2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the end of Apartheid in South Africa.
In 1948 South Africa's ruling National Party instituted the apartheid (separateness) policy. During the following few years national segregation laws were put into effect resulting in a long period of injustice and unrest. International criticism began in the 1960s with anti-apartheid movements growing to peak in the 1980s.
In 1989 reformist FW de Klerk replaced PW Botha as president of South Africa and took the first steps in dismantling apartheid; the final repeal of these laws happening in 1991.