by Kirk Olivier

Created on: February 06, 2009

Apartheid or "segregation" as it is otherwise called, is not unique to South Africa. It is a disgusting way of life that affects people on all continents. South Africa was used as an example for the rest of the world, mainly due to it being a relatively wealthy country, rich with raw materials that were coveted by the major powers. I will give some insight on living in the days of the apartheid government, through the years of terrorist bombings, the transition to democracy and finally to our current government and its affairs.

I was born in Durban in 1962, this was during the time that the African National Congress were stepping up their actions against the then Nationalist government. I grew up in an all white area and attended all white schools. I did however have a few black friends. I suppose, as kids we never saw the difference in skin colour. Well at least not until my teen years, around the mid to late 1970's. The ANC really stepped up their "actions" against the white government and all white people in general. White people were being attacked and killed in their own houses in so called white areas. Times started to change, along with my view of the blacks. I cannot say I ever hated the blacks, it was becoming more of a fear of them. As a teenager, public transport was a common form of transport for getting to and from the city. As things in the country worsened, it became more and more dangerous to wait at bus stops or train stations. This resulted in youngsters having to stay closer to home, this drove more and more whites to dislike the blacks.

In the early 1980's the terrorist attacks started, bombings, armed robberies increased and the world still looked at the South African white man as the enemy. Innocent people were killed and mamed whilst out enjoying themselves. Ironically, this was not only innocent white people, but also some blacks that happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Bombings were not always targeted at government or military buildings, no, shopping centres and nightclubs, carbombs in busy city centres etc. Eventually, under pressure from the world community and the ongoing slaughter of innocent people, both black and white, the Nationalist government had to give in. Terrorists who had been responsible for destroying the lives of thousands were released from prison and democracy was born.

To Nelson Mandela, I take my hat off, as for the rest, they should have been excecuted for who they were and still are. The African

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