The Truth About Apartheid Laws in South Africa and What You Should Know
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Apartheid laws in South Africa were implemented as a result of the implementation of the Apartheid system. They are separate laws that target specific communities and give unfair advantages to other groups while making it harder for certain people to access services or places based on their race. These laws are also known as ‘discriminatory laws’ and were used to enforce segregationist policies by the National Party government from 1940 until 1990 when they were repealed. Apartheid Laws came about due to the implementation of Apartheid policies in South Africa which segregated people based on their race; Black, White, Asian, Indian, etc. This was done so that one group would be given unfair advantages over another. These laws still exist today, though not under the same name. They are now called ‘Apartheid Laws’ because they have similar discriminatory practices based on race and unfair privileges for one group over another.
What is the Apartheid Legacy?
Before Apartheid laws were implemented in South Africa, Africans, Asians, and people of color were treated as second-class citizens. They were not allowed to vote and had no representation in government. While the Apartheid laws only targeted Africans and people of color, the legacy of the Apartheid laws is still felt by all people of color in South Africa today. The legacy can be seen in the education system, the health system, and many laws that still exist today.
The Prohibition of Bigamy Act
The prohibition of bigamy was the prohibition of multiple marriages between members of the African community. It was implemented in the 1950s and was based on the belief that it was ‘un-African’ to have more than one wife. This is despite polygamy being practiced in many African cultures. This law was later repealed and replaced with the Husband and Wife Relations Act in the 1980s but not before thousands of families were affected.
The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act
The prohibition of mixed marriages was an act passed in the 1950s that prohibited marriage between people of different races. This equated to a ban on interracial marriage between Blacks, Whites, and Asians. This law was later repealed and replaced with the Immorality Act of 1973, and the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act of 1979 but not before thousands of families were affected.
The Prevention of Sexual Relationships Between Blacks and Whites Act
The prevention of sexual relationships between Blacks and Whites was an act that, as the name suggests, prohibited sexual relationships between black and white people. This law was later repealed and replaced with the Prevention of Immoral Act between Blacks and Whites.
The Bantu Education Act
The Bantu Education Act was implemented because the Apartheid government believed that Africans should be educated separately from the rest of the population. As a result, Africans were segregated into a specific education system that only prepared them for menial jobs and prevented them from accessing higher education. This law was later repealed and replaced with the Education Act of 1996.
The Prevention of Black Employment Act
The prevention of black employment was a law that prohibited black people from working in specific jobs or industries. It was based on the idea that black people should be restricted to working in menial jobs and keeping their place as a worker in society. This law was later repealed and replaced with the Employment Equity Act of 1998.
The Extension of Universities Act and the University Advancement Councils (Amendment) Act
The extension of the universities act was a law that allowed universities to admit students based on race. This meant that it was illegal for universities to admit students based on merit; instead, they would realize students based on their race. This was done to ensure that white people could get a higher education and keep their place at the top of society. This law was later repealed and replaced with the Promotion of Quality and Excellence in Higher Education Act of 2002.
The General Conditions of Employment Act, 1983 (amended in 1998)
The general conditions of employment act was a law used to enforce apartheid in the workforce. It was used to ensure that black people would remain on low-pay, menial jobs and that they would not be able to climb the hierarchal ladder. This law was later repealed and replaced with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act of 1997.
Conclusion
Apartheid laws in South Africa were implemented as a result of the implementation of the Apartheid system. They are separate laws that target specific communities and give unfair advantages to other groups while making it harder for certain people to access services or places based on their race. These laws are also known as ‘discriminatory laws’ and were used to enforce segregationist policies by the National Party government from 1940 until 1990 when they were repealed. Apartheid Laws came about due to the implementation of Apartheid policies in South Africa which segregated people based on their race; Black, White, Asian, Indian, etc. This was done so that one group would be given unfair advantages over another. These laws still exist today, though not under the same name. They are now called ‘Apartheid Laws’ because they have similar discriminatory practices based on race and unfair privileges for one group over another.
