Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Helping the frontline states in their fight against apartheid
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The Africa Fund is associated with the international struggle against apartheid and racial discrimination in Southern Africa. It is frequently mentioned in questions related to world organisations and anti apartheid efforts. This question checks whether you understand the specific purpose for which the Africa Fund was created, rather than confusing it with general development or welfare programmes in Africa.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
During the struggle against apartheid, neighbouring African countries known as frontline states gave refuge and support to liberation movements. They also suffered economic and military pressure from the apartheid regime. The Africa Fund was established to assist these frontline states and others in their efforts to end apartheid and racial domination. The correct approach is to recognise this political and liberation context instead of thinking of the Fund as a basic economic development instrument.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the term frontline states refers to countries that bordered apartheid South Africa and supported liberation movements, such as Zambia, Tanzania and others.
Step 2: Recall that many international initiatives, including sanctions and funds, were set up to assist these states and the broader anti apartheid struggle.
Step 3: Option C directly mentions helping the frontline states in their fight against apartheid, which matches the historical purpose of the Africa Fund.
Step 4: The other options refer to famine relief, sports, population control or dam building, which are important but do not reflect the central political aim of the Africa Fund.
Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is option C.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall that many Non Aligned Movement and United Nations resolutions in the late twentieth century called for support to frontline states and anti apartheid activities. The Africa Fund is frequently linked with these campaigns in textbooks. It is often described as a solidarity mechanism rather than a purely economic development fund. Famine control or large dam financing would typically come under different international programmes or development banks, not specifically under the Africa Fund title.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is wrong because, although famine relief is crucial in Africa, that is the role of humanitarian agencies and food security programmes, not the focused mission of the Africa Fund.
Option B is wrong since support for African sportspersons comes more from national sports bodies and Olympic committees rather than a political solidarity fund.
Option D is wrong because population policies are usually handled through health and family planning programmes coordinated by agencies like UNFPA, not by the Africa Fund.
Option E is wrong because financing large dams and infrastructure projects is generally managed by development banks and infrastructure funds, not by this special anti apartheid fund.
Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates see the term Africa Fund and quickly associate it with famine relief because of media coverage of hunger crises. Others assume it must be about general development. To avoid this trap, remember that the Africa Fund is historically connected with the political struggle against apartheid and racial domination, especially supporting frontline states that bore the cost of resistance.
Final Answer:
The Africa Fund was created mainly for helping the frontline states in their fight against apartheid.
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