What was it like to live in South Africa during apartheid?

Description: This undated photo courtesy of Pillay Family, shows Ethel Pillay, with daughter left to right, Carole, Danette and Michelle. The family experienced racists incidences in the early '60's prompting them to leave the country for Southampton in England. read more

Disclaimer: I did not live in South Africa during apartheid. But, in short, I think it would depend on who you ask. For white South Africans, life was good. Whites during apartheid had one of the highest standards of living in the world. South Africa was (and remains) at once a first and third world country. read more

In Cradock, a South African town in the eastern Cape where she was living when apartheid was legalized in 1948, my English-speaking mother struggled with her studies after new laws sought to entrench white superiority through the Afrikaans language. read more

Good answer, David. Yes, of course the colour of your skin determined your experience in Apartheid South Africa. Anonymous gave a very good answer detailing the Indian experience in those days. I will tell you what it was like being white. read more