The Long Awaited End to Apartheid
Avery Wannamaker
Mr. Bharucha
CHY4U
June 5th, 2015

Tragedy and oppression have dominated much of history. It has led to the suffering of many people, and has seen the domination of one group of people over another. These tragic times are often remembered as the darkest in history because they not only saw humanity at its lowest moral point, but they prevented us from flourishing and progressing as nations and a global community. Just over two decades ago, the social situation in South Africa known as Apartheid was one of the greatest social tyrannies in history. It saw the entire division of a nation long after racial segregation had been abolished in developed countries such as the United States. However, like all things that cause stagnation, an end has to come and in the 1990s the apartheid system saw its last days thanks to the efforts of a number of people and groups. Contrary to popular belief, Nelson Mandela was not the most important influence in bringing an end to Apartheid. Mandela’s work though vital, would have been meaningless without the influences of F.W. de Klerk, the fall of communism, and the African National Congress (ANC).

Firstly, Nelson Mandela is then only name associated with the apartheid regime and its end. We often overlook the works of unsung heroes such as F.W. de Klerk, without whom apartheid would not have ended. De Klerk was vital in officially ending apartheid, reinstating the ANC’s role and releasing Nelson Mandela from prison, which collaboratively brought an end to this societal injustice. In 1989 as a result of the illness of President P.W. Botha, F.W. de Klerk assumed office and became leader of the national party. Immediately upon assuming office, De Klerk focused on the apartheid regime and integrating all people into South African society. On February 2nd, 1990, just six months