A South African Bantustan, also known as a "homeland," was a territory set aside for black South Africans during the apartheid era. The government created these areas to enforce racial segregation and limit the rights of black citizens. Bantustans were often located in less desirable regions and were intended to provide a false sense of autonomy while stripping individuals of their South African citizenship. The Bantustan system was part of the broader apartheid policy, which aimed to maintain white minority rule. Notable Bantustans included Transkei, Bophuthatswana, and Ciskei. The system was widely criticized for its economic and social failures, leading to significant hardship for those forced to live in these areas.