What was the policy of apartheid?

The policy of apartheid refers specifically to the system of racial segregation that was implemented in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s. Under apartheid, the government enforced strict racial discrimination, separating individuals based on their race and providing different rights and privileges, essentially privileging the white population while disenfranchising non-white citizens, including Africans, Coloureds, and Indians. This policy included laws that controlled where people could live, work, and go to school based on their race.

Apartheid had significant social, economic, and political implications, leading to widespread resistance both within South Africa and internationally. It was characterized by severe inequities and injustices, prompting movements for equality and justice that eventually led to the dismantling of the system in the early '90s. Understanding apartheid is crucial to grasping the historical context of conflict, activism, and the struggle for human rights in South Africa and the ongoing impacts of this legacy in the region.