South Africa - Introduction
Fagstoff
ÅSE ELIN LANGELAND, CELIA SUZANNA SANDOR, CATHARINE
RUUD, ENGELSK FOR VIDEREGÅENDE (VEGA)
Consider: What do
you know about South
Africa? Write the first
five thoughts that come to your mind. Share them with the student sitting next
to you. Similarities/differences?
Listen
[1]
Introduction - South Africa, 10:08
/
Introduction - South Africa
The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern
tip of the African continent, with Namibia,
Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north and
Mozambique and Swaziland to the east. Its
spectacular 2,798 kilometre coastline borders
both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. An
independent enclave, the Kingdom of Lesotho, is
surrounded by South African territory on all sides.
Historical Background
South Africa
Humans have inhabited South Africa for more than 100,000 years. Cape Town, which
was founded as a British colony in 1806, started as a refreshment station set up by the
Dutch East India Company in 1652. European settlement expanded during the 1820s
as the Boers (Dutch, Flemish, German and French settlers) and the British settlers
claimed land in the north and east of the country.
After the Anglo-Boer War – sparked by the discovery of diamonds and gold - South
Africa became a British dominion in 1910. South Africa gained full independence in
1961, when it was declared a republic.
Apartheid
Racial segregation had already come about
under Dutch and British colonial rule. The system
of separating whites, blacks and coloureds by law
became known as Apartheid, and it endured
despite opposition both inside and outside of the
country.
Change came in 1990, when President F.W. de
Klerk began to dismantle this legislation, and in
1994 the first democratic election was held in
South Africa. This election brought Nelson
Mandela and the current ruling party, the African
National Congress, to power, and the country
rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations.
Cultural Diversity
South Africa is known for its diversity of cultures,
languages, and religious beliefs. It has eleven
official languages. English is the most commonly
spoken language in official and commercial
public life, but is only the fifth most spoken home
language.
South Africa is ethnically diverse, with the largest
Caucasian, Indian, and racially-mixed
communities in Africa. Although 80% of the
South African population is black, different
cultures are represented within this group, as
well as a number of different Bantu languages.
Nelson Mandela
Tasks and Activities
Comprehension
1.
2.
How many countries does South Africa share borders with?
What do you imagine a refreshment station in the 17th
century would provide?
3. What triggered the Anglo-Boer War?
4. When did South Africa declare independence?
5.
6.
Who was responsible for the dismantling of apartheid?
Explain South Africa's cultural diversity.
Map Game
You can use this map game
Mer informasjon: Gå til siden South Africa - Map (advanced)
]'>South Africa - Map (advanced) to see how much you can
memorize about South Africa. Try it on your own or it is even
more fun to try it as a class competition.
Project the map onto a screen.
Divide the class into groups.
Each group can designate one group member to memorize
the cities, one to memorize the oceans, one to memorize
the mountains, etc.
Then the groups can take turns at filling in the names on
the map.
More Tasks?
You will find more tasks in the link collection.
Further Reading
South Africa - The Rainbow Nation
South Africa – Skurka's Blog
Soweto
Safari
Morning Drive in Kruger
The Moment Before the Gun Went Off (short story)