Page 1 of 61
HISTORY
Grade 12_2026
Preliminary Exam
PAPER 2
This document has been compiled using the following previous papers: SACAI 2022– PREPARATORY EXAMINATION
PAPER 2, NSC NOVEMBER: HISTORY P2 | 2021, NSC_ NW/September 2023
IMAGES: AI Generated. Based on typical examination questions
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and
current exam requirements. This document is based on past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to
assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you
are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation
and do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 2 of 61
CONTENT:
THE CRISIS OF APARTHEID IN THE 1980'S 3
1. How did apartheid affect South Africa’s economy in the 1970s and 1980s? 3
2. How did the United Democratic Front (UDF) challenge PW Botha’s reforms in the
1980s? 7
THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION 11
3. How did the TRC help South Africa deal with its apartheid past? 11
THE END OF THE COLD WAR AND A NEW ORDER 15
4. What was the impact of South Africa’s membership of BRICS? 15
5. How did globalisation change the world after the Cold War? 18
6. How did trade liberalisation affect South Africa’s clothing and textile industry? 23
7. How do international e-commerce giants affect South Africa’s retail industry? 26
CIVIL RESISTANCE, 1970s TO 1980s: SOUTH AFRICA 30
8. How did international pressure challenge apartheid in the 1980s? 30
9. How did the Black Sash challenge the apartheid regime in the 1980s? 34
10. How did the End Conscription Campaign challenge the apartheid government in the
1980s? 36
THE COMING OF DEMOCRACY TO SOUTH AFRICA AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PAST 39
11. How did violence challenge South Africa’s road to democracy? 45
12. Was the TRC able to help families of anti-apartheid activists find closure? 39
13. How did the TRC handle the assassination of political activist Chris Hani? 42
ESSAY QUESTIONS 49
14. The challenge of black consciousness to the apartheid state 49
15. Negotiated settlement and the government of National Unity 51
16. The collapse of communism and South Africa’s road to democracy 53
17. The truth and reconciliation commission: truth, justice and reconciliation 56
18. Mandela, negotiations and the birth of democratic South Africa 58
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 3 of 61
THE CRISIS OF APARTHEID IN THE 1980'S
How did apartheid affect South Africa’s economy in the 1970s and
1980s?
Note to learners:
The sources in this section are shortened study sources based on exam-style material.
They are included for revision and learning purposes. You do not need to look for the
original sources.
Source A
This source explains PW Botha’s policy of Total Strategy in the 1980s.
During the 1980s the apartheid government, led by PW Botha and the National Party,
claimed that South Africa was facing a Total Onslaught. The government argued that
communism, the Soviet Union, liberation movements and neighbouring African states
were threatening South Africa.
PW Botha responded with a policy called Total
Strategy. This policy aimed to defend apartheid
through military strength, police control, political
reform and propaganda. The government used the
Cold War to present itself as a defender of Western
democracy against communism.
This was ironic because the apartheid government
claimed to defend democracy while denying political rights to the majority of South
Africans. Apartheid protected white minority rule and oppressed the black majority.
Who was the president of South Africa when Total Strategy was used?
PW Botha.
Which political party ruled South Africa during this period?
The National Party.
What was meant by Total Onslaught?
Total Onslaught was the apartheid government’s claim that South Africa was under attack
from communism, liberation movements and neighbouring African states.
How did the apartheid government use the Cold War to gain support?
The government claimed that it was fighting communism and Soviet influence. This helped
it gain support from some Western countries that opposed communism.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 4 of 61
Why was Total Strategy ironic or contradictory?
The government claimed to defend democracy, but apartheid denied political rights and
equality to the majority of South Africans.
Source B
This source explains how Total Strategy contributed to South Africa’s economic
problems.
The policy of Total Strategy required heavy militarisation. The apartheid government
spent large amounts of money on the army, police, weapons, ammunition and white
conscription. It believed this was necessary to defend South Africa against the so-called
Total Onslaught.
The homeland system also placed pressure on the economy. Homeland governments
were expensive to maintain and many were corrupt or inefficient. The South African
government had to pour money into these homelands to keep them functioning.
At the same time the gold price declined, inflation increased and international
confidence in South Africa weakened. The cost of defending apartheid became very high.
Why did Total Strategy require militarisation?
The government believed that it needed a strong army and police force to fight resistance
and defend South Africa against the so-called Total Onslaught.
Name TWO examples of military spending during the 1980s.
White conscription.
Weapons and ammunition production.
How did the homeland system contribute to South Africa’s economic crisis?
The government had to spend large amounts of money subsidising homeland governments
that were often corrupt and inefficient.
Why did South Africa’s economy weaken during the 1980s?
The economy weakened because of military spending, homeland subsidies, inflation, the
falling gold price and growing international pressure.
Source C
This source explains how international boycotts placed pressure on apartheid South
Africa.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
HISTORY
Grade 12_2026
Preliminary Exam
PAPER 2
This document has been compiled using the following previous papers: SACAI 2022– PREPARATORY EXAMINATION
PAPER 2, NSC NOVEMBER: HISTORY P2 | 2021, NSC_ NW/September 2023
IMAGES: AI Generated. Based on typical examination questions
Important:
These study notes are revised and updated annually to align with the CAPS curriculum and
current exam requirements. This document is based on past examination papers.
Content was adapted and structured for exam preparation purposes. AI tools were used to
assist with formatting, rephrasing and differentiation.
These notes are designed to help learners:
• Understand key concepts
• Practise exam-style questions
• Identify important themes and patterns in assessments
To ensure learners work with the most relevant and up-to-date content, parents and
learners are encouraged to confirm that they are using the latest version of the notes. If you
are unsure whether you have the latest version, please feel free to contact me at:
Please note that these notes are compiled as a structured study aid for exam preparation
and do not replace the prescribed textbook or classroom instruction. IMAGES: Canva & AI Generated
Good luck
Juffrou Ansie
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 2 of 61
CONTENT:
THE CRISIS OF APARTHEID IN THE 1980'S 3
1. How did apartheid affect South Africa’s economy in the 1970s and 1980s? 3
2. How did the United Democratic Front (UDF) challenge PW Botha’s reforms in the
1980s? 7
THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION 11
3. How did the TRC help South Africa deal with its apartheid past? 11
THE END OF THE COLD WAR AND A NEW ORDER 15
4. What was the impact of South Africa’s membership of BRICS? 15
5. How did globalisation change the world after the Cold War? 18
6. How did trade liberalisation affect South Africa’s clothing and textile industry? 23
7. How do international e-commerce giants affect South Africa’s retail industry? 26
CIVIL RESISTANCE, 1970s TO 1980s: SOUTH AFRICA 30
8. How did international pressure challenge apartheid in the 1980s? 30
9. How did the Black Sash challenge the apartheid regime in the 1980s? 34
10. How did the End Conscription Campaign challenge the apartheid government in the
1980s? 36
THE COMING OF DEMOCRACY TO SOUTH AFRICA AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PAST 39
11. How did violence challenge South Africa’s road to democracy? 45
12. Was the TRC able to help families of anti-apartheid activists find closure? 39
13. How did the TRC handle the assassination of political activist Chris Hani? 42
ESSAY QUESTIONS 49
14. The challenge of black consciousness to the apartheid state 49
15. Negotiated settlement and the government of National Unity 51
16. The collapse of communism and South Africa’s road to democracy 53
17. The truth and reconciliation commission: truth, justice and reconciliation 56
18. Mandela, negotiations and the birth of democratic South Africa 58
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 3 of 61
THE CRISIS OF APARTHEID IN THE 1980'S
How did apartheid affect South Africa’s economy in the 1970s and
1980s?
Note to learners:
The sources in this section are shortened study sources based on exam-style material.
They are included for revision and learning purposes. You do not need to look for the
original sources.
Source A
This source explains PW Botha’s policy of Total Strategy in the 1980s.
During the 1980s the apartheid government, led by PW Botha and the National Party,
claimed that South Africa was facing a Total Onslaught. The government argued that
communism, the Soviet Union, liberation movements and neighbouring African states
were threatening South Africa.
PW Botha responded with a policy called Total
Strategy. This policy aimed to defend apartheid
through military strength, police control, political
reform and propaganda. The government used the
Cold War to present itself as a defender of Western
democracy against communism.
This was ironic because the apartheid government
claimed to defend democracy while denying political rights to the majority of South
Africans. Apartheid protected white minority rule and oppressed the black majority.
Who was the president of South Africa when Total Strategy was used?
PW Botha.
Which political party ruled South Africa during this period?
The National Party.
What was meant by Total Onslaught?
Total Onslaught was the apartheid government’s claim that South Africa was under attack
from communism, liberation movements and neighbouring African states.
How did the apartheid government use the Cold War to gain support?
The government claimed that it was fighting communism and Soviet influence. This helped
it gain support from some Western countries that opposed communism.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
, Page 4 of 61
Why was Total Strategy ironic or contradictory?
The government claimed to defend democracy, but apartheid denied political rights and
equality to the majority of South Africans.
Source B
This source explains how Total Strategy contributed to South Africa’s economic
problems.
The policy of Total Strategy required heavy militarisation. The apartheid government
spent large amounts of money on the army, police, weapons, ammunition and white
conscription. It believed this was necessary to defend South Africa against the so-called
Total Onslaught.
The homeland system also placed pressure on the economy. Homeland governments
were expensive to maintain and many were corrupt or inefficient. The South African
government had to pour money into these homelands to keep them functioning.
At the same time the gold price declined, inflation increased and international
confidence in South Africa weakened. The cost of defending apartheid became very high.
Why did Total Strategy require militarisation?
The government believed that it needed a strong army and police force to fight resistance
and defend South Africa against the so-called Total Onslaught.
Name TWO examples of military spending during the 1980s.
White conscription.
Weapons and ammunition production.
How did the homeland system contribute to South Africa’s economic crisis?
The government had to spend large amounts of money subsidising homeland governments
that were often corrupt and inefficient.
Why did South Africa’s economy weaken during the 1980s?
The economy weakened because of military spending, homeland subsidies, inflation, the
falling gold price and growing international pressure.
Source C
This source explains how international boycotts placed pressure on apartheid South
Africa.
© 2026 Juffrou Ansie Study Notes. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission.
