In 1912, Black people and people of mixed race created a political group called the African National Congress (ANC) to defend their rights as citizens. Unfortunately, inequality continued, and in 1948 the British government created laws that separated people based on their race, which is known as apartheid. Although Black Africans were the majority of South Africa’s population, apartheid created many inequalities of power, land and income between races. Many unjust laws were made during this time, and non-white families were forced to leave their homes.
During apartheid, the ANC continued to fight for the rights of non-white citizens. One of the leaders of the ANC was a man named Nelson Mandela. Sadly, many protestors were injured in protests, and in 1964, Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the ANC were put in jail for many years. More than 20 years later, in 1990, a new president of South Africa declared the end of apartheid. Nelson Mandela and other leaders were released from prison, and the apartheid laws came to an end. In 1994, all South Africans voted in the country’s election, and Nelson Mandela was made the first Black president of South Africa.
The end of apartheid created many new opportunities for all citizens of South Africa, especially Black Africans and people of mixed race. Unfortunately, apartheid has lasting impacts on the country, and various inequalities continue in jobs, crime and income. Still, South Africans are proud to celebrate their different backgrounds and family histories, which can be shown through the country’s different types of food, art and events.
