What was the main objective of apartheid policy in South Africa?

The main objective of apartheid policy in South Africa was to segregate and control non-white populations. Implemented officially in 1948, apartheid was a system designed to maintain white dominance in various aspects of life, including social, political, and economic domains. Under this policy, the South African government enforced laws that restricted the rights of non-white citizens, such as prohibiting interracial marriages and limiting the movements of black individuals through pass laws.

Apartheid aimed to create distinct geographic areas for different racial groups, resulting in substantial social and economic disparities. This segregation was justified by the belief in racial superiority, with the intention of ensuring that power and resources remained concentrated in the hands of the white minority. The focus on control and separation was evident in the establishment of homelands, where black South Africans were forcibly relocated, losing their citizenship and rights in mainstream South Africa.

Other options suggest intentions of equality, unification, or industrial progress, which were not aligned with the true essence of apartheid. The policy directly contradicted the notion of racial equality, and, rather than promoting unity among ethnic groups, it aimed to divide them. Industrialization efforts, while occurring during that time, were secondary to the primary goals of racial segregation and control.