Apartheid in Modern South Africa Apartheid is the legal segregation of races spreaded in the Republic of South Africa. The discovery of gold and diamonds in South Africa during the 19th century, ultimately lead to racially segregated compounds for mine workers becoming the fore fathers of apartheid(Kanfer 79). By the 1920s de facto apartheid was the predominant feature of life in South Africa (79). Apartheid, fought against for many years, until now was still a main factor in South Africa life. Today apartheid approaches its final years as political supporters of anti-apartheid such as President Nelson Mandela continually fights for a multiracial South Africa. The struggle against racial separatism, apartheid, still however continues today as there are many people supporting pro-apartheid movements. The hope for a non-apartheid South Africa, although achieved through bitter battles and political ploys, has today become a reality. The political support of the antiapartheid movement was perhaps seen greatest in 1991. Written in TIME Magazine by Greenwald, Former President F.W. de Klerk in February of 1991 opened Parliament with a pledge to legalize the militantly antiapartheid African National Congress and released A.N.C leader Nelson Mandela from jail (56). De Klerk also showed his intentions to "bring a swift end to legally sanctioned racial segregation" (56). "He called on Parliament to repeal immediately the remaining pillars of discrimination that dictate where blacks can work and live" (56). De Klerk also asked lawmakers to discontinue the Group Areas Act which segregated black and white residential areas and the Land Acts, which prevents blacks from owning land outside of specially assigned homelands (56). The Population Registration Act which forces South Africans to register by racial groups for political and economic purposes was phased out under de Klerk's plans as the act is a major underpin for the apartheid system (56).
