**Blacks Under Apartheid in South Africa**

Under the system of apartheid, blacks in South Africa were subjected to severe racial discrimination and oppression. This policy, which lasted from 1948 to 1994, aimed to maintain white supremacy and enforce racial segregation. The apartheid regime implemented various laws and practices that systematically marginalized and mistreated the black population, denying them basic human rights and opportunities.

**1. Racial Segregation:**
- Blacks were forcibly relocated to separate areas called "homelands" or townships.
- These areas were overcrowded, lacking basic infrastructure, and were far from urban centers.
- Blacks were prohibited from living or owning property in white areas without special permits.
- Residential segregation resulted in the fragmentation of families and communities.

**2. Limited Education Opportunities:**
- Black schools were severely underfunded, lacking resources, and provided substandard education.
- The curriculum focused on menial labor and excluded subjects that could empower and uplift the black population.
- Higher education was restricted, and black students were often denied access to universities reserved for white students.

**3. Economic Exploitation:**
- Blacks faced limited job opportunities and were forced into menial labor.
- The apartheid government introduced laws that reserved skilled and well-paying jobs for whites.
- Blacks were paid significantly lower wages compared to their white counterparts for similar work.
- Labor unions were racially segregated, denying black workers the right to negotiate fair wages and working conditions.

**4. Social and Political Exclusion:**
- Blacks were denied basic political rights and had no voice in the government.
- The majority of South Africa's land, resources, and political power were concentrated in the hands of the white minority.
- Black political organizations, such as the African National Congress (ANC), were banned and their leaders were imprisoned or forced into exile.
- Interracial marriages and relationships were illegal, further reinforcing racial divisions.

**5. Repressive Security Measures:**
- The apartheid government established a harsh security apparatus to suppress any dissent or opposition.
- Laws such as the Pass Laws required blacks to carry identification documents at all times, restricting their freedom of movement.
- Police brutality and violence against black individuals were common, with frequent arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

Overall, the system of apartheid in South Africa subjected blacks to systematic discrimination, economic exploitation, social exclusion, and political oppression. This deeply entrenched racial inequality and injustice, leading to widespread resistance and international condemnation. The efforts of black activists, international pressure, and the dismantling of apartheid eventually led to the democratic elections of 1994, with Nelson Mandela becoming South Africa's first black president, marking the end of this oppressive system.