South Africa’s history in numbers:

Find out more about the country’s fascinating past.200 000 to 100 000

That’s the timeframe during which modern humans evolved in Africa, which is why the continent is considered a cradle of humankind. Some of these early humans are the ancestors of the San, South Africa's earliest inhabitants.

300 AD

The KhoiSan (as the San and Khoi, another of South Africa’s earliest inhabitants, were collectively known) drifted into the Western Cape around 300 AD, which was roughly the same time that early Iron Age groups crossed the Limpopo River. These Iron Age groups would later be instrumental in forming the African kingdom of Mapungubwe.

1000 years later

One thousand years after the arrival of the KhoiSan and Iron Age groups, the kingdom of Mapungubwe established early trade links with India, Arabia, and China, connecting the continent to the wider world.

1652

The course of South Africa's history changed dramatically in 1652 when the Dutch East India Company established a refreshment station at the Cape of Good Hope. This station was intended to provide support for sailors traveling the "Spice Route" between Europe, the Americas, and the East. The company sent Jan van Riebeeck to set up this colony.

200 years

Over the next 200 years, the Cape attracted many waves of settlers. By the 1800s, the British and Dutch were battling for control of the Cape.

1806

The British triumphed over the Dutch in 1806, leading to the Dutch "Boers" or "Voortrekkers" undertaking the "Great Trek" into the hinterland to escape British rule.

1820

The period of the Mfecane, or "scattering and crushing," (a military campaign by Zulu warrior king Shaka) was made even more tumultuous by the arrival of more British settlers in 1820. This event led to skirmishes between the colonial powers, the Boers, and African nations.

1902

The discovery of South Africa's mineral wealth—including gold, diamonds, and platinum—at the end of the 1800s escalated conflict, culminating in the South African War (also known as the Second Anglo-Boer War). Britain’s ultimate victory in 1902 led to the establishment of the Union of South Africa.

1948

Perhaps the most significant milestone was in 1948, when the mostly Afrikaner National Party (NP) was voted into power by South Africa’s white population, as Black and other racial groups had very limited representation at elections at the time. The NP introduced Apartheid as an institutionalized form of racism.

1961

South Africa cut ties with Britain to become a republic in 1961.

27 years

Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, after spending 18 years of his 27-year sentence at Robben Island.

1994

Four years after his release, in 1994, Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected president of South Africa, after the dismantling of Apartheid.

31 years

As of the time of the text, South Africa has been a democracy for 31 years. The country has faced challenges but is described as a resilient and determined nation.

Travelling to and around South Africa

Although South Africa is considered a long-haul destination, getting here is easy.

The country has 10 international airports, serviced by 49 international airlines and five domestic airlines. The country also shares regular routes between other African countries.

An extensive road infrastructure also makes it easy to travel between major South African cities by road.