APARTHEID
Meaning and Concept
Apartheid, an Afrikaans word meaning "apartness," refers to the system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government from 1948 to 1994. This policy systematically categorized the population into racial groups — primarily "white," "black," "coloured," and "Indian" — and mandated strict separation in all aspects of life, including education, housing, employment, and public services. The intent was to maintain white supremacy and control over the country's political, social, and economic systems.
1.Colonial Roots: The origins of apartheid can be traced back to the colonial era, when European powers, particularly the Dutch and the British, established colonies in South Africa. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, racial segregation was informally practiced through laws and customs that favoured white settlers over the indigenous African population and other non-white communities.
2.Rise of Afrikaner Nationalism: The formalization of apartheid in 1948 was driven by the rise of Afrikaner nationalism, following the National Party's electoral victory. The Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers, sought to assert their dominance and preserve their cultural identity against the perceived threats from the black majority and English-speaking whites. The National Party's platform included the explicit promise to implement a policy of racial separation, which became the foundation of apartheid.
3.Economic and Political Factors: The economic structure of South Africa, which relied heavily on cheap black labour for its mining and agricultural sectors, also played a role in the establishment of apartheid. White elites sought to maintain economic control and secure a labour force by codifying racial divisions and restricting the rights of non-whites.