The ability to discuss political topics can be invaluable, especially when engaging with speakers of different languages. For those learning Afrikaans, understanding specific political vocabulary can greatly enhance such discussions. Here is a list of essential Afrikaans political vocabulary, complete with definitions and example sentences.
Regering
Definition: The government or the governing body of a nation, state, or community.
Die regering het nuwe beleide aangekondig om ekonomiese groei te bevorder.
Demokrasie
Definition: A system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.
Suid-Afrika het ‘n demokrasie geword na die einde van apartheid.
Oposisie
Definition: A political party or group that is against the current government or leadership.
Die oposisie het hul kommer uitgespreek oor die nuutste belastingverhoging.
Verkiesing
Definition: A formal and organized process of electing or being elected, especially of members of a political body.
Daar is ‘n algemene verwagting dat die komende verkiesing ‘n noue uitkoms sal hê.
Stemreg
Definition: The right to vote in political elections.
Elke burger bo die ouderdom van agtien het ‘n stemreg in die nasionale verkiesings.
Grondwet
Definition: A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state is acknowledged to be governed.
Die grondwet verseker basiese vryhede en regte vir al sy burgers.
Parlement
Definition: The highest legislative authority in a country, typically consisting of a lower house and an upper house or Senate.
Wetgewing word in die parlement gedebatteer voordat dit as ‘n wet aangeneem word.
Wetgewer
Definition: A person or body that makes law.
Die wetgewer het ‘n nuwe wetsontwerp goedgekeur wat groter beskerming bied aan die omgewing.
Staatsdiens
Definition: The permanent bureaucracy that conducts the public business of a country.
Baie mense wat in die staatsdiens werk, is toegewyd aan die verbetering van openbare dienste.
Beleid
Definition: A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual.
Die party het hul beleid oor immigrasie hersien in die aanloop tot die verkiesing.
Diplomasie
Definition: The art of managing international relations, typically by a country’s representatives abroad.
Die minister van buitelandse sake het groot diplomasie getoon in die hantering van die krisis.
Populisme
Definition: Political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.
Daar is kommer oor die styging van populisme in wêreldpolitiek.
Staatskaping
Definition: The act of taking control of a state’s institutions for personal enrichment or advantage.
Die verslag het bewys gelewer van staatskaping op die hoogste vlakke van regering.
Kieser
Definition: An individual who has the right and the responsibility to vote in an election.
Elke kieser speel ‘n belangrike rol in die bepaling van die land se toekoms.
Magsmisbruik
Definition: The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.
Beskuldigings van magsmisbruik het gelei tot ‘n ondersoek teen die amptenaar.
Mastering these Afrikaans political vocabulary words will not only help when engaging in political conversations, but will also deepen the understanding of the political context when consuming Afrikaans media or literature. Use these words as a starting point to expand your political vocabulary and to confidently participate in more complex and enriching discussions.
