CURRICULUM GRADE 10 -12 DIRECTORATE

NCS (CAPS)

LEARNER SUPPORT DOCUMENT

GRADE 10

GEOGRAPHY

STEP AHEAD PROGRAMME

2023
Page 1 of 48
PREFACE
This support document serves to assist Geography learners in how to deal with curriculum
gaps and learning losses because of the impact of COVID-19 in 2021. It also addresses the
challenging topics in the Grade 10 curriculum in Term 3.

Activities serve as a guide on how various topics are assessed at different cognitive levels and
prepare learners for informal and formal tasks in Geography. It covers the following topics:

No. Topic Page

A. POPULATION DISTRIBUTION & DENSITY 3-6

B. POPULATION STRUCTURE 7-10

C. POPULATION GROWTH 11-19

D. POPULATION GEOGRAPHY ACTIVITIES 20-25

E. WATER MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA 26-34

F. WATER MANAGEMENT IN SA ACTIVITIES 35-39

G. FLOODS 40-45

H. FLOOD ACTIVITIES 46-51

I. MARKING GUIDELINE 52-67

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Population Geography Concepts
• Population Geography is the branch of Human Geography about the composition,
structure, size, distribution, and density of population.
• Population structure refers to how a population is made up with regards to gender
and age group.
• Population distribution is to the spreading of population across the earth.
• Population density: is the number of people occupying an area, expressed as people
per square kilometre (people/km2).
• Demography is to the study of population statistics.
• Ecumene is the parts of earth that are suitable for people to live in.
• Non-ecumene is part of the earth that are not suitable for people to live in.
• Infant mortality rate is the number of infant deaths per 1000 live births.
• Economically active population are people who are at employable age
• Economically dependent are people who do not work and economically dependent.
• Literacy rate is the percentage of the total population who can read and write.
• Dependency ratio is the relationship between the economically active population and
economically dependent population.
• Zero population growth is birth rate equals to death rate.
• Population growth is the natural change in the world’s population.
• population growth rate is the rate/speed at which the world’s population is growing.
• Overpopulation is when the number of people living in an area is greater than the
number of people the area can support.
• Population distribution: is the spreading of population across the earth.
• Birth rate: refer to the number of babies born per 1000 of population per year.
• Death rate is the number of deaths per 1000 of the population per year.
• Fertility rate is an average number of children a woman is expected to have within her
child-bearing age.
• Natural increase (growth rate): is the rate at which a country’s population is growing
excluding immigration (birth rate minus the death rate).
• Life expectancy: is an average number of years a person can expect to live.

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Population distribution and population density
Population distribution: is the spreading of population across the earth. The world’s
population is not evenly distributed across the earth.
• The worlds population is not evenly distributed across the earth.
• About half of the world’s population lives on only 5% of the Earth’s land.
• About 60% of the world's population lives in one continent, Asia.
• Even within a country, certain places have lots of people, and some other parts
have few people.

Figure 1.1 Global population distribution

Source: https://www.jkgeography.com/physical-and-human-factors-affecting-global-population-distribution.html

Population density: is the number of people occupying an area, expressed as people per
square kilometre (people/km2).
• To calculate population density, we divide the total population by the area in which
they live.
• We then express this as the number of people/km2.
• The higher the country’s population density the crowded the country is.

Page 4 of 48
Figure 1.2: Global population density

Source: https://worldinmaps.com/world/population-and-settlement/population-density/

Factors that affect the distribution and density of the world’s population
• Some countries have larger populations, while others have smaller populations.
• Millions of people live in certain areas, while other places have almost no people.
• Some parts of the Earth are suitable for living in(ecumene).
• Some parts of the Earth are not suitable for living in (non-ecumene)
• Factors affecting population distribution and population density fall into two
categories, physical and social factors.

Physical factors Social factors

Climate: good climate patterns and Economy: well developed economy.
weather patterns
Water: Availability of fresh drinking wat Politics: stable political conditions
Relief :gentle relief is better over steep Cultural factors: old traditions of human
topography settlement.
Resources:natural resources must be Transport and communication: availability
readily available of transport network.
Soil: fertile soil provides a good base Infrastructure: well developed
farming infrastructure and services.

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Population Indicators
Population indicators: are different measurements which give us information about a
country’s population.
• Population characteristics differ from one country to another.
• Population indicators compare the characteristics of different populations.
The following population indicators all tell us something about a country’s population:
• Birth rate: is the number of babies born per 1000 of the population per year.
• Death rate: is number of deaths per 1000 of the population per year.
• Fertility rate: is an average number of children a woman is expected to have within
her child-bearing age.
• Natural population increase (growth rate): is the rate at which a country’s
population is growing excluding immigration (birth rate minus the death rate).
• Life expectancy: is an average number of years a person can expect to live.
Factors affecting population indicators.
• Culture: polygamy, a man with more than one wife is likely to have many children
• Religion: some religions believe that contraceptives should not be used; therefore, the
birth rate is higher in countries where those religions are predominant.
• Migration: is the movement of people so that they change their place of residence.
• War: many men killed in wartime will mean a decrease in the birth rate.
• Education: people who are educated about family planning usually have fewer
children.
• Natural disasters: such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, and drought.
• Diseases: outbreak of severe diseases such as Ebola and Covid19.

Population Structure
A country’s population consists of people of different genders (male and female) and ages.
The most common method to show the structure is using a population pyramid.
• It gives information about birth rate, death rate, life expectancy, male-female migration,
working and dependent population.
• demonstrate population growth pattern that helps in population projection.
• Help in demographic and economic planning- what kinds of services and facilities will
be needed in future.

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 FIGURE 1.3 Interpreting population pyramids

Source: https://www.coolgeography.co.uk/GCSE/AQA/Population/Population%20Pyramids/Population%20Pyramids.htm

• The shape of pyramids gives a clear image of the of the extent of the development
of the country.
• A symetrical-shaped pyramid shows a developing country. The birth rate is high
(there are many young people) and the death rate is high (there are few old people)
• A bell shaped pyramid shows a developing country. It has a low birth rate (fewer
young people) and a low death rate (more old people), so the pyramid has a narrow
base and a broader top.
• A wide base of population pyramid indicates a high birth rate.
• A narrow base of population pyramid is indicative of low birth rate.
• Straight or slightly vertical sides of population pyramid suggests low death rate.

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Types of Population Pyramids

1. Rapid Growth, Expanding Population Pyramid

Source: https://www.coolgeography.co.uk/GCSE/AQA/Population/Population%20Pyramids/Population%20Pyramids.htm

• Rapid growth, expanding population pyramid depicts population with fast rapid growth
and expanding population.
• Males and females are usually equal in number.
• Pyramid has symmetrical (triangular) shape.
• Birth rates and death rates are high.
• Older people are fewer.

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 2. Low growth rate, gradually expanding population.
Figure 1.5 Population pyramid of USA.

Source: https://www.lecturio.com/concepts/population-pyramids/

• Slow growth, gradually expanding population pyramid indicates population which

grows slowly and expands gradually.
• The pyramid has a bell shape.
• Birth rates and death rates are low.
• Middle aged people are more.
• Females live longer than males.
3. Stable, Static Population Pyramid

Figure 1.5 Population pyramid of Poland

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Population_pyramid_of_Poland_2016.png

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• Stable, static population pyramid illustrates country’s population which is stable and
static.
• The pyramid has a bell shape.
• Birth rates and death rates are at low levels.
• Females have longer life expectancy.
4. Declining, Diminishing Population Pyramid
Figure 1.7 Population pyramid of Austria/

Source: https://www.populationpyramid.net/austria/2022/

• Declining, diminishing population pyramid shows country’s population that is declining

and diminishing.
• The pyramid is asymmetrical.
• Birth rates and death rates are low.
• There are more middle-aged people.
• Older people outnumber younger people.
• Females live longer than males.

5. Zero population growth

• Occurs in a population when births + immigration = deaths + emigration.
• This means the population remains stable.
• It either expands or shrinks.

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• This means population is ‘shrinking’ over time.

OVERPOPULATION AND MANAGING POPULATION GROWTH

Population growth: refers to the increase in the number of people on earth or in a
population group. The current global population growth rate is about 1.1% per year.
• Two metrics determine the change in the world population: the number of babies
born and the number of people dying.
• Human population has rapidly increased due to innovation and industrialization;
food, energy, water, and medical care became more reliable and available.
Population growth overtime
• The world’s population has changed overtime.
• There are more than twice as many people on Earth today as there were in the
1960.

Figure: 1.8 Human population growth overtime

Source: https://populationconnection.org/blog/world-population-milestones-throughout-history/

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Demographic transition model: a model explaining how country’s population changes
overtime.

Figure 1.9 Demographic transition model

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/Demographic_transition

Stage 1 – High Stationery Phase Stage 2 – Early Expanding Phase

• Birth rate and death rate are high. • Birth rate remains at high level.
• Total population is low. • Infant mortality rate and death rate start
to decline due to improved medical
services, nutrition, peace and stability
• Birth rate is high because of lack of birth • Life expectancy increases and total
control. population starts to grow.
• Death rate and infant mortality rate are • This stage is called population
high due to disease, famine, malnutrition, explosion.
and all factors affecting death rate.

Stage 3 – Late Expanding Phase Stage 4 – Low Stationery Phase

• Death rate continues to decline at • Birth rate stabilizes at low levels.

low level, and birth rate begins to
drop.
• Total population continues to rise to • Death rate remains at low levels.
upper level.
• Birth rate decreases to low level • Total population remains at high levels.
due to urbanization and

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 industrialization.
• Total Population begins to level out. • If birth rate declines below death rate, there
is a negative natural increase, and the
population decreases.

Overpopulation: refers to a population which exceeds its sustainable size or carrying

capacity within a particular area or habitat.

Source: issuesonline.co.uk

• This occurs when the number of people is more than the resources available such
as transport, water, shelter, food, or social amenities.
• The population is unable to retain adequate standard of living with the available
resources and technology.

• Overpopulation is currently a threat in some regions of the world, but not in others.
It depends on the regions’ balance between population and resources.

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 Source: https://thecountriesof.com/top-10-most-populated-countries-in-the-world-2013/

Causes of overpopulation
• Decreased mortality rate.
• Better healthcare
• Growth in food production
• Depletion of resources
• Poor contraceptive usage
• Lack of family planning
• Immigration
• Child labour
• Technological advancement in fertility treatments
Effects of overpopulation
• The environment is degraded (i.e., pollution, climate change, land degradation)
• Depletion of natural resources
• Conflict and war
• Increased standard of living
• Increased rate of unemployment
• Social ills (crime, drug abuse, prostitution)
• Starvation and famine
• Increased risk of pandemics and epidemics
• lower life expectancy
• climate change occurs at a much faster rate.

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Managing Population Growth

• better education
• availability of free contraceptives
• educating girl children
• tax incentives for families with few children
• creating awareness campaigns about overpopulation

Sterilisation • Sterilization refers to an act of making a person to be unable to

produce bear children.
Vasectomy – male • Vasectomy refers to a surgical operation that is done in order to
operation sterilize a man by cutting off the tube that carries sperm cells to
the penis.
• Vasectomy denotes a medical procedure of cutting off the small
tube that carries sperm cells done to make a man unable to
produce children.
Tubectomy – • Tubectomy means a medical operation a woman does by
female operation cutting off her fallopian tubes so that she may be permanently
sterile.
• Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure in which a woman’s
fallopian tubes are block to stop the passing of egg cells.
Abortion • Abortion means an act of terminating pregnancy before the
period is completed.
• Abortion refers to a practice of stopping the development of a
child during pregnancy.
One Child Policy • One child policy means the measure to control population that
was introduced by China to force couples to give birth only to
one child.

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POPULATION MOVEMENTS
Population movements takes place when people move from one place to another.
Population movements have influenced the growth and development of countries, and
they continue to do so today.
• Migration: refers to the movement of people so that they change their place of
residence.
Kinds of population movements
• International migration: refers to the moment of people across a country’s border.
• Emigration: refers to the movement of people out of their home country to another
country.
• Immigration: this is the movement of people into a new country of residence.
Regional migration
This is the movement of people within a region or country.
• Rural urban migration is the movement of people from rural areas to urban areas.

Source: https://quizizz.com/admin/presentation/push-and-pull-factors

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 Effects of rural-urban migration:

Source: http://www.stagnationinruralareas.uk

Rural Urban
Reduced labour force Increased unemployment
Reduces agricultural production Overpopulation
Aged population left behind Strain on basic services
Increase in food prices urbanisation
Services close Growth of informal settlements
Rural depopulation
Brain drain

• Urbanisation: is the increase in the percentage number of people living in urban

areas (towns and cities)
• Voluntary migration: people move from one place to another voluntarily without
being forced, in search of a better life.
• Forced migration: people are forced to move from one place to another because
they face danger or death if they do not move.

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Causes and effects of population movements.
People move from one place to another for various reasons:
• People move in search of jobs.
• Political oppression wars, conflict.
• Religious persecution
• Some people migrate for health reasons (to cleaner and safer environments)
• Some people migrate to places with better services (housing and school).
• Some people migrate for security reasons (crime).
• Political stability
• Gender equality

Migration can have positive and negative effects.

Negative effects include:
• Cultural clash
• Smuggling and human trafficking
Positive effects include:
• Integration overtime
• Increased cultural diversity.

Temporary and permanent movements

• Permanent movement: is when someone moves from one place to another and
has no plan to return to the original home.
• Temporary movement: is when people move from their place of residence for a
certain period (limited by time).
Temporary and permanent movements include:
• Migrant labour: is a person who migrates within a home country or outside for
work.
• Economic migrant: is a person who moves to improve the standard of living by
gaining a better job.
• Political migrant: a person who moves to escape political persecution or war.
• Refugees: people who are forced to leave their homes for their own safety. This
could be due to war, oppression, climate change and natural disasters.

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Attitudes Towards Political Migrants and Refugees
Political asylum is the protection that is granted to foreign nationals by the hosting country.
• Political migrants and refugees receive unfair treatment from the country’s indigenous
people.
• Local people usually complain that political migrants and refugees take their jobs, and
increase strain on housing, and basic services.
• Political migrants and refugees are associated with crime drug trafficking, human
trafficking.
• The total dislike and hatred that is directed to political migrants and refugees is known
as xenophobia.
• Xenophobia: includes expelling group of political migrants and refugees, brutal
assaults, murder, destruction to their property, and looting their shops.

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Learner activities
1.1 Give ONE word/term for each of the following descriptions by
choosing a word/term from the list below. Write only the word/term
next to the question number (1.1.1–1.1.7) in the ANSWER BOOK.

International migration, Migration, Emigration, Immigration, Regional

migration, Rural urban migration, urbanisation, Rural depopulation.

1.1.1 When people move from one country to another. (1x1) (1)

1.1.2 Is when a person from another country settles in a new (1x1) (1)
country.
1.1.3 When a person leaves his or her country. (1x1) (1)
1.1.4 This is a movement of people within a region such as (1x1) (1)
South Africa.
1.1.5 This is the movement of people from rural areas to urban (1x1) (1)
areas.
1.1.6 The increasing percentage of people living in urban (1x1) (1)
areas.
1.1.7 The movement of people so they can change their place (1x1) (1)
of residence.
(7 x 1) (7)

1.2 Match a term in column B with the correct statement in column A. Write only the letter
next to the question number, for example: 1.2.8 I.
COLUMN A COLUMN B

1.2.1 Total fertility of 2.1 A Doubling time

1.2.2 Factors that encourage people to leave a particular B Population

place

1.2.3 Number of people in a square km C Economically active

1.2.4 Factors that attract people towards a particular area D Replacement rate

1.2.5 Number of years it will take for the population to E Push factors
double in size

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1.2.6 Number of people in a given area F Dependency ratio

1.2.7 People who work in a population G Pull factors

H Population density

(7 × 1) (7)

1.3 Refer to the population pyramid below and answer the questions that follow.

Www.googleimages.com
1.3.1 Define the term population pyramid. (1x2) (2)
1.3.2 State whether the population pyramid above is that of a
(1x2) (2)
developing country or developed country.
1.3.3 The population pyramid reflects high infant mortality
rates. Identify ONE piece of evidence from the
population pyramid to justify this statement. (1x2) (2)
1.3.4 Provide TWO possible reasons for low life expectancy
reflected by the population pyramid above.
(2x2) (4)
1.3.5 Discuss the significance of population pyramids for the
(3x2) (6)
government.
[16]

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2.Study the table below and answer the following questions:

Country Crude Birth Rate Crude Death Rate Natural Increase

Japan 7,44 9.83 -2,39

South Africa 21,33 13,90 _____

Nigeria 36,07 16,31 19,76

2.1 Differentiate between birth rate and death rate. (2x2) (4)
2.2 Name a country which will have a decrease in population in the table (3)
above and give one reason for your answer. (1+2)

2.3 Calculate Natural increase for South Africa (2x1) (2)

2.4 Name and briefly explain factors influencing the distribution of
the world’s population. (3x2) (6)
[15]

FIGURE 3: A COUNTRY VILLAGE

Study FIGURE 3, a cartoon about a country village.

http://jolgri.org/index.php/jolgri/article

3.1 Define the term rural-urban migration. (1 x 2) (2)

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3.2 Give the population size of this country village on weekends (2 x 1) (2)
and during the week respectively

3.3 State and explain ONE pull factor that could explain the size (2 x 2) (4)
of the population during the week.
3.4 In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, outline the (4 x 2) (8)
consequences of rural-urban migration on people and the
local economy of the country village
[15]

FIGURE 4: URBANISATION
Read the article about urbanisation in FIGURE 4 and then answer the
questions that follow.

URBANISATION
11 APRIL 2014, LAUREN ROYSTON, MICHAEL CLARK

There is still no formal plan to cover the need for cheaper inner-city
accommodation.
Approximately 60% of the South African population currently lives in urban
areas. This figure will increase as due to a natural population growth and the
further migration of people to cities in search of economic opportunities.

In many African countries, including South Africa, the standard government

response to poverty associated with urbanisation (where people live in backyard
shacks, informal settlements, and 'bad' buildings) has been to focus on
improving standards of living in rural areas in order to prevent rural-urban
migration, and to criminalise poverty in urban areas by evicting people from their
shacks and clamping down on informal livelihoods.

https://www.britannica.com
4.1 Define the term urbanisation. (1 x 1) (2)
4.2 What is the percentage of the people living in urban areas in (1 x 2) (2)
South Africa?
4.3 What are the causes of urbanisation in South Africa? (2 x 1) (2)
4.4 Discuss FOUR problems associated with urbanisation in (4 x 2) (8)
South Africa.
[14]

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5. Study the demographic model in FIGURE 5 and answer questions that
follow.

Source: https://geographyfieldwork.com/DemographicTransition.htm

5.1 Define demographic transition model. (1 x 2) (2)

5.2 List three characteristics of a population group in stage 1. (3 x 1) (3)
5.3 Explain why the death rate has decreased in Stage 2. (1 x 2) (2)
5.4 Suggest a country that could reflect the graph for Stage 2. (1 x 1) (1)
5.5 Give two reasons for your answer in 1.4.4. (2 x 2) (4)
[12]

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GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
Use the map of Phalaborwa to answer the following questions.
6. The orthophoto map shows a high resolution.
6.1 Explain the term resolution. (1 x 2) (2)
6.2 Give evidence that the orthophoto map has a high (1 x 1) (1)
resolution.
6.3 Due to the increase in population and human activities in block A1, the
possibility of increased environmental degradation is very likely. The local
municipality can use remote sensing to assess the impact of
environmental degradation in block A1.
6.3.1 Explain the term remote sensing. (1 x 2) (2)
6.3.2 Explain how the local municipality will use remote sensing (2 x 2) (4)
to monitor the negative impact of the increased
environmental degradation in block A1
6.4 A Developer had to choose between sites in block D1 and site H in block
A1 to build a shopping mall:
6.4.1 Explain why he/she chose site D1 to build a mall. (3 x 2) (6)
[15]

Page 25 of 48
 WATER MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Rivers, lakes, and

dams in South Africa &
Factors influencing
availability of water in
South Africa

providing free basic

urban communities
water to rural and
sustainable use

Challenges of
Strategies for

of water

Water management in
South Africa

Role of government and

municipalities in water
provision

KEY CONCEPTS

TERM EXPLANATION
Water management Process of planning, developing, and managing water
resources, in terms of both water quantity and quality,
across all water uses.
Rainfall distribution The spread of rainfall across an area
Lake A body of water that is surrounded by land
Groundwater Water that exists underground in saturated zones
beneath the Earth’s surface
Water table Upper limit of groundwater
Inter-basin water transfer Moving water from one drainage basin to another
Evaporation Process whereby liquid water is converted into water

Page 26 of 48
 vapour
Evaporation rate Amount of water that is lost through evaporation in an
area
Invasive Alien Plants Plants, introduced into South Africa from other
countries, that spread very quickly and crowd local
plants

RIVERS, LAKES, AND DAMS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Rivers and lakes are natural storage areas for fresh water all over the world.
Large percentage of rural and urban population largely depends on rivers for fresh water supply.

Map showing network of rivers that supply fresh water to South African citizens.

Source:https://weatherblog.co.za/water-management-rivers-dams/south-africa-water-management-areas-dam-
river-systems-maps/

Page 27 of 48
MAP SHOWING SOME OF THE LAKES FOUND IN SOUTH AFRICA

This map shows a system of lakes that form

part of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in the northern KwaZulu
Natal, South Africa.

These lakes act as tourist attractions, and they

are visited by many tourists annually which
boost the tourism industry of the country.

These lakes also act as natural storage areas

for fresh water and habitat to several plants and
animal species.

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map-
of-Maputoland-The-Kosi-Lakes-Lake-Sibaya-and-St-
Lucia-Estuary-are-Ramsa_fig6_51636234

Factors influencing the availability of water in South Africa

-Rainfall is the main source of fresh water in South Africa
-The eastern part of the country receives more annual rainfall compared to the western part.
-For this reason, more water is available in the eastern part than western part.
RAINFALL DISDTRIBUTION

https://www.weathersa.co.z\
This map shows unequal distribution of rainfall in South Africa. The map clearly indicates
that the eastern part of the country generally receives high amount of rainfall that western
part.

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 -High evaporation rates reduce the volume of water in rivers, lakes and dams which might lead to
drying up of these water bodies.
-Hot summers in South Africa increase evaporation rates which reduce water levels in dams, rivers,
and lakes.
EVAPOATATION RATES

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Overall-evaporation-in-South-Africa-Data-Source-WRC-
72_fig2_348464918
This map shows overall evaporation rates in South Africa. The map shows evaporation of above 2000 mm for
most parts of the country which is very high.
k

-Availability of groundwater increases freshwater access for mostly rural dwellers and
farmers in South Africa
-Groundwater is extracted by drilling boreholes.
-An estimated 80 000 – 100 000 boreholes are being drilled annually in South Africa to
access groundwater.
Groundwater Availability

https://www.aquaearth.co.za/borehole/
Above is an example of borehole drilling to extract groundwater
m

Page 29 of 48
 South Africa is a seasonal rainfall country.
-Most places receive summer rainfall except for the Western Cape which receives its annual rainfall
in winter.
-To increase water supply during dry season, many dams have been built for water storage in rainy
season.
Water Storage in dams

http://www.gariepdam.sa

Above is the Gariep dam (the largest in South Africa with approximately 5 340 000
megalitres capacity). The Gariep dam is in the Free State province and covers more than
370m2

Page 30 of 48
 CHALLENGES OF PROVIDING FREE BASIC WATER IN RURAL AREAS

Dispersed Illegal water

settlement connections
pattern

High cost of Large distance

water between water
infrastructure supply points and
water demand
points

CHALLENGES OF PROVIDING FREE BASIC WATER IN URBAN AREAS

Growth of
Growing informal
Urban settlements
Population

Lack of payment
of water services
Old by users
infrastructure

Page 31 of 48
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND MUNICIPALITIES

INTER-BASIN WATER TRANSFER

-This is the movement of water from one drainage basin to another.
-Inter-basin water transfer helps to transfer water from places of plenty to places of deficit.
-Inter – basin water transfer has its advantages and disadvantages.

ADVANTAGES

-Water – deficient areas receive water.

-Preservation of endangered wild fauna and flora
-Repairing damaged ecological systems
-Recipient basins can use water for irrigation, electricity generation, industry, domestic etc.

DISADVANTAGES
-Inter – basin water transfer can lead to water shortages for donor basins in future.
-Salinization and aridification of donor basins
-Reduction in volume of water increases deposition leading to siltation of donor basins.

AN EXAMPLE OF AN INTER – BASIN WATER TRANSFER SCHEME IS (TUGELA – VAAL WT)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesotho_Highlands_Water_Project

Page 32 of 48
DAM BUILDING
-A dam is a structure built across a river or stream to hold back water.
-South Africa relies heavily on its system of dams to supply its water needs.
-Dams ensures continuous availability of water even during dry seasons.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Dam+building+in+South+Africa
Examples of dam building projects

ROLE OF MUNICIPALITIES
WATER PURIFICATION
-Once water has been collected and transferred to a river basin or dam, it needs to be purified
before it is distributed to consumers.
-Water boards such as Rand water and Umngeni water are responsible for purifying water.
-The main role of municipalities is to distribute purified water to private users.
-In areas where there is poor water infrastructure, municipalities use water tankers to deliver
clean water to local communities.

Source:https://infrastructurenews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/11/wastewater-treatment-
plant.jpg
Water treatment plant Water trucks supplying fresh water for local people.

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STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE USE OF WATER

Implement laws that can help More efficient water delivery

to control water pollution. systems

THE ROLE OF
GOVERNMENT

Regulate the plantation of invasive

alien plants to preserve water in
rivers and underground since they
use up too much water.

THE ROLE OF INDIVIDUALS

Switching off taps when not using water
Fix dripping taps and leaks
Re-use dirty water for cleaning
Use watering cans in gardens instead of pipes.
Water plants in the evening
Use bath water to water vegetables.
Report leaking pipes to the municipality.
Remove invasive alien plants.
Educate others about using water sustainably.

Page 34 of 48
GRADE 10 GEOGRAPHY

MARKS: 14 DURATION: 20 MINS

ACTIVITY ONE
1.1 Read the case study below based on Komati water transfer scheme

KOMATI WATER SCHEME AUGMENTATION PROJECT IN MPUMALANGA

The KWSAP is a new water-transfer scheme from Rietfontein weir to the Matla Duvha Power
stations. In Mpumalanga. The KWSAP will be able deliver an additional 57 million cubic metres
of water a year to the Komati water scheme.

The project involves the construction of an additional pump station at the Rietfontein weir, with a
total flow rate capacity of 2.16 m3; a 600 mm nominal-diameter steel pipeline from the
Rietfontein weir to the Matla power station over 12.9 km with a flow rate capacity of 0.474m 3/s; a
1100 mm nominal-diameter steel pipeline from the Rietfontein weir to Duvha power station over
58.4 km with a flow rate capacity of 1684m3/s
Source: https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/print-version/komati-water-scheme-argumentation-
project-south-africa-2013-04-19

1.1.1 Define the term inter-basin transfer scheme (1  2) (2)

1.1.2 State TWO infrastructure project mentioned in the case study that will
form part of the project (2  1) (2)
1.1.3 According to the article, what is the main objective of Komati Water
Scheme Augmentation Project? (1  2) (2)
1.1.4 In a paragraph of approximately eight lines, discuss how Komati Water
Scheme Augmentation Project will disrupt human activities in Rietfontein. (4  2) (8)
[14]

Page 35 of 48
GRADE 10 GEOGRAPHY
MARKS: 15 DURATION: 20 MINS
ACTIVITY TWO
1.1 Read the case Study below on sustainable water management

The Fight against invasive alien plants

Of the estimated 9000 plants introduces to this country, 198 are currently classified as being
invasive. It is estimated that these plants cover about 10% of the country and the problem is
growing at an exponential rate.

The fight against invasive alien plants is spearheaded by the

Working for Water (WfW) programme launched in 1995 and
administered previously through the department of water affairs
and forestry and now the department of Environmental affairs.
This programme works in partnership with local communities, to
whom it provides jobs, and with Government departments
including the departments of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism, Agriculture, and Trade and Industry.

Source: https://www.dffe.gov.za/projectsprogrammes/wfw

1.1.1 What are invasive alien plants (1  2) (2)

1.1.2 Name the organisation that is spearheading the fight against invasive
alien plants (1  1) (1)
1.1.3 Explain why there is an urgent need to fight against invasive alien plants (2  2) (4)
1.1.3 In a paragraph of approximately eight lines, outline other sustainable
water management strategies that the government together with local
communities can implement to manage water resources in South Africa (4  2) (8)
[15]

Page 36 of 48
GRADE 10 GEOGRAPHY
MARKS: 16 DURATION: 20 MINS
ACTIVITY THREE
1.1 Refer to the infographic below depicting water crisis in Eastern Cape

Makhanda is currently using 18 megalitres of water each day – about 180 litres per person. The
crippling drought has nearly emptied dams and it is unlikely to recover until/unless we receive
significant rainfall. And so we are restricting consumption to 50 litres per person a day with
immediate effect, to be able to use the Settlers supply for longer and push back the date at
which it ceases to be viable. We are also trying to stabilise the output as well as increase the
number of town reservoirs filled by the James Kleynhans Purification Works to supply parts of
the city immediately, alleviating some pressure on Settlers.
Source: http://www.makana.gov.za/water-crisis
1.1.1 Refer to the bar graph and write down the following:
a) The driest dam (1  1) (1)
b) The fullest dam (1  1) (1)
1.1.2 List TWO ways Makhanda Municipality is currently using to manage the
water crisis (2  1) (2)
1.1.3 Explain TWO uses of dams. (2  2) (4)

Page 37 of 48
1.1.4 In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines, discuss how people can
sustainably save water at home (4  2) (8)
[16]

GRADE 10 GEOGRAPHY
MARKS: 16 DURATION: 20 MINS
ACTIVITY FOUR
1.1 Carefully read the case study based on water transfer scheme in South Africa

A complicated canal and tunnel system takes water from the Gariep Dam to the Nelson.
Mandela Metropolitan area via the Fish and Sundays Rivers. This system transfers water from
the Gariep-Orange River basin to the Fish and Sundays River basins. The extra water is used
for irrigation in the rural areas as well as supplying the urban centres in the Nelson. Mandela
Metropolitan area.
-Water is piped from the Gariep Dam into the Great Fish River basin.
-A weir, Elandsdrift, diverts water from the Great Fish River into a canal and through a
tunnel into the Little Fish River.
-A pipeline pipes water into a canal and into Darlington Dam on the Sundays River
-A pipeline pipes water from the Sundays River to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Area

1.1.1 Explain what is meant by water transfer. (1  2) (2)

1.1.2 Mention ONE municipality and the province that benefits from this water
transfer (2  1) (2)
1.1.3 Give TWO activities that water is used for in this municipality. (2  1) (2)
1.1.4 Explain the way water is transferred from the Great Fish River basin to
the Sundays River basin. (2  2) (4)
1.1.5 There is an increased demand for water in South Africa, but the supply
of usable water is decreasing. Discuss THREE human and physical
factors influencing the availability of water in South Africa. (3  2) (6)
[16]

Page 38 of 48
GRADE 10 GEOGRAPHY
MARKS: 15 DURATION: 20 MINS
ACTIVITY FIVE
1.1 Refer to the photograph below and answer the questions that follow

https://blog.wika.us/knowhow/how-does-a-hydroelectric-plant-work-a-brief-history-and-basic-
mechanics-of-hydropower/
1.1.1 Give a suitable term that describes electricity generated from water. (1  1) (1)
1.1.2 Is water a renewable or non-renewable resource? (1  1) (1)
1.1.3 What is water used for in photographs above? (1  1) (1)
1.1.4 Provide TWO other examples of how rural communities use their
water resources excluding the one illustrated by the photograph (2  1) (2)
above.
1.1.5 Briefly explain how groundwater contributes to the availability of
water in South Africa (1  2) (2)
1.1.6 In a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines suggest how individuals
can sustainably save water at home, garden and in the community (4  2) (8)
[15]

Page 39 of 48
 FLOODS

Flood: is defined as a situation where there is too much water on the surface at a particular
time.

Source:
https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.4591f72b543a56e753bc4d974b2c4fcd?rik+Zw5o175VX2uAqg&pid+I
mgRaw&r+0

• Floods occur when water cannot drain out in time and accumulates above the ground
leading to human an environmental impact.
• When there are high tides and strong winds on coastal areas it leads to coastal floods
on low lying areas e.g. tsunami.
• Some floods occur on the banks of the river. This common kind of flooding is termed
river flooding.

Page 40 of 48
 CAUSES OF FLOODING- PHYSICAL AND HUMAN
• Floods are caused by physical and human factors. A combination of these factors leads
to high risk of floods in rivers.
• Physical causes include natural causes such as type of precipitation, relief, type of soils,
melting snow and vegetation cover.
• Human causes include poor farming practices, deforestation, and poor drainage
systems.

PHYSICAL CAUSES

Type of precipitation: the sudden heavy rain over several days causes rivers to flood. These
heavy rains emerging from weather phenomenon such as tropical storms cause river levels to
rise quickly leading to flash floods.
Relief: low-lying areas are susceptible to floods since they cause water to accumulate on the
level ground.

Melting snow:
global warming
results to snow
melting into
rivers while
excessively
increasing the
volume of water
flowing.

Source: http://www.bing.com/images/search?view

Vegetation cover: sparse vegetation promotes high surface runoff, leading to floods. Dense
vegetation promotes the soaking of water into the ground.

Page 41 of 48
HUMAN CAUSES
Poor farming practices: human activities such as overgrazing and cultivation, soil erosion
result to the siltation of water sources hence floods.

Deforestation:
clearing of trees
from the surface
results to soil
erosion which silts
up rivers that can
cause overflows
and floods.

Source: http://www.bing.com/images/search?view

Poor drainage systems: urban areas are the most affected with floods due to poor storm-
water drainage systems.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FLOODS
KEY CONCEPTS
Flood hydrographs: a graph showing a river’s discharge over time.
Discharge: the amount of water across the width of a river flowing past a given point.

A hydrograph
• River discharge rises soon after the rainstorm puts water into a river basin.
• The peak of a hydrograph shows the highest flow in m³/ second.
• There is a lag between the rainstorm peak and the discharge peak.
• Discharge increases rapidly, before the peak and decrease slowly after the flood has
peaked.
• Before an area is urbanized, the hydrograph will be flatter due to vegetation absorbing a lot
of water.
• After an area is urbanized, the hydrograph will be steeper due to sparse vegetation
promoting surface runoff.

Page 42 of 48
Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Hydrological -effect-of-urbanization-on-river-flow

NB: A STORM HYDROGRAPH IS NOT FOR EXAMINATION PRUPOSE!

IMPACT OF FLOODS
SOCIAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTAL
• Loss of human • Transportation of • Erosion of
life goods disrupted. riverbanks
• Loss of livestock • Damage to • Damage to
• Loss of crops industries wetlands
• Damage to • Increase in food • Aquatic habitats
property prices. destroyed.
• Disruption of • Insurance costs • Lower water
electricity • Decreased quality
tourists • Removal of
vegetation

Page 43 of 48
 MANAGING FLOODING

Ways of managing floods include:

• Taking steps to reduce flooding.
• Cope with floods during their occurrence
• Awareness to people whose lands, homes, businesses, and services are at risk from
flooding.
Ways of preparing for floods include:
• Adjusting to simple ways of purifying water
• Stocking up canned food and bottled water
• Stocking up enough medication
• Stocking up batteries
• Having mosquito nets to reduce the risk of malaria.

Page 44 of 48
A CASE STUDY
Durban Floods: Is It a consequence of Climate Change?
South Africa’s government has declared a state of disaster in an area in the east of
the country which was hit by severe flooding over the past week, leaving hundreds

Most of the destruction

has been in the Durban
area of KwaZulu-Natal
province, the country’s
third most populous
city.

dead and causing major damage.

President Cyril Ramaphosa claims the disaster “is part of climate change”, but some
locals have blamed poor infrastructure for the scale of the flooding. An excess of
300mm of rainfall which was dumped over a 24-hour period on 11 April 2022 triggered
the floods.

Some residents have

blamed the state of local
infrastructure for the
disaster, citing a lack of
progress in improving
drainage systems, as well
as strengthening roads and
poorly built housing.
Durban’s mayor, Mxolisi
Kaunda, said one of the
factors to the disaster is a
landslide.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/61107685

Page 45 of 48
GRADE 10 GEOGRAPHY
MARKS: 16 DURATION: 20 MINS
ACTIVITY ONE
1.1 Refer to the cartoon based on floods and answer the questions that
follow

Source:http://th.bing.com
1.1.1 Define the concept flood. (1  2) (2)
1.1.2 The possible phenomenon evident in the cartoon is likely
to be coastal flooding. Justify the statement. (2  2) (4)
1.1.3 How do the people in the cartoon suddenly express their
worry over their relaxation time? (1  2) (2)
1.1.4 Identify TWO natural causes of floods that are depicted in
the cartoon. (2  1) (2)
1.1.4 In a paragraph of approximately SIX lines explain the
social and environmental effect of coastal flooding. (3  2) (6)
[16]

Page 46 of 48
GRADE 10 GEOGRAPHY
MARKS:15 DURATION: 20 MINS
ACTIVITY TWO

2.1. Read the case study below and answer the questions that follow.

INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS FLOODED BY HEAVY RAINS

Residents of informal settlements battled against flooding on Thursday as heavy
rains fell across Cape Town.
The city’s Disaster Risk Management Centre on Thursday said that
approximately 500 structures have been affected. In Masiphumelele’s wetlands
residents piled up stones, tyres, and old wood to make paths.

Zimkhitha Sihlo lives with her three-month-old baby and 60-year-old mother. She
says the rain wet most of their clothes stored in suitcases on the floor. When
GroundUp visited she was using a paraffin stove to warm up the house. Her floor
was wet. Moses Makundo from Zimbabwe was sitting with his wife and brother
outside in front of a fire. In their two-room shack they had placed most of their
clothes on top of the bed. Bricks are used to elevate the bed, so it doesn’t get
wet when the water comes in.
Source:https://www.groundup.org.za/article/informal-settlements-flooded-heavy-
rains/

Page 47 of 48
2.1.1. What physical factor triggered (caused) flooding over the
informal settlements? (1x1) (1)
2.1.2. Explain how the factor identified in QUESTION 2.1.1
above could have caused flooding. (2x2) (4)
2.1.3. Quote ONE piece of evidence from the picture and ONE
from the text supporting that people faced difficulties to
walk in between the settlements. (2x2) (4)
2.1.4. Discuss THREE precautionary measures and
management strategies that the victims could have
exercised in the event of flooding. (3x2) (6)
[15]

Page 48 of 48