How was apartheid dismantled legally and politically?

Apartheid was dismantled legally and politically through a series of negotiations, legislative changes, and the 1994 democratic elections in South Africa.

The dismantling of apartheid was a complex process that took place over several years, involving both internal and external pressures. Internally, the African National Congress (ANC) and other anti-apartheid movements played a crucial role in challenging the apartheid regime. They organised strikes, protests, and acts of civil disobedience, which put significant pressure on the government. Externally, international sanctions and boycotts further isolated South Africa, causing economic strain and damaging the country's reputation.

The first significant step towards the end of apartheid was the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990. Mandela, a key figure in the ANC, had been imprisoned for 27 years for his anti-apartheid activities. His release was a result of both internal and international pressure and marked a turning point in South Africa's political landscape. Following his release, Mandela and then-President F.W. de Klerk began negotiations to end apartheid.

These negotiations resulted in several important legislative changes. The government repealed the remaining apartheid laws, and a new constitution was drafted that enshrined equal rights for all citizens, regardless of race. This was a significant legal step towards the end of apartheid, as it dismantled the legal framework that had upheld racial segregation and discrimination.

The political dismantling of apartheid culminated in the 1994 general elections, the first in which all South African citizens, regardless of race, were allowed to vote. The ANC, led by Mandela, won a majority, and Mandela became the country's first black president. This marked the official end of apartheid and the beginning of a new, democratic South Africa.

However, it's important to note that while apartheid was legally and politically dismantled, its social and economic effects continue to be felt in South Africa today. The country still grapples with issues of racial inequality and economic disparity, legacies of the apartheid era.