1. South Africa Notes #5

2. Objective Students will investigate the religion, ethnicity, imperialism, government, and challenges of Southern Africa. Students will investigate the religion, ethnicity, imperialism, government, and challenges of Southern Africa.

3. Religion Throughout southern Africa traditional religions are practiced. This religion believes that spirits of the dead have divine powers. Throughout southern Africa traditional religions are practiced. This religion believes that spirits of the dead have divine powers. Christianity was brought into the area by European colonists. Christianity was brought into the area by European colonists. Christianity is the most dominant religion in the area. Christianity is the most dominant religion in the area.

4. Other religions have moved into the area or were created from a mixture of traditional African religion and Christianity. Other religions have moved into the area or were created from a mixture of traditional African religion and Christianity. Hinduism was brought into the area through trade with South Asians. Hinduism was brought into the area through trade with South Asians.

5. Ethnicity Southern Africa has many different ethnicities of people. Southern Africa has many different ethnicities of people. They have native tribes such as the Zulu and other Banta speaking groups. They have native tribes such as the Zulu and other Banta speaking groups. Europeans also settled throughout the area during the time of colonization. Europeans also settled throughout the area during the time of colonization.

6. Colonialism The Dutch were the original settlers founded the city of Cape Town as a supply station for ships sailing to the East Indies. In the early 1800s the British seized Cape Colony and it became a British possession. The Dutch were the original settlers founded the city of Cape Town as a supply station for ships sailing to the East Indies. In the early 1800s the British seized Cape Colony and it became a British possession.

7. Boers After Britain took control of Cape Town, many people moved to the north. The move is known as the Great Trek. These people were descendants of the original Dutch settlers. After Britain took control of Cape Town, many people moved to the north. The move is known as the Great Trek. These people were descendants of the original Dutch settlers. They were known as Boers and spoke their own language called Afrikaans. They were known as Boers and spoke their own language called Afrikaans.

9. As the Boers moved north they came into conflict with a very powerful tribe. As the Boers moved north they came into conflict with a very powerful tribe. The Zulu had a great leader named Shaka. For years they fought for control of the territory. The Zulu had a great leader named Shaka. For years they fought for control of the territory. In 1879 the British joined in the war, defeating the Zulu and destroying their empire. In 1879 the British joined in the war, defeating the Zulu and destroying their empire.

11. The Boer War After the Zulu had been defeated diamonds and gold were discovered. This created a lot of interest from many countries. After the Zulu had been defeated diamonds and gold were discovered. This created a lot of interest from many countries. In 1884 Germany declared a protectorate over the territory of South- West Africa. The same year Britain started moving towards the area. In 1884 Germany declared a protectorate over the territory of South- West Africa. The same year Britain started moving towards the area.

12. Effects of Imperialism Imperialism had a devastating result on all of the peoples of Africa. Imperialism had a devastating result on all of the peoples of Africa. When a European nation conquered an area they would set up their own government, because they felt that the Africans were unable to rule themselves. This way of ruling is called paternalism. When a European nation conquered an area they would set up their own government, because they felt that the Africans were unable to rule themselves. This way of ruling is called paternalism.

14. Africa did receive a few benefits from imperialism. They were shown new farming techniques and crops. Africa did receive a few benefits from imperialism. They were shown new farming techniques and crops. Do you really think this was beneficial to them? Do you really think this was beneficial to them?

15. European medicine helped people live longer and healthier lives. European medicine helped people live longer and healthier lives. Roads and railroads were built all over Africa. Roads and railroads were built all over Africa. These roads were mainly an asset to the Europeans, but it did help communication between remote areas of Africa. These roads were mainly an asset to the Europeans, but it did help communication between remote areas of Africa.

16. In the end, most Africans viewed everything that was done by the Europeans as a detriment to Africa. In the end, most Africans viewed everything that was done by the Europeans as a detriment to Africa. They viewed that everything the Europeans did was to help themselves and nobody else. They viewed that everything the Europeans did was to help themselves and nobody else.

17. Apartheid Most countries in southern Africa remained under European control until the late 1900s. Most countries in southern Africa remained under European control until the late 1900s. South Africa was the last to gain independence. South Africa was the last to gain independence.

18. Even though the majority of South Africa’s population was native African the whites held most of the power. Even though the majority of South Africa’s population was native African the whites held most of the power. Whites owned most of the land, and controlled the economy. Whites owned most of the land, and controlled the economy. Black South Africans were denied political rights under a system of laws called apartheid. Black South Africans were denied political rights under a system of laws called apartheid.

19. Apartheid means “separateness”. Apartheid means “separateness”. These laws forced the segregation of whites and blacks. These laws forced the segregation of whites and blacks. Apartheid led to many nations putting sanctions on South Africa. Apartheid led to many nations putting sanctions on South Africa.

20. The African National Congress was founded in 1912 pushing for an end to apartheid. The African National Congress was founded in 1912 pushing for an end to apartheid. In 1990 the South African government finally began to change its policies. With the change they released the leader of the African National Congress, Nelson Mandela. In 1990 the South African government finally began to change its policies. With the change they released the leader of the African National Congress, Nelson Mandela.

21. In 1994 South Africa held its first elections that were open to all citizens. In 1994 South Africa held its first elections that were open to all citizens. The South African people elected Nelson Mandela. The South African people elected Nelson Mandela.

22. Challenges Poverty is a very serious problem facing southern Africa. Poverty is a very serious problem facing southern Africa. Because of the poverty problem many people cannot afford enough food for a balanced diet. Because of the poverty problem many people cannot afford enough food for a balanced diet. Like in western Africa overpopulation is leading to more problems. Like in western Africa overpopulation is leading to more problems.

24. Disease Aids is a huge epidemic in the area. In some countries nearly a quarter of the population is effected. Aids is a huge epidemic in the area. In some countries nearly a quarter of the population is effected. In Botswana 36 percent of adults between the ages of 15 and 49 have HIV/Aids. In Botswana 36 percent of adults between the ages of 15 and 49 have HIV/Aids.