South Africa civics quiz: questions and answers
All 21 general civics quiz questions about South Africa with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Constitution and government 6 questions
Head of state, parliament, courts and the constitution.
Practise only: Constitution and government →
In which year did South Africa’s current Constitution take effect?
1997
The Constitution was adopted in 1996 and came into force on 4 February 1997.
Which city is South Africa’s legislative capital?
Cape Town
Parliament sits in Cape Town; Pretoria is the executive capital and Bloemfontein the judicial capital.
Who elects the President of South Africa?
The National Assembly
The National Assembly elects the President from among its members (Constitution, section 86).
Where does the Constitutional Court sit?
Johannesburg (Constitution Hill)
The Constitutional Court is on Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
What is the upper house of South Africa’s Parliament called?
The National Council of Provinces
The NCOP has 90 delegates representing the nine provinces (Constitution, section 60).
Which language became South Africa’s 12th official language in 2023?
South African Sign Language
A 2023 amendment to the Constitution added South African Sign Language to the 11 official languages listed in 1996.
History and national symbols 9 questions
Independence, key dates, flag, anthem and other national symbols.
Practise only: History and national symbols →
When was South Africa’s first democratic election held?
27 April 1994
27 April is celebrated every year as Freedom Day.
What is South Africa’s national animal?
The springbok
The springbok is the national animal; the blue crane is the national bird and the king protea the national flower.
What does Human Rights Day on 21 March commemorate?
The Sharpeville massacre of 1960
Police killed 69 protesters at Sharpeville on 21 March 1960.
What does the national motto ‘!ke e: /xarra //ke’ mean?
Diverse people unite
The motto on the coat of arms adopted in 2000 is written in the Khoisan language ǀXam.
In which year did South Africa hold its first democratic elections open to all races?
1994
The first fully democratic elections were held in April 1994, ending apartheid rule.
Who became President of South Africa after the 1994 election?
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was elected President by the new Parliament in May 1994.
On which island was Nelson Mandela imprisoned for 18 years?
Robben Island
Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison on Robben Island, now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Which document was adopted at the Congress of the People in Kliptown in 1955?
The Freedom Charter
The Freedom Charter, adopted at Kliptown in 1955, set out a vision of a non-racial, democratic South Africa.
In which year was the Union of South Africa formed?
1910
The Union of South Africa was created on 31 May 1910 by joining four British colonies.
Geography and society 5 questions
Capital, geography, languages, currency and public holidays.
Practise only: Geography and society →
How many official languages does South Africa have?
12
South African Sign Language became the 12th official language in 2023.
How many provinces does South Africa have?
Nine
South Africa has had nine provinces since 1994 (Constitution, section 103).
Which public holiday on 27 April marks the 1994 elections?
Freedom Day
Freedom Day on 27 April commemorates the first democratic elections held in 1994.
Which is the longest river in South Africa?
Orange River
The Orange River is South Africa's longest river and flows west into the Atlantic Ocean.
Which hymn forms the opening part of South Africa’s national anthem?
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
The anthem combines parts of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika with Die Stem van Suid-Afrika, and opens with Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika.
Naturalisation rules 1 questions
What the law requires for citizenship: residence, language, tests, fees and dual nationality.
Practise only: Naturalisation rules →
How many years of ordinary residence as a permanent resident does section 5 of the Citizenship Act require?
Five
Five continuous years immediately before applying, as a permanent residence holder (section 5(1)(c)).
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