Civilisation anglophone | South Africa
What you need to know about the country and Nelson Mandela
1 | Introduction
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It became independent an independent country in 1910. in South Africa formally gained its independence from Britain on May 31, 1910. The population is estimated over 60 million people. It is very important to remember that South Africa has three capital cities.
- One for the executive power: Pretoria
- One for the judicial power: Bloemfontein
- One for the legislative power: Cape Town.
The largest city is Johannesburg. About 80% of South Africans are of Black African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different African languages. The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of European (White South Africans), Asian (Indian South Africans and Chinese South Africans), and Multiracial (Coloured South Africans) ancestry
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Official languages:
• English • Zulu • Xhosa • Afrikaans • Sepedi • Setswana • Sesotho • Xitsonga • Swazi • Tshivenda • isiNdebele |
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What is Afrikaans?
A language of southern Africa, derived from the form of Dutch [Hollandais] brought to the Cape by Protestant settlers in the 17th century. It is an official language of South Africa, spoken by around 6 million people as their first language. Definition from Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
Il est intéressant de noter que les afrikaners et les hollandais se comprennent la plupart du temps. Un peu comme les québécois et les français.
Il est intéressant de noter que les afrikaners et les hollandais se comprennent la plupart du temps. Un peu comme les québécois et les français.
2 | What is apartheid [ əˈpɑːtaɪt ]
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The word apartheid (Afrikaans: “apartness” = séparation, mise à part)
Racial segregation specifically: a former policy of segregation and political, social, and economic discrimination against the non-white majority in the Republic of South Africa Note: The extreme racial segregation of apartheid lasted from 1948 to 1994 and included such restrictions as where people of certain races [ethnic groups] could live or own land, what jobs they could hold, and who could and couldn't participate in government. Source: Britannica Encyclopaedia |
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3 | Nelson Mandela
Introduction:
Nelson Mandela spent almost 30 years in prison for fighting against apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was a government policy that separated people of different races. After being freed from prison, Mandela became South Africa’s first black president
Nelson Mandela spent almost 30 years in prison for fighting against apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was a government policy that separated people of different races. After being freed from prison, Mandela became South Africa’s first black president
Early life and political activities:
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Umtata, South Africa. His father was the chief of the Tembu, a Xhosa-speaking people. As a young adult, Mandela studied law. He became a lawyer in the early 1940s.
Mandela wanted equal rights for South Africa’s black people. Although blacks made up most of the country’s population, whites controlled the government. Blacks had few rights under apartheid. In 1944 Mandela joined a group called the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC was leading the fight against apartheid. In 1949 Mandela became a leader of the ANC.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Umtata, South Africa. His father was the chief of the Tembu, a Xhosa-speaking people. As a young adult, Mandela studied law. He became a lawyer in the early 1940s.
Mandela wanted equal rights for South Africa’s black people. Although blacks made up most of the country’s population, whites controlled the government. Blacks had few rights under apartheid. In 1944 Mandela joined a group called the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC was leading the fight against apartheid. In 1949 Mandela became a leader of the ANC.
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Imprisonment:
Mandela later helped the ANC to create a secret military force. His work got him in trouble with South Africa’s government. In 1962 the government put him in prison. In 1964 Mandela and other ANC leaders were sentenced to life in prison. Mandela became famous during his years in prison. Many South Africans worked to free him. International groups and people in other countries also supported Mandela’s cause. In 1990 South African President F.W. de Klerk finally freed Mandela. |
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Presidency:
Mandela became president of the ANC in 1991. He and de Klerk worked together to end apartheid. In 1993 the two men were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1994 South Africans of all races voted in the country’s first fully democratic election. Mandela was elected president of the country. As president, Mandela set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This group investigated human rights crimes that had happened under the former government. Mandela also improved housing, education, and living standards for people of colour. Mandela stepped down as head of the ANC in 1997. He retired from politics in 1999, after one term as president. |
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Later life:
After his presidency, Mandela set up the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The group promoted peace and the protection of human rights. Mandela also supported other causes, such as fighting AIDS and ending world poverty. Mandela died on December 5, 2013, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Nelson Mandela's death mourned across South Africa.
Source: CBS Evening News |