"Freedom is indivisible; the chains on any one of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me." - Nelson Mandela

The South African apartheid was a deeply entrenched system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the government from 1948 to 1994. Under apartheid, people were classified into racial groups (primarily White, Black, Coloured, and Indian) and were subjected to different rights, privileges, and opportunities based on their race. The apartheid regime aimed to maintain the dominance of the White minority by systematically excluding and oppressing the non-White majority. Laws were enacted to enforce racial separation in all aspects of life, including education, healthcare, housing, and employment. These laws, known as "petty apartheid," were enforced through various means such as pass laws that restricted the movement of non-White individuals. Additionally, "grand apartheid" policies aimed to establish separate homelands (Bantustans) for different racial groups, further marginalizing non-White populations. Resistance against apartheid was met with brutal repression, including violence and imprisonment. However, over time, both domestic and international pressure mounted against the system. Activists like Nelson Mandela and organizations like the African National Congress (ANC) led the struggle for freedom and equality. Efforts included protests, boycotts, and international campaigns. The turning point came with international isolation, economic sanctions, and the increasing inability of the apartheid regime to maintain control. Negotiations led to the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990 and the eventual dismantling of apartheid laws. In 1994, the first multiracial elections were held, leading to the presidency of Nelson Mandela and the official end of apartheid. The South African apartheid remains a historic testament to the perseverance of individuals and communities fighting for justice, equality, and the dismantling of institutionalized racism. On a 2 week trip to South Africa Johannesburg, I documented artifacts from the Apartheid musem and the region I lived in. Nadela’s influence is still engraved in South Africa today.