1948 – 1994
Apartheid in South Africa was a harsh system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the government from 1948 until the early 1990s. Black South Africans were denied basic rights and forced to live under oppressive conditions. Nelson Mandela emerged as a key leader in the fight against apartheid, spending 27 years in prison for his activism. After his release, Mandela helped lead South Africa toward reform, becoming the country’s first Black president in 1994. His leadership played a crucial role in ending apartheid and paving the way for a more just and equal society.
Picture books
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Accessible introduction to Nelson Mandela for young readers
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Mama Africa!: How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song
Riveting story of a singer and activist who used her voice to stand against Apartheid
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Hector: A Boy, A Protest, and the Photograph that Changed Apartheid
Story of a boy protester whose death sparked uprisings against Apartheid
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Chapter books
All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa
Outstanding graphic novel telling six true stories of resistance against Apartheid
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When Morning Comes
Riveting novel following four teenagers whose stories converge around the Soweto Student Uprising
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Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope
Powerful story collection featuring different experiences under Apartheid
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