Afrikaners are a group of people in South Africa who primarily speak Afrikaans, a language derived from Dutch. They are descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers who arrived in the region during the 17th and 18th centuries. Afrikaners have a distinct cultural identity, often associated with traditions, music, and cuisine that reflect their European heritage. Historically, Afrikaners played a significant role in South Africa's development, particularly during the era of apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation. The Afrikaner National Party was instrumental in establishing and maintaining apartheid policies from 1948 until the early 1990s, which has left a lasting impact on the country's social and political landscape.