How has the issue of race shaped South Africa's recent history? include at least two examples.

The issue of race has been embedded in the history of South Africa. After the country gained independence, the government of South Africa established a policy of apartheid. Such leaders as Nelson Mandela fought against apartheid. Finally South Africa's 1994 constitution called for social and political equality for all races.

Issue of race was the root cause of the apartheid government in South Africa. The whites were separated from the non whites and those non whites were separated from each other based on their tribal lines. Racial discrimination became rampant. Non whites were driven away from their own lands because the government decreed that said land were for the whites only. Non violent resistance led to bloodshed and resistance leaders were jailed. Numerous killings garnered international attention until such time that international pressure combined with internal resistance brought about the downfall of the National party government and the abolition of apartheid.