikaans, a language used predominantly by white South Africans. Based on this image, what was South Africa like under the apartheid government?
A.
The government treated all citizens equally.
B.
Afrikaners were treated as second-class citizens.
C.
Most citizens of South Africa were Afrikaner.
D.
Racial discrimination was enforced by law.
D. Racial discrimination was enforced by law.
The correct answer is D. Racial discrimination was enforced by law. The sign clearly indicates that public facilities were reserved exclusively for white persons, indicating the implementation of racial segregation under the apartheid government in South Africa.
Based on the image of the sign posted during apartheid in South Africa, the correct answer is D. Racial discrimination was enforced by law.
To come to this conclusion, we can analyze the content and context of the sign. The sign clearly states that the premises and amenities are "reserved for the exclusive use of white persons." This demonstrates a clear policy of segregation based on race. The sign also indicates that this segregation is enforced by order of the Provincial Secretary, suggesting that it is a government-mandated policy.
The sign being posted in English and Afrikaans further provides insight into the demographics and language divide in South Africa during apartheid. English was associated with the white minority, while Afrikaans was predominantly used by white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners.
Therefore, the sign and its message indicate a system of racial discrimination enforced by law, which aligns with the characteristics of the apartheid government in South Africa.