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SA Overview

Geological Profile | Plants & Vegetation | South Africa Environment | Country and People Introduction | South Africa - A society in transition | South African Culture | SA Overview | SA Facts | History | What to do? | South Africa - Land of Diversity |

The Geological Profile of South Africa  

The land mass of South Africa is very old and particularly rich in mineral resources. The mountain socle was already part of the supercontinent Gondwanaland which, 300 to 100 million years ago broke into many parts that built whole new continents, Africa being one of them. Through the following, millions of years lasting geological shifts, tectonic arching, breaking and the formation of crevasses, the resulting outbreak of volcanoes, depressions, the deposition of gravel and wind and water erosion the geological profile of the land has formed. 

South Africa is in the west, south and east surrounded by a cornice of mountains. This chain, consisting of many single mountain ranges, is known as the Great Escarpment. In the east, in the area of the Drakensberg of Natal and in the Kingdom of Lesotho, it reaches heights of almost 4,000 metres. In the south and west, the highest peaks are at a bout 2,000 metres. In front of the escarpment, there is a partially very narrow coastal strip, which is called the Lowveld. At the Indian Ocean, these coastal plains have high precipitations and are fertile. The western part, however, is, due to the cold Benguela current of the Atlantic, a coastal desert, reaching up to Namibia and Angola. After crossing the escarpment, one gets to the central high plateau of South Africa, called the Highveld. It has heights of between 1,000 and 1,700 metres. It slowly declines towards the north, to the Kalahari basin that doesn't have an outlet. Because the surrounding mountain chain forms a catchment area for the clouds from the sea, the precipitation on the Highveld is low which results in arid, semi-desert conditions. 

Plants and Vegetation in South Africa 

With more than 20,000 different plants, which are about 10 per cent of all the plants of the earth, South Africa is particularly rich in species. 

About 8000 of the species are concentrated on the small region of the Western Cape. The fynbos vegetation zone at the Cape is one of the six Floral Kingdoms of the earth.It mainly consists of evergreen hard-leave plants with usually fine, needle-like leaves. The fynbos is particularly rich in splendid blossom-plants, in the first place the wonderful proteas, of which alone there are some 130 different species. Because of their many different shapes, sizes, colours and qualities, the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus named them after the Greek god Proteus who, according to the mythology, able to change his appearance whichever way he wanted. The wealth in blooming plants is overwhelming, but the forestal resources, however, are a totally different story. 

Only one per cent of the South African territory is covered with forests, almost exclusively in the humid coastal plains of the Indian Ocean and in the bordering moderate heights (Midlands) of the escarpment (see "Geology"). Predominant are, unfortunately, plantations of imported tree species, mainly eucalyptus and pine. The original rainforest has almost completely fallen prey to ruinous exploitation. Because the native forest was economically of little value and also very difficult to access and penetrate, early in the history of South Africa, the farmers have extinguished it ruthlessly. Only small patches have remained here and there. 

Today, the South African hard-wood trees like Yellowwood, Stinkwood and Ironwood are put under strictest nature protection. By far the biggest part of South Africa is grassland. Especially on the Highveld, the plant cover is dominated by different grasses, low shrubs and acacia trees, mainly camel-thorn and white-thorn. Towards the north-west the vegetation becomes - due to the low precipitation - sparse. In the hot and dry Namaqualand one can find numerous species of the water-storing succulents like aloes and euphorbias. In the north-east, the grass and thorn savannah slowly changes into a bush savannah with a more dense growth. Here the Baobab trees are significant, which one can see in the northern Kruger Park area. 

SOUTH AFRICA Environment 

South Africa is a big country, extending nearly 2000km from the Limpopo River in the north to Cape Agulhas in the south and nearly 1500km from Port Nolloth in the west to Durban in the east.  

Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland run from west to east along South Africa's northern border and Lesotho soars above the grassland towards the south-east. The country can be divided into three major parts: the vast interior plateau (the highveld), the Great Escarpment at its edge (the Kalahari Basin), and a narrow coastal plain (the lowveld). 

Its position just south of the Tropic of Capricorn makes South Africa a mostly dry and sunny place but the climate is moderated by its topography and the surrounding oceans. Basically the further east you go, the more handy your raingear becomes, but there are also damp pockets in the south-west, particularly around Cape Town. 

The coast north from the Cape becomes progressively drier and hotter, culminating in the desert region just south of Namibia.  Along the south coast the weather is temperate, but the east coast becomes increasingly tropical the further north you go. When it gets too sticky, head for the highlands which are pleasant even in summer. The north-eastern hump gets very hot and there are spectacular storms here in summer. In winter the days are sunny and warm. 

When it comes to land mammals, South Africa hogs the superlatives: it's got the biggest (the African elephant), the smallest (the pygmy shrew), the tallest (the giraffe) and the fastest (the cheetah). The country is also home to the last substantial populations of black and white rhinos - with horns intact.  

Wildlife exists mostly in one of South Africa's national parks, but you should keep an eye out for lurking crocodiles in lowveld streams and rampaging hippos in the northern coastal regions.  

South Africa is home to a variety of birdlife the ostrich (the world's largest bird), the Kori bustard (the largest flying bird), as well as sunbirds, flamingoes, and the sociable weaver birds who live in 'cities' of woven grass. 

The region's flora is spectacular, with wildflowers from peaceful lilies to raging red hot pokers in the grasslands, weird succulents blooming after spring rains, and one of the world's six floral kingdoms - the Cape kingdom - prettying up the Western Cape. Large areas in the north are covered by a savannah-type vegetation, characterised by acacias and thorn trees, and there are forest remnants along the southern coast and in the north-east.

Country and People Introduction

South Africans have been referred to as the 'rainbow nation', a title which illuminates the country's cultural diversity. The population of South Africa is one of the most complex and diverse in the world. Of the 45 million South Africans, nearly 31 million are Black, 5 million White, 3 million Coloured and one million Indian. 

The Black population is divided into four major ethnic groups, namely Nguni, Sotho, Shangaan-Tsonga and Venda. There are numerous subgroups of which the Zulu and Xhosa (two subgroups of the Nguni) are the largest. The majority of the White population is Afrikaners (60%), with many of the remaining 40% being of British descent. Most of the Coloured population live in the Northern and Western Cape provinces, whilst most of the Indian population lives in KwaZulu Natal. The Afrikaner population is concentrated in the Gauteng and Orange Free State provinces and the English population in the Western and Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal.

South Africa, a Society in Transition 

Numerous population groups with different languages, cultural backgrounds and origins all coexist in South Africa. The bigger groups are Zulus (21 %), Xhosas (17 %) and the Sotho (15%). Next are smaller minorities, such as the Tswana, Venda, Ndebele, Swasi, Pedi and others. The province of Natal is home to about one million Indians, whose forefathers came to South Africa to work on the sugarcane plantations. And there are three million people of mixed race, the so-called "coloureds," mainly living in the Cape region. They are descendants of the first Dutch settlers and the native population of the Cape (Khoikhoi) or the Malays, who were taken to South Africa as slaves from East India in the 18th century. The "coloureds" have a cultural heritage of their own. 

The portion of the white part of the South African population amounts to 8 % (4 million) of the national population. Most of them derive from Dutch, German or French immigrants. They are called Afrikaners and speak Afrikaans, which is closely related to the Dutch language. The English speaking part of the white population is concentrated in the Western and Eastern Cape province and in Natal.

A large part of the fast growing black majority lives in oppressive poverty. In the outer districts of the cities, spread vast miserable settlements of tin and carton shacks, lacking sufficient sanitation, electricity and water. Many of the residents are illiterate. The enormous poverty problem in South Africa is a direct result of sanctions imposed on the previous regime.


South Africa is still far from the ideal of a multi-cultural society. There is still a deep trench going through the population. Black and white people lead largely separate lives with few points of contact.

Nevertheless, the society's democratisation is steadily progressing. A milestone on the way to a new national consciousness was the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission". It had a mandate to uncover the crimes of apartheid, let them be publicly confessed with the aim of forgiveness. 


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South Africa Culture

South Africa is a multiracial society and defining distinct subgroups by skin colour will only begin to get you into trouble. 

Those of Afrikaner and British descent won't be too happy to be confused with one another and there are several major and many minor groupings in the traditional black cultures.

The mingling and melding in South Africa's urban areas means that old cultures are fading and new synchretisms are emerging, but traditional black cultures are still strong in much of the countryside. 

All the traditional cultures are based on beliefs in a masculine deity, ancestral spirits and supernatural forces. Polygamy is permitted and a bride-price (where the groom's family reimburse the bride's family for the loss of their daughter) is usually paid. Cattle play an important part in many cultures, as symbols of wealth and as sacrificial animals.

The art of South Africa's indigenous populations can be one of the only ways to connect with lost cultures. Rock and cave paintings by the San (Bushmen), some of which date back 26,000 years, fall into this category. In other cases, such as the elaborate 'coded' beadwork of the Zulus, traditional art has been adapted to survive in different circumstances. 

Zulu is one of the strongest surviving black cultures and massed Zulu singing at Inkatha Freedom Party demonstrations is a powerful expression of this ancient culture. 

The Xhosa also have a strong presence; they are known as the red people because of the red-dyed clothing worn by most adults. 

The Ndebele are a related group, who live in the Northern Transvaal in strikingly painted houses.

The Afrikaners' distinct culture has developed from being the pioneers in Africa. Being so far removed from Europe and western civiliations, surrounded by various other cultures and in such harsh conditions they developed into a unique culture. 

Aside from the Afrikaners, the majority of European South Africans are of British extraction. The British are generally more urbanised and have tended to dominate the business and financial sectors stemming from their invasion into South Africa when gold and diamonds were discovered. 

There is also a large and influential Jewish population and a significant Indian minority.

SA Overview

South Africa is the place where various worlds meet - Western and Eastern Worlds meet Africa. This creates a place and new society of great energy and diversity. More and more travellers are discovering a place that has been off the beaten track for most of the century. South Africa is probably the most contrasting (and therefore interesting) places on earth. It is a country of extremes! 


For the first time traveller to Africa, South Africa is not a bad place to start: the infrastructure is very good, the climate is kind and there are few better places to see Africa's wildlife. 

South Africa Facts

The Republic of South Africa
Area: 1,233,404 sq km
Population: 41 million
Capital city: Pretoria (administrative capital); Bloemfontein (seat of high court) and Cape Town (seat of parliament).
People: 75% black, 13% white (60% of whites are of Afrikaner descent, most of the rest are of British descent), 8% mixed race, 3% of Indian descent.
Languages: English, Afrikaans, seSotho, isiXhosa and isiZulu are the most commonly spoken. Other official languages are isiNdebele, saLebowa, siSwati, Xitsonga, Setswana and Tshivenda.
Religion: Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and traditional religions.
President: Thabo Mbeki


Major industries: Mining, finance, insurance, food processing
Major trading partners: USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Italy

History

Although Khoisan (san, bushmen) nomadic tribes lived in southern Africa for around 40,000 years, they didn't reach the Cape of Good Hope until about 2000 years ago. By the 15th century most arable land had been settled by encroaching Bantu pastoral tribes.

Southern Africa became a popular stop for European crews after Vasco de Gama opened the Cape of Good Hope spice route in 1498, and, by the mid-17th century Dutch traders opted for a permanent settlement in Table Bay on the site of present day Cape Town. The mostly Dutch burghers pushed slowly north, decimating the Khoisan with violence and disease as they went. Towards the end of the 18th century and with Dutch power fading, Britain predictably jumped in for another piece of Africa. 

Difaqane was the name given to a terror campaign masterminded by the Zulu chief, Shaka. This wave of disruption through southern Africa left some tribes wiped out, others enslaved and the lucky ones running. Into this chaos disgruntled Boers stomped on their Great Trek away from British rule. Most of the pastures they trekked through were deserted or inhabited by traumatised refugees; they were easily turned into cattle runs. 

The Zulus were no pushovers, however. They put up strong and bloody resistance to the Boers before eventually ceding to superior firepower. 

Boer republics popped up through the interior, and were annexed one by one by Britain in a chaotic kerfuffle of treaties, diplomacy and violence through the middle part of the 19th century. 

Just when it looked like the Union Jack was going to fly from Cairo to the Cape, diamonds were discovered in Kimberley, and the Dutch resistance became suddenly stronger.

The First Anglo-Boer War ended in a crushing Boer victory and the establishment of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. 

The British backed off until a huge reef of gold was discovered around Johannesburg and then marched in again for the Second Anglo-Boer War, dribbling with Empiric greed. 

By 1902 the Boers had exhausted their conventional resources and resorted to commando-style raids, denying the British control of the countryside. 

The British quashed resistance with disproportionate reprisals. The women and children from the farms were collected and taken to concentration camps - a British invention - where 26,000 died of disease and neglect. The Boers were compelled to sign an ignominious and bitter peace.

Soon after the Union of South Africa was established in 1910, a barrage of racist legislation was passed restricting black rights and laying the foundations for apartheid. After a last flutter with military rebellion during WWI, the Afrikaners got on with the business of controlling South Africa politically. 

In 1948 elections the National Party took the reins and began their policy of seperate development. Every individual was classified by race, and race determined where you could live. Black resistance developed in the form of strikes, acts of public disobedience and protest marches, and was supported by international opinion from the early 1960s after 69 protesters were killed in Sharpeville and African National Congress (ANC) leaders including Nelson Mandela were jailed.

After withdrawing from the British Commonwealth in 1961, South Africa became increasingly isolated. 

Paranoia developed through the 1960s and '70s, as the last European powers withdrew from Africa and black, often socialist, states formed around South Africa's northern borders. 

Violent responses to black protests increased commitment to a revolutionary struggle and the United Nations finally imposed economic and political sanctions. 

But in the mid-1980s, black-on-black violence in the townships exploded. Although bitter lines were drawn between the left wing Xhosa-based ANC and the right wing Zulu-dominated Inkatha movement, such distinctions are too simplistic in the context of the massive economic and social deprivation of black South Africa. There were clashes between political rivals, tribal enemies, opportunistic gangsters, and between those who lived in the huge migrant-workers' hostels and their township neighbours. 

Reformist FW De Klerk came to power in 1989. Virtually all apartheid regulations were repealed, political prisoners were released and negotiations began on forming a multiracial government. Free elections in 1994 resulted in a decisive victory for the ANC and Nelson Mandela became president. De Klerk's National Party won just over 20% of the vote, and the Inkatha Freedom Party won 10.5%. South Africa rejoined the British Commonwealth a few months later.

In 1999, after five years of learning about democracy, the country voted in a more normal election. Issues such as economics and competence were raised and debated. 

Despite the scars of the past and the enormous problems ahead, there are huge expectations for the new South Africa. 

What to do? 

When visiting South Africa, there are plenty to choose from and the choice is growing all the time. 

South Africa - Land of Diversity 

South Africa really is a whole world in one country. European city life, western culture, modern health care, a well maintained network of roads and a functioning economy are combined with the ancient beauty of the nature and traditional culture of the African continent, which never fails to enchant us with its unique wealth of plants and animals.

The variety of scenic landscapes is fascinating as well, ranging from burnt-out deserts and arid savannahs through idyllic green rolling hills and fertile valleys to dramatically shaped alpine mountains with snow-covered peaks. A couple of thousands of kilometres of coastline hem the country. Rough, melancholy and harsh in the west, the beaches on the east coast are mild and Mediterranean, and the north-east coast is tropically warm.

The great variety opens up innumerable ways to spend a holiday. Enjoy leisurely walks in the lovely mountains of the Winelands, a beach run on the wild Atlantic coast, fly-fishing for trout in the Natal Midlands or playing a game of golf on the world's best and most beautiful courses. Delight in a drive through the glowing desert and a glass of excellent wine on a veranda in the Cape Town sunset. Enjoy French, Malay or Indian food or have a braaivleis - barbecue - at the beach. Go shopping in exclusive boutiques or admire African arts and crafts at a colourful street-market. Explore the African bush on safari, watch elephants having a bath at a waterhole or lions hunting their prey.

And of course there are many more options. Get ready with a first impression of South Africa's diversity. In this introductory menu we have collected some information on five main attractions: the Kruger National Park in the north-east, the Drakensberg mountains in KwaZulu Natal, the Kgalagadi Park in the Kalahari desert, the Garden Route with its stunning beaches and indigenous forests and, last but not least, Cape Town, "The Fairest Cape," including the charming Cape Peninsula, the Winelands and the West Coast.





Navigate the top portal site to find information on Kosi Bay, also known as Maputaland, northern Elephant Coast, Isimangaliso Wetland Park, Manguzi, Kwangwanase, Thongaland, Tembeland, including such fabulous sites such as Kosi Lakes, Kosi Mouth, Bhanga Nek, Rocktail Bay, Black Rock, Lake Sibaya, Mabibi, in fact anything north of Sodwana and south of Ponta de Ouro, Ponta Malongane andf Ponta Mamoli in Mozambique.




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