Who is known as the "Father of Apartheid" in South Africa?

Hendrik Verwoerd is recognized as the "Father of Apartheid" in South Africa due to his pivotal role in the formulation and implementation of apartheid policies during his time as Prime Minister in the 1950s and 1960s. Under his leadership, the apartheid system was codified, institutionalizing racial segregation and discrimination as part of government policy. Verwoerd believed that separate development for different racial groups was the best way to maintain order in South Africa, leading to the establishment of various laws that enforced racial segregation in all aspects of life, from education and healthcare to land ownership and employment.

His ideology and actions had a lasting impact, solidifying the framework of apartheid that would persist for several decades. Verwoerd’s commitment to these principles earned him this title, as he was instrumental in shaping the oppressive policies that defined South African society during this era.

In contrast, while F.W. de Klerk and P.W. Botha were significant figures within the apartheid government, they were more associated with the later years of apartheid and the eventual transition towards its dismantling. Nelson Mandela is globally recognized as a leader who opposed apartheid and fought for equality and justice, making him a symbol of resistance rather than an architect of