Ethnic races in South Africa have always been highly disproportionate, with Africans making up the vast majority and whites the minority. The relationship between the races hasn't changed much over the years. Today, South Africa (which is twice the size of Texas) is home to approximately 50 million people; 79.5% are African, 11.5% are Black and Indian/Asian, and 9% are White (“Population of South Africa,” 2012). Not unlike many European countries, South Africa has a history dating back to the 1600s and rooted in crimes against humanity. However, South Africa was one of the few countries to create formal laws to support full-blown racism. The term “apartheid” translated directly from its Afrikaans origin means “separateness,” and absolute separation of rights, based on race, is what the apartheid laws embodied. Through a brief summary of South African historical events, it is evident that native Africans have been treated as less than human for centuries. Laws governing slaves (known as the Tulbagh Slave Code) date back to 1753 and include laws such as: curfews that required slaves to carry passes; slaves were forbidden to make any noise at night, including singing or whistling; slaves could not converse in the streets of Cape Town; and if they rebelled in any way perceived as violent, they were put to death (Mountain, 2005). Although the title changed, slavery practices continued in South Africa until 1994. Documented negotiations to end slavery can be seen as early as 1893, when Mohandas (Mohatma) Ghandi began his anti-racism crusade known as “Satyagraha” . Although considered “war without violence,” Ghandi's 1908 campaign prompted the Indian nation to protest en masse by burning their passes. These actions...... half of the article......, A. (2005). An Unsung Legacy: Perspectives on Slavery. Claremont, South Africa: New Africa Books.Reynolds, A. (2005). Reserved Seats in National Legislatures: A Research Note. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 30(2), 301-310. South Africa. (2012). In the Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/555568/South-Africa/260110/Resistance-to-apartheid South Africa's new era; transcript of Mandela's speech at Cape Town City Hall. (1990, February 12). The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/12/world/south-africa-s-new-era-transcript-mandela-s-speech-cape-town-city-hall-africa-it. html ?pagewanted=all&src=pmSouth African Government, South Africa brand. (2012). Population of South Africa. Retrieved from Big Media Publishers website: http://www.southafrica.info/about/people/population.htm