Grace Leung
11/19/10
Human Geography
Apartheid in South Africa came to an end in 1994 with the inauguration of Nelson Mandela, a black native African. Although blacks were a majority in South Africa, Apartheid gave power to the minority whites so they could rule over the black majority. Apartheid is defined as a social policy or racial segregation involving political, economic and legal discrimination against people who are not white (http://dictionary.reference.com, 2010). The South African government enforced the racial code or Apartheid in 1948. The law put down all nonwhite citizens and forced them to move sometimes by force to segregated areas to live. In 1958, blacks were denied citizenship under Apartheid. Since the majority of the population of voting citizens in South Africa were white, a clear majority consistently voted for Apartheid candidates. All resources such as education, medical care, and public services were segregated with blacks receiving inferior services to whites (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_under_apartheid, 2010 ). Apartheid lasted as long as it did because whites remained in positions of authority and blacks were suppressed until the election of Mandela.
The only citizens of South Africa who benefited from Apartheid were the white citizens because it enabled them to remain in positions of authority and power. The separation of whites and blacks under Apartheid meant that resources would also be separated. Because the whites had more resources such as jobs, property and education, they continued to prosper while blacks were unsuccessful. The black minority did not have the economic resources to survive on their own. They were discriminated against for jobs and soon found themselves dependent on the whites for survival. The overall goal of the authors and proponents of Apartheid was to keep the white minority in control.
The outrage at the unjust laws of Apartheid eventually led to its demise and the election of Mandela in 1994. Many artists came to support the end of Apartheid after guitarist Steven Van Zandt used an African town called Sun City as the center of his activist movement. Zandt had visited the city in the 1980s while looking for ideas for his music. He was so disgusted that he chose to write about the city in a song. Forty-nine popular artists also agreed not to play in the casino and entertainment town in South Africa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artists_United_Against_Apartheid, 2010). Movements like these continued to grow, and ultimately helped to bring about the end of Apartheid in South Africa which culminated with the election of Mandela. As a black movement leader who was imprisoned for 27 years because he spoke out against Apartheid, it is ironic and just that he would be elected to end Apartheid only four years after his release from prison. Mandela never gave up on his belief of peace in South Africa during all his years in prison. Although Mandela only served one term as president, he continues to work with foundations established in his name. Mandela’s impact on the end of Apartheid is honored with a national holiday on the date of his election because of the importance of the freedom rights that were gained (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_and_Reconciliation_Commission_(South Africa), 2010).
The “Truth Commission” and African National Congress, ANC, were established to ensure that Apartheid remains banned from South Africa. The “Truth Commission” convicted those who enforced or were involved in the Apartheid. This also helps to prevent those that could cause more uproar against the new government that seeks to install democracy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_and_Reconciliation_Commission_(South_Africa),2010). Although started in the 1950’s, the ANC became stronger once Apartheid was ended. The original small group lead by several African leaders sought to abolish Apartheid, and now the worldwide organization acts as a watchdog group that fights against racism and unfair treatment of races(http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?include=docs/misc/2010/anc.html,2010). With Apartheid gone, South Africa moves closer to democracy for all.
The four decades of Apartheid will be felt in South Africa for many years to come after Mandela’s diplomatic rule. The country’s demographics still reflect the majority being black, 79%, with a minority of white, 8%, coloured, 8%, and asian , 2%. The poverty of the country is reflected in the high HIV and AIDS victims, 5.7 million (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_South_Africa, 2010). Apartheid ensured that a few ruled over a majority, and in the end, no one won because the country was stripped of pride and compassion for all. Resources were hoarded and too many suffered for decades. The lessons learned from Apartheid are difficult for the South Africans, but will hopefully prevent future abuse of its most vital resource- its people
Works Cited
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