Apartheid in South Africa

Apartheid In South Africa


APARTHEID
    Apartheid is the political policy of racial segregation.   In Afrikaans, it
means apartness, and it was pioneered in 1948 by the South African National
Party when it came to power.
    Not only did apartheid separate
whites from non-whites, it also segregated
the Blacks (Africans) from the Coloureds (Indians, Asians).
    All things such as jobs, schools, railway stations, beaches, park benches,
public toilets and even parliament.
      Apartheid also prevented blacks from living in white areas.   This brought
about the hated "pass laws".   These laws required any non-white to carry a pass
on him or her.   Unless it was stamped on their pass, they were not allowed to
stay in a white area for more than 72 hours.
      Despite the fact that the whites only make up just over 14% of the
population, they own 86.3% of the land.   However, it must be said that the
Afrikaaners are entitled to the Orange Free State and Transvaal as they were
first to use it after the Great Trek of 1836.
    The average South African White earns eight times as much as the average
black man.   Coloureds earn three times as much as black while colords earn well
over half of what whites earn.
    During Apartheid, media censorship was at an all time high.   People were
even banned from showing Soweto on television.   It was common to see a newspaper
shut down, and then start again after being halted by the government.
    Up until 1985, mixed marriages were banned.   This meant that a person of
one race cold not marry a person of another race.   Apartheid was not only used
in theory, but also by law.   Every person was classifed, just like an animal, as
white, black or coloured.
    The system of Apartheid began to deteriorate in the mid to late 1980's.   In
1985, mixed marriages were allowed, the Pass laws repealed, and a general
weakening of petty segregation laws regarding parks and beaches.
    In 1994, the entire system collapsed after Pres. F.W. de... [continues]

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