How Do You Spell APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA?

Pronunciation: [ɐpˈɑːθe͡ɪd ɪn sˈa͡ʊθ ˈafɹɪkə] (IPA)

Apartheid, the system of institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa from 1948 to 1994, is spelled as [uh-pahr-t(h)eyt] in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with the unstressed "uh" sound, followed by the stressed "pahr" with the "a" sound as in "car." The second syllable is pronounced with the "t(h)" sound, followed by the unstressed "eyt" with the "e" sound as in "bed." The spelling reflects the Afrikaans origin of the word, with "apart" meaning "separate" and "-heid" meaning "-ness."

APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA Meaning and Definition

  1. Apartheid in South Africa refers to the comprehensive system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the National Party government from 1948 to 1994. Derived from the Afrikaans word meaning "apartness" or "separateness," apartheid was a legally sanctioned policy that institutionalized and enforced racial divisions, enforcing the domination and privileges of the white minority over the majority non-white population.

    Under apartheid, South Africa's population was classified into four racial groups: Whites, Blacks (Africans), Coloureds (people of mixed race), and Asians. Each racial group was subject to distinct legal, social, and economic controls, with whites enjoying superior rights and privileges in all aspects of life. The apartheid regime employed a range of strategies to enforce segregation, including the Group Areas Act, which assigned specific residential areas to different racial groups, and the infamous pass laws, requiring non-white individuals to carry identity documents and obtain permits for legal movement within the country.

    The apartheid regime also implemented harsh measures to suppress resistance or opposition, including the use of violence, torture, and imprisonment against activists and political opponents. Apartheid created a system of institutionalized racism and oppression that was deeply discriminatory and dehumanizing, resulting in profound social and economic inequalities for non-white South Africans.

    Apartheid in South Africa drew international condemnation, leading to widespread protests, boycotts, and sanctions. It ultimately collapsed with the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990 and the subsequent negotiations that led to the democratic elections of 1994. Mandela became South Africa's first black President, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era for the country.