Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s. The policies of apartheid were implemented by the National Party government and aimed to ensure the political, economic, and social dominance of the white minority in South Africa.

Under apartheid, the rights of the black majority population were severely restricted. Black South Africans were forced to live in separate areas called homelands or townships, and were subject to pass laws that required them to carry identification documents at all times. Interracial relationships and marriages were banned, and education, healthcare, and job opportunities were also segregated along racial lines.

The apartheid system was met with resistance from within South Africa and from the international community. The African National Congress (ANC), led by figures such as Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Walter Sisulu, played a significant role in organizing protests and campaigns against apartheid. The ANC's efforts, along with international pressure and sanctions, eventually led to the dismantling of apartheid and the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994, which saw Nelson Mandela become the country's first black president.

The legacy of apartheid continues to impact South Africa today, as the country grapples with issues of racial inequality, social justice, and reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established in the aftermath of apartheid, was a significant step towards acknowledging the injustices of the past and promoting healing and forgiveness among South Africans of all races.