In the 1980s, South Africa was under international pressure to end apartheid. What was "apartheid"?

South Africa's history is very complex. It was colonized by Dutch and British imperial explorers during the 18th Century, and had a white minority ruling class. As such, it saw many of the same problems other colonies -- most notably India -- experienced.

The apartheid system mandated that citizens of South Africa were not allowed to socialize across racial lines, denying inter-race marriage. From the 50s through the early 80s, nonwhites were ruthlessly torn from their homes and forced into segregated regions, losing any rights or privileges they may have had as citizens.

South Africa was unique because the aboriginal peoples were not a single, united tribe before colonization, and therefore difficult to organize, even with the "common enemy" of their imperialist overlords, and the common goal of overthrowing them.

Nevertheless, their cause gained momentum throughout the 20th Century. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in bringing their plight to the international community; the United Nations along with many individual nations imposed sanctions during the 1980s. The white government finally succumbed to the pressure in 1991. South Africa united under Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) and has been successful under self-rule since then.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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66 Comments

Robert Aurand

The statement about aboriginal people is off. The aboriginal people of South Africa were the bushmen of the Kalahari. The other black tribes moved south from Sub Sahara Africa after the Boers settled South Africa.

Dorothea Nortje

South Africa's multi-layered history cannot be defined by a 'one-size-fits-all' explanation. Apartheid was just one regrettable facet -- currently the country is a kleptocracy.

Bill Coe

Question was really a no-brainer, made even easier by the photo. However, the explanation is well written and something that everyone should know and be constantly reminded of. I don't know if it is 100% accurate as Debbie Pozzobon has complained but, from what I know of Apartheid, it is a very good summary. Good question.

ninakamwene

I am Kenyan and our country would not let planes headed to South Africa land in Nairobi during apartheid. God bless Mandela.

Rachel Portnoy Bradley

Debbie Pozzobon, you're right, I wasn't there. I'd love to hear more about your perspective, if you're willing to share? Unfortunately, with the limited space, there's only so much we can write.

edward goodnow

some of these comments seem very racist and fail to account for the fact that the black people of this society will unfortunately be spending decades trying to overcome the advantages that white society there takes for granted, that is white society (much like in the USA as well)...has had hundreds of years to accumalate wealth, station, power , education and all else. Just because a race of people are suddenly granted new rights does npt overcome the decades or centuries of inequity that have allowed their oppressors to accumalate the very things that can easily be used by some to continue to oppress

George Nester Bolton

Robert Aurand and Dorothea Nortje are correct. Although apartheid was a terrible and injust system, it kept a control over the many blake peoples tribes who over the course of hitory throughout Africa were continualy at war with each other. Tribalism plays a huge part in the post apartheid times. It must be noted that 75% of white people voted in a referendum to abolish apartheid. Unfortunately the "Rainbow Nation" feel good times disintegrated after Mandela relinquished his presidency. That has resulted in massive corruption and chaos, which in turn has led to the South African economy being down graded to "Junk Status". There is much factional, or tribalisim action taking place in all of the main black political parties. To this one adds the extremly high crime rate and indiscriminate murders of white farmers and the popular cry by all these parties for land redistribution. This in turn will lead the country over the edge in much the same fashion as what occurred in Zimbabwe.

Wayne Cowley

Debbie Pozzobon, and definenately cannot be called a successful country anymore.

Bionda Warmer

Successful???? Never has the country been in such a mess as it is under ANC rule! Even black people agree that the ANC government is a corrupt mess and that the country is falling apart!

Rupert van der Baan

Under self rule....yes, but not successful. 1994 was the end of the apartheid era , but the beginning of a era of greed ,corruption, lawlessness, weak standards ,and even greater poverty to the working class- black and white alike. you could say that indigenous ethnic groups was oppressed by colonialists . even the boers were oppressed by the British . the difference in my opinion with the different ethnic groups is that some keep dwelling in the past and does not have the ability to move forward. Other groups started after the anglo boer war , from scratch with virtually nothing (scorched earth policy) and managed to build South africa to what it was right up to the 90''s. South africa's democracy has failed. The individual contributing the least (economy, tax ect) has the most say. BEE is nothing else than reversed apartheid (discrimination).

iamsheep

It was one of the greatest agreements

Player

Robert Aurand, worth correction. As a white person I am sorry for the evil done to our black people. So sad.

kofmana

"South Africa united under Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) and has been successful under self-rule since then." "successful"??? Not so much.

Anne-Marie Viljoen

It's not true, since 1994 (when Mandela was released ) and the ANC party took over, our beautiful country went from bad to worse! Ten Zuma came along and billions went missing😢 please make sure of the facts!

Anthony Broome

Not too sure that the conclusion about Sth Africa being successful under self rule is too true given what’s going on there now!

Maureen McDougall

This system did and does not only exist in South Africa. The word apartheid should not have been used. In India you still have the caste system and in many parts of the world their is racial discrimination whichever way one looks at it. Presently in South Africa racial discrimInation is directed at the white minority. So in effect it is now the reverse

Christine Cottenham

Bit of a give away with the pic to Mandela.

MISSNAVYMOO

The only problem now is, I've heard/read, blacks are killing whites.

tonation

White-supremacy; the infectious cultural anathema of the world!

Cornel Bester

The Country now is in a backwards spiral and is moving back to lawlessness South Africa is now rated down to junk status by the rating agencies of the world. We got a brain drain of white people immigrating to first world country’s

Thomas Proudlock

Don’t forget the indigenous people of both Canada and the States went through the same and maybe even a lot worse

Sheree Marthinuisen Opperman

There is reverse apartheid in SA now, and it’s actually more than apartheid. After more than two decades, the minority are still being blamed for the destruction caused by the majority and the anarchy and destruction which is now rampant.