This fifth edition examines South Africa's history from 1948 to the present, providing a comprehensive analysis of apartheid's rise, fall, and devastating aftermath over 30 years after its political end.

Thoroughly revised to incorporate recent academic work, the book explores how contemporary South Africa continues to struggle with the deep scars of racial discrimination despite the inspirational power of popular protest that ended the regime. The new edition features enhanced focus on heroes of the anti-apartheid struggle and expands the assessment of apartheid's afterlife through examination of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's findings, newly migrated police records from the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre and the government's failure to pursue justice for over 7,000 political deaths. It analyzes key cases, while exploring the economic impact of the "Washington Consensus" policies that continued post-apartheid. By developing an analysis of recent economic and political issues rooted in the apartheid regime, particularly the divide between rich and poor along racial lines and the impact of public corruption, South Africa provides a current, clear, and succinct introduction to the ideology, practice, and legacy of apartheid.

Illustrated with updated photographs, maps, and figures, an expanded Who's Who section, Chronology, Glossary, and Further Reading section, the book is an essential resource for those studying South African politics, African history, human rights, and post-colonial societies.