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History of South Africa Trivia Quiz

This is a chronologically scrambled quiz about the history of the great and largely unknown country of South Africa.

A multiple-choice quiz by jonty129. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
jonty129

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
154,913

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
1539

Last 3 plays: Guest 41 (3/10), Guest 105 (9/10), bernie73 (0/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. From what prison was Nelson Mandela released in 1990? Hint

Victor Verster

Grootescuur

Robben Island

Johannesburg Central Prison

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. In what year did the British take control of the Cape Colony? Hint

1789

1805

1801

1795

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the name of the spear that Shaka Zulu designed to better the performance of his troops? Hint

Sipho

Nguni

Iklwa

Digalwa

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was the name of the 13-year-old boy who was killed during the Soweto uprising in 1976? Hint

Henry Mtabana

Jacke Matlala

Hector Peterson

James Henderson

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Question 5 of 10

5. At first the Cape Colony was struggling. What happened in the 1680s that strengthened the colony? Hint

10,000 cows were imported from England

Diamonds were found

French Huguenot refugees arrived

The Dutch started to sell natives as slaves

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Question 6 of 10

6. When did South Africa declare war on Nazi Germany in WW2? Hint

27 December 1941

2 Janauary 1942

6 September 1939

3 September 1939

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Question 7 of 10

7. What city was created in 1855? Hint

Johannesburg

Pretoria

Kimberly

Bloemfontein

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was the premier minister of the Union of South Africa after May 1910? (Surname)

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 9 of 10

9. When was the African National Congress formed (ANC)? Hint

8 January 1912

6 March 1913

7 Febuary 1911

9 April 1910

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Question 10 of 10

10. What petroleum company used coal to create petrol, during the boycott of trade to South Africa? Hint

Total

Sasol

Shell

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 25 2024 : Guest 41: 3/10
Apr 23 2024 : Guest 105: 9/10
Apr 11 2024 : bernie73: 0/10
Mar 24 2024 : Guest 169: 6/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 144: 3/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. From what prison was Nelson Mandela released in 1990?

Answer: Victor Verster

Most people would say Robben Island, but this is incorrect. Nelson Mandela spent about 27 years in Robben Island Prison but was moved to Victor Verster before his release.

2. In what year did the British take control of the Cape Colony?

Answer: 1795

In 1795 a British force was dispatched to the Cape and landed successfully on the shore of False Bay. The Dutch colonists couldn't repel the invasion. A British administration was set up under Earl McCartney.

3. What was the name of the spear that Shaka Zulu designed to better the performance of his troops?

Answer: Iklwa

The great Zulu warrior king, Shaka, was renowned for his military skills. He introduced new ideas to the Zulu army, such as employment on a regular basis, with discipline, drill, troop mobility, surprise tactics, and a new type of stabbing spear, the Iklwa. Nguni is a tribe, and Dial and Siphon are names.

4. What was the name of the 13-year-old boy who was killed during the Soweto uprising in 1976?

Answer: Hector Peterson

The Soweto uprising in 1976 was caused due to the enforcement of the use of Afrikaans as the first language. Students and parents alike started to protest in the streets, starting many riots. During a clash with the police a stray bullet from a police officer's gun mortally wounded the young Hector Peterson.

A picture of a guy carrying his body and his sister running alongside, is one of the most famous pictures in the history of South Africa.

5. At first the Cape Colony was struggling. What happened in the 1680s that strengthened the colony?

Answer: French Huguenot refugees arrived

In 1652 the Dutch East India Company sent 80 colonists to the southern tip of Africa. Here they founded a trading post called Cape Town. At first the colony struggled, but in the 1680s it was strenghtened by the arrival of French Huguenot refugees.

6. When did South Africa declare war on Nazi Germany in WW2?

Answer: 6 September 1939

After some days of debate, the South African government decided to declare war on Nazi Germany on 6 September 1939. (Some Afrikaaners were keen to stay out of the war, and a few were openly pro-Nazi).

7. What city was created in 1855?

Answer: Pretoria

In 1855 the capital of modern South Africa was born. Starting of with just a few settlers, Pretoria has grown into a buzzing city of about one million inhabitants, plus about a further million forming Greater Pretoria or Tshwane.

8. Who was the premier minister of the Union of South Africa after May 1910? (Surname)

Answer: Botha

General Louis Botha's Government took office on 31 May 1910 in the sunshine of Imperial approval, and dedicated to conciliation between Briton and Boer.

9. When was the African National Congress formed (ANC)?

Answer: 8 January 1912

The ANC was founded on 8 January 1912 to create national unity and defend Africans' rights. Today the ANC holds office with more than 66,7 % of the seats in parliment.

10. What petroleum company used coal to create petrol, during the boycott of trade to South Africa?

Answer: Sasol

Sasol changes coal, which South Africa has plenty of and turns it into petrol. The origins of the process go back to German efforts in the 1920s, but the process has become much more sophisticated and efficient.

Source: Author jonty129

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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