Test on South Africa's Transition to Democracy

Question 1: FW de Klerk's 1990 presidential address to Parliament marked the actual end of violence in South Africa.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Despite FW de Klerk stating in his 1990 address that 'The season of violence is over,' the study materials indicate that 'the years between 1990 and 1994 were marked by terrible violence,' including incidents like the Boipatong massacre, Bisho massacre, and the assassination of Chris Hani.

Question 2: According to the study materials, what evidence did the Goldstone Commission of Inquiry hear regarding 'third force' activities?

A. That police were involved in the manufacture and purchase of weapons to fuel violence before the election.

B. That the ANC was responsible for orchestrating terror attacks on trains and civilians.

C. That white right-wingers were the primary instigators of the Boipatong and Bisho massacres.

D. That the IFP had secretly acquired weapons from foreign countries to undermine the peace process.

Explanation: The study materials state: 'in March 1996, the Goldstone Commission of Inquiry heard evidence that the police had been involved in 'third force' activities to fuel violence in the run-up to the election. This included the manufacture and purchase of weapons, the delivery of weapons to the IPF, attacks on trains and terror attacks on civilians.' Option 0 directly reflects this information.

Question 3: Whites insisted on structural guarantees to prevent the domination of the white minority by blacks.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The memorandum from Nelson Mandela to President FW de Klerk on 26 June 1992 states that there was an 'insistence of whites on structural guarantees that majority rule will not mean domination of the white minority by blacks'.

Question 4: FW de Klerk specifically advocated for a unitary state according to the memorandum.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: The memorandum highlights two positions that need reconciliation: a 'unitary state' and the 'insistence of whites on structural guarantees'. The text does not state that FW de Klerk advocated for a unitary state; rather, the memo implies this was a position needing reconciliation with the 'insistence of whites', which de Klerk, as President, would represent.

Question 5: According to the memorandum from Nelson Mandela, what was identified as the 'most crucial task' concerning the two distinct positions?

A. To establish a federal system immediately

B. To ignore the insistence of whites on structural guarantees

C. To reconcile the unitary state concept with white demands for structural guarantees

D. To ensure immediate majority rule without any guarantees for minorities

Explanation: Nelson Mandela's memorandum explicitly states that 'The most crucial task which will face the government and the ANC will be to reconcile these two positions,' referring to the 'unitary state' and 'the insistence of whites on structural guarantees'.