# History Grade 12 P2 NSC November 2025 Question Paper (Eng) > Grade 12 History Paper 2 question paper from the NSC November Exam 2025 (English), 9 pages. Read online or download the free PDF. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12-history-2025-nsc-november-exam-question-paper-paper-2/cb717b1f-d864-44f4-bd1b-6f742ad0013d - Updated: 2026-09-28 - Subject: History - Grade: Grade 12 - Document type: Question paper - Year: 2025 - Exam period: NSC November Exam - Paper: 2 - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 9 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 12](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12) › [History](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12/history) › [History Grade 12 P2 NSC November 2025 Question Paper (Eng)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12-history-2025-nsc-november-exam-question-paper-paper-2/cb717b1f-d864-44f4-bd1b-6f742ad0013d) ## About this document History · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2025. Question paper, 9 pages. Read online or download the PDF. Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there. ## Document text Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction. ### Page 1 Confidential NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 12 HISTORY P2 NOVEMBER 2025 MARKS: 150 TIME: 3 hours . This question paper consists of 9 pages and an addendum of 14 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 2 History/P2 2 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 1. This question paper consists of SECTION A and SECTION B based on the prescribed content framework in the CAPS document. SECTION A: SOURCE-BASED QUESTIONS QUESTION 1: CIVIL RESISTANCE, 1970s TO 1980s: SOUTH AFRICA QUESTION 2: THE COMING OF DEMOCRACY TO SOUTH AFRICA AND COMING TO TERMS WITH THE PAST QUESTION 3: THE END OF THE COLD WAR AND A NEW WORLD ORDER, 1989 TO THE PRESENT SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS QUESTION 4: CIVIL RESISTANCE, 1970s TO 1980s: SOUTH AFRICA: THE CRISIS OF APARTHEID IN THE 1980s QUESTION 5: THE COMING OF DEMOCRACY TO SOUTH AFRICA AND COMING TO TERMS WITH THE PAST QUESTION 6: THE END OF THE COLD WAR AND A NEW WORLD ORDER: THE EVENTS OF 1989 2. SECTION A consists of THREE source-based questions. Source material that is required to answer these questions can be found in the ADDENDUM. 3. SECTION B consists of THREE essay questions. 4. Answer THREE questions as follows: 4.1 At least ONE must be a source-based question and at least ONE must be an essay question. 4.2 The THIRD question can be either a source-based question or an essay question. 5. You are advised to spend at least ONE hour per question. 6. When answering questions, you should apply your knowledge, skills and insight. 7. You will be disadvantaged by merely rewriting the sources as answers. 8. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper. 9. Write neatly and legibly. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 3 History/P2 3 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential SECTION A: SOURCE-BASED QUESTIONS 2025 Answer at least ONE question, but not more than TWO questions, in this section. Source material to be used to answer these questions is contained in the ADDENDUM. QUESTION 1: WHAT WERE THE DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO THE ATTEMPTS OF THE CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS (COSATU) TO MOBILISE SOUTH AFRICAN WORKERS IN THE 1980s? Study Sources 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and answer the questions that follow. 1.1 Use Source 1A. 1.1.1 Quote evidence from the source which suggests that COSATU was the largest federation of black worker unions in South Africa in November 1985. (1 x 2) (2) 1.1.2 Define the term non-parliamentary opposition group in your own words. (1 x 2) (2) 1.1.3 Explain what can be inferred (implied) by the statement, 'COSATU … has allied itself to the aims, if not formally to the structures, of the banned and exiled African National Congress …' (1 x 2) (2) 1.1.4 Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, state why you think industrial trade unions grew stronger in the 1980s. (2 x 2) (4) 1.2 Study Source 1B. 1.2.1 Comment on the significance of holding this COSATU rally on 1 May 1986. (1 x 2) (2) 1.2.2 What is inferred (implied) by the words, 'FORWARD WITH THE WORKERS' STRUGGLE', in the context of mass action against the apartheid government in the 1980s? (1 x 2) (2) 1.2.3 Explain the symbolism of the 'clenched fists' in the banner and some of the workers in the photograph. (1 x 2) (2) 1.3 Refer to Sources 1A and 1B. Explain how the information in Source 1A supports the visual evidence in Source 1B regarding COSATU's mass mobilisation against the apartheid government in the 1980s. (2 x 2) (4) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 4 History/P2 4 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential 1.4 Consult Source 1C. 1.4.1 Identify a campaign in the source that COSATU members conducted through a strike that took several weeks in March 1987. (1 x 1) (1) 1.4.2 Explain the term grievances in the context of COSATU's activities against the apartheid government. (1 x 2) (2) 1.4.3 Quote THREE pieces of evidence from the source which suggest that the 'young recruits' were terrified. (3 x 1) (3) 1.4.4 Comment on the limitations of this source to a historian researching the clash between COSATU and the East Rand Riot Squad in March 1987. (2 x 2) (4) 1.5 Read Source 1D. 1.5.1 According to the source, why was COSATU House raided by policemen on 23 April 1987? (1 x 2) (2) 1.5.2 Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, explain why the demolition of COSATU House by the Security Branch was described as 'unprecedented and unparalleled'. (2 x 2) (4) 1.5.3 List FOUR ways in the source in which the police demolished the building and its contents during the COSATU House raid. (4 x 1) (4) 1.5.4 Why do you think that the Security Branch members misled the fire fighters where the fire actually started? (1 x 2) (2) 1.6 Using the information in the relevant sources and your own knowledge, write a paragraph of about EIGHT lines (about 80 words) explaining what the different responses were to the attempts of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) to mobilise South African workers in the 1980s. (8) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 5 History/P2 5 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential QUESTION 2: WHY DID THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC) REJECT THE AMNESTY APPLICATIONS OF THE PERPETRATORS WHO TORTURED REVEREND TSHENUWANI FARISANI? Study Sources 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and answer the questions that follow. 2.1 Refer to Source 2A. 2.1.1 Name, from the source, TWO organisations within the Black Consciousness Movement, in which Farisani served as a founding member. (2 x 1) (2) 2.1.2 State any THREE types of abuses, according to the source, that Farisani was subjected to during his imprisonment between 1977 and 1987. (3 x 1) (3) 2.1.3 Explain why Amnesty International declared Farisani 'a prisoner of conscience'. (1 x 2) (2) 2.1.4 Define the term persecution in your own words. (1 x 2) (2) 2.2 Read Source 2B. 2.2.1 Give the names of any TWO Venda Security Branch policemen in the source implicated by Farisani during his interrogation. (2 x 1) (2) 2.2.2 What does the statement, 'I don't hate them, they must tell the truth', suggest about Farisani's testimony? (1 x 2) (2) 2.2.3 Explain what the phrase, 'Call on your God. He'll come and help you', suggest about the tactics used by the Security Branch policeman during the interrogation. (1 x 2) (2) 2.2.4 Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, what can you conclude from the words, '… unless they come out and confess, sooner or later they will come back …', with reference to the perpetrators? (1 x 2) (2) 2.2.5 Why would a historian find the source reliable when researching how the TRC's Human Rights Violation Committee dealt with the violations against Reverend Farisani? (2 x 2) (4) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 6 History/P2 6 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential 2.3 Use Source 2C. 2.3.1 Quote ONE piece of evidence from the source which suggests that the TRC Amnesty Committee was satisfied that the amnesty applications by the three policemen complied with the requirements of the TRC Act. (1 x 2) (2) 2.3.2 Name THREE applicants, according to the source, who applied for amnesty for the assault and torture of Reverend Farisani. (3 x 1) (3) 2.3.3 Explain the term oral testimonies in the context of the TRC's hearings by the Amnesty Committee. (1 x 2) (2) 2.3.4 What conclusion can be drawn from the statement, 'The (TRC's Amnesty) Committee is not satisfied that the above three applicants have made a full disclosure', as required by the Act? (1 x 2) (2) 2.4 Refer to Sources 2B and 2C. Explain how the evidence in Source 2B supports the information in Source 2C regarding the human rights violations committed against Reverend Farisani by the apartheid security policemen. (2 x 2) (4) 2.5 Consult Source 2D. 2.5.1 Explain the symbolic representation of the following: (a) Dullah Omar (1 x 2) (2) (b) The security policemen (1 x 2) (2) 2.5.2 Comment on why the information in FRAME A differs from FRAME B regarding evidence presented at the TRC hearings. (2 x 2) (4) 2.6 Using the information in the relevant sources and your own knowledge, write a paragraph of about EIGHT lines (about 80 words) explaining why the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) rejected the amnesty applications of the perpetrators who tortured Reverend Tshenuwani Farisani. (8) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 7 History/P2 7 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential QUESTION 3: HOW MIGHT THE EXPANSION OF BRICS COUNTRIES BE SEEN AS A THREAT TO THE BALANCE OF POWER BETWEEN THE GLOBAL NORTH (WESTERN COUNTRIES) AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH (BRICS COUNTRIES)? Study Sources 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D and answer the questions that follow. 3.1 Refer to Source 3A. 3.1.1 When, according to the source, did the first meeting in the BRIC format take place? (1 x 1) (1) 3.1.2 Name the FOUR countries in the source who agreed to develop multifaceted cooperation among themselves in the formation of BRIC. (4 x 1) (4) 3.1.3 Define the term summit in your own words. (1 x 2) (2) 3.1.4 Using information in the source and your own knowledge, explain the significance of six new countries joining BRICS on 1 January 2024. (2 x 2) (4) 3.2 Read Source 3B. 3.2.1 Name any TWO strategic initiatives launched by BRICS in the source that aimed at challenging the established international order. (2 x 1) (2) 3.2.2 Explain the concept de-dollarisation in the context of the BRICS challenge to Western countries. (1 x 2) (2) 3.2.3 Identify ONE reason in the source why BRICS countries attempted to influence the agricultural sector. (1 x 2) (2) 3.2.4 Comment on how the 'diminished (reduced) US influence' would change the existing international order. (2 x 2) (4) 3.3 Consult Source 3C. 3.3.1 What message is conveyed by the graph regarding the change in: (a) The G7's share of global gross domestic product (GDP) between 1995 and 2023 (1 x 2) (2) (b) BRICS' share of global GDP between 1995 to 2023 (1 x 2) (2) 3.3.2 Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, explain the implication of the growth in China's GDP from 1995 to 2023. (2 x 2) (4) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 8 History/P2 8 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential 3.4 Study Source 3D. 3.4.1 Who, according to the source, was Trump referring to when he said, '… leave the dollar, you are not doing business with the US because we're going to put a 100% tariff on your growth'? (1 x 1) (1) 3.4.2 Give a reason in the source why BRICS+ countries are critical of the Bretton Woods era. (1 x 2) (2) 3.4.3 Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, explain why '… the fact that the BRICS+ countries form 35% of the World's GDP and 45% of the world's population …' is a concern for the USA (Trump) as the leader of the Global North. (1 x 2) (2) 3.4.4 Comment on the usefulness of this source to a researcher studying how Trump felt threatened by the expansion of BRICS+ countries. (2 x 2) (4) 3.5 Refer to Sources 3C and 3D. Explain how the evidence in Source 3C supports the information in Source 3D regarding how BRICS is upsetting the balance of power between the Global North and Global South. (2 x 2) (4) 3.6 Using the information in the relevant sources and your own knowledge, write a paragraph of about EIGHT lines (about 80 words) explaining how the expansion of BRICS countries might be seen as a threat to the balance of power between the Global North (Western countries) and Global South (BRICS countries). (8) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 9 History/P2 9 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS Answer at least ONE question, but NOT more than TWO questions, in this section. Your essay should be about THREE pages long. QUESTION 4: CIVIL RESISTANCE, 1970s TO 1980s: SOUTH AFRICA: THE CRISIS OF APARTHEID IN THE 1980s The philosophy of Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement revived resistance to apartheid in South Africa from the 1960s to the 1970s. Do you agree with this statement? Use relevant evidence to support your line of argument. [50] QUESTION 5: THE COMING OF DEMOCRACY TO SOUTH AFRICA AND COMING TO TERMS WITH THE PAST The road to democracy was characterised by a non-violent process of negotiation. Critically discuss this statement with reference to the period between 1990 and 1994. [50] QUESTION 6: THE END OF THE COLD WAR AND A NEW WORLD ORDER: THE EVENTS OF 1989 Explain to what extent Gorbachev's policies of Glasnost and Perestroika in the 1980s ultimately led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Use relevant historical evidence to support your line of argument. [50] TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved ## Related documents - [History P2 Nov 2021 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p2-nov-2021-afr/d099ac96-a3e0-4137-bc2f-81b051b69eec) — History · QP · 2021 · Afr - [History P2 Nov 2019 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p2-nov-2019-afr/6c023d25-b98b-4410-a87a-3b83e0ddc8b2) — History · QP · 2019 · Afr - [History P2 Nov 2018 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p2-nov-2018-afr/446cad9f-1c62-475f-88fd-d4d7d7143243) — History · QP · 2018 · Afr - [History P2 Nov 2017 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p2-nov-2017-afr/b0926a9f-e7f4-4b6d-8c52-7a8d0984cadc) — History · QP · 2017 · Afr - [History P2 Nov 2013 Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p2-nov-2013-eng/76d398a5-8995-4b9a-9004-cbf555040073) — History · QP · 2013 · Eng - [History Grade 12 NSC P2 MEMO September 2025 North West](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-grade-12-nsc-p2-memo-september-2025-north-west/3d9bf167-1e97-42c1-826a-bf344c0e964e) — History · Memo · 2025 ## More from Grade 12 History - [Workguide - Case Study Strategies](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/workguide-case-study-strategies/0b4c8d70-c563-4cfe-93e0-dad57e8fbeb3) — Guide - [History P1 May-June 2025 MG Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p1-may-june-2025-mg-eng/9e0f813e-e888-4061-a259-20b4dbe98907) — Memo · 2025 · Eng - [HISTORY P1 MEMO GR12 JUNE 2024 Afrikaans](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p1-memo-gr12-june-2024-afrikaans/f313b62b-041f-4225-bf96-3a6052a2f919) — Memo · 2024 · Afr - [HISTORY P1 ADDEN GR12 SEP 2024 Afrikaans](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p1-adden-gr12-sep-2024-afrikaans/4faf89db-d19f-40cf-891f-e87e004b0bc5) — Addendum · 2024 · Afr - [HISTORY P2 GR12 ADDENDUM SEPT 2024 Afrikaans](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p2-gr12-addendum-sept-2024-afrikaans/b61f3bc2-3524-48c9-af60-f3348133d582) — Addendum · 2024 · Afr - [HISTORY P1 MEMO GR12 SEPT2024 Afrikaans](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/history-p1-memo-gr12-sept2024-afrikaans/49472cc4-f28c-41d3-b6c4-2623ae0611e3) — Memo · 2024 · Afr ## Collection - [Grade 12 past papers](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/past-papers) --- Hlayiso: free CAPS and IEB past papers, memos, notes and study guides for South African learners. When citing, link the page URL above, not a PDF or /api/ URL.