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Image: Themba Hadebe/AP/dpa/picture allianceImage: Themba Hadebe/AP/dpa/picture alliance

Apartheid

Apartheid is an Afrikaans word, translating as "separateness", or "the state of being apart." It refers to the system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa between 1948 and 1991.

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All Content on this topic

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier with Vjosa Osmani, president of Kosovo

Vjosa Osmani: A risk-taker with principles

Vjosa Osmani, the president of Kosovo, has just visited Berlin. Who is the head of Europe's youngest state?
PoliticsSeptember 16, 2021
Südafrika l Soweto, Marsch gegen Kriminalität und undokumentierte Einwanderer

South Africa marks Soweto Uprising anniversary

With unemployment among young people in Soweto at 64%, with the government wants to do more to fund training.
HistoryJune 17, 2021
African Roots | Helen Joseph

Helen Joseph: One who risked it all

Helen Joseph was "a fighter till her last breath" against apartheid South Africa, says veteran Carl Niehaus.
HistoryMay 28, 2021
African Roots | Helen Joseph

Helen Joseph: Uniting women against apartheid

Born with all the privileges of being white, Helen Joseph risked her life challenging South Africa's apartheid regime.
HistoryMay 12, 202103:37 min
Projekt African Roots | Hamilton Naki - Porträt

Hamilton Naki: Innovator despite apartheid

South African Hamilton Naki rose from being a gardener to being a respected lab technician whose legacy lives on.
HistoryMay 11, 202101:49 min
African Roots | Helen Joseph

Helen Joseph: The activist who risked it all

Born with all the privileges of being white, Helen Joseph risked her life challenging South Africa's apartheid regime.
HistoryMay 11, 202102:35 min
Südafrika Kunst ll Ausstellung «Kunstkompass» - William Kentridge

William Kentridge show brings African drama to Hamburg

An exhibition in Hamburg explores the universal allure of celebrated South African artist William Kentridge.
CultureOctober 28, 2020
George Bizos

Nelson Mandela's lawyer George Bizos dies

Once a Greek refugee, Bizos went on to help draft South Africa's constitution and abolish the death penalty in 1995.
September 10, 2020
Andrew Mlangeni

S. African anti-apartheid activist Mlangeni dies

Andrew Mlangeni was the last survivor of the Rivonia Trial that sentenced anti-apartheid activists to life in jail.
Human RightsJuly 22, 2020
Projekt African Roots | Hamilton Naki

Hamilton Naki: Innovator in the shadow of apartheid

With little formal education, Hamilton Naki rose to become a respectable lab technician.
HistoryMay 1, 2020
Nelson Mandela and Dennis Goldberg hold hands while speaking

Anti-apartheid hero Denis Goldberg's last interview with DW

South Africa's anti-apartheid veteran Denis Goldberg has died. In a DW interview, he tells of his fight for justice.
PoliticsApril 30, 2020
Denis Goldberg

Anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg dies at 87

Goldberg was one of Nelson Mandela's closest colleagues in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
SocietyApril 30, 2020
FW de Klerk

Ex-South African president retracts apartheid remarks

FW de Klerk previously suggested that the system of racial separation in South Africa was not a crime against humanity.
PoliticsFebruary 17, 2020
Residents walks past murals of late South African former president Nelson Mandela in Soweto, near Johannesburg

What's left of Nelson Mandela's gratitude to Africa?

Violent bouts of xenophobia in South Africa today have alienated fellow Africans, despite their support for Mandela.
PoliticsFebruary 11, 2020
Two photographers in front of a picture showing Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory in Johannesburg

Nelson Mandela: A legacy of freedom

On February 11, 1990 Nelson Mandela became a free man after 27 years in prison.
Human RightsFebruary 11, 20207 images
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Rugby win triumphs over divided nation

The euphoria is still in the air following South Africa winning the Rugby World Cup. Has the country found new unity?
PoliticsNovember 6, 2019
Nancy Lulama and Skona are part of the Township Winery in Cape Town

WorldLink: South Africa's township winery

There's an unexpected new vintage of South African wine on the market. It's not produced by winemakers in the country's famed wine region. Rather, it's made by ordinary people in a township in Cape Town's crime-ridden outskirts. The Township Winery is hoping to tackle the inequality left over from apartheid by opening up the lucrative wine business to South Africans typically excluded from it.
CultureOctober 4, 201906:44 min
Bochabela String Orchestra aus Bloemfontein

Music and Freedom

Classical, township music: South Africa's Bochabela String Orchestra on Nelson Mandela and Haydn.
CultureAugust 17, 201910:07 min
Südafrika | Zeitz MOCAA Museum Kapstadt (Hufton + Crow)

Beyond identity politics: William Kentridge retrospective

South Africa's Zeitz MOCAA museum is to feature acclaimed artist William Kentridge. Does his race really matter?
ArtsJuly 22, 2019
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Anti-apartheid singer Johnny Clegg dies aged 66

The world paid tribute Wednesday to the South African entertainer known as the "White Zulu."
CultureJuly 17, 2019
Südafrika Kapstadt Menschen 2018 Township LANGA Kind im Township Kapstadt Township Langa *** S

South Africa: the state of the arts 25 years after apartheid

As South Africa approaches elections, do artists truly feel liberated in a post-apartheid democracy?
ArtsMay 8, 2019
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the crowd at the Miki Yili Stadium, Makhanda, Eastern Cape Province, ahead of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Freedom Day on April 27, 2019

South Africa marks 25 years since end of apartheid

On April 27, 1994, black South Africans were able to participate for the first time in an election.
PoliticsApril 27, 2019
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South African writer Pumla Gqola on books and liberation

Pumla Gqola, a South African writer spoke to DW about democracy 25 years after the first post-apartheid elections.
CultureApril 26, 2019
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Jewish author Ruth Weiss discusses South Africa's revolution

The Jewish author and journalist spent most of her life in South Africa. DW met her for an interview.
HistoryApril 26, 2019
The South African flag with Table Mountain in the background

South Africa: 25 years after apartheid

The 'rainbow nation' of South Africa that was born in 1994 still faces huge problems.
PoliticsApril 26, 2019
Interracial couple

Interracial love in South Africa

A quarter of a century after the end of apartheid, South Africa still struggles to embrace interracial couples.
PoliticsFebruary 14, 2019
An interracial couple holding hands

Interracial love in South Africa

In South Africa, interracial dating is complicated — even 25 years after the end of apartheid. Sertan Sanderson reports.
SocietyFebruary 9, 201911:22 min
Poof roofs covered in iron sheeting in front of Cable Mountain

South Africa is more unequal than ever

Twenty years ago, South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its findings.
PoliticsOctober 29, 2018
Südafrika Attacken auf weiße Farmer

South Africa: The unknown impact of land reform

The government is considering a constitutional amendment, but the experts say there are more pressing issues.
PoliticsOctober 15, 2018
Pik Botha

Pik Botha, international face of apartheid, dies at 86

A member of both apartheid and post-apartheid governments, Botha died at his home in Pretoria.
PoliticsOctober 12, 2018
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South Africa rejects Trump land 'seizure' tweet

The US president said on Twitter that white farmers were being forced off their land and killed.
PoliticsAugust 23, 2018
external

Farmers brace, activists push as land hearings begin in South Africa

Blacks were disenfranchised during Apartheid. Now white landowners say they're being treated unfairly.
BusinessJuly 24, 201803:34 min
Johannesburg Kinder in Alexandra Township mandela Wandbild

Growing up with Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid hero and a global symbol of peace, but he was also a father and grandfather.
CultureJuly 18, 2018
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The Mandela in us all

Claus Stäcker
Nelson Mandela would have turned 100 today and political copycats are falling over themselves to add a bit of his luster
PoliticsJuly 18, 2018
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Nelson Mandela's mixed legacy

Nelson Mandela dreamed of a prosperous South Africa, but the nation is haunted by economic problems.
PoliticsJuly 17, 2018
photographer David Goldblatt

Apartheid photographer David Goldblatt dies

South African photographer David Goldblatt was renowned for the pictures he took during the Apartheid era.
CultureJune 26, 2018
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World in Progress: Battling inequalities

The dark side of Cape Town's construction boom, the dirty export business of used cars and a new capital for Egypt.
PoliticsJune 13, 201829:59 min
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World in Progress: Cape Town's dark construction boom

As Cape Town is expanding, more and more people with limited means are pushed out of the city center.
SocietyJune 13, 201812:13 min
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World in Progress: Education is key

The silent killer of drowning, education in Kenya's prisons and a 'Children's Dream Park' in Japan.
SocietyMay 16, 201829:59 min
A staff member in a book store in Johannesburg (photo: picture-alliance/Photoshot/Zhai Jianlan)

World in Progress: The power of books

A book fair in Johannesburg is trying to get people to read — with cheap books and reading classes.
SocietyMay 16, 201802:44 min
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, ex-wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela

South Africa farewells Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

Hundreds of people gathered in Soweto to pay their last respects to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela ahead of her burial.
SocietyApril 14, 2018
Winnie Mandela (photo: Imago/Gallo Images)

Who was Winnie Mandela?

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, has died aged 81.
PoliticsApril 2, 2018
Winnie Mandela

South Africa's Winnie Mandela dies, aged 81

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist, has died after a long illness, her family says.
SocietyApril 2, 2018
Musicians perform at a memorial service for jazz legend Hugh Masekela

South Africa celebrates jazz legend Hugh Masekela

Prominent names from the South African music industry have come together to pay a musical tribute to Hugh Masekela.
CultureJanuary 28, 2018
Hugh Masekela

South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela dies

South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela has died aged 78, recognized as the 'father of South African jazz.'
MusicJanuary 23, 2018
Man holds a placard reading, 'Mugabe go home and REST!!!!!'

Denis Goldberg: 'Zimbabwe's example is very powerful'

Veteran activist Denis Goldberg says Zimbabwe's overthrowing of Mugabe is a good example of what to do with a dictator.
PoliticsNovember 24, 2017
Myanmar Polizist in Sittwe Stacheldraht

'Apartheid' in Myanmar, accuses Amnesty

Rights advocate Amnesty International accuses the Myanmar government of imposing an apartheid regime.
PoliticsNovember 21, 2017
ANC election posters

PR firm 'inflamed racial discord' in South Africa

Bell Pottinger has been accused of running a campaign to deliberately stoked racial tensions in South Africa.
PoliticsSeptember 5, 2017
Südafrika Ulla Dentlinger 1960

Jumping the color line during Apartheid

Ulla Dentlinger jumped the color line during Apartheid and went from being considered colored to being seen as white.
SocietyJune 23, 201706:54 min