My topic is the geography of South Africa. The physical geography influences the human geography. Both types influence why people live where they live. Some factors that cause this are income, culture, and occupation. Poor people are more likely to live in rural areas or shack dwellings. People of the same ethnic group are more likely to live in close proximity to each other. The more money a person makes, the more likely they are to live in a city or suburban area. This also changes with time. Apartheid was a huge factor in determining where people lived before and where they live now.
Present day South Africa has 49 million people in 470,693 square miles. Pretoria is the nation’s capital. There are nine provinces within the country. It is partially surrounded by the South Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Topography of the country can range from deserts to mountains. As for demographics, the vast majority of the population is black and the minorities are whites and other races. Quite a race reversal compared to the United States of America or England. South Africa is rich in resources such as gold, coal, copper, and nickel. It is much cheaper to live in South Africa than in Europe or America. Whites took advantage of these aspects during colonization and apartheid eras.
Geography was used to keep races separate during this time. Black, colored, and white schools were located far away from each other. If a person wasn't white, their chances of a good education were very limited. Some beaches were designated for whites. There were separated bathrooms similar to the US Jim Crow Laws. Neighborhoods were split as well. Blacks and coloreds lived in settlements with poor sanitation, infrastructure, and sometimes no technology. Space was little and homes had poor construction. Many would live this way right outside of richer settlements. Most of them had to build homes out of whatever they could find. Whites usually lived in large homes with great views, plumbing, and electricity. There were also ten homelands created for natives, so that they can legally remain in another part of the country. The homelands were named: Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Gazankulu, Kwazulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, Kwandebele, Kangwane, and Venda. Whites did whatever it took to keep blacks from happiness or safety, wanting them to feel less than.
I found this topic depressing to research. When Google searching “South African homes,” many shacks were the first thing to show up on the page. People are still living like this! Mainly the people who originated in the country. Places where Whites lived were extravagant and up-to-date. The way people live is progressing at a turtle’s pace.
For further research of this topic, I would recommend looking at how the specific provinces were affected by apartheid. People can experience events with a different perspective based on where they are at the time. I would also suggest looking at present day South African settlement organization and demographics of the provinces.
Bibliography:
"The Homelands." Www.sahistory.org.za. South African History Online, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
Briney, Amanda. "Geography of South Africa." Geography.about.com. About.com, 26 Apr. 2010. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.Myah R
2A
This idea of geography effecting the lives of the people and being used to label separation is a great topic to report on when it comes to South Africa. I didn't know that there were nine vastly different provinces and ten different homelands created for natives. I really liked the fact you tried to relate the way South Africa was geographically compared to the way the United States and Great Britain were geographically, it really helped me get a better picture of it in my mind. I also liked the fact that you incorporated demographics. I think to improve your essay it would be really interesting to see more media sources like pictures of the land and its resources like gold. What are the houses made of and how specifically are they designed?
ReplyDelete-Riley P., A2
I have to admit, most of the stuff in this article I didn't know, and was very shocked to hear. I agree that geography can affect the way people live. I liked the way that you used a bunch of facts to back up your ideas and compared geography in South Africa to other places. It sort of made my mind expand and realize how lucky we are to have the things we do. The map was helpful, but next time I think you should include pictures of the African houses so that people can get a better idea of how poor they were. Do you know the biggest Shanty town?
ReplyDeleteYour blog was very interesting. I knew most of the things you listed in your article because we had a guess speaker to talk to our class bout the geography of South Africa and how it affects it's inhabitants. What shocked me was to learn living in South Africa is cheaper than in America. The concept kind of confused e at first because I didn't understand how a place with low living cost could still have such poverty. Then I realized they export more valuable natural recourses than us so of cores there economy take less money to run.
ReplyDeleteThis blog was very helpful in my understanding of poverty brought about from apartheid. Some suggestions would be to include actual pictures of the shacks you mentioned in your blog; otherwise, good job!
Ayauna F.
A2
...forgot to add this in my previous comment
ReplyDeleteDoes the government do anything to help the people in these shacks, like provide food and water?
Are most of the people living in these slums unemployed, or do they just receive really low wages on their jobs?
Ayauna F.
A2