The History of South Africa

Although the recorded history of South Africa as a nation is not that ancient, thousands of years ago, inhabitants resided in South Africa who spoke the Khoisan languages. Those groups who used to speak the Ponto languages reached South Africa around the 1st century AD. The Europeans emerged in the scene in South Africa around the beginning of the 15th century and they established their strongholds in the regions during the 17th century.

In fact, the written recorded history of South Africa dates back to only 500 years. Therefore, historians and researchers, who wish to know the ancient history of the country, had to listen to the stories of the people and study fossils. However, travelers who tend to enjoy their holidays in South Africa do not explore the country due to its great historical monuments, but for the magnificent nature and exciting safari trips.

In fact, historians have excavated fossils of creatures that used to live in South Africa more than one million years ago. The Khoisan people lived in the country for thousands of years and they used to work in gathering plants and hunting. They also used to live in quite primitive huts. With time passing by, their lives relatively developed and they worked as cattle herders. Due to the increase in the number of inhabitants among these groups, they moved towards the south and resided there.

During the 2nd century AD, the inhabitants of South Africa started recognizing methods of agriculture. Most of these groups, who moved from the North Eastern region towards the south, spoke the Ponto languages. They implanted corn, beans, and millets. They also managed to produce some simple tools and weapons out of iron and metals. This is in addition to collections of copper jewelry. They started producing pottery and sculptures during the 12th century. Some of these collections survived until today and put on display in some museums that attract some of the tourists who spend their vacations in South Africa.

A new chapter in the history of South African began when Johan Van Riebeeck, one of the most famous Dutch colonists established Cape Town as one of the most important transit points in the Cape of Good Hope rout during the 17th century. Although the Europeans did not find a commercial value in the rout, they found it as an important transit point to supply ships with fresh water, meats, and different materials.

It was in 1652 when the Dutch decided to establish a settlement in Cape Town to assist the various ships sailing in the area. This is besides the French Protestants who settled in the area around the end of the 17th century. Many travelers who tour South Africa would explore the historical sites established by the colonists who occupied the country for quite a considerable period of time.

Another new chapter in the history of South Africa was when the British forces conquered Cape Town in 1795 and they took full control of the area in 1814. Severe wars and battles took place between the British forces and the African tribes for years before the situation stabilized and more than 10,000 British came to settle in South Africa.

Apartheid system was adopted in South African for hundreds of years where the minorities of white who came from Europe ruled over the majority of Africans who originally inhabited in the country. The last chapter of the history of South Africa was in 1994 when fair elections were carried out and the racial discrimination as a concept was abandoned in the country. This fact had quite positive impacts on the country and even increased the numbers of tourists who travel to South Africa.

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