a·part·heid ( -pärtht, -ht ) 
n.
• An official policy of racial segregation formerly practiced in the Republic of South Africa, involving political, legal, and economic discrimination against nonwhites.
• A policy or practice of separating or segregating groups.
• The condition of being separated from others; segregation.

Apartheid system of racial classification: ‘Every facet of apartheid was rooted in its system of racial classification. After 1950, all citizens were officially classified as ‘native’, ‘colored’, or ‘white’ (later extended to include ‘Asian’) Those who were classified as white were guaranteed a lifetime of privilege. As members of a supposedly inferior race, the ‘colored’ were consigned to lower positions on the scale of economic and political opportunities. But they were considered superior to ‘natives’ who were relegated to lives of exploitation, poverty and hardship.’

The fourth edition of Basketball without Borders Africa began Wednesday with a moving visit to the Apartheid Museum on the outskirts of Johannesburg. NBA players Bruce Bowen, Rasual Butler, Chris Duhon, Jimmy Jackson, Dikembe Mutombo and former player Manute Bol discovered what it was like growing up in South Africa under the Apartheid regime. The players read with interest the various exhibits on display, recounting for example the ‘Sharpeville Massacre’ where police opened fire on protestors killing 69 and injuring over 300 in 1960. The event signaled the start of armed resistance in South Africa, and prompted worldwide condemnation of South Africa's Apartheid policies. Later the players watched moving footage of Nelson Mandela’s release after 27 year held in captivity for speaking out against Apartheid.

‘To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances freedom of others’ – Nelson Mandela

For Mutombo, it was his second visit to the museum, but this year he brought with him a special guest; his father Mukamba Mutombo. "I wanted to bring my father so that he could learn and see for himself the injustices that went on in this country during the Apartheid regime" said Mutombo.

Bruce Bowen on the visit:
“The Apartheid Museum was very informative, saddening but very informative as far as things you don’t really learn about in school. Later on in life you get an opportunity to learn some things that can really affect you and it gives you a great appreciation of where you are and where you have come from. You see the tragedy of racism and you just wish that we could all come together as one world and just live happily amongst each other. Unfortunately, the reality is very different. In history there have been many great leaders who have paved the way for others, so we should all try and learn from them. It was very informative and I was very happy to have gone.”