A - Z of ZA: Politics Trivia Quiz

Answer: African National Congress

The ANC won the majority of the vote in 1994, 1999 and 2004. It was founded in 1912, was banned in 1960, and unbanned in 1990. Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki have been the presidents of the country, as leaders of the ANC.

Answer: Steve Biko

Steve Biko helped found the South African Students' Organisation in 1968, which evolved into the Black Consciousness Movement. He played a role in organizing the Soweto Riots in 1976. The other names are made up.

Answer: Communist Party

The Communist Party of South Africa was founded in 1921, and was supported mainly by white miners. In 1924, they re-organised and "Africanised" the party. They have since built up a substantial black following, and are known as the South African Communist Party.

The Communist party does not stand for election, although some of their members are in parliament due to dual membership with the ANC.

Answer: Democratic Alliance

The Progressive Party was founded in 1959, when United Party members broke away from that party. Over the years, and due to many mergers with other parties, they have been called the Progressive Reform Party, the Progressive Federal Party and the Democratic Party. They are now the Democratic Alliance.

Answer: Only at fee-free schools, in identified poverty-stricken areas

Officially, no child can be refused entry into a school, or results at the end of the year, due to non-payment, however this is not often adhered to. Some schools will allow discounts for poorer pupils. School fees for government schools vary from a few hundred rand for poorer areas to over R 10 000.00 for upper income areas.

Answer: Freedom Front Plus

The Freedom Front Plus is a merger between the Conservative Party, the Afrikaner Eenheids Beweging and the Freedom Front. In the 2004 general election, it won four seats on the National Assembly.

Answer: Republic

A republic is a representative democracy in which the people's elected representatives, not the people themselves, vote on legislation. The actual name of the country is the Republic of South Africa.

Answer: House of Delegates

A new South African constitution was adopted in 1984, allowing Coloureds, (an official SA population group), and Asians to vote. The House of Assembly was elected by whites only, the House of Delegates was elected by Asians, and the House of Representatives was elected by Coloureds. The black majority was still disenfranchised.

Answer: Inkatha Freedom Party

Mangosuthu Buthelezi was a member of the ANC Youth League, before setting up the IFP. The ANC and IFP did initially work together, however a rift developed between them. The 1980s was a decade of violence throughout South Africa, with most of the township violence being between the ANC and IFP, (although both blame a third force).

Answer: The President of SA in consultation with the Judicial Services Commission

South Africa has an independent judiciary, defined by the Constitution.

Answer: Kliptown

Many of the clauses in the Freedom Charter have been adopted by the Constitution of South Africa. It calls for all groups to have equal rights and status in schools, the workplace and government. However, there are a number of communist clauses, calling for the state control of banks, industry and mines. These have not been implemented.

Answer: Pan Africanist Congress

The PAC's military wing during the apartheid years was the Azanian People's Liberation Army. They had the slogan "One Settler, One Bullet", and were a black consciousness liberation movement, opposed to the non-racial policies of the ANC. The irony now is that most of her support is from non-Black voters.

Answer: Lawyer

In 1952, Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo opened the first black legal firm in the country. He was one of the accused in the Treason Trial in 1960, and represented the accused.

Answer: They merged with the ANC

The National Party began the radical implementation of the apartheid system, removing Coloureds from the voters roll, setting up homelands, and legislating petty apartheid laws and the Group Areas Act. In the early 1980's, they began to reform their policies, and to dismantle apartheid.

In 1997 the National Party changed its name to the New National Party, in an attempt to distance itself from its past. They merged with the ANC in 2005.

Answer: 10 years (2 terms)

Elections have to take place every five years, and no president may serve more than two terms in office. This prevents anyone becoming a President-for-life. (A common African problem)

Answer: The Government of the People Green Party (GPGP)

Yes - these are all names of political parties in South Africa. The GPGP stood for election in 1999. None of these parties have ever won a seat in the National Assembly.

Answer: Afrikanervolksfront - AVF (Afrikaner People's Front)

The AVF was formed prior to the 1994 elections as an umbrella organization, including legitimate political parties as well as militant organizations. It was disbanded in November 1996. The others are all right wing organisations.

Answer: Kortbroek (Short Pants)

He earned the name due to his youthful appearance and lack of experience, especially when compared to his predecessor, F W de Klerk.

Answer: Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The TRC was criticized and opposed by many people from all sides, which probably means that it was fair and just. Victims were given the chance to tell their story, and perpetrators of violence could receive amnesty for a full disclosure. Perpetrators of violence included members of the security forces, right wing organizations, the ANC Youth League, and armed wings political parties.

Answer: United Party

Hertzog ruled the party initially, but resigned as leader when the caucus decided to support Britain during World War II. Jan Smuts then took over. In the 1948 elections, the Party was defeated by the National Party.

Answer: National, Provincial and Municipal

National and provincial elections are held at the same time, and people receive two ballot papers. The municipal elections normally take place two years after the national and provincial elections.

Answer: 30%

The average of just over 30% puts South Africa in about 10th place out of 130 parliaments in the world in terms of women's advancement in politics.

Answer: isiXhosa and Xitsonga

isiXhosa is spoken by about 7.2 million South Africans, and is one of the languages of the National Anthem. Xitsonga is also known as Tsonga or Shangaan, and is spoken by about 1.76 million South Africans, mainly in the Limpopo River Valley. !Xu is a Khoisan language, and although not an official language, it is protected by the constitution.

Answer: Tony Yengeni

He was convicted of fraud for receiving a 50% discount on a 4x4 Mercedes Benz from a representative from an arms manufacturer, and not disclosing the fact. He was the chairperson of Parliament's joint standing committee on defence, which was overseeing the arms deal. The other names are made up.

Answer: Jacob Zuma

Jacob Zuma was the deputy president of South Africa until the rape charge was brought against him. He angered AIDS activists during the trial, when he stated that he couldn't have caught the HIV virus from having unprotected sex, as he showered afterwards. He is still the deputy president of the ANC. The other names are made up.