Short & Long Questions: South Africa: Society, Culture and Economy | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What important role did F W de Klerk play in South Africa?
Ans: F W de Klerk played a crucial role in ending apartheid, a system of racial segregation, in South Africa.

Q2: How is South African society described in terms of its diversity?
Ans: South African society is diverse with various ethnic, racial, and linguistic groups living together.

Q3: What is the significance of mining in South Africa's economy?
Ans: Mining is an important economic activity in South Africa, making it a major producer of gold, diamond, and platinum.

Q4: Describe the population composition of South Africa in 2022.
Ans: In 2022, South Africa's population included around 50% Black people, 5% white people (Afrikaners), 9% coloured people, and 3% Asians of mostly Indian descent.

Q5: What challenges does South Africa face post-apartheid?
Ans: South Africa faces challenges like high unemployment, deep-rooted economic issues, poverty, limited opportunities for disadvantaged groups, crime, corruption, and HIV/AIDS.

Q6: What are the main products obtained from livestock farming in South Africa?
Ans: Dairy products, meat, Merino wool, poultry (chicken, ducks, geese, and rabbit) are the main products obtained.

Q7: How does the government protect marine life and manage fisheries in South Africa?
Ans: The government enacts legislation and creates marine protected areas to sustain marine resources and manage fish stocks.

Q8: What are some of the fish commonly caught in South Africa?
Ans: Anchovies, hake, horse mackerel, and sardines are some of the fish commonly caught in South Africa.

Q9: Why are forests in South Africa being preserved?
Ans: Forests are preserved to conserve biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, provide recreation, and enhance groundwater supplies.

Q10: What are some of the significant minerals found in South Africa?
Ans: South Africa has valuable minerals like platinum group metals, gold, manganese, chromium, coal, titanium, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Describe the role of F.W. de Klerk in South Africa's history.
Ans:

• F.W. de Klerk was the President of South Africa from 1989 to 1994.
• He played a key role in ending the apartheid system of racial segregation in South Africa.
• De Klerk advocated for a transition to majority rule in the country.
• He, along with Nelson Mandela, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1993.
• His actions helped pave the way for the dismantling of apartheid policies and the establishment of a more inclusive government in South Africa.

Q2: Discuss the ethnic composition of the population of South Africa.
Ans:

• Approximately 80% of the population in South Africa consists of Black people, including various tribes like the Bantu, Zulu, and Xhosas.
• About 5% of the population comprises white people known as Afrikaners, who are descendants of the Dutch, French, Germans, and British.
• The colored population makes up around 9% of the total population.
• The remaining 3% includes Asians, mainly of Indian descent.
• Before 1994, white Europeans held power and implemented apartheid policies, segregating non-whites and denying them equal rights.

Q3: Explain the challenges faced by South Africa post-apartheid.
Ans:

• South Africa struggles with high unemployment rates, especially among disadvantaged groups.
• Deep-rooted economic issues persist from the apartheid era, including poverty and limited opportunities for certain segments of the population.
• Other significant challenges include high levels of crime, corruption, and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
• The government is working to alleviate poverty by easing labor laws, increasing privatization, and cutting unnecessary expenditures.
• Despite progress in dismantling racist policies, the country continues to grapple with social and economic hurdles.

Q4: Elaborate on the agricultural resources of South Africa.
Ans:

• South Africa has limited agricultural resources due to sandy, infertile soils and inadequate rainfall in many regions.
• Irrigation and fertilizer use have expanded crop cultivation, including maize, sugar cane, soybeans, and various fruits and vegetables.
• Certain areas like the eastern coastal strip and the Highveld support diverse crops and horticulture.
• Farming practices in South Africa range from subsistence farming, meeting local needs, to commercial farming on larger, mechanized operations.
• Mixed farming, combining crop cultivation with livestock rearing, is common, particularly in regions like the Highveld.

Q5: Analyze the mineral resources of South Africa.
Ans:

• South Africa boasts abundant mineral wealth, ranking fifth globally in terms of its mining sector's GDP contribution.
• The country is a major producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), gold, manganese, chromium, and alumino-silicates.
• It also holds significant reserves of zirconium, vanadium, titanium, and non-ferrous metals like cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc.
• South Africa's minerals are processed locally, with a focus on value addition and manufacturing of various goods for domestic and export markets.
• The Witwatersrand region near Johannesburg is renowned for its gold production, contributing significantly to the country's mining output.