Answer:
The dominance of Western powers in South Africa can be traced back to the arrival of Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias at the southern tip of Africa in 1488. This opened up the Cape sea route between Europe and the lucrative markets of Asia. Over time, European powers including the Dutch, French, and British established colonies in South Africa, primarily for trade purposes. However, the desire for resources including gold and diamonds led to conflicts with the indigenous populations, such as the Zulu and Xhosa peoples. The colonizers also brought with them their own cultural, political, and economic systems, leading to the marginalization and oppression of African people. This eventually led to the apartheid system, which institutionalized segregation and discrimination against black South Africans. The apartheid system was defeated in the 1990s, and South Africa transitioned to democracy, but the effects of colonialism and apartheid still have lasting impacts on the country today.
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