New
New
Year 5

Reconciliation: the story of South Africa

I can explore the story of reconciliation in South Africa, understanding how the country moved to unity through forgiveness and peace.

New
New
Year 5

Reconciliation: the story of South Africa

I can explore the story of reconciliation in South Africa, understanding how the country moved to unity through forgiveness and peace.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Apartheid was a system of racial separation in South Africa.
  2. Apartheid unfairly gave more rights to white people while limiting freedoms for Black South Africans.
  3. People fought against apartheid peacefully and through protests. Nelson Mandela was a famous leader of the movement.
  4. Many Christians believe Nelson Mandela’s life reflected Jesus' teachings about love, justice and peace.

Keywords

  • Apartheid - a system in South Africa where the Government made unfair rules to separate people based on their skin colour

  • Peace - being kind, working together, and living without fighting or fear

  • Freedom - being able to make choices, speak your mind, and live without unfair rules

Common misconception

Apartheid was a system that existed in an unelected country.

Apartheid was the system under the South African Government.


To help you plan your year 5 religious education lesson on: Reconciliation: the story of South Africa, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You might like to find images that show apartheid in South Africa, being careful to choose images that are age appropriate. There is a famous image of Nelson Mandela in a South African rugby shirt showing unity after the end of apartheid.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is reconciliation?
being able to make choices, speak your mind, and live without unfair rules
being fair and treating everyone with kindness and respect
Correct answer: fixing a broken friendship or making peace after a disagreement
Q2.
What did the people of Coventry choose to do after the bombing?
rebuild the cathedral exactly as it was
take revenge on those who bombed it
Correct answer: leave the ruins as a reminder
Q3.
Which are true?
Correct answer: The Reconciliation Statue represents forgiveness and peace.
The words "Father, Forgive" were written to encourage revenge.
Correct answer: Jesus taught that we should forgive others, just as God forgives us.
Q4.
Why is the Cross of Nails important today?
Correct answer: It spreads the message that peace is always possible, even after conflict.
It spreads the message that revenge should be sought after conflict.
It spreads the message that suffering should be forgotten.
Q5.
What is a key aspect of reconciliation?
Correct answer: forgiveness and healing
holding grudges
seeking revenge
Q6.
What is the Cross of Nails project?
a construction project
Correct answer: a reconciliation project
a religious ceremony

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What was apartheid?
Correct answer: a policy of racial segregation in South Africa
a political party in South Africa
a type of government in South Africa
Q2.
Who was Nelson Mandela?
a famous musician who sang about Black rights
Correct answer: a leader who fought against apartheid
a scientist who researched human behaviour
Q3.
What was Nelson Mandela's role in the reconciliation process?
he ignored past conflicts
he isolated certain communities
Correct answer: he promoted forgiveness and unity
Q4.
Many Christians believe Nelson Mandela’s life reflected Jesus' teachings about ...
an eye for an eye - seeking revenge
ignoring the past
Correct answer: love, justice and peace