Final answer:
The statement about Afrikaans being developed from English by British colonists in South Africa is false. Afrikaans is primarily derived from Dutch and was spoken by the Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch, German, and French settlers. It has influences from various languages but is distinct from English.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Afrikaans is a language spoken in South Africa by the descendants of British colonists that combines elements of English and indigenous languages is false. Afrikaans actually developed from the Dutch language and is mainly spoken by the descendants of Dutch, German, and French settlers, known as the Afrikaners or Boers. The language does include some influences from indigenous African languages, as well as from the languages of enslaved people brought to South Africa.
South Africa's colonial history involved both Dutch and British settlers. The Dutch first arrived in the mid-1600s, establishing a settler colony, and were later joined by British settlers after the British took control in the early 19th century. Afrikaans evolved over time among the Dutch-speaking settlers and is distinct from English, though both languages are now spoken in South Africa.
It's important to note that Afrikaans has a complex history connected to the policy of apartheid, which was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. The term 'apartheid' itself is an Afrikaans word meaning 'separation'. Despite its contentious history, Afrikaans remains one of the eleven official languages of South Africa today.