What is the term for the policy of racial segregation in South Africa?

The term for the policy of racial segregation in South Africa is "Apartheid." This official policy was implemented in 1948 and enforced strict racial divisions between white South Africans and the non-white populations, including Blacks, Indians, and Coloreds. Under Apartheid, various laws were enacted that restricted where people could live, work, and socialize based on their race. This system enforced considerable inequalities and discrimination, denying political rights and access to basic services for non-white individuals.

Apartheid is specifically associated with the historical context of South Africa, characterized by its legal framework that institutionalized racial segregation. While segregation refers to the separation of people into different groups based on race or ethnicity and can apply more broadly to various contexts, Apartheid is the specific term used for the comprehensive and systematic policies enacted in South Africa. Discrimination refers to unfair treatment based on various factors, including race, but does not encompass the formalized nature of the laws and institutional practices seen in Apartheid. Racism is a broader term that describes prejudice and discrimination against individuals based on their race but does not specifically denote the systematic state policies like those of Apartheid.