The ethnic races in South Africa have always been very disproportionate, with Africans constituting the overwhelming majority and whites the minority. The breed ratio hasn't changed much over the years. Today, South Africa (which is twice the size of Texas) is home to some 50 million people; 79.5% African, 11.5% Colored and Indian/Asian and 9% White (“Population of South Africa”, 2012.) Like many European countries, the 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 that created formal laws to endorse full-fledged racism. The term "apartheid", directly translated from its Afrikaans origin, means "separation", and absolute separation of rights, based on race, is what apartheid laws embodied. Through a brief recap of South African historical events, it is evident that indigenous Africans were treated less than humanely for centuries. The laws that governed slaves (known as the Tulbagh Slave Code) date back to 1753 and include laws such as: curfews that required slaves to carry a pass; slaves were forbidden to make noise at night, including singing or whistling; slaves could not converse in the streets of Cape Town; and if they revolted in a way perceived as violent, they were put to death (Mountain, 2005). Although its 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 crusade against racism known as “Satyagraha”. Although considered a "war without violence", Gandhi's campaign in 1908 prompted the Indian nation to protest en masse by burning their passes. These acti...... middle of paper ......, 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 Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/555568/South-Africa/260110/Resistance-to-apartheidSouth Africa's new era; transcription 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