GEOGRAPHY
GRADE 12
PAPER 1 
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
SEPTEMBER 2017

MEMORANDUM 

SECTION A: CLIMATE, WEATHER AND GEOMORPHOLOGY 
QUESTION 1 
1.1

1.1.1 C (off shore) ✔ 
1.1.2 D (1012) ✔ 
1.1.3 B ✔ 
1.1.4 A (Winter) ✔ 
1.1.5 D (southwest) ✔ 
1.1.6 B (weaker) ✔ 
1.1.7 C (southeast) ✔ (7 x 1) (7)

1.2

1.2.1 Confluence ✔ 
1.2.2 Interfluve ✔ 
1.2.3 Water table ✔ 
1.2.4 River system ✔ 
1.2.5 Watershed ✔ 
1.2.6 Abstraction ✔ 
1.2.7 Stream orders ✔ 
1.2.8 Infiltration ✔ (8 x 1) (8) 

1.3

1.3.1

• Warm moist air. ✔
• Ocean temperatures above 26,5 °C. ✔ (2 x 1) (2) 

1.3.2

1. A – Eye ✔
   B – Eye wall ✔ (2 x 1) (2)
2. The air is descending at A, and rising/ascending at B. ✔✔  (1 x 2) (2) 
3. A – High pressure in the upper layers of the atmosphere is causing some of the air to descend. ✔
   B – Convergence of air on the surface because of low  pressure is forcing the air to rise. ✔ (2 x 1) (2)

1.3.3

•  1 mark for air pressure below 1 000 hPa
• 1 mark for name
• 1 mark for sign of the eye (3 x 1) (3) 

1.3.4

• Fishing industry will suffer because the boats cannot go out to sea ✔✔
• Harbour will be destroyed and repairs will have to be done ✔✔
• Businesses and Industries will suffer severe losses ✔✔
• Property and Infrastructure will be damaged ✔✔
• Tourism industry will suffer loses ✔✔
• Flooding will have a negative ripple effect on farming ✔✔
• Destruction will lead to unemployment ✔✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4)

1.4

1.4.1 Temperature inversion ✔ (1 x 1) (1) 
1.4.2

• During clear, windless nights, air on the high grounds at the sides  of the valley, cools down ✔✔
  This is due to terrestrial radiation ✔✔
  Cold air drains down the slopes and accumulates at the valley  bottom, ✔✔ forcing warmer air to rise ✔✔
  The rising warm air forms a thermal belt midway up the valley ✔✔
  This causes a temperature inversion layer, where temperature  increases with height ✔✔ (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4) 

1.4.3Slope A is in the shadow zone and therefore experience less  evaporation, with the moisture content of the soil higher  encouraging faster and lusher growth of vegetation. ✔✔ (1 x 2) (2) 
1.4.4 Reasons for the temperature at B 

• Sunrays strike the area more slanted/obliquely, therefore less heating  during the day ✔✔
• Larger area to be heated ✔✔
• Sunrays penetrates a denser atmospheric layer causing more heat to  be absorbed or dispersed, before it reaches the slope, therefore less  heating ✔✔
• Katabatic flow during the night causes cold air to accumulate on the  valley floor
• Temperatures drop to below freezing point (0 °C) ✔✔
  Influence on crops 
• Oranges are frost resistant, therefore they are grown on the valley  floor where cold air accumulates ✔✔
  (Any FOUR – BOTH REASONS FOR TEMPERATURE AND  INFLUENCE ON CROPS MUST BE MENTIONED.) (4 x 2) (8) 

1.5

1.5.1 The manner in which the streams are arranged in a particular drainage  basin. ✔ (Concept) (1 x 1) (1) 
1.5.2 

1. – Rectangular ✔
2. – Trellis ✔ (2 x 1) (2)

1.5.3

1. – The mainstream and its tributaries have right angled bends ✔✔ 
2. – The mainstream flows in a valley area and the tributaries join the  mainstream at right angles from a high lying area. ✔✔ (2 x 2) (4) 

1.5.4

• Developed due to underlying horizontally layered igneous rocks which  has cracked or jointed. ✔✔
• The cracks and joints are exposed to erosion, and the water from  stream/river will flow/incise along the cracks and joints. ✔✔ (2 x 2) (4) 

1.5.5 

1. – Hard resistant rocks are causing less channels to be eroded  and fewer streams in the basin will result in low density. ✔✔
2. – Softer less resistant rocks can easily be eroded as a result  more channels are created for stream flow and higher drainage  density is the result. ✔✔ (2 x 2) (4)

1.6

1.6.1 Upper course ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
1.6.2 Narrow ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
1.6.3

1. Turbulent ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
2. Resistant layer or outcrop is dipping upstream. ✔✔
   The bedrock upstream and downstream is less resistant and is  easily eroded, exposing the outcrop. ✔✔
   The slope created on the more resistant bedrock is causing  the stream water to flow faster. ✔✔
   (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4) 

1.6.4

• In the upper course of the river, there will be downward erosion and  deep, V-shaped valleys occurs. ✔✔
• Temporary base levels of erosion like rapids and waterfalls will be  eroded away through headward erosion. ✔✔
• In the middle course lateral erosion dominates. ✔✔
• This will widen the river valley and will remove the remaining spurs  and other high lying areas. ✔✔
• The lower course is dominated by deposition. ✔✔
• The area is relatively flat in the lower course and this gentle gradient is maintained through deposition. ✔✔
  (Any FOUR) (4 x 2) (8)

[75]

QUESTION 2 
2.1

2.1.1 B to A ✔ 
2.1.2 B ✔ 
2.1.3 A ✔ 
2.1.4 A ✔ 
2.1.5 B ✔ 
2.1.6 A ✔ 
2.1.7 B ✔ 
2.1.8 A ✔ (8 x 1) (8)

2.2

2.2.1 Laminar ✔ 
2.2.2 Turbulent ✔ 
2.2.3 Turbulent ✔ 
2.2.4 Laminar ✔ 
2.2.5 Turbulent ✔ 
2.2.6 Turbulent ✔ 
2.2.7 Laminar ✔ (7 x 1) (7)

2.3

2.3.1 Winter ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
2.3.2 Mid-latitudes are low pressure systems ✔ (1 x 1) (1) 
2.3.3

• From Friday to Monday heavy rain and cold conditions are  forecasted. ✔✔
• As one mid latitude cyclone moves away from Cape Town another  approaches ✔✔
• This results in continuous frontal conditions. ✔✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4) 

2.3.4 
 (Any ONE) 
(2 x 1) (2) 

2.3.5

1. Backing ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
2. The wind changes in an anti-clockwise direction in a system  where the air movement is clockwise. ✔✔ (1 x 2) (2)
3. During Monday the warm sector is dominated by North westerly  winds driven by the westerly wind belt ✔✔
   As the cold front moves over the area is dominated by the cold  sector, with south westerly winds which is driven by the Polar  easterlies ✔✔ (2 x 2) (4) 

2.4

2.4.1 Direct short wave sunrays ✔ /Incoming solar radiation ✔ (CONCEPT) (1 x 1) (1) 
2.4.2 Urban areas receive 13–17% less insolation. ✔✔ (1 x 2) (2) 
2.4.3

• Insolation is less in urban areas because of more smoke, dust and  pollution particles reflecting sunrays away from the surface. ✔✔
• The dust particles also limits terrestrial radiation ✔✔
• Artificial surfaces, artificial production of heat units, high buildings etc.  either absorbs or creates more heat over the urban areas. ✔✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4) 

2.4.4 Higher precipitation 

• Urban areas have more condensation nuclei (dust and pollution  particles) around which condensation occur. ✔✔
• Greater thermal convection due to heat island effect is causing higher  rainfall. ✔✔
• When the wind hits the tall buildings it rises, cools off and condense  to form clouds and eventually rainfall. ✔✔ 

Lower relative humidity 

• Less vegetation over urban areas decreases the transpiration rate  ✔✔
• Storm water drainage systems carries runoff away, therefore  evaporation decreases ✔✔
  (Any FOUR – MUST MAKE MENTION OF BOTH.) (4 x 2) (8)

2.5

2.5.1 Meander neck ✔ (1 x 1) (1) 
2.5.2

1. X – Erosion ✔
   Y – Deposition ✔ (2 x 1) (2)
2.                             
   • The river flows faster at the outer bank and is undercutting the  area ✔✔
   • Repetition of undercutting will eventually cause the top part of  the bank to tumble ✔✔
   • The bank will start to retreat ✔✔
     (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4)

2.5.3

• The river bend in STAGE 2 is very pronounced reducing the speed of  the river, hence causing water to build-up because of the delay and  will eventually overflow. ✔✔
• A straighter channel in STAGE 4 will increase the speed of the river,  therefore no accumulation of water takes place. ✔✔ (2 x 2) (4) 

2.5.4

• During heavy rainfall periods or flooding the river will cut through the  neck of the meander. ✔✔
• Deposition next to the bank will eventually block off the meander  completely. ✔✔ (2 x 2) (4) 

2.6

2.6.1 

1. – Wind gap ✔ 
2. – Elbow of capture ✔ (2 x 1) (2)

2.6.2

1. Watershed ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
2. Due to headward erosion the watershed will be removed or  lowered ✔✔
   River at D will eventually cut through the watershed due to  headward erosion ✔✔
   (Any ONE) (1 x 2) (2) 

2.6.3 Transport routes can be constructed through the gap in the  mountain, which was the result of river capture. This will shorten the  distance to either side of the mountain. ✔✔ (1 x 2) (2) 
2.6.4

• The environment will be negatively affected
• Biodiversity will be destroyed ✔✔
• Aquatic life will be reduced or will totally disappear ✔✔
• Ecosystems disturbed ✔✔
• Natural habitats will be destroyed ✔✔
• The river will eventually dry up if extensive periods of low rainfall  occur ✔✔
• The water table will be lowered ✔✔
  (Any FOUR) (4 x 2) (8)

[75]

QUESTION 3 
3.1

3.1.1 Ribbon development ✔ 
3.1.2 CBD ✔ 
3.1.3 Regional shopping centre ✔ 
3.1.4 Isolated shops ✔ 
3.1.5 CBD ✔ 
3.1.6 Outlying business centre ✔ 
3.1.7 Neighbourhood shopping centre ✔ (7 x 1) (7)

3.2

3.2.1 Gross Domestic Product ✔ 
3.2.2 Informal sector ✔ 
3.2.3 Beneficiation ✔ 
3.2.4 Footloose ✔ 
3.2.5 Import replacement ✔ 
3.2.6 Food security ✔ 
3.2.7 Decentralisation ✔ 
3.2.8 Foreign Exchange ✔ (8 x 1) (8) 

3.3

3.3.1 It is unifunctional because primary economic activities dominate ✔ (1 x 1) (1) 
3.3.2 Isolated / Dispersed ✔ (1 x 1) (1) 
3.3.3

• Relief 
  Hilly and mountainous areas influenced the isolated pattern. ✔✔ 
• Water availability 
  When water is readily and easy available it encourages dispersed  settlements. ✔✔ (2 x 2) (4) 

3.3.4

• Its extensive because a large area is being used for farming ✔✔
  AND ANY ONE OF COMMERCIAL
  • It is commercial because outbuildings for the storage of either  equipment or products can be identified ✔✔
  • It is commercial because the farm area is divided into camps to reduce  soil erosion ✔✔
    [LEARNERS MUST REFER TO BOTH ASPECTS TO OBTAIN  MAXIMUM MARKS.] (2 x 2) (4) 

3.3.5

• Farmer can use his machinery extensively ✔✔
• The farmer does not need to share any of his equipment ✔✔
• The farmer’s land is not fragmented ✔✔
• The farmer decides on his own how he want to manage the farm ✔✔
• Makes his own decisions ✔✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4)

3.4

3.4.1 It is a situation on the public roads that occurs because of more  vehicles than the road can handle. ✔ (Concept) (1 x 1) (1) 
3.4.2

• Separation between residence and workplace ✔
• Commuter population
• Overconcentration of activities in the CBD of cities ✔
• Outdated street plan and pattern ✔
• Rapid urbanisation ✔
• Rural-urban migration ✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 1) (2) 

3.4.3 If people used public transport it would decrease traffic congestion ✔✔ The driver expects others to use public transport when he himself is  not ✔✔ (1 x 2) (2) 
3.4.4

1. Road rage / Frustration / Anger
   (ANY NEGATIVE EMOTION) (1 x 1) (1)
2. Health problems like heart attacks, respiratory problems etc. may  occur. ✔✔
   Because of frustration more accidents may happen ✔✔
   Conflict between drivers may result in violence ✔✔
   (Any ONE) (1 x 2) (2) 

3.4.5

• Building of ring roads around the congested area ✔✔
• Synchronised robots ✔✔
• One way streets ✔✔
• Subsidise public transport so that more people are encouraged to use  it ✔✔
• Designated lanes for busses and other public transport services to  encourage faster travelling ✔✔
• Use of flexitime for businesses to encourage different start and closing  times to regulate the in- and outflow of traffic in the CBD ✔✔
• Encourage lift clubs ✔✔
• Park and ride schemes ✔✔
  (Any FOUR) (4 x 2) (8)

3.5

3.5.1

1. 2014 ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
2. Construction ✔ (1 x 1) (1)

3.5.2

1. Decrease ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
2. 1,8% ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
3. Negative growth rate because both the primary and secondary  sectors experienced a huge (14%) negative growth rate ✔✔ compared to the 1,1% positive growth rate of the tertiary sector ✔✔ (2 x 2) (4)

3.5.3

• There might have been more imports than exports ✔✔
• Exports decreased because of decrease in primary and secondary  production ✔✔
  (Any ONE) (1 x 2) (2) 

3.5.4 Food prices will increase and will affect the poorest the most ✔✔ Increased unemployment because of job losses directly linked  to agriculture ✔✔ (2 x 2) (4)
3.6

3.6.1 Rooibos tea✔ (1 x 1) (1)
3.6.2

1. Koeberg nuclear power plant (1 x 1) (1) 
2.  Cheaper electricity is available if the industry is stationed near  Koeberg ✔✔
   Decreases production costs of goods ✔✔
   Koeberg’s nuclear energy provides alternative energy as coal  generated energy is expensive ✔✔
   (Any ONE) (1 x 2) (2) 

3.6.3

• The cold Benguela current is causing upwelling, bringing nutrients to  the water surface ✔✔
• Increases phytoplankton and zooplankton which attracts larger fish ✔✔
• Fishing flourishes because of this upwelling ✔✔
• Huge shoals pass along the Cape coast ✔✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4) 

3.6.4

• There is a lack or shortage of minerals ✔✔
• The region is very far from the power stations of Mpumalanga,  making electricity very expensive despite Koeberg being in the  region ✔✔
• Initial slow development caused lack of job opportunities for the fast  growing population ✔✔
• High transport costs and the large distance to the Gauteng market  places disadvantages the SW Cape compared to the other industrial  regions ✔✔
• The availability of fresh water can become a problem in the future ✔✔ The region has not attracted new industries because salaries are  generally lower, and the buying power of the growing population is  reduced ✔✔
• Large, flat industrial sites are limited close to Cape Town, and  therefore land is expensive ✔✔
• Many of the sites set aside for industrial use have been taken over by  informal settlements ✔✔
  (Any FOUR) (4 x 2) (8)

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QUESTION 4 
4.1

4.1.1 F (Specialisation) ✔ 
4.1.2 K (Rural depopulation) ✔ 
4.1.3 J (Rural-urban migration) ✔ 
4.1.4 E (Mechanisation) ✔ 
4.1.5 G (Market orientated) ✔ 
4.1.6 H (Push factors) ✔ 
4.1.7 A (Fragmentation) ✔ 
4.1.8 C (Consolidation) ✔ (8 x 1) (8)

4.2

4.2.1 A ✔ 
4.2.2 B ✔ 
4.2.3 A ✔ 
4.2.4 A ✔ 
4.2.5 B ✔ 
4.2.6 B ✔ 
4.2.7 A ✔ (7 x 1) (7) 

4.3

4.3.1 The process of compensating people for the land they lost due to  forced removals ✔ (Concept) (1 x 1) (1) 
4.3.2

• To redress the injustices of apartheid ✔
• For national reconciliation and stability ✔
• To promote economic growth ✔
• To alleviate poverty ✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 1) (2) 

4.3.3

• Beneficiaries have been neglected by the government ✔
• The people lack support to start ploughing ✔
• The people do not have the finances ✔ (3 x 1) (3) 

4.3.4

• People were given land simply to redress the injustices of past  policies, but no support to generate income and make an adequate  and meaningful living ✔✔ (1 x 2) (2)

4.3.5

• Provide financial assistance to make sure that farmers can buy the  basic equipment ✔✔
• Have workshops and training services available to make sure that  the skills in farming and business management is on par ✔✔
• Help the farmers understand how the labour policies should be  implemented ✔✔
• The development of local community forums so that the community  can discuss how land should be developed and maintained ✔✔
• Provision of proper infrastructure like roads, electricity, computer  literacy etc. ✔✔
• Government/NGO support ✔✔
  (Any FOUR) (4 x 2) (8)

4.4

4.4.1 Rural-urban fringe ✔ (1 x 1) (1)
4.4.2 Area in the photo has mixed functions of rural and urban ✔ (1 x 1) (1) 
4.4.3

• Land is cheaper ✔
• There is more space for further expansion ✔
• Factory will be near to raw materials ✔
• Close to labour force ✔
• Close to transport networks ✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 1) (2) 

4.4.4

• The market is nearby so transport costs of products will  decrease ✔✔
• The farmer has the advantages of the urban services, without paying  for it ✔✔
• Demand/competition for land increases the land value ✔✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4) 

4.4.5

• Rural areas and life will be destroyed and could result in a decrease  in food production ✔✔
• Biodiversity and aesthetic appeal will be destroyed ✔✔
• The balance of climatic conditions may be destroyed ✔✔
• Informal settlements may develop, which can increase the social  and economic problems in the area ✔✔
• To prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another ✔✔
• To preserve the special character of historic rural life ✔✔
  (Any THREE) (3 x 2) (6) 

4.5
4.5.1 When raw materials are being transformed into finished goods on a  large scale/Add value to an article ✔ (Concept) (1 x 1) (1)
4.5.2 Secondary sector ✔ (1 x 1) (1) 
4.5.3

• Employment creation ✔
• Economic empowerment ✔
  (Any ONE) (1 x 1) (1)

4.5.4

• Upgrading of skills and knowledge in the production of manufactured  goods ✔✔
• More beneficiation of raw materials improving the quality of  manufactured goods ✔✔
• Foreign exchange can be earned ✔✔
• Creation of higher paid employment opportunities ✔✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4) 

4.5.5 Labour supply 

• South Africa consists of a very large unschooled labour force, with  very few entrepreneurs ✔✔
• Production per worker in South Africa is very low ✔✔
• Strikes and stay away actions for higher wages and salaries hinders  production ✔✔ 

International competition 

• South Africa finds it very difficult to compete against countries like China, which produces low cost products ✔✔
• South Africa in some instances has had to implement trade  restrictions in order to protect local markets, which hinders trade  relationships ✔✔
  (Any FOUR)
  [LEARNER MUST MENTION AT LEAST ONE FACT FROM  LABOUR SUPPLY OR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION.] (4 x 2) (8) 

4.6

4.6.1 It is an integrated network of infrastructure within a geographical area  designated to stimulate economic development and growth ✔ (Concept) (1 x 1) (1)
4.6.2 Swaziland ✔ (1 x 1) (1) 
4.6.3

• Maputo is the nearest export harbour to Johannesburg ✔
• To strengthen relationships between South Africa and Mozambique ✔
  (Any ONE) (1 x 1) (1) 

4.6.4 The upgrading of infrastructure made it easier to visit major tourist  destinations along the corridor ✔✔ (1 x 2) (2) 
4.6.5

• To rehabilitate the core infrastructure along the corridor ✔✔
• To maximise investment with the corridor area ✔✔
• To ensure development in previously disadvantaged communities ✔✔
• To promote sustainable job creation for people living in underdeveloped areas along the corridor ✔✔
  [Any THREE] (3 x 2) (6)

4.6.6

• A large bulk of the coal mined in Mpumalanga is exported to the  Maputo harbour ✔✔
• The corridor passes through vast primary and industrial production  areas ✔✔
• Mpumalanga has many international tourist destinations through  which the corridor passes ✔✔
• The largest national conservation area, the National Kruger Park can  also be found along the corridor ✔✔
  (Any TWO) (2 x 2) (4)

[75] 
GRAND TOTAL: 225