What is Democracy
Nelson Mandela became
elections
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Apartheid ended on 27 April 1994 and all South Africans were allowed
to vote. Before this - only white people were allowed to vote!
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WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?
Democracy means “Government by the people”
People waited
in queues for
hours to vote
for the first
time ever!
people have a say how their country is ruled
People are treated equally and fairly
People have RIGHTS which are protected
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Africa after the 1994
SA became a DEMOCRACY in 1994!
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the president of South
• Politicians are people who are chosen to be in government to run the country
• The government makes decisions for the country AND it needs to look after
all citizens
ELECTIONS
• All people who are 18 or older can vote in the elections (Mentally disabled people
may not vote).
• Voters MUST register before the election and take their ID book to vote
• A political party is a group of people with the same ideas (eg DA, ANC)
• People vote for the political party they like the best and that they think
BALLOT PAPER
Everybody’s vote is a
secret!
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will do the best job in running the country
People vote by putting a cross on a list called a ballot paper.
People recognise their chosen political party by its logo and colours
The party that gets the most votes wins the election and runs the country
The winning party chooses who will be the president
What is the IEC?
The Independent
Electoral Commission
organises and runs
national elections.