South Africa

Where the name comes from

South Africa describes the country’s place at the southern tip of the African continent.

First people

Fossils from the Cradle of Humankind show human ancestors lived here millions of years ago, and Khoesan- and Bantu-speaking communities followed.^1,2

Known for

South Africa is known for Table Mountain, its wildlife parks and its rugby, and has three capital cities.³

Outside contact

Dutch settlement at the Cape began in 1652, Britain took the Cape from 1795, and the Union of South Africa formed in 1910.²

The modern country

For decades, apartheid classified people by race and controlled where they could live, work and vote; resistance and negotiations led to the 1994 election, when adults of every race voted together.^4,5