Apartheid
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Human Rights

Apartheid
Vertiefungsthema

Advanced subject on apartheid in South Africa 

What is apartheid?

The word "apartheid" comes from Afrikaans, the language of the Dutch settlers who arrived in South Africa at the beginning of the 17th century, and literally means nothing other than 'apart-hood' or to be separated (see dictionary definition).

The apartheid regime became an international synonym for injustice and the violation of human rights. As part of this advanced subject we will be taking a closer look at developments in South Africa. The following aspects will be addressed:

Fragezeichen How did the system of apartheid come about, how has it developed?
What is the situation in South Africa today?
Fragezeichen What were the main constituent parts of this system? How was the colored majority suppressed?
Fragezeichen What form did resistance against the regime take?
How and through whom was the apartheid system defeated?

In addition to this, the usual link list and chronology are also available on the subject. You will find a dictionary definition of apartheid further below.

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The structure of this advanced subject is presented in the illustration below (you can access the pages illustrated by clicking on the corresponding boxes)

Übersicht über das Vertiefungsthema Apartheid

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Dictionary definition: "Apartheid"

[Afrikaans, from apart, "apart - hood"], a political and socially implemented doctrine used in the Republic of South Africa: A system aimed at achieving separate development in all areas through political, social, economic and spatial separation of the races. The apartheid system was opposed almost entirely across the world, since it led to the suppression of all "non-white" South Africans and reinforced the power base of South Africa's white minority.

Apartheid led to South Africa's political isolation. Black African political organizations fought against the apartheid system from the very beginning. All apartheid laws were abolished under the premiership of President de Klerk in 1990/91; in 1993/94 all races were given unqualified political equality.

[Taken and translated from: Bertelsmann Discovery Lexikon 1997]

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Buchauszug South Africa's recent history has brought about two people who were decisive in the country's developments: Nelson Mandela and Willem de Klerk. Both of these men will be mentioned throughout this advanced subject. The following details about these two men have been taken from a dictionary:
Nelson Mandela Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla, South African politician born to the Xosa people, *18.7.1918 Umtata, Transkei; joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 and was active in the fight against apartheid until the end of the 40s. In 1956, he was accused of high treason, but was acquitted in 1961. Mandela worked on the formation of a paramilitary wing of the ANC, before being arrested and sentenced to life-long imprisonment in 1964. His release from prison in 1990 marked South Africa's political turning point. As the president of the ANC (since 1991), Mandela played an active role in the reshaping of the country. Along with F.W. de Klerk, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Nelson Mandela became the president of South Africa in 1994

Klerk, Frederik Willem de, South African politician (National Party), born 18.3.1936 in Johannesburg; state president from 1989-1994, vice-president 1994-1996; was responsible for the release of N. Mandela and broke with the country's apartheid system; received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 together with Mandela.

[Taken and translated from: Bertelsmann Discovery Lexikon 1997]

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