Why South Africa is still so segregated

How centuries of division built one of the most unequal countries on earth.

For decades, South Africa was under apartheid: a series of laws that divided people by race. Then, in the 1990s, those laws were dismantled. But many of the barriers they created continue to divide South Africans by skin color - which in turn determines their quality of life, access to jobs, and wealth. Racial division was built into the fabric of cities throughout South Africa, and it still hasn't been uprooted.

That's partly because, while apartheid was the culmination of South Africa's racial divisions, it wasn't the beginning of them. That story starts closer to the 1800s, when the British built a network of railroads that transformed the region's economy into one that excluded most Black people -- and then made that exclusion the law.

Sources and further reading:

If you want to learn more about the railroads and how they impacted Cape Colony’s economy, check out this paper by Johan Fourie and Alonso Herranz Loncan:

To understand segregation in South Africa’s major urban centers, take a look at this paper about segregation and inequality:

For more information on post-Apartheid cities, you can read this paper by Edgar Pieterse (who we feature in the video):

To explore the history and legacy of District Six, visit the District Six Museum website:

Thanks for watching and let us know what you think in the comments!

[ashleynesh]

As a South African I can tell you that the divide between the poor and rich is stark, it's gigantic

[carpecervisiam]

The black politicians that rule the country seem to have some really nice houses in gated communities - just saying

[fireblasteco]

As a South-African I would have hoped they mentioned how corrupt the government is and how they are the reason why we are spiraling out of control.

[kaylat]

This administration is putting many families in difficult situations. A lot of people are financially struggling to live, put a roof over their head and put food on the table. Things are getting worse these days, if you don't find means of multiplying your money you might wake up a day to realise you didn't plan well for yourself and family…

[imransadiq]

As a South African, I say that, our greatest failure is that we could not establish a professional, functioning government.

[yevp]

As a person who’s never been to South Africa 🇿🇦, I can confirm that I’ve never been to South Africa

[Saltine_the_clown]

As a Canadian, I was under the impression that South Africa was under black majority rule since after Apartheid

[maisiefreeman]

My English grandparents, mother, and aunt lived in Port Elizabeth from early 1979 to the end of 1981 before returning to England. Part of the reason they did not stay was because of how upsetting they all found living with apartheid to be. My family is all white. My mother and aunt played with Afrikaaner, Coloured, and Black children, and did not understand why the White South African adults would hassle them. My mother actually learned to speak Xhosa fluently.
I remember my grandmother telling me a story, that one day while in the family apartment, she was watching an enormous fire billow from the nearby Black community, and she called the fire brigade. She did not give them the exact address, but instead directed them to the nearest White house, in the hopes they would not stop to check whether the fire was actually within the White boundary. When the fire brigade arrived, they stopped at the boundary, hovered for about a minute, before switching off the sirens and returning to the station. Over a dozen people, including children, died in that fire. That was the moment my grandparents decided they could not raise their daughters in this country, even if returning to England meant my grandfather would be on the dole. Thinking of that fire still makes my Nan cry to this day.

[melbo]

the fact that it’s literally separated by a little pathway

[zhangray]

As a Chinese guy working in the government of South Africa, I have to say the government is horrbly corrupt.

[musa.mgwenya_]

As a South African, I believe that change will only come when our leaders decide to stop being greedy. We need leaders who really care about the people. I also think there should be a qualification or some sort of assessment a person should go through before being taken up to be a minister or any other position there is up there. We're doomed. But I still have an ounce of hope.

[outdoorsolutions]

The township that you highlighted has only been around for at 15 years ended 29 years ago.Many of the inhabitants are also foreign migrants...I dont think this video is accurate.

[Zach-xvpq]

At least our government is working super hard and doing everything in their power to fix these issues.

Oh

[EllliotJackRussel]

Just a small correction, the Afrikaners do not descend just to Dutch but also French Huguenot and German.

[luca-pkff]

As a swiss living in switzerland i can confirm nothing

[epickimster]

As a South African I can say that the divide between the rich and poor is still as great as before. As an Indian whose parents grew up in very poor neighbourhoods I am very fortunate to have the life that I have but while a few managed to have a “new” life after apartheid most have not changed

[danielbtwd]

Yes, this is why education is so important. The ANC after thirty years of rule have not been able to do much except line their own pockets.

[dienar]

The black part is mainly uncontrolled economic immigration, a large portion out of the rest of Africa.

More than 10% was foreign born, living in sqatter camps around towns and cities.

[kleeblattchen]

This video does not mention the most crucial point for answering the very question asked in the title... The fundamental reason why overcoming borders and work towards the future has been so stagnant since the end of apartheid is the current government... It was a very symbolic and ecstatic moment when the ANC with Nelson Mandela overtook the legislation and for a few short years there was great hope for a bright future but corruption and incompetence have since become so rampant to the point of literal anarchy... The tragedy of this shell of a government that is the today's ANC cannot be understated...

[Kram]

The most shocking part of this, aside from it having happened at all, is just how recently this ended. It's gonna take ages to right these wrongs