Legacies and meanings of the United Democratic Front (UDF) period for contemporary South Africa
This essay by Raymond Suttner, former UDF militant and political prisoner, examines the politics of the UDF.
The 1980s introduced modes of practising politics that had never previously been seen in South Africa, that may well condition people’s expectations today. Here, one thinks of notions such as ‘popular democracy’, ‘people’s power’, ‘self-empowerment’, ‘the masses driving the process’, ‘democracy from below’, ‘and creativity of the masses’.
- South Africa
- United Democratic Front
- Raymond Suttner
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- ESSAYS GRADE 12 NOTES - LITERATURE STUDY GUIDE
- The structure of an essay
- Steps to writing an essay in the exams
- Narrative essays
- Descriptive essays
- Reflective essays
- Discursive essays
- Argumentative essays
- Writing an essay from a picture
- Essay checklist
- What is expected from you in the exam
To write a successful exam essay, you need to give yourself time to plan your ideas and write a draft. Once you have edited and corrected your draft, your final essay should be a well-structured and interesting piece of writing. In this section, you will learn how to express yourself using the rules that will earn you marks in the final Grade 12 exam.
1. All about essays
1.1 the structure of an essay.
An essay must have an introduction, a body and a conclusion.
Introduction The introduction is the first paragraph of an essay. It should catch the reader’s attention and suggest what the essay is about (the topic).
Body The longest part of an essay is the body of the essay. It is divided into paragraphs. Each paragraph usually contains one main idea about the essay topic.
Conclusion The last paragraph in an essay is the conclusion. It brings the essay to an end. No new information is given in the conclusion, but it often brings together some key points or ideas.
- Coherent - expressed in a clear way that is easily understood
- Logical order - Arranging information so that the points follow each other in an order that makes sense.
1.2 Steps for writing an essay in the exams
There are four main steps involved in writing an exam essay:
Step 1: Choose your topic and type of essay Step 2: Plan your essay Step 3: Write and edit your draft essay Step 4: Write your final essay
Step 1: Choose your topic and type of essay Topic In the essay section of the exam, there will be about eight topics. You need to choose one of these topics on which to write your essay. You only need to write one essay.
Essay type A particular topic may suit one type of essay better than another type of essay. For example, if a topic asks whether you agree or disagree, then use the argumentative essay type. The table below shows brief descriptions of the five essay types. See pages 9 to 38 for more information on each essay type.
Step 2: Plan your essay Decide which type of essay you think is most suitable for the essay topic. Remind yourself of the features of this type of essay. Plan your essay by writing down your ideas for the content of the essay. The content refers to the main ideas (points or details) in your essay – what it is mainly about. It must be relevant to the topic. Once you have written down a few ideas, you can organise them by numbering them. This will show the order of your paragraphs for the structure of your essay. There are many different ways to plan an essay. For example, you could use a mind map. Use the planning method that works best for you. There are examples of planning tools on pages 5 and 6.
Ways to plan an essay
A plan helps you think about what ideas you want to include in your essay. It also helps you put your ideas into a clear structure. You will earn marks for showing your planning. You can use a mind map or an ideas list to plan your essay.
- An essay must be between 250 to 300 words long.
- The way you write your essay creates a style of writing. The words you chose and the length of your sentences are two examples of how a writing style is created.
- Think about your audience to help you chose the right register for your essay. Register can be formal. For example; if your audience is a teacher or informal if your andience is for example a friend.
- The tone of the essay is the feling the write gives the writing. For example, the tone could be playful or serious.
Step 4: Write your final essay Write your final essay by rewriting your draft. Make sure that you make all the changes you marked in your draft so that your final essay has no mistakes and clearly expresses all your best ideas. When you have finished your final essay, cross out your planning and draft essay. If you do not do this, the examiner may mark your draft and not your final essay.
2. The five essay types
There are different types or genres of essays. Each type is written for a different purpose. To prepare for the exam, you need to revise how to write five types of essay:
The main features of each type of essay and guidelines for writing each type of essay are given in this section. To prepare for the exam, practice writing the different types of essays.
2.1 Narrative essays
A narrative essay tells a story or describes a sequence of events. It can be written from any perspective (first person or third person narrative). The first person narrator will use the pronouns “I” or “we”, while the third person narrator will use pronouns such as “he”, “she”, “they” and “them”. A narrative essay can include dialogue (speech between characters in the story) and often includes interesting descriptions. This helps the reader to imagine what is happening, so the story comes alive.
A learner’s example of a narrative essay using the four steps Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay
- This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted a narrative essay type: I am an old desk in a classroom and this is my story…
Note: Write a narratiove if the word "story" is in the description. Always give your essay a title.
Step 4: Write the final essay Note: By including her edits from her draft essay, the learner greatly improved her final essay.
word count: 262
Main features of a narrative essay that are shown in this learner’s story
Activity: Writing a narrative essay
Here are some narrative essay topics to help you to practice your writing skills:
- Write a story that includes the following words: Suddenly there was absolute silence... NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.
- Write a story that begins with the following words: It was the greatest day of my life. NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be used in the first sentence of your introduction.
2.2 Descriptive essays
In a descriptive essay, the writer describes an experience, an event, a situation, an object or a person. The purpose is to allow the reader to imagine what is being described as clearly as possible. Writing a descriptive essay is like creating a picture with words, rather than telling a story.
A learner’s example of a descriptive essay using the four steps
Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay
This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted a descriptive essay type: The scene in the waiting area of a clinic OR a doctor’s surgery. Note; The word scene in the topic sentence suggests that a descriptive essay is appropriate for this topic
word count: 271
Main features of a descriptive essay that are shown in this learner’s essay
Activity: Writing a descriptive essay Here are some descriptive essay topics to help you to practise your writing skills:
- Write an essay on the following topic: Life with my neighbors
- Write an essay on the following topic : It was a dream come true! NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.
- Write an essay on the following topic : An amazing performance.
2.3 Reflective essays
A reflective essay is written to explain what the writer thinks, and/or feels, about an object, an idea, a situation or an experience. It is subjective (based on the writer’s personal experience) and uses first person pronouns (“I”, “we”, “us”). A reflective essay usually includes the writer’s emotional reactions or feelings. It could be about, for example, a dream, your hopes for the future or a past event.
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Subjective - Your own personal feelings and point of view
A learner’s example of a reflective essay using the four steps
Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted a reflective essay type: Things I would like to achieve by the time I am 30. A reflective essay will be about what you think and feel about a topic. It shows your emotions, hopes and dreams.
Step 4: Write the final essay
Note: Leave a line between each paragraph to make your essay easy to read.
word count: 260
Main features of a reflective essay that are shown in this learner’s essay
Activity: writing a reflective essay.
Here are some reflective essay topics to help you to practise your writing skills:
- Write an essay that includes the following words: ‘I wish I hadn’t ...’ NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.
- Write an essay that includes the following words: As I looked at that photograph ... NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.
- Write an essay that includes the following words: This experience has made me realise that ... NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.
2.4 Discursive essays
The word “discursive” comes from the word “discourse” which means the sharing of thoughts and ideas. A discursive essay presents both sides of an argument. Its purpose is to tell the reader about various sides of a topic. This could be the advantages and disadvantages of something, or the reasons for or against a particular point of view. It must be objective (looking at both sides equally), and give a balanced view. In the conclusion, the writer usually gives a summary of the main points, and suggests, or recommends, some action or way forward. In the conclusion, the writer may state the opinion, or view, with which he or she personally agrees. However, the reasons for that decision must be clearly shown in the essay.
Objective - giving a general point of view
A learner’s example of a discursive essay using the four steps
Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted a discursive essay type: Freedom of choice has both advantages and disadvantages Discuss this statement.
- In a discursive essay you must present BOTH sides of an issue. For example, the advantages AND disadvantages of a topic.
Word count: 300
Activity: Writing a discursive essay
Here are some descriptive essay topics to help you to practise your writing skills:
- Sport can unite or divide people. Discuss your views.
- Do subjects offered at school prepare you for life? Discuss your views.
- Wearing school uniform is very important. Do you agree? Discuss your views on wearing school uniform.
2.5 Argumentative essays
In an argumentative essay, the writer expresses his or her opinion or viewpoint on a topic. The purpose of the essay is to try to convince, or persuade, the reader to agree with that opinion. The writer’s opinion about the topic is clear throughout the essay. It is a subjective essay, and strong personal opinions may be expressed.
In an argumentative essay you must take a stand on a topic and then support your point of view.
A learner’s example of an argumentative essay using the four steps
Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted an argumentative essay type: Today young people are influenced more by their friends than by their parents. Do you agree?
Step 2: Plan the essay This learner used a list to plan her essay.
Step 3: Write and edit the draft essay
Word count: 282
Main features of an argumentative essay that are shown in this learner's essay
Activity: writing an argumentative essay.
Here are some argumentative essay topics to help you to practise your writing skills:
- Most teenagers today do not pay much attention to leading a healthy life. Do you agree?
- Technology has changed the lives of teenagers. Do you agree?
- Should alcohol and cigarettes be advertised in the mass media? Discuss your views.
2.6 Writing an essay from a picture
There is always a question in the exam that asks you to write an essay based on a picture. You only need to write an essay about ONE of the pictures. Choose which picture you are going to write about. Then you need to decide what type of essay you are going to write. The content of your essay must link with the picture. Looking closely at the picture, identify information you can use in your essay. For example, the picture below shows a man who is:
- Laughing/smiling
- Dressed smartly in a shirt and tie
- Holding a baby
- Speaking/listening on the telephone
- Writing something in a book/diary
There are five different types of essay that could be written about this picture, as shown below.
A learner’s example of an essay from a picture using the four steps
Word count: 297
Activity: Writing an essay from a picture
2.7 essay checklist, 3. what is expected from you in the exam.
In the exam, you must write one essay that is no less than 250 and no more than 300 words long (about 1 to 1 1/2 pages). The essay is worth 50 marks out of 100 marks in the exam - half the total marks for Paper 3. Examiners will give marks for your essay based on:
- Content and planning (30 marks)
- Language, style and editing (15 marks)
- Structure (5 marks)
The rubric on the next two pages is a table the examiners use to mark your essay. It shows the five levels of achievement that the examiners can award an essay, from the lowest achievement (Inadequate column) to the highest achievement (Exceptional column). The table also describes the skills the examiner looks for when marking. For example, when marking an essay’s content, the examiner will assess how well the ideas relate to the topic, and whether they are well planned and organised. The rubric is a useful guide for you to use when practising your essay writing because it reminds you of the skills the examiner will be assessing when marking your exam.
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UDF logo. The United Democratic Front (UDF) was an anti-apartheid body that incorporated many anti-apartheid organisations. It was launched in 1983, in Mitchells Plain. Steps towards forming the UDF began in the late 1970s, and moved forward when Allan Boesak called for a 'united front' of 'churches, civic associations, trade unions, student ...
Congress, UDF, and COSATU Detention period limited to six months, prisoners allowed legal representative and medical treatment. Unconditional release of Nelson Mandela. De Klerk received compliments regarding announcement. Right wing parties not pleased, they threatened a white backlash whilst liberation movements rejoiced. 3.
1.2. 1.2.1 [Interpretation of evidence of from Source 1B - L2] The apartheid government used harsher methods to oppress uprisings. Many of the political leaders were in jail or in exile. Any other relevant response (2 x 2) (4) 1.2.2 [Extraction of information from Source 1B - L1] Reverend Allan Boesak.
GRADE 12 . 2 Telematics Schedule DAY DATE TIME TOPIC Wednesday 10 March 15:00 - 16:00 Cold War P1 ... Write an introduction and conclusion to the following essay questions: TYPES OF ESSAY QUESTIONS ... UDF COSAS. 10 Activity 3 The source below highlights the role the UDF played in challenging the apartheid regime in the 1980s ...
1.2.3 What, according to the source, was the goal of the UDF? (1 x 2) (2) 1.2.4 Why do you think the ANC met with the UDF? (2 x 2) (4) ... ESSAY QUESTIONS Answer ONE question from this section. QUESTION 3: CIVIL RESISTANCE, 1970s TO 1980s: SOUTH AFRICA ... Mathematics Grade 12 Investigation 2023 Term 1; HISTORY PAPER 2 GRADE 12 ADDENDUM - NSC ...
United Democratic Front (UDF) The first branches of what later became the United Democratic Front were formed in May 1983 in the Transvaal, Cape Province and Natal. They were established in response to a call by Dr Allan Boesak at a meeting of the Transvaal Anti-South Africa Indian Council's congress. He suggested
GRADE 12 JUNE 2021 HISTORY P2 (EXEMPLAR) MARKS: 100 ... SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS QUESTION 3: CIVIL RESISTANCE, 1970s TO 1980s: SOUTH AFRICA: QUESTION 4: THE COMING OF DEMOCRACY TO SOUTH AFRICA AND ... 1.3.2 Name the campaign the UDF launched against the tri-cameral
Introduction. During the 1980s, the apartheid government came under increasing internal pressure. The National Party attempted a political solution to the crisis it faced by creating the cosmetic Tricameral Parliament. This system of governance tampered with, but did not challenge apartheid. The reforms had the opposite affect to what the ...
The United Democratic Front (UDF) was a South African popular front that existed from 1983 to 1991. The UDF comprised more than 400 public organizations including trade unions, students' unions, women's and parachurch organizations.The UDF's goal was to establish a "non-racial, united South Africa in which segregation is abolished and in which society is freed from institutional and systematic ...
GRADE 12 HISTORY P2 NOVEMBER 2021. History/P2 2 DBE/November 2021 NSC ... ESSAY QUESTIONS QUESTION 4: CIVIL RESISTANCE, 1970s TO 1980s: SOUTH AFRICA ... (UDF) RESPOND TO THE APARTHEID REFORMS INTRODUCED BY PW BOTHA IN 1983? Study Sources 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and answer the questions that follow. ...
This essay by Raymond Suttner, former UDF militant and political prisoner, examines the politics of the UDF. Submitted by red jack on December 4, 2016 Copied to clipboard. The 1980s introduced modes of practising politics that had never previously been seen in South Africa, that may well condition people's expectations today. Here, one thinks ...
Essays civil resistance in south africa 1970s and 1980s what was the nature of civil society resistance after the 1960s? in the 1950s and 1960s apartheid was. ... (UDF), formed in 1983. By the mid-1980s, the apartheid government was clearly losing control and it declared a state of emergency. ... History Grade 12 - Extension of the Cold War ...
These slides give all the illustrations from Topic 4 of the Gr 12 History book, and they give them in colour whenever possible. illustrations in the book. The illustrations in the slides are ordered so that a teacher can follow a logical lecture format. The illustrations in the book are ordered to make an effective page layout, and often also ...
The Anti- SAIC Conference called for a united front to be launched to co-ordinate the mass campaigns against black local authorities and the tri-cameral parliament. The result was the launch of the United Democratic Front ( UDF) six months later. In August 1983, representatives from over 475 "grassroots" organisations from across the country ...
For more information or questions feel free to contact me via Whatsapp or calls to 0729272510 (Msawenkosi Chamane) GOODLUCK!!!!!! Last modified on Thursday, 26 August 2021 07:36. Published in History Grade 12 Study Guides and Notes. ROAD TO DEMOCRACY ESSAY SAMPLE (TALKS/NEGOTIATIONS)NOTE:your introduction and conclusionis highlighted with green ...
The UDF was far more than a John the Baptist to the ANC's second coming: it was actually the mechanism through which the ANC, in exile for 30 years, effected its successful return, adaptation and reintegration as South Africa's post-apartheid government." This is a major study of an organisation that transformed South African politics in the 1980s.
These impressive and complementary studies both look at the history of the United Democratic Front, the political umbrella movement that mobilized mass resistance to apartheid inside South Africa during the 1980s in tandem with the exiled African National Congress. Seekings, a South African sociologist, concentrates on the UDF at the national and regional levels, analyzing the movement's ...
The UDF, as an 'all-class, all-race alliance', is a prime example of a popular front . This study of the UDF in the context of the crisis of the 1980's hopes to contribute to our understanding of the nature of the apartheid system: 'how the system works'. It also aims at describing some of the internal
Assessment in Grade 12 Altogether a candidate will be required to answer THREE questions, which are as follows: ONE (1) source-based question and ONE (1) essay question. The third question can be either a source-based question or an essay question. Essay and source based questions carry 50 marks each. The total mark for each question paper is 150.
Examinations
SBA - Exemplars - CAPS' Grade 12 that is on the DBE website This document gives a step-by-step approach on how to undertake research SBA TASK 2: Standardised test 1 Section A Source-based questions 1 and 2 Section B Essay questions 3 and 4 Candidates must answer TWO (2) questions, ONE source-based question and ONE essay question
2. ASSESSMENT IN GRADE 12. Assessment in the FET phase comprises of essay and source-based questions. In the September examination (preparatory) and final external examinations, Grade 12 learners will be required to write TWO question papers of 3 hours each. Both question papers will consist of SECTION A and SECTION B.
A new tool called Writable, which uses ChatGPT to help grade student writing assignments, is being offered widely to teachers in grades 3-12.. Why it matters: Teachers have quietly used ChatGPT to grade papers since it first came out — but now schools are sanctioning and encouraging its use. Driving the news: Writable, which is billed as a time-saving tool for teachers, was purchased last ...
A learner's example of an essay from a picture using the four steps. Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay. This learner chose to write a reflective essay based on this picture of a watch: Step 2: Plan the essay. This learner used a mind map to plan his essay. Step 3: Write and edit the draft essay.