Learning about South African democracy

1. Democracy & Citizenship

2. New words
Apartheid – Government made unfair laws. People were treated unfairly
according to their race
Democracy – A system of government in a country where everyone can vote
to elect the leaders
Voting- Showing which person or party you want to choose
Government – The group of people in charge of a country
Democratic elections- Process through which all adult citizens have the
right to vote
Citizens – People of a country
Political party- A group of people who have similar ideas about how a
country should be run
Ballot paper- A page given to a voter on which the party or person he or she
is voting for is marked

3. Apartheid
laws

4. Struggle for
freedom

5. 27 April 1994 - 1st
Democratic Election

6. Nelson Mandela –
From 27 years in prison to South Africa’s
1st democratic president

7. ACTIVITY – DESCRIBE DEMOCRACY
1. Why can we say that democracy is a government ‘by the
people’ and ‘for the people’?
2. Is the following a situation an example of a democratic
government? Say why or why not.
One man and his supporters have been ruling the country for
over 20 years. The people of the country are afraid to
disagree with what this ruler says because they will be put in
jail or be harmed in other ways.