Chapter
Transition to Democracy
Examine the continuing struggle for South Africa as it creates a representative democracy, attempts to heal from the legacy of apartheid, and searches for a new, inclusive identity.
Subject
- History
- Social Studies
Grade
9–12Language
English — USPublished
About this Chapter
With the end of apartheid, South Africa worked to confront its past, reshape its national identity, and establish a government that represented all South Africans. This final chapter delves into the lasting legacy of apartheid and the issues the country continues to face today.
Essential Questions
- Why is it important to address the past in the wake of mass violence and division?
- What are some effective ways to come to terms with past conflicts and atrocities, and how can the needs of victims of past oppression best be met?
- What steps has South Africa taken to build a strong democracy, and what challenges remain?
Introduction: Transition to Democracy
Explore the moments of challenge and hope during South Africa’s transition to democracy, as well as the country’s social, economic, and political issues in the aftermath of apartheid.
South Africa's First Nonracial Democratic Election
South African poet and activist Mazisi Kunene reflects on his experience voting in South Africa’s first non-racial democratic election in 1994.
The South African Constitution
Review the preamble and bill of rights of South Africa’s 1996 Constitution, a collaborative document that contains considerable protections on civil rights.
The Equality Clause: Gay Rights and the Constitution
Marian Drew writes about the strides taken by South African members of the LGBTQIA+ community in earning additional rights after their inclusion in the South African Constitution.
Creating a Shared Identity for a Democratic South Africa
Former Minister of Justice Dr. A. M. Omar addresses South Africa’s struggle to achieve a single national identity considering the country’s inherent diversity and its legacy of apartheid.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Read excerpts from the testimonies of Nomonde Calata, widow of political leader Fort Calata, and Johan van Zyl, the officer who oversaw Calata’s murder, during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The TRC: A Need for a Moral Bottom Line
Bishop Frank Retief shares his concern about the ineffectiveness of the TRC in achieving justice for victims of apartheid and reconciling South Africa in a 1998 interview.
Overcoming the Past and Becoming a Single Nation
South African writer and poet Antjie Krog explores democracy and change through a narrative about a common sporting event that gives voice to both white and black South Africans.
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