Afrikaners were descendants of Dutch immigrants to South Africa. The first Dutch settlement in South Africa was established in 1652. Dutch immigrants, 1652

But British imperialism eventually led to British control of South Africa in 1795. Imperialism, control

The British and the Boers/Afrikaners, who were descendants of the original Dutch settlers, fought several bloody wars… Boers/Afrikaners

…especially after diamonds had been found in South African soil!

Of course, the British imperialists won, given the size and wealth of the British empire. Won, size and wealth

But regardless of the winner, the indigenous people of South Africa were still denied their land and resources. Indigenous, land and resources

When the British imperialists finally left South Africa, the Afrikaners gained control of the South African government. Gained, government

The National Party, which was the political party that enacted Afrikaners formed The National Party, which was the political party that enacted apartheid or “apartness” laws. Political, laws

Apartheid was a policy of racial segregation in South Africa.

Under this brutal system of segregation, black South Africans were denied access to white schools, white beaches, white neighborhoods, and even white-only benches. Denied access

Of course, many individuals resisted the apartheid system.

But those who resisted faced imprisonment, exile, torture, and even death. Exile, Stephen Biko Stephen Biko was murdered by the South African police in 1977.

The African National Congress (ANC) was a Black Nationalist organization founded in 1912. It led a valiant struggle against apartheid. Nationalist, valiant

Nelson Mandela emerged as a leader of the military wing of the ANC in the early 1960s. Nelson Mandela

was imprisoned for treason and sentenced to life in prison. In 1964, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for treason and sentenced to life in prison. Treason, life in prison

imprisoned on Robben Island, the fight against apartheid continued. But even with leaders imprisoned on Robben Island, the fight against apartheid continued. continued

Mandela came to symbolize the injustice of the apartheid system. Symbolize, injustice

Finally, after 27 years in prison, the Afrikaner government released Mandela from prison. 27 years, released

President of South Africa, shared the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1993, Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk, then President of South Africa, shared the Nobel Peace Prize. Nobel Peace Prize

With the end of apartheid and free elections for all, Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa’s president in 1994. Free elections, president