The apartheid system in South Africa was characterized primarily by?

The apartheid system in South Africa was fundamentally characterized by racial segregation and discrimination. This system was enforced by laws that separated individuals based on their race, establishing distinct socio-economic and political hierarchies that privileged the white minority while disenfranchising the non-white majority.

Under apartheid, the population was classified into racial groups, which determined where individuals could live, work, and even socialize. Non-white South Africans faced systematic oppression, including the restriction of their movement, access to education, and participation in government. Various laws, such as the Group Areas Act and the Pass Laws, were implemented to maintain this segregation and enforce discriminatory practices.

This systematic separation not only resulted in social and economic disparities but also dismantled any notion of equality among races, as white South Africans enjoyed privileges that were denied to others. Thus, the essence of apartheid lies in its institutionalized racism, making the choice that highlights racial segregation and discrimination the most accurate representation of the apartheid system.