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G.D Goenka Public School Constitution Design
G.D Goenka Public School Constitution Design
CONSTITUTION DESIGN
Describe any three efforts made by people of South Africa to struggle against apartheid
system.
Ans The organizations that opposed apartheid included many workers’ unions and the Communist
Party. Many sensitive whites also joined the ANC to oppose apartheid and played a leading role in
this struggle. Several countries denounced apartheid as unjust and racist.
Q.8. What was the reaction of the government towards the protest movement?
Ans:In South Africa the white racist government continued to rule by detaining, torturing and killing
thousands of black and coloured people. As protests and struggles against apartheid had increased,
the government realised that they could no longer keep the blacks under their rule through
repression. The white regime changed its policies. Discriminatory laws were repealed. Ban on
political parties and restrictions on the media were lifted. After 28 years of imprisonment, Nelson
Mandela walked out of the jail as a free man.
Q.9. When did South Africa become a democratic country?
Ans:At the midnight of 26 April 1994, the new national flag of the Republic of South Africa was
unfurled marking the newly born democracy in the world. The apartheid government came to an
end, paving way for the formation of a multi-racial government.
Q.10. What appeal was made by black leaders after the emergence of the new democratic South
Africa?
Ans:After the emergence of the new democratic South Africa, black leaders appealed to fellow
blacks to forgive the whites for the atrocities they had committed while in power. They said let us
build a new South Africa based on equality of all races and men and women, on democratic values,
social justice and human rights.
Q.11. Write a note on constitution of South Africa.
Ans:After two years of discussion and debate one of the finest constitutions of the world was
prepared in South Africa. This constitution gave to its citizens the most extensive rights available in
any country. Together, they decided that in the search for a solution to the problems, nobody
should be excluded; no one should be treated as a demon. They agreed that everybody should
become part of the solution, whatever they might have done or represented in the past.
Q.12. What was the need for constitution in South Africa?
Ans:The oppressor and the oppressed in South Africa were planning to live together as equals. It
was not going to be easy for them to trust each other. They had their fears. They wanted to
safeguard their interests. The black majority was keen to ensure that the democratic principle of
majority rule was not compromised. They wanted substantial social and economic rights. The white
minority was keen to protect its privileges and property.
Q.13. Why do countries need constitution?
Ans:The constitution of a country is a set of written rules that are accepted by all people living
together in a country. Constitution is the supreme law that determines the relationship among
people living in a territory (called citizens) and also the relationship between the people and
government.
Q.14. What are main features of the constitution?
Ans:The main features of constitutions are:
• First, it generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kind of
people to live together
• Second, it specifies how the government will be constituted, who will have power to take which
decisions
• Third, it lays down limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of the
citizens are.
• Fourth, it expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.