South Africa TodayChapter 19, Section 3

P. 560 - 563

Geography of South Africa• Mineral rich

• Rand – world’s largest and richest gold field

• Diamonds

• Uranium

• Platinum

• Veldt – flat grasslands

• Cattle, corn, fruit, potatoes, wheat

History of South Africa• Home to Bantu and Khosian peoples for 1,500

years

• 1652 – Dutch found Cape Town

• Descendants are called Afrikaners

• Boers – developed their own culture, fought with Africans for land

• German, French, British follow in the 1700s & 1800s

• Discovery of diamonds and gold led to the South African war

• Boers vs. British

A Nation of Apartheid• 1910 – British colony becomes Union

of South Africa

• Racial segregation and separation continues

• 1948 – Apartheid becomes “official” government policy

• ANC – black Africans who opposed Apartheid

• 1985 – U.S. & Great Britain impose sanctions against South Africa

• 1989 – Willem de Klerk repeals Apartheid

Nelson MandelaMany compare Nelson Mandela to Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

He made sacrifices for the betterment of the South African people.

Click the title to access the YouTube video.

A New Era for South Africa• Today, constitution guarantees the same rights to everyone

• Most black South Africans are very poor

• 11 official languages

• English is used in schools and universities

• Paul Simon…

Paul Simon & Ladysmith Black Mambazo

In 1987, Paul Simon brought his popular Graceland Tour to South Africa. He shared the stage with one of South

Africa’s most popular musical groups, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. As you look in the crowd, what do you see? Think

about the year and what was happening in South Africa at the time.