Information for Teachers

back to overview map


South Africa

Download the complete set of worksheets for teachers as PDF (649 KB)



This is who we are

“Rainbow Nation” South Africa: Particularly the diversity of culture, species and landscape makes the country at the southern tip of the African continent unique. 48 million people live side by side in this country, unfortunately sometimes under very difficult circumstances. A big part of South Africa’s population is of African origin but through colonization and several waves of immigration since the 17th century, people from the Netherlands, Germany, France, India and many other countries made their way towards the Cape of Good Hope into the country.

Download worksheet for teachers as PDF (476 KB)

This is how we live

The conditions of living in South Africa differ widely. There is a big social decline in South African society. Whilst a very small part of the population is rich, many people, especially within the black population, face unemployment and poverty. Nombeko, Sibongile and their friends live in a children’s home in Cape Town. Their fate is exemplary for another big problem in South Africa: HIV/AIDS pose a big threat in the country. Reaching 1.2 million, South Africa has the highest rate of AIDS orphans in the entire African continent.

Download worksheet for teachers as PDF (163 KB)
Download video "Buddyz on the move" (14 MB)

This is our school

Education is compulsory for all South Africans from age 7 to age 15. Nowadays schools are mixed with children from different ethnic backgrounds. But during apartheid black and white children were not allowed to visit the same school.

Download worksheet for teachers as PDF (103 KB)

This is our favourite dish

South Africa is well-known for its mineral resources (gold, diamonds, iron ore, carbon and many others). However, agricultural production is also very important. As there is very little rainfall in South Africa, cultivated areas need to be irrigated. The children in the children’s home Elonwabeni give us some examples on what they particularly like to eat.     

Download worksheet for teachers as PDF (99 KB)

This is our favourite game

The three girls in the video show one of their favourite games in which they try to hit each other with a little ball. Ballgames are very popular in South Africa. Especially rugby and soccer are played and watched by many people. South Africa holds an internationally successful rugby team, the "Springboks". The Soccer World Championship being held in South Africa in 2010 is a great success for the country.

Download worksheet for teachers as PDF (124 KB)
Download video: southafrica_game (2.1 MB)

This is our favourite song

You can watch and listen to Nombeko, Sibongile and Michele performing a traditional Xhosa song. IsiXhosa or short Xhosa is one of 11 official languages in South Africa and is mostly spoken in the southeast of the country, by about 9 million people. If you listen carefully, you can hear the girls flicking. This sound is significant for Xhosa.

Download worksheet for teachers as PDF (172 KB)
Download video: southafrica_song.flv (3.4 MB)


back to overview map