Apartheid system
The apartheid system refers to the official policy of racial segregation and discrimination that was implemented in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. Under apartheid, the white minority government enforced strict laws and policies that institutionalized racial segregation and inequality.
Key features of apartheid included:
1. Racial classification: Individuals were officially classified into different racial groups, including White, Black, Colored (mixed-race), and Indian. This classification determined their legal rights, access to resources, and where they could live.
2. Population registration: All individuals had to be registered and carry identity documents indicating their race. This was crucial in enforcing segregation and determining which areas and services people had access to.
3. Group Areas Act: Separate residential areas were designated for different racial groups. Black people were forcibly removed from areas designated for whites and relocated to townships often located far from employment opportunities and basic amenities.
4. Pass laws and influx control: Black individuals were required to carry passes (identification documents) that dictated where and when they could travel. These laws severely restricted the movement and employment opportunities of black people.
5. Education segregation: Schools were segregated based on race, and black students had inferior education resources and facilities compared to their white counterparts.
6. Job reservations and wage disparities: The apartheid government implemented job reservation policies that ensured certain occupations were exclusively reserved for whites. This led to significant wage disparities and limited economic opportunities for black South Africans.
7. Prohibition of interracial marriage and sexual relations: The Immorality Act made interracial marriages and relationships illegal. It was aimed at preventing racial integration and maintaining racial purity.
The apartheid system was met with widespread resistance and opposition both within South Africa and internationally. Protests, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience were common forms of resistance, and organizations like the African National Congress (ANC) and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) fought against apartheid. The system was eventually dismantled in the early 1990s, and South Africa transitioned to a democratic nation with universal suffrage and equal rights for all citizens.