South Africa / General
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Introduction
South Africa is a diverse and complex country. With its post-apartheid identity still in the process of definition, there is an abundance of energy and a sense of progress about the place. The South African infrastructure is constantly improving, the climate is kind and it’s a perfect place to see Africa's wildlife. But if you want to get to know South Africa, you'll have to deal with the full spectrum: poverty, the AIDS pandemic and violence remain a problem.
History
The written history of South Africa starts at April the 6th of 1652 when Jan van Riebeeck, in service of the Dutch East India Company, established a supply station at Cape of Good Hope. The Dutch settlement slowly expanded eastward during the 17th and 18th century.
In 1806 the British took for once and for all possession of the Cape and there raised a conflict between the British and the Dutch Boeren. This conflict was among others about the compensation for the abolition of the slavery. Many of the Dutch colonists abandoned the Cape Colony during 1830 – 1840 in the Great Trek and founded independent Republics. About 1880 diamonds and gold were discovered and the wealth and migration of the original inhabitants increased. Following were the two Boer Wars (the first Boer War in 1880 till 1881 and the second Boer War in 1899 till 1902) where the Boeren were defeated by the British.
In 1910 the Union of South Africa was formed. This Union became an independent state within the British Commonwealth. At the 31st of May in 1910 the country became independent of the United Kingdom. The first government of the new Union was headed by General Louis Botha of the South African National Party, with followed a generally pro-British, white-unity line. In 1931 the South African government adapted the politic of apartheid, which was strengthened by the election victory in 1948. In the 90’s the Apartheid ended. The President at that time, President de Klerk, released the well known antiapartheid activist Nelson Mandela on the 11th of February 1990 and in 1994 there were free elections for all races. With these elections Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa (1994 – 1999). On December the 10th in 1996 a new constitution was set up at the moment South Africa is a republic in development and it is still a country with big differences (poor and rich) and it is the country with the highest percentage HIV infections in the world.
Culture
More than a decade has passed since South Africa’s first democratic elections, and the country is still finding its way. The people are a fascinating mix of cultures, religions and ethnicities, and form the beating pulse of South Africa and give meaning to South Africa’s nickname, ‘Rainbow Nation’. It’s difficult to give a unified picture of everyday life in South Africa. Many middle-class and wealthy families live in healthy secured homes. Life is very different for the millions of South Africans who are still living in poverty. Tiny matchbox houses are home to large extended families, clean drinking water remains a luxury in some areas, and health facilities are not uniformly available.
Unemployment, crime and HIV/AIDS are the top concerns of most South Africans today, and the nation is fast becoming a society divided by class rather than colour. According to the World Bank statistics the gap between rich and poor is one of the highest in the world. Crime rates are high and undermine South Africa’s reputation as a tourism destination. Another big concern is the millions of migrants from across the continent with make their way to South Africa to take advantage of the country’s economy. While some migrants arrive legally, many others take their chances. Many of the illegal immigrants live in Johannesburg’s impoverished inner city, causing resentment among some South Africans who accuses the outsiders of taking jobs and creating crime. Beyond economics, different racial groups have complicated links. While much of the focus in South Africa has been on black and white relations, there is also friction and distrust between blacks, coloureds and South Africans of Indian descent. Yet, sometimes locals are surprisingly open when they talk about the stereotypes and prejudices that exist between various groups.
An important aspect in the South African culture is sport. South Africans are real sport fanatics, particularly football and rugby (the Springboks) are popular sports. After decades of being shut out of international competition, due to anti-apartheid sports boycotts, the national teams are now hungry for glory.
Nature
South Africa is known for its incredible natural beauty. It has some of the most varied and extreme environments in the world, from the tropical beaches of KwaZulu Natal to the sweeping emptiness of the Kalahari Desert. South Africa is the world’s third most biologically diverse country. It’s also one of Africa’s most urbanised countries, with approximately 60% of the population living in towns and cities.
South Africa’s biologically diversity is reflected in its wildlife. In South Africa you can find the world’s largest land mammal (the African elephant), as well as the second largest (white rhino) and the third largest (hippopotamus). South Africa is also the home to the tallest, the fastest and the smallest: namely the giraffe, the cheetah and the pygmy shrew. In South Africa you have one of the biggest chances of seeing the Big Five: the black rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard and lion. If you are looking for a challenge there’s also a lesser-known ‘Little Five’: the rhinoceros beetle, the buffalo weaver, the elephant shrew, the leopard tortoise and the ant lion. To experience all the beautiful nature, South Africa has close to 600 national parks and reserve. The excellent national parks and reserve provide spectacular scenery of the impressive fauna and flora. The majority of the larger wildlife parks are under the jurisdiction of the South African National (SAN) Parks Board. In total, just under 7% of South African land has a protected status.
One of the most serious problems is land degradation. About one-quarter of South Africa’s land considered to be severely degraded. Another issue is water supply. South Africa receives an annually average rainfall of only 500mm and droughts are common. All major South African rivers have been dammed or modified to meet the demand. While this has improved water supplies to many areas, it has also disrupted local ecosystems and has caused increased silting.
Based on:
- Lonely Planet: South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland (2006)
- Footprint: South Africa (2006)
