Final answer:
Apartheid is the system of racial segregation that was legally enforced in South Africa between 1948 and 1992, categorizing individuals based on race and institutionalizing discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The South African system of exclusive racial groups formally recognized, segregated, and treated distinctly is known as apartheid. This policy, which began in 1948 and remained in effect until 1992, enforced a strict racial classification system that segregated the population into categories of white, black, colored (or mixed race), and Indian/Asian. It institutionalized racial discrimination and created a divide that deeply impacted the society, culture, and politics of South Africa.