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THE NINE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA The nine provinces of South Africa South Africa has nine provinces, each with its own history, landscape, population, languages, economy, cities and government. South Africa’s nine provinces are the Eastern Cape, the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Northern Cape, North West and the Western Cape. Before 1994, South Africa had four provinces: the Transvaal and Orange Free State – previously Boer republics – and Natal and the Cape, once British colonies. In 1910 these four states were united into a single country, the Union of South Africa, under British rule. This became the Republic of South Africa in 1960, under apartheid rule. In the 1970s and eighties, under the apartheid doctrine of “separate development”, the map of South Africa was spattered with the odd outlines of the “homelands”. These unsustainable states were set up on disjointed parcels of land with no economic value. Laws were passed to make black South Africans citizens of these barren regions, denying black people’s citizenship of South Africa as a whole. In 1996, under South Africa’s new democratic constitution , the homelands were dismantled and South Africa consolidated into today’s nine provinces. The land area of South Africa’s nine provinces, from smallest to largest: Gauteng: 18,178 square kilometres (1.5% of total) Mpumalanga: 76,495 square kilometres (6.3%) KwaZulu-Natal: 94,361 square kilometres (7.7%) North West: 104,882 square kilometres (8.6%) Limpopo: 125,755 square kilometres (10.3%) Western Cape: 129,462 square kilometres (10.6%) Free State: 129,825 square kilometres (10.6%) Eastern Cape: 168,966 square kilometres (13.8%) Northern Cape: 372,889 square kilometres (30.5%) South Africa: 1,220,813 square kilometres (100%) Population of the provinces The population of the provinces also varies considerably. Gauteng, the smallest province, has the largest number of people living there – over a quarter of South Africa’s population. The Northern Cape, which takes up nearly a third of the country’s land area, has the smallest population: just over 2% of the national total. The population of South Africa’s nine provinces in 2017, from smallest to largest: Northern Cape: 1.2 million people (2.1% of South Africa’s total population) Free State: 2.9 million people (5.1%) North West: 3.9 million people (6.8%) Mpumalanga: 4.4 million people (7.9%) Limpopo: 5.8 million people (10.2%) Eastern Cape: 6.5 million people (11.5%) Western Cape : 6.5 million people (11.5%) KwaZulu-Natal: 11.1 million people (19.6%) Gauteng: 14.3 million people (25.3%) South Africa’s population South Africa has 56.5-million people, according to 2017 estimates. The 2011 census puts it at 51.5-million. Black South Africans make up around 81% of the total, coloured people 9%, whites 8% and Indians 3%. Census counts of provincial populations South Africa has held three censuses in its recent democratic history: in 1996, 2001 and 2011. Over those 15 years, the population of the provinces shifted.Gauteng’s population grew dramatically, overtaking that of KwaZulu-Natal – which saw significant growth of its own. Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and the Western Cape also had notable increases in population. By contrast, the populations of the Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Cape remained fairly static, as people migrated to other provinces. Population density in the provinces The variation in land area and population among South Africa’s population translates into huge differences in population density. Gauteng has an average of 785 people per square kilometre, while the Northern Cape has only three people for each square kilometre. Population density in South Africa’s nine provinces in 2017, from smallest to largest: Northern Cape: 3 people per square kilometre Free State: 22 people per square kilometre North West: 37 people per square kilometre Eastern Cape: 38 people per square kilometre Limpopo: 46 people per square kilometre Western Cape: 50 people per square kilometre Mpumalanga: 58 people per square kilometre KwaZulu-Natal: 117 people per square kilometre Gauteng: 785 people per square kilometre Provincial migration South Africans migrate away from poverty to where the jobs are, moving from poorer provinces to the richer ones. Gauteng is South Africa’s wealthiest province, mostly a city region and the centre of the country’s economy. It has the largest population, constantly swelled by migration. The province’s net migration rate (the number of people moving in minus people moving out) was nearly a million between 2011 and 2016. The Eastern Cape is the poorest province. Between 2011 and 2016 nearly half a million of its people migrated to other provinces, while only 170 000 or so moved into the province. Province and race There is also a wide variation in the racial composition of the different provinces’ populations. Census 2011 figures reveal that black South Africans are the majority population group in seven of the nine provinces, comprising from 75% to 97% of the provincial total. Yet they make up less than a third of the population in the Western Cape (26.7%) and under a half in the Northern Cape (46.5%). The distribution of a population group can reflect that people’s history in the country. Coloured South Africans are to be found mainly in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape (respectively 61.1%, 12% and 10.7% of South Africa’s total coloured population) because they are descended from a mixture of slaves brought to what was then the Cape Colony, white immigrants to the colony, and indigenous Africans, particularly the Khoisan. The majority (71.6%) of Indian South Africans live in KwaZulu-Natal because their ancestors were brought to Natal in the early 20th century to work on sugarcane plantations. And only 0.3% of Indians live in the Free State (0.1% of the total Free State population), as they were forbidden by law to enter what was then the Orange Free State during the apartheid era. Provincial distribution also reflects a group’s socioeconomic position. White South Africans, the beneficiaries of the apartheid system, are largely found in the more developed and urbanised provinces of Gauteng (40.4% of the total white population, and 18.9% of the total Gauteng population) and the Western Cape (19.4% of the total white population, and 18.4% of the Western Cape population). Languages of the provinces There’s considerable variation in home languages between the provinces, according to Census 2011. IsiXhosa, for instance, is spoken by almost 80% of people in the Eastern Cape, while around 78% of those in KwaZulu-Natal speak isiZulu. IsiZulu is also the most common home language in Gauteng, but at a much smaller percentage. In the Western Cape and Northern Cape, Afrikaans comes into its own. READ MORE: The 11 languages of South Africa The main languages in each province, according to Census 2011: Eastern Cape: isiXhosa 78.8%, Afrikaans 10.6% Free State: Sesotho 64.2%, Afrikaans 12.7% Gauteng: isiZulu 19.8%, English 13.3%, Afrikaans 12.4%, Sesotho 11.6% KwaZulu-Natal: isiZulu 77.8%, English 13.2% Limpopo: Sesotho 52.9%, Xitsonga 17%, Tshivenda 16.7% Mpumalanga: siSwati 27.7%, isiZulu 24.1%, Xitsonga 10.4%, isiNdebele 10.1% Northern Cape: Afrikaans 53.8%, Setswana 33.1% North West: Setswana 63.4%, Afrikaans 9% Western Cape: Afrikaans 49.7%, isiXhosa 24.7%, English 20.3% Economy of the provinces Gauteng dominates almost all industries in South Africa, except agriculture and mining. In 2016 the main industries in each province were: Eastern Cape: government services 21%, trade, catering and accommodation 18%, finance 16% Free State: government services 15%, finance 14%, trade, catering and accommodation 13% Gauteng: finance 23%, government services 19%, manufacturing 14% KwaZulu-Natal: manufacturing 16%, finance 15%, government services 15% Limpopo: mining 25%, government services 18%, trade, catering and accommodation 13% Mpumalanga: mining 20%, trade, catering and accommodation 13%, manufacturing 13% Northern Cape: mining 19%, government services 15%, finance 12% North West: mining 30%, government services 12%, finance 12% Western Cape: finance 23%, trade, catering and accommodation 15%, manufacturing 14% The province’s share of South Africa’s economy Population size correlates with each province’s contribution to the national economy, with Gauteng having the biggest. The tiny province punches way above its weight, making up 33.8% of South Africa’s gross domestic product in 2016 and around 5% of the GDP of Africa as a whole. Next is KwaZulu-Natal with 16%, followed by the Western Cape with 13.7%. These three provinces together contribute nearly two-thirds to total economy of South Africa. In 2016 the value of each province’s economy, and its share of the total GDP of South Africa, was: Northern Cape: R91 billion (2.1% of South Africa’s GDP) Free State: R218 billion (5%) North West: R280 billion (6.4%) Limpopo: R312 billion (7.2%) Mpumalanga: R324 billion (7.4%) Eastern Cape: R331 billion (7.6%) Western Cape: R596 billion (13.7%) KwaZulu-Natal: R692 billion (15.9%) Gauteng: R1.5 trillion (34.6%) Government of the provinces South Africa’s provinces are governed, in different ways, on a national, provincial and local level. National government On the national level, South Africa has two houses of parliament: the National Assembly, and the National Council of Provinces. The second exists to ensure that the interests of each province are protected in the laws passed by the National Assembly. Each one of South Africa’s nine provinces sends 10 representatives to the National Council of Provinces. Six of these are permanent members of the council, and four are special delegates. Provincial government Each province has its own provincial government. The provincial legislature has the power to pass laws in certain limited areas. The legislature has between 30 and 80 members depending on the province’s portion of the national voters’ roll. The premier – the head of government in the province – governs the province together with other “members of the executive council”, known as MECs. Each MEC has a specific responsibility, such as health, education, tourism and transport. Local government The nine provinces are each further divided into municipalities. Metropolitan municipalities are densely populated urban areas with major cities – such as Johannesburg or Durban – at their core. District municipalities are larger, less urban regions centred on one or more town or small city. District municipalities are further divided into local municipalities. The cities of the provinces Each of the nine provinces has a provincial capital, the seat of provincial government. These are usually the largest city in the province – Johannesburg in Gauteng, for example, or Mahikeng in North West. The exceptions are the Eastern Cape (Bhisho) and KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg), which have smaller cities as their capitals for reasons of history. Cape Town in the Western Cape and Bloemfontein in the Free State also stand out for being both provincial capitals and two of the three capital cities of South Africa. The provincial capitals and major cities of South Africa’s nine provinces are: Eastern Cape: Bhisho (capital) and Port Elizabeth (major city) Free State: Bloemfontein (capital and major city) Gauteng: Johannesburg (capital and major city) KwaZulu-Natal: Pietermaritzburg (capital) and Durban (major city) Limpopo: Polokwane (capital and major city) Mpumalanga: Mbombela (capital and major city) – also known as Nelspruit North West: Mahikeng (capital and major city) – formerly known as Mafeking, then as Mafikeng Northern Cape: Kimberley (capital and major city) Western Cape: Cape Town (capital and major city) Sources Census South Africa public database Statistics South Africa Census 2011 Statistics South Africa Community Survey 2016 Statistics South Africa mid-year population estimates 2017 Statistics South Africa gross domestic product, fourth quarter 2017 United Nations Statistics Division World Statistics Pocketbook 2017 World Bank Open Data Media Club South Africa South African Provinces “If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa” – John Hemingway. These words continue to be true across the African continent and more especially in the country of South Africa where the magic resides and its people and the very land which they stand on. A country of true hospitality and “Ubuntu” meaning humanity. People come far and wide to this land for its colorful rainbow nation, tasteful cuisines, beautiful scenery, history, Overland Tours, culture, and so much more. The South African country is one that comes from far with its complex history and cultural dynamics. For a truly South Africa experience, one would have to visit the 9 provinces of South Africa. These 9 South Africa provinces were established on the 27 April 1994, the date of the first non-racial elections and of the adoption of the Interim Constitution, born under the new democratic of South Africa favoring all people. These 9 provinces include the Western Cape, known for its beaches and offering the best Cape Town Safari experiences, Gauteng which is the smallest province in terms of size but the largest in terms of population as a prominent economic hub, the Northern Cape which is the largest in size known for its impressive desert landscapes and great Pilanesberg Safari opportunities, the Eastern Cape which is a natural paradise and perfect for those seeking Safari Cape Town adventures, the North West is known prominently as a Tswana speaking province, one of the 11 official languages of South Africa, Kwa-Zulu Natal which is the province of the great Shaka Zulu who appears in many historical pages when speaking about Chiefs of South African tribes and offers fantastic Kruger Safari tours , Mpumalanga which means “where the sun rises” and is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts with its Kruger Park Safari tours, Limpopo which borders Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique and is known for its cultural heritage and Kruger National Park Packages , and lastly but definitely not least the Free State is known for its farm life and wide horizons, perfect for small group tours to South Africa. These provinces individually contribute to the image and package that is South Africa, offering unique experiences that capture one’s attention through architecture, history, natural scenery, landmarks, and so much more. The collective attractions found in these provinces create packages for any traveler to be impressed from the get-go. Different elements ensure that one’s trip is not only educational but also entertaining, leaving one feeling enlightened enough that they want to return to the South African soil time and time again. Below is what each province offers and what makes it unique. Gauteng Province Gauteng Province The Gauteng Province, though the smallest in South Africa, is one that carries its weight with its population density, making it a unique province. This tiny area offers people from all walks of life in a vibrant and colourful city, offering urban life on a beautiful African platter. The City of Gold, as it’s known, offers various attractions that speak for themselves on culture and urban life and everything in between of the Gauteng province. Gauteng is home to the most famous township in South Africa, the Soweto Township which showcases authentic South African lifestyles in dances, cuisines, and so much more. Vilakazi street, the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum, as well as the Mandela house, are also found in Soweto where one can get a taste of history and heritage. Johannesburg is also found in Gauteng where one gets to see the busy city life. Johannesburg or Joburg as it is known houses attractions such as the Constitutional Hill which also sheds light on the apartheid era and the Apartheid Museum. The Gauteng province is also home to Pretoria, which is, in fact, the capital city of South Africa. In Pretoria, one can visit the Union buildings as well as the Voortrekker Monument for more South African history and heritage. One may also drive past the Jacaranda trees in Pretoria for a uniquely beautiful floral display. Gauteng is also host to the Cradle of Humankind which is a World Heritage Site offering displays of human evolution and discoveries. While there one can also visit the Sterkfontein Caves. While in Gauteng one should not forget the city life aspect where one can go enjoy Gold reef city for a day of amusement park entertainment as well as Monte Casino for those who like to win big amongst other entertaining activities. Most of the History sites in Johannesburg can be visited by booking Johannesburg Day tours if you would like specific tours. Also, check out the Overland Tours starting from Johannesburg as they give a good start to learn the long history of Apartheid and its scars. Johannesburg Soweto Tours can be found on our website and last from 5 hours to 8 hours depending on the day tour one chooses. A Soweto Tour allows visitors to delve into the rich history and culture of South Africa, particularly during the apartheid era. Northern Cape Province Northern Cape Province The largest province in South Africa, also known for its desert terrain, is a true African gem. The famous desert terrain of this vast area can be attributed to the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve known for its safaris and game drives with the viewing of meerkats and pangolins and so much more, Richtersveld with its mountains and plains in very remote settings for quiet wilderness, Goegap Nature Reserve for camping, as well as the Mokala National Park where one can get to lodge among endangered species. The Northern Cape also offers various waterfall settings for those who love this type of setting. The Augrabies Falls National Park and the Augrabiesvalle offer one dramatic and beautiful waterfalls in the backdrop of rocky terrain. While still on nature, the Northern Cape continues to offer nature’s best in the form of biodiverse parks for flower lovers at the Namaqua National Park. For those who love technology and advancements, the Northern Cape is also home to the largest telescope in Southern Africa which can be visited for one’s pleasure. Lastly, one cannot leave any South African province without a little cultural or heritage stimulation, hence why the McGregor Museum is an extremely popular attraction when in the Northern Cape. The Northern Cape is also known for its capital Kimberly. This city is home to the Big Hole which is a manmade hole. This open-pit and underground mine in Kimberley, South Africa, is claimed to be the deepest hole excavated by hand. What makes the Northern Cape appealing to any traveler is its remoteness and the purely natural element where one can just experience the world as it is with extremely limited human touches, but rather nature in its purest form. Mpumalanga Province The Mpumalanga Province is truly a place where the sun rises, as everything the sun touches is pure gold. The scenery in this province is reason alone for one to visit this province. Mpumalanga first and foremost is home to one of the largest game reserves in Africa, the Kruger National Park, offering fantastic Kruger National Park Safaris . This National Park stretches across the province and is home to various big 5 animals that draw large crowds in their sheer sizes alone. A true Kruger National Park Safari Experience. This National Park is, however, not a one-trick pony type of destination but rather offers various activities for everyone. The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is also another destination which one can go enjoy when in Mpumalanga for nature’s gifts with various waterfalls that will take one’s breath away. These waterfalls include the Berlin Falls and Lisbon’s Falls. These can also be booked under a day tour called Panorama full Day Tour offered by our sister company Kruger Safari Africa. While in Mpumalanga one should also go visit Nelspruit and Hazyview which are a city and town that offer a lot of activities and attractions for travelers, including visiting the Sudwala Caves and Ostrich farms amongst other entertaining activities. Mpumalanga might be home to the largest game reserve in South Africa but that does not mean there are not various options for one’s wildlife needs. One can visit various game reserves such as the Sabie Sands Game reserve and the Timbavati Game Reserve amongst many others. Lastly, while in Mpumalanga one can enjoy the view of the Sabie River. As one of the most biologically diverse rivers in South Africa, it’s no wonder Mpumalanga made the cut for one of South Africa’s provinces. Western Cape Province The Western Cape is nothing short of breathtaking. One of the most popular places that travelers tend to visit when in South Africa and it is easy to see. This vibrant province offers everything from culture and heritage to beaches and sun. So why the Western Cape? Firstly, Cape Town which is a great city hosting world-renowned attractions. As a port city on a peninsula beneath Table Mountain there is nothing not to love about this beautiful destination. While in Cape Town one can visit Table mountain for the most beautiful scenery overlooking the ocean, the Cape of Good Hope is also another scenic spot to visit as well as the tip of the Cape Peninsula where one can enjoy the beautiful scenery and feel like they are on top of the world. All these attractions can be booked under Cape Town Day Tours with Africa Moja Tours. Beaches in Cape Town are in abundance so a visit to one is exactly right up the alley when in the Western Cape. While still in Cape Town one can visit the Boulders Beach and have a day with the penguins. Robben Island is also on offer while in this city for a day of culture and the heritage of South Africa. One can wind down in Cape Town at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden for a picnic and a day of beautiful indigenous plant life. No wonder Cape Town is the gem of the Western Cape. However, the Western Cape is jam-packed with attractions. If you like wine then the Western Cape is just the place with its Winelands based in Stellenbosch, Franshoek, and Paarl for those who enjoy a glass or two. If one likes to surf, then the Muizenberg area is just the place. Knysna is also offered when in the Western Cape known for its beautiful gorgeous lagoons, tasteful oysters, elephants for the wilderness lovers as well as forest for more of nature’s best. The town of George can also be found here where the Garden route can be found. The Western Cape is full of destinations for places to go and visit that travelers will fully enjoy. One of our South Africa Overland Tours called the 15 Days Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, and Cape town will cover the provinces of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape, including incredible Kruger Safari experiences. We will also get to visit all the tourist attractions in Cape Town. If you do not have 15 Days and would still like to visit and learn about South Africa’s history and present, then the 10 Days Johannesburg and Cape Town Overland Trips will cover the two provinces. Gauteng Province with its rich Apartheid history and Cape Town with its lovely and out-of-the-world attractions like Table Mountain and the Cape Winelands. Limpopo Province Limpopo Province The Limpopo province is just the place for everything old and traditional. With most of its attractions untouched and still having remnants of the past, it is no wonder this place stands out. Limpopo is one of the provinces which the Kruger National Park crosses, therefore, offering travelers the Big 5 wilderness experience speaking again of its size. The National Parks or Nature Reserves in the Limpopo area, however, have grown substantially over the years and now offer unique experiences to different markets. Moving on from the wilderness and getting in touch with remnants of the past Limpopo offers travelers the opportunity to visit the Mapungubwe National Park which was home to now-lost civilization and is now a protected habitat. While in Limpopo one can also visit the town of Thohoyandou which is home to the Venda people of South Africa who take pride in their culture and can be seen when visiting this area. Bela Bela is another popular hotspot when in Limpopo for one to visit with various museums and lodges for a beautiful Limpopo experience. Kwa-Zulu Natal Province A Coastal city known for its beaches, mountains, and unmatched hospitality. Kwa-Zulu Natal is a province that is well versed in the language of traveler’s needs. This begins, of course, in Durban which is the most popular destination when in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Durban is known for its Addington Beach, Surfing, and the Golden Mile Beach. While still on the topic of beaches Kwa-Zulu Natal has an array of famous beaches such as the Umhlanga Beach with its surfing and lighthouses, Margate area with its country clubs for a more private beach experience, and so much more. Continuing with the trend of water this province also offers an array of wetlands for one’s enjoyment, including Saint Lucia known for wetlands, hippos, and safaris as well as the Isimangaliso Wetland Park which is a World Heritage Site showcasing the appeal of wetlands in this province that cannot be found anywhere else. While in Kwa-Zulu Natal the big 5 or safaris are also not in short supply with the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park and the Maloti-Drakensberg Park just to mention a few for one’s wilderness experience. While in Kwa-Zulu Natal one can also visit the Dolphins Coast for the viewing of dolphins amongst other things. The Royal Natal National Park is another area to visit when in this province for the most beautiful scenery when one is taking a hike. A few other hotspots to check when in this area include Richards Bay, Kokstad, and New Castle just to mention a few. The Kwa-Zulu Natal area is one drenched in culture and heritage but most importantly it’s one that knows its way in getting people to visit its shores. North West Province Sun City, the Palace of Lost City, South Africa If you have ever wondered where in South Africa, you can experience a manmade beach then North West is the province you’ve been looking for. Home to the Sun City Resort with its casinos and beautiful hotels as well as the Valley of the Waves, the North West province is a true gem. We offer Sun City Day Tour and also packages to Sun City Resort. With landscape defined by mountains in the northeast and bushveld scattered with trees and shrubs, the North West is safari, beach, and luxury destination. For the ultimate safari or wilderness experiences, two places stand out when one is in the North West and those places are the Pilanesberg National Park Safari and the Madikwe Game Reserve offering one all their big 5 needs. Hartbeespoort is another attraction or destination to visit when in this area for a visit to the Crocodile river as well the Hartbeespoort dam for scenery and everything in-between. For history and heritage, one should visit Potchefstroom for museums. Brits is another area which people visit when in the North West for Cheetahs and hunting amongst other activities. This very remote area is one that draws large numbers to its land, and it is hard not to see why with its inventive and unique selling point of a luxury resort in the middle of nowhere. Still, in North West, a Pilanesberg National Park 2 Days 1 Night Magical Safari will allow you to stay at Sun City resort for one night while giving you an opportunity to experience a morning BIG 5 experience and afternoon Pilanesberg National Park Safari. Free State Province Free State Province Sharing its borders with the Lesotho Kingdom and situated in the heart of South Africa between the Vaal River and the Orange river, it is no wonder this area is a province of South Africa. Known mostly for its natural beauty, open farmlands, and uninterrupted skies, towns and villages, interesting road routes, and the vast rocky mountain area of the East Highlands, the Free State is a province to be reckoned with. So, what attraction can one visit when in the heart of South Africa? Firstly, one can visit the Basotho Cultural Village for a day of cultural enlightenment where one gets to immerse themselves in the lives of 16th century to date Sotho customs and traditions. While at this province the Free State Botanical Garden is also another place to visit for natural beauty for one’s delight amongst 400 different plant species some of which are indigenous to the South African soil. One would also enjoy the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State with its wide accommodation of varies species and identified with its golden sandstone cliffs. If you like resorts this is definitely the province for you as the Free state is also home to the Forever Resorts Gariep which is nestled between the largest dam in South Africa giving this resort an almost Caribbean feel on the South African soil. A true paradise for relaxation and luxury. Among st other attractions, the Free State is also known for its Museum in Bloemfontein established in 1877 as well as the Naval Hill. A must-visit South African province. Eastern Cape Province As the second-largest province in South Africa, the Eastern Cape is the home of former president Nelson Mandela who became the first democratically elected president in South African in 1994, but not only that, it is also the place of many struggle heroes such as Steve Biko. With its cultural and heritage firmly rooted from the Xhosa people of South Africa, this province stands out for its beautiful scenery and various other destinations that appeal to travelers. These include the wilderness with the Addo Elephant Park which is dedicated to the protection of elephants as well as the Mountain Zebra National Park which is dedicated to the protection of the Zebra. The wilderness can be found in the Eastern Cape in their numbers not just for select species but for all animals. The Eastern Cape is also home to various beaches with places like Port Elizabeth, Jeffrey’s Bay, East London and so much more offering one beach experiences to last a lifetime. Coastal Parklands with forest and trails can also be found in this province and these include the Garden Route National Park, Cape Saint Francis, Port Alfred and so much more where one can enjoy various water activities. The Eastern Cape is also home to the Wild Coast with places like Coffee Bay and the Hole in the Wall where a warm ocean meets green hills and rocky coastline. With these types of coastal attractions, one would not be wrong to say that these attractions are indeed the wild coast. For natural beauty, one can visit Hogsback for its beautifully landscaped and cloud-wrapped mountains. Small Group Tours to South Africa Small group tours to South Africa offer an intimate and personalised way to experience South Africa. Traveling in small groups allows for more interaction with guides and fellow travellers, creating a close-knit and immersive experience. These tours often focus on specific interests, such as wildlife photography, culinary adventures, or cultural exploration, ensuring that participants can tailor their South African journey to their preferences. The home language of most people in KwaZulu-Natal is, unsurprisingly, isiZulu. In the Eastern Cape it’s isiXhosa. Around half the people of the Western Cape and Northern Cape speak Afrikaans. In Gauteng and Mpumalanga, no single language dominates. The main languages of each province are: Eastern Cape – isiXhosa (78.8%), Afrikaans (10.6%) Free State – Sesotho (64.2%), Afrikaans (12.7%) Gauteng – isiZulu (19.8%), English (13.3%), Afrikaans (12.4%), Sesotho (11.6%) KwaZulu-Natal – isiZulu (77.8%), English (13.2%) Limpopo – Sesotho sa Leboa (52.9%), Xitsonga (17%), Tshivenda (16.7%) Mpumalanga – siSwati (27.7%), isiZulu (24.1%), Xitsonga (10.4%), isiNdebele (10.1%) Northern Cape – Afrikaans (53.8%), Setswana (33.1%) North West – Setswana (63.4%), Afrikaans (9%) Western Cape – Afrikaans (49.7%), isiXhosa (24.7%), English (20.3%) South Africa’s constitution recognises 11 official languages: Sepedi (also known as Sesotho sa Leboa ), Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu. For centuries South Africa’s official languages were European – Dutch, English, Afrikaans. African languages, spoken by at least 80% of the people, were ignored. In 1996 South Africa’s new constitution gave official protection to all of the country’s major languages. South Africa has about 34 historically established languages. Thirty are living languages, and four extinct Khoesan languages. English is an urban language of public life, widely used in the media, business and government. Out of the 4.9-million South Africans who speak English as a first language, a third (33%) are white, a quarter (24%) are black, 22% are Indian and 19% are coloured South Africans. English is widely used as a second language and common language of communication, mainly in the cities. Afrikaans is a version of Dutch that evolved out of a South Holland dialect brought here in the 1600s. Over the centuries it has picked up many influences from African languages, as well as from European colonial languages such as English, French and German. More than half (50.2%) of Afrikaans speakers are coloured, 40% are white, 9% black and just 1% Indian. Click to enlarge South Africa’s nine African official languages all fall into the Southern Bantu-Makua subfamily, part of the broad and branching Niger-Congo family of languages. The languages arrived here during the great expansion of Bantu-speaking people from West Africa eastwards and southwards into the rest of the continent. The expansion began in around 3000 BCE and was largely complete by 1000 CE. Like all languages in the Niger-Congo family they are tonal languages, in which either a high or low tone gives a word a different meaning. The nine African languages can be broadly divided in two: Nguni-Tsonga languages: isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Xitsonga Sotho-Makua-Venda languages: Sesotho, Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, Tshivenda Within the first group Xitsonga alone falls into the Tswa-Ronga subfamily, while isiZulu, isiXhosa, isNdebele and siSwati are Nguni languages. Similarly, Sesotho, Sesotho sa Leboa and Setswana are closely related Sotho languages, and Tshivenda something of a standalone in the Sotho-Makua-Venda subfamily. Multilingual South Africa South Africans are more than bilingual. A rough estimate based on Census 2001 first-language data and a 2002 study of second-languages speakers is that the average South African – man, woman and child – uses 2.84 languages. Obviously, many people are limited to one, and many others able to speak three, four or more languages. Click to enlarge English- and Afrikaans-speaking people (mostly coloured, Indian and white South Africans) tend not to have much ability in African languages, but are fairly fluent in each other’s language. Multilingualism is common among black South Africans. For this reason, South African censuses ask people which two languages they speak. The question in the 2011 Census was: Which two languages does (member of household) speak most often in this household? Thirteen options were given: South Africa’s 11 official languages, plus Sign Language, and “Other”. If a person did not speak a second language, that too was recorded. The contrast between first language and second language is shown in the maps at right. While the geographical pattern of dominant first languages neatly conforms to the facts of history and urbanisation, the picture of second languages is more complicated, more of a mess. The second map reveals a couple of things. The first is how few South Africans speak just one language. The second is that while English is the dominant first language only in the cities – Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban – it is widely used as a second language across the country. English is spread by the media and used as a common language of communication. But many South Africans are compelled to learn English, and often Afrikaans as well, simply to get a job and to work. These are often poorer people denied an adequate education. Elsewhere in the world the ability to speak many languages is a sign of sophistication. In South Africa, multilingualism – a complex undertaking, especially in languages from very different families – is a common achievement of the poor. Code-switching South Africa Language is fluid, especially in South Africa. Our languages are and have been for centuries in a constant swirl , mixed by work, migration, education, urbanisation, the places we live, friendship and marriage. Because of this, South Africans are a code-switching people. “Code switching” simply means using more than one language in a single conversation. Every adult South African does this at some time, even if they aren’t aware of it. Here’s an example overheard at a football match. IsiZulu is in regular type, Afrikaans in bold and English in italics: “I-Chiefs isidle nge-referee’s ngabe ihambe sleg. Maar why benga stopi this system ye-injury time?” A rough translation: “Chiefs [the football club] have won because the referee favoured them. Otherwise, they would have lost. But why is this system of injury time not stopped?” Influenced by the other languages spoken around them, all of South Africa’s languages change and grow all the time. Who speaks what? Watch: South Africa’s most recent census was in 2011. The following table gives a breakdown of first-language speakers, as recorded by the census. The languages Unless otherwise indicated, all figures below are from Census 2011 and refer only to first language – the language spoken at home. Afrikaans Also known as: isiBhuru (isiNdebele), isiBhulu (isiXhosa), isiBhunu (isiZulu), siBhunu (siSwati), Seburu (Sesotho sa Leboa), Xibunu (Xitsonga) First-language users: 6,855,082 (13.5% of South Africans) Second-language users: 10,300,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 17,155,082 (estimate) Afrikaans evolved out of a 17th-century Dutch dialect introduced to South Africa in 1652 when the Dutch first colonised the Cape of Good Hope. Today it is the majority language of the Northern Cape. Afrikaans became an official language in South Africa with the Official Languages of the Union Act of 1925, which retroactively dated the language’s official status to 1910. The 6,855,082 South Africans who speak Afrikaans as a first language make up 13.5% of the country’s total population. More than half (50.2%) of these Afrikaans speakers are coloured, 39.5% white, 8.8% black, 0.9% Indian or Asian, and 0.6% other. More than three-quarters (75.8%) of coloured South Africans speak Afrikaans, as do almost two-thirds (60.8%) of whites. It is the home language of 4.6% of Indian or Asian people, and of 1.5% of black South Africans. Afrikaans and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population41,000,9384,615,4011,286,9304,586,838280,45451,770,560 Afrikaans speakers602,1663,442,16458,7002,710,46141,5916,855,082 Share of population1.5%75.8%4.6%60.8%15.2%13.5% Most Afrikaans speakers (41%) live in the Western Cape, and 21% in Gauteng. Ten percent of all Afrikaans speakers live in the Eastern Cape, 8.8% in the Northern Cape, and 5% in the Free State. Within the provinces, Afrikaans is the majority language in the Northern Cape (53.8%) and the Western Cape (49.7%). It makes up 12.7% of languages spoken in the Free State, 12.4% of Gauteng’s languages, 10.6% of languages in the Eastern Cape, 9% in North West, 7.2% in Mpumalanga, 2.6% in Limpopo and 1.6% in KwaZulu-Natal. English Also known as: Engels (Afrikaans), isiNgisi (isiNdebele and isiZulu), isiNgesi (isiXhosa), Senyesemane (Sesotho), Seisemane (Sesotho sa Leboa), siNgisi (siSwati), Xinghezi (Xitsonga) First-language users: 4,892,623 (9.6% of South Africans) Second-language users: 11,000,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 15,892,623 (estimate) English is a prominent language in South African public life, widely used in government, business and the media. As a first language it is mainly confined to the cities. In 1910 English and Dutch were declared the official languages of the new Union of South Africa. English has retained this official status ever since. The 4,892,623 South Africans who speak English as a first language make up 9.6% of the country’s total population. Among first-language English speakers, 32.8% are white, 23.9% black, 22.4% Indian and 19.3% coloured. The majority (86.1%) of Indian South Africans speak English as their home language, as do over a third (35.9%) of whites. It is the first language of 20.8% of coloured people, and of 2.9% of black South Africans. English and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 English speakers1,167,913945,8471,094,3171,603,57580,9714,892,623 Share of population2.9%20.8%86.1%35.9%29.5%9.6% The largest number of English speakers are in Gauteng – 1.6-million people, or a third (32.8%) of all English-speaking South Africans. Over a quarter (27.3%) live in KwaZulu-Natal, 23.5% in the Western Cape, and 7.4% in the Eastern Cape. English is a minority language within all nine provinces. It is the second-largest language in both the Western Cape (after Afrikaans) and Gauteng (after isiZulu). In the Western Cape it is spoken by 20.2% of the population, and in Gauteng by 13.3%. English is minimally spoken in the other provinces. Read more: The online dictionary of South African English isiNdebele Also known as: Ndebele, Southern Ndebele, Ndzundza, isiKhethu First-language users: 1,090,233 (2.1% of South Africans) Second-language users: 1,400,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 2,490,233 (estimate) IsiNdebele is the least spoken of South Africa’s 11 official languages, and confined mainly to Mpumalanga and Gauteng. It is an Nguni language, like isiZulu, isiXhosa and siSwati. Also called Southern Ndebele, it is not to be confused with Northern Ndebele, more commonly known as Matabele, which is closer to isiZulu and an official language of Zimbabwe. The 1,090,223 South Africans who speak isiNdebele as a first language make up just 2.1% of the country’s total population. Among first-language isiNdebele speakers, 97% are black, 0.9% Indian or Asian, 0.8% coloured, 0.8% white and 0.5% other. IsiNdebele is spoken by 2.6% of black South Africans – fewer than the 2.9% who speak English at home. It is barely spoken by other population groups, being the home language of 0.2% of both the coloured and white population, and 0.8% of Indian or Asian people. It is also spoken by 2.1% of people who describe themselves as “other”. IsiNdebele and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 IsiNdebele speakers1,057,7818,2259,8158,6115,7911,090,223 Share of population2.6%0.2%0.8%0.2%2.1%2.1% Most isiNdebele speakers (37%) live in Mpumalanga, followed by Gauteng (34.9%), KwaZulu-Natal (10.2%), Limpopo (9.6%) and North West (4%). IsiNdebele is a minority language in all the provinces. It is spoken by 10.1% of the population of Mpumalanga and 3.2% of Gautengers. isiXhosa Also known as: Xhosa First-language users: 8,154,258 Second-language users: 11,000,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 19,154,258 (estimate) The dominant language of the Eastern Cape, isiXhosa is also the second-largest language in South Africa after isiZulu. It is an Nguni language, like isiNdebele, isiZulu and siSwati, but also shows some influence from the Khoekhoe languages. The 8,154,258 South Africans who speak isiXhosa as a first language make up 16% of the country’s total population. Among first-language isiXhosa speakers, 99.4% are black, 0.3% coloured, 0.2% white and 0.1% Indian or Asian. Among the population groups, isiXhosa is spoken by 20.1% of black South Africans, the second-largest share after isiZulu. It is the home language of 0.6% of coloured people, 0.4% of Indians, 0.3% of whites and 1.9% of people who describe themselves as “other”. IsiXhosa and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 IsiXhosa speakers8,104,75225,3405,34213,6415,1828,154,258 Share of population20.1%0.6%0.4%0.3%1.9%16% Close to two-thirds (62.4%) of first-language isiXhosa speakers live in the Eastern Cape, and 17.2% in the Western Cape. About a tenth (9.8%) of all isiXhosa speakers live in Gauteng. Within the provinces, isiXhosa is the majority language in the Eastern Cape, where its 5,092,152 first-language users make up 78.8% of the population. In the Western Cape a quarter (24.7%) of the population speaks isiXhosa. IsiXhosa is spoken by 7.5% of people in the Free State, 6.6% in Gauteng, 5.5% in North West, and 5.3% in the Northern Cape. isiZulu Also known as: Zulu First-language users: 11,587,374 (22.7% of the population) Second-language users: 15,700,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 27,300,000 (estimate) IsiZulu is the most widely spoken language in South Africa, the first language of close to a quarter of the population. It is the dominant language of KwaZulu-Natal. Like isiNdebele, isiXhosa and siSwati, isiZulu is an Nguni language. The 11,587,374 South Africans who speak isiZulu as their home language make up 22.7% of the country’s total population. A full 99.4% of first-language isiZulu speakers are black, 0.2% coloured, 0.1% white and 0.1% Indian or Asian. IsiZulu is spoken by 28.5% of black South Africans, more than any other language. It is the home language of 1.3% of Indian or Asian people, 0.5% of coloureds, 0.4% of whites and 4.1% of people who describe themselves as “other”. IsiZulu and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 IsiZulu speakers11,519,23423,79716,69916,45811,18611,587,374 Share of population28.5%0.5%1.3%0.4%4.1%22.7% Over two-thirds (68.2%) of isiZulu-speaking South Africans live in KwaZulu-Natal, and more than a fifth (20.6% in Gauteng). Some 8.3% of all isiZulu speakers live in Mpumalanga, which borders KwaZulu-Natal to the northwest. The rest are thinly spread across the other provinces. Within the provinces, isiZulu is spoken by over three-quarters (77.8%) of the population of KwaZulu-Natal, and nearly a quarter (24.1%) of the people of Mpumalanga. Almost a fifth (19.8%) of Gautengers speak isiZulu. It is a small minority language in the rest of the provinces. Sesotho Also known as: Southern Sotho First-language users: 3,798,915 (7.6% of the population) Second-language users: 7,900,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 11,698,915 (estimate) Sesotho is the language of the Free State, and the first language of 3,798,915 South Africans, or 7.6% of the total population. It is one of the three Sotho languages, with Sesotho sa Leboa and Setswana. A full 98.7% of first-language Sesotho speakers are black, 0.6% coloured, 0.5% white and 0.1% Indian or Asian. Sesotho is spoken by just under a tenth (9.4%) of black South Africans. It is the home language of 0.5% of coloured people, of 0.4% of both white and Indian/Asian people, and of 1.7% of the people who describe themselves as “other”. Sesotho and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll South Africa’s population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 Sesotho speakers3,798,91523,2305,26917,4914,6573,849,563 Share of population9.4%0.5%0.4%0.4%1.7%7.6% Most (44.6%) Sesotho speakers live in the Free State. The inner curve of this bean-shaped province fits around the northwest border of Lesotho, a country where Sesotho and English are the official languages. Over a third (36.2%) of all Sesotho-speaking South Africans live in Gauteng. Some 5.2% live in North West. Within the provinces, Sesotho is spoken by close to two-thirds (64.2%) of the population of the Free State, over a tenth (11.6%) of Gauteng, and by 5.8% of people living in North West. Sesotho sa Leboa (Sepedi) Also known as: Northern Sotho First-language users: 4,618,576 (9.1% of the population) Second-language users: 9,100,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 13,518,576 (estimate) Sesotho sa Leboa or Sepedi? The 1993 interim Constitution named the language Sesotho sa Leboa. It was then changed to Sepedi in the final Constitution of 1996 . Debate on the right name continues . Most language experts, as well as speakers of the language , consider Sesotho sa Leboa to be the correct name, and Sepedi to be a dialect. In a study of the language policy of six South African universities, five used Sesotho sa Leboa and one Sepedi. But both the Department of Basic Education and Statistics South Africa use Sepedi as the language’s name. Sesotho sa Leboa is South Africa’s third-largest African language (after isiZulu and isiXhosa), and mainly spoken in Limpopo. Like Sesotho and Setswana, it is a Sotho language. Sesotho sa Leboa is the first language of 4,618,576 people, or 9.1% of the total population. A full 99.7% of first-language Sesotho sa Leboa speakers are black, 0.1% coloured, 0.1% white and 0.1% Indian or Asian. Sesotho sa Leboa is spoken by 11.4% of black South Africans. It is the home language of just 0.2% of Indians, 0.1% of coloureds, 0.1% of whites and 0.6% of people who describe themselves as “other”. Sesotho sa Leboa and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 Sesotho sa Leboa speakers4,602,4595,6422,9435,9171,6164,618,576 Share of population11.4%0.1%0.2%0.1%0.6%9.1% Nearly two-thirds of (61.2%) of all Sesotho sa Leboa speakers live in Limpopo, over a quarter (27.8%) in Gauteng and 8.1% in Mpumalanga. The rest of the language’s speakers are scattered around the country. Within the provinces, Sesotho sa Leboa is spoken by more than half (52.9%) the people of Limpopo, 10.6% of those in Gauteng, and 9.3% of Mpumalanga’s population. Setswana Also known as: Tswana, Sechuana, Chuana First-language users: 4,067,248 (8% of the population) Second-language users: 7,700,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 11,767,248 (estimate) The language of North West and its neighbouring country of Botswana, Setswana is the Tswanaic language in the Sotho-Tswana subfamily, which it shares with Sesotho and Sesotho sa Leboa. Its 3,996,951 speakers make up 8% of South Africa’s population. Some 98.3% of Setswana speakers are black, 1% coloured, 0.1% Indian or Asian and 0.1% white. Setswana is spoken by 9.9% of black South Africans, making it the third-largest language in the population group. It is the first language of 0.9% of coloured people, 0.4% of both Indians and whites, and 2.4% of people who describe themselves as “other”. Setswana and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 Setswana speakers3,996,95140,3514,91718,3586,6714,067,248 Share of population9.9%0.9%0.4%0.4%2.4%8.0% Over a half (52.9%) of Setswana speakers live in North West, a quarter (26.9%) in Gauteng, and close on a tenth (9.2%) in the Northern Cape. Both North West and the Northern Cape lie on the border of Botswana, where 79% of the population speak Setswana. Within the provinces, Setswana is spoken by nearly two-thirds (63.4%) of the population of North West, a third (33.1%) of the Northern Cape’s people, by 9.1% of Gauteng’s population and 5.2% of the Free State’s. siSwati Also known as: Swati, Swazi First-language users: 1,297,046 (2.5% of the population) Second-language users: 2,400,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 3,697,046 (estimate) SiSwati is mostly spoken in Mpumalanga, which along its curved eastern border almost encircles the country of Swaziland. SiSwati is an Nguni language, like isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu. The 1,297,046 people who speak siSwati are just 2.5% of South Africa’s population, making it the country’s third-smallest language. Among first-language siSwati speakers, 99.3% are black, 0.3% coloured, 0.2% white and 0.1% Indian or Asian. In the population as a whole, siSwati is spoken by 3.2% of black South Africans, by around 0.1% of the other population groups, and by 0.5% of people who describe themselves as “other”. SiSwati and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 SiSwati speakers1,288,1564,0561,2172,2991,320234,655 Share of population3.2%0.1%0.1%0.1%0.5%2.5% Most siSwati speakers live in Mpumalanga – 85.3% of its total users and the highest provincial concentration of any language. Another tenth (10.5%) live in Gauteng, and the rest are scattered mainly over the northern parts of the country. Within the provinces, sisSwati is spoken by 27.7% of the total population of Mpumalanga, and just 1.1% of Gautengers. Tshivenda Also known as: Venda, Chivenda First-language users: 1,209,388 (2.4% of the population) Second-language users: 1,700,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 2,909,388 (estimate) Tshivenda is something of a standalone among South Africa’s major African languages, falling into the broader Sotho-Makua-Venda subfamily but not part of the Sotho group. It is mostly spoken in the far northeast of Limpopo. The 1,209,388 South Africans who speak Tshivenda are just 2.4% of the country’s population, making it the second-smallest language after isiNdebele. A full 99.4% of first-language Tshivenda speakers are black, 0.2% coloured, 0.2% white and 0.1% Indian or Asian. Tshivenda is spoken by 3% of black South Africans, by just 0.1% of the other population groups, and by 0.5% of people who describe themselves as “other”. Tshivenda and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 Tshivenda speakers1,201,5882,8478102,8891,2541,297,046 Share of population3.0%0.1%0.1%0.1%0.5%2.4 Three quarters (73.8%) of Tshivenda speakers live in Limpopo, giving the language the second-highest provincial concentration after siSwati. A further 22.5% of Tshivenda speakers live in Gauteng. Within the provinces, Tshivenda is spoken by 16.7% of the population of Limpopo, and 2.3% of the population of Gauteng. Xitsonga Also known as: Tsonga, Shangaan, Shangana, Vatsonga First-language users: 2,277,148 (4.5% of the population) Second-language users: 3,400,000 (2002 estimate) All users: 5,677,148 (estimate) Xitsonga is a minority language concentrated along South Africa’s northeast border with the country of Mozambique, where it is also spoken. Within the broader Nguni-Tsonga language subfamily which it shares with isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu and siSwati, it alone falls into the Tswa-Ronga group, while the other languages are Nguni. The 2,277,148 South Africans who speak Xitsonga as their home language make up 4.5% of the country’s total population. A full 99.1% of first-language Xitsonga speakers are black, 0.2% white, 0.1% coloured and 0.1% Indian or Asian. Xitsonga is spoken by 5.6% of black South Africans, 0.2% of Indians, 0.1% of whites, 0.05% of coloureds and 3.9% of people who describe themselves as “other”. Xitsonga and South Africa’s population groups BlackColouredIndian or AsianWhiteOtherAll Total population40,413,4084,541,3581,271,1584,461,409274,11150,961,443 Xitsonga speakers2,257,7712,2682,5063,98710,6161,209,388 Share of population5.6%0.05%0.2%0.09%3.9%4.5% Nearly two-fifths (39.8%) of Xitsonga-speaking South Africans live in Limpopo, over a third (35%) in Gauteng, 18.3% in Mpumalanga and 5.6% in North West. Within the provinces, Xitsonga is spoken by 17% of the population of Limpopo, 10.4% of Mpumalanga and 6.6% of the people in Gauteng. Sources and notes Glottolog – Comprehensive reference information for the world’s languages, especially the lesser known languages. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 Statistics South Africa Census 2011 Adrian Frith: Census 2011 Ethnologue: Languages of South Africa , 20th edition data (2017) Pharos South African Multilingual Dictionary (2014) ISBN 9781868901975 Language in South Africa: The role of language in national transformation, reconstruction and development (2002) by Victor Webb. ISBN 9789027297631 “The twelve modern Khoisan languages” (2013) by Matthias Bretzinger. In Khoisan languages and linguistics, Proceedings of the 3rd international symposium . ISBN 9783896458735 Researched, written and designed by Mary Alexander. Updated 11 September 2024. Comments? Email mary1alexander@gmail.com A guide to South African Provinces A guide to South African Provinces South Africa Travel and Discover South Africa Information to help you choose where to go South Africa is on the southernmost tip of the African continent. It is still Africa. Many people have asked me where they should go when they want to visit and travel to South Africa. It is like asking how many grains of sugar is in a teaspoon. If you have never visited South Africa and you know very little about it, you will discover it is vast and diverse. One of the most important questions you have to ask yourself is what your goal is when you want to visit. The second question is the length of time you have for your travels. Then you can consider your budget and plan accordingly. Which province and region should you travel to in South Africa? South Africa might not be the largest country in the world but it certainly isn’t small. It is 9th on the list of largest countries in Africa. Did you know South Africa has nine provinces? They cover approximately 1,22 million km². That is a whole lot of space to explore. Sometimes you can flit around and get to places quickly; sometimes it takes you ages just to drive a couple of hundred kilometres. To give you an idea, South Africa is twice the size of France, 3 x the size of Japan and 4 x the size of Italy. South Africa is also about 5 times bigger than the United Kingdom. Safaris in South Africa - elephants will keep you entertained The most popular places to visit in South Africa Cape Town and Kruger National Park are the most visited areas in South Africa. Cape Town might have it all from beautiful mountains with glorious vistas, to delectable wines or splendid beaches. The Kruger National Park might have all the wildlife your heart desires, but there is an enormous variety to see between these two destinations. For instance, if you only visit Cape Town and its vicinity you will have missed out on many other parts of South Africa from its people, to varied scenery and even different animals. Delectable wines doing good! - Unite against poaching Facts about South Africa – Geographical, populace and environmental If you would like to visit South Africa it is advisable to know a bit about its size, its environment and its climate. South Africa’s provinces vary considerably in size. Each has its own attractions filled with historic information, unique landscapes and different cultures. 60’s Vibe in Stormsriver Village The Northern Cape, an arid and usually dry region is vast and therefore the largest of the provinces. Gauteng by comparison is tiny but contains the country’s largest city. The Northern Cape has approximately 1.3 million people living there whilst Gauteng (Place of Gold) has an estimated population of over 16 million. To put it into perspective, in Gauteng there are nearly 700 people per square kilometre whilst in the Northern Cape there are probably less than four people per square kilometre. Open spaces in the Kgalagadi, Northern Cape Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (Swaziland) and Mozambique are South Africa’s neighbours and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho is completely landlocked by South Africa. Each province has its own Legislature, Premier and Executive Council. The country has common boundaries with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, while Mozambique and Eswatini lie to the north-east. Bat eared fox Travel inspiration delivered directly to your inbox Subscribe here The 9 Provinces of South Africa: Eastern Cape Free State Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga Northern Cape North West Province Western Cape Scenic mountain passes South Africa boasts three capital cities: Cape Town in the Western Cape is the legislative capital where South Africa’s Parliament is. Pretoria in the City of Tshwane in Gauteng is the administrative capital, where the Union Buildings are. Bloemfontein in the Free State is the judicial capital where the Supreme Court of Appeal resides. Rugged landscape of the Northern Cape Four of South Africa’s provinces are situated on the coast. The coastline has two oceans, the cold Atlantic Ocean and the warmer Indian Ocean. Northern Cape: Situated on the western side of South Africa the Northern Cape has the cold and frequently rough Atlantic Ocean. Western Cape: Although it is in the western area of South Africa, it also shares some of the southern tip of Africa. It is the only province that features two oceans, the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean, where the two meet at Cape Agulhas. Eastern Cape: Still situated in a southern section of South Africa, the Eastern Cape has the warmer subtropical Indian Ocean. Kwazulu-Natal: Situated in the east of South Africa, Kwazulu-Natal has the subtropical warmer Indian Ocean. All the other provinces of South Africa, the Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Province are landlocked. Richest Provinces In South Africa Richest Province In South Africa 2024: South Africa is one of the most prominent Countries in Africa. Situated in the southernmost part of the continent, it has about 60 million people as it’s population and prides itself as one of the few Countries yet to experience coup d’etat. It’s ability to resolve most of it national crisis has gone a long way in promoting it’s image in the international community. It has one of the largest wide life habitat and home for tourism and culture. South Africa is known to have about 80% of it population as Black South Africans while the other remaining population comprises of Africa’s largest communities of European, Asian and multiracial (Coloured South Africans). Most developed province in South Africa These accounts for its diversity in culture and heritage. With numerous languages spoken in the country, it is well categorized as a multiethnic society with a wide variety of cultures, and religious belief and worshipers. This peculiarity was aptly captured under the South African constitution whereby it recognized 11 official National languages. South Africa is known to have about nine provinces and has been recorded as one of the most beautiful Countries in Africa with lots of natural habitation for both humans and wildlife. It is also a very busy country with lots of economic opportunities for both citizens and foreigners alike. It is a very flourishing country in terms of infrastructural development and commercial activities. Top ten richest province in South Africa Recommended: Most corrupt countries in Africa and why Table of Contents Top 9 Richest Provinces In South Africa By GDP 2024 Unveiling Facts About South Africa Other Interesting Facts About South Africa Top 9 Richest Provinces In South Africa By GDP 2024 1. GAUTENG: The Gauteng province most times referred to as the ‘eGoli’ and ‘City of Gold’ is the richest province in South Africa. It is no news how gold was discovered in the province around 1886. This skyrocketed the economic status of the province from that time. With lots of big multinational corporations establishing their headquarter there to the seemingly advancement of commercial activities in the area. Richest province with minerals in South Africa It has been able to retain the position ever since as a commercial hub being one of the major exporter of over 40 percent of the world gold production. It is one of the province that contribute heavily to the GDP of the country. It is one of the most richest, infact, the richest province in South Africa operating a seperate GDP of about 18,259 US Dollars. Also see: Advantages And Disadvantages Of Privatization 2. WESTERN CAPE: Western Cape is the hub of tourism. It is one of the busiest province in South Africa. It has been listed as one of the most beautiful and richest province in South African. It has a lot of tourist sites, great nightlife and exquisite hotels. It is one of the best places to visit and have a great experience and adventure. List Of Richest Province In South Africa It is one of the province operating a high GDP and contributing to the economic growth of the country. Apart from being a hub of tourist attractions with a number of visitors coming in annually, it also has lots of establishment. Western Capeis recorded to have a GDP of over 15,673 US Dollars. Also see: Highest Paying Jobs in South Africa 2022 3. NORTH WEST: The province is also known as the ‘platinum province’ because of its many platinum mines. The North West remains one of the most richest and industrialized province in the country and accounts for about 94% of the country’s platinum. North West is also recorded as a major producer of platinum, producing more platinum than any single area globally. GDP per province South Africa North west is also home to Sun City Resort, one of the most amazing landscapes and a home of relaxation. It is one of the most visited resorts in the country with amazing sceneries to appeal to the onlookers. It is peaceful and quite. It is part of the tourist attraction contributing to the Economic Growth of the province. With a GDP of about 12, 829 US Dollars per capita, it ranks as one of the richest province in South Africa. 4. MPUMALANGA: The province of Mpumalanga is not as large as other province but certainly not the poorest province either. It is one of the richest province in South Africa owing to the many economic establishments set up in the area. Which is the richest municipality in South Africa? It is known as the place of sunrise and home of tourists. It has some of the best National Park and other recreational parks and event centers that generate and contribute to bother the National GDP and the GDP of the province. It has a GDP per capita up to the tune of about 12, 585 US Dollars making it one of the richest province even though it is the smallest province in South Africa. Also see: Highest Paying law firms in Nigeria 5. FREE STATE: The Free State has shown to be the commercial hub for skilled artist and artistry. Apart from being a base and the Judicial capital, it has a very robust and functional economy that is targeted at growing a more productive economic system. The province is the base of real culture and art. The level of artistic engagement found in the area as well as the festivals of art and culture. It also has a diversified interest in agriculture with maximum participation producing more economic results. It has a GDP of about 12, 584 US Dollars per capita and has been instrumental to the growth of the Country’s overall GDP. Fastest growing province in South Africa 6. NORTHERN CAPE: The Northern Cape remains the country’s biggest province but has a relatively low population. It is quite a home for enterprise and commercial activities bringing the province to limelight as one of the richest province in the country. Although it is a relatively new province having been carved out in 1994 from the West and Eastern provinces. It has a GDP of about 11, 902 US Dollars which is is quite plausible for a young province with low human population. It has been a major contributor to the National GDP as well. Second richest province in South Africa Also see: Richest States In The US By Income 2022 7. KWAZULU-NATAL: The coastal region and province of KwaZulu-Natal is one of the most beautiful and warmth inducing province in the country and has been considered as one of the richest province in South Africa. It opens its doors to tourists and lovers of nature. Amongst many other diversified strategic enterprises boosting it’s economy, the province has some of the best tourist centers such as the King Shaka International Airport, Umhlanga and Ballito avails onlookers and tourists a wonderful experience to relax while glancing through beautiful sceneries. With a GD P of about 10, 406 US Dollars and ranks as one of the richest provinces in South Africa. 8. LIMPOPO: Limpopo is known for its openness and beauty. Covered in the natural embellishments of wildlife and has fast become a haven for both wildlife and tourists. The province has been able to harness it resources and infrastructures across the province, harnessing the potential that lies in other sectors other than depending on a streamlined source of income. The province is known to have some of the best tourist attraction centers which has been a boost to the economic trajectory of the province and the country at large. It has a commendable GDP of about 8,983 US Dollars, slightly above that of Eastern Cape. It is one of the richest provinces in South Africa. Recommended: Richest Provinces In Canada By GDP 2023 9. EASTERN CAPE: With the Eastern Cape contributing less than 8% to the total national GDP it ranks lower on the list as one of the richest province in South Africa. This is because it is riddled with a poverty that is clearly below the average level and it’s GDP totalling about 7, 893 seem to be the lowest when compared to the other provinces. Although more effort and plans are being put in place to revitalize the economy of the province by diversifying the economy, it has not been able to placate the deplorable standard of living in the area and has failed to profer a quick approach to alleviating the poverty rate in the area. Recommended: Oldest Universities In The World currently Unveiling Facts About South Africa Today, South Africa is made up of many different people, each with their own language and history. This country has 11 official languages, and many more unofficial languages. It has colourful mix of cultures which gives it a nickname “rainbow nation“. How many provinces in South Africa Today, most of the landscapes in South Africa are made up of high, flat areas called “plateaus”. These landscapes are covered with rolling grasslands (which are called “highveld”) and tree-dotted plains (which are called “bushveld”). Again, there is a mountainous region at the east, south, and west of these plateau lands (which are also called the “Great Escarpment”). The eastern range of the land is called the “Drakensberg” or “Dragon’s Mountain” and is filled with jagged peaks. Some of these jagged peaks reach 3,400 meters high! South Africa has another country within its borders. This country is called the “Drakensberg” and is the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. The water in South Africa comes from the snow-capped peaks of Lesotho (it is also called “the kingdom of the Sky”). Today, Lesotho is the only country in the world that lie entirely over 1,000m above sea level. Recommended: Main Causes Of Unemployment In Ghana And Solutions South Africa has wonderful wildlife from aardvarks to zebras. Although South Africa only makes up about one percent of the land surface of the Earth, it is home to almost ten percent of the species of known bird, fish and plant in the world, and about six percent of the species of the mammals and reptiles in the world. Also, the seas around this country are full of incredible creatures. Over 2,000 marine species visit the waters of South Africa at some point during the year. The country enjoys one of the most spectacular underwater events of nature (which is called the “sardine run“). For instance, millions of sardines travel up the east coast of South Africa every June, creating a phenomenal feeding frenzy for thousands of hungry sharks, birds, and dolphins. Today, this country has 10% of the total species of birds on earth. About 900 different types of birds (such as peacocks, ostriches, vultures, and penguins) can be found all over the country. You can swim with Jackass penguins in South Africa. These Jackass penguins are located at Boulders Beach in Town of Simon near Cape Town, as well as further down the coast in Betty’s Bay. Recommended: Richest Musicians in Africa Currently Other Interesting Facts About South Africa 1. It has 11 Official Languages: The diversity of cultures found throughout the nation has earned South Africa the moniker “Rainbow Nation.” The fact that South Africa has eleven official languages—English, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho, IsiNdebele, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda, and Xitsonga—demonstrates the country’s reputation as a cultural “melting pot.” The majority of South Africans are multilingual in their native tongue. The most widely spoken first language is isiZulu, followed by isiXhosa. 2. South Africa has an abundance of Wildlife: Even though South Africa makes up only 2% of the planet’s land area, it is home to 10% of the world’s species of birds, fish, and plants, as well as 7% of mammals and reptiles! There are many different types of natural environments and wildlife in South Africa, even though you might not see lions, elephants, or giraffes strolling through the city. From vervet monkeys swinging through tree-lined suburban streets and baboons playing around Cape Point, to seals visiting the Hout Bay harbor in search of a fish snack and a multitude of bird species taking to the skies at any given time. There’s wildlife all around you! 3. There is evidence of human evolution: Some of the earliest evidence of human evolution has been found in the Sterkfontein Caves, northwest of Johannesburg. Archaeologists have discovered human remains here that go back more than two million years! The area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is now referred to as “the Cradle of Humankind” because of the discoveries that were made there. In South Africa, fossils date back hundreds of thousands, if not millions of years, from both the natural and human past. Up to 80% of the mammalian fossils found to date have come from the Karoo, while early dinosaur fossil discoveries have come from the Western Cape. 4. It is a famous holiday destination: There are many different types of landscapes and biomes found in South Africa, such as wetlands, grasslands, mountains, subtropical forests, bushveld, and deserts. It’s a vacation spot unlike any other! South Africa offers golden beaches, sunshine, and the sea for your beach vacation. Game reserves and amazing wildlife can be found in South Africa if you’re looking for a safari experience. The Cape Winelands of South Africa are just waiting to be discovered if you’re itching to get away into wine country! In addition to all of this, you can find charming seaside towns and modern cities. Alternatively, take a drive along dusty roads in the desert and pass through beautiful mountain passes. BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

< Back The Rhinoceros is the most endangered species of the Big Five due to rhino poaching and illegal trade in rhino horns. There are two species of rhino in Africa: the White Rhino and the Black Rhino and five subspecies. The names of the rhino don't have anything to do with color as both species are grey. The name of the 'white' rhino is a corruption of the Dutch word 'wijd' (wide), which refers to the wide mouth or square lip of the white rhino. A rhino can weigh up to 5000 pounds and its horns can grow up to 5 feet long. Rhinos have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and sense of smell. Previous Next BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

Banknotes and Coin The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) released the upgraded Mandela banknotes and fourth decimal coin series on 3 May 2023. The upgraded banknotes and fourth decimal coin series have new designs and enhanced security features that utilise the latest technological advancements to protect the integrity of our currency and maintain public trust. The upgraded banknotes continue to pay homage to South Africa's first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, with his portrait featured on the front of all five denominations while the Big 5 animals are depicted as a family. The fourth decimal coin series is based on the theme of deep ecology, which celebrates the interconnectedness of humans and other living organisms as an integral part of the environment. OLD SOUTH AFRICAN BANK NOTES The South African rand The South African rand, or simply the rand, (sign : R; code : ZAR is the official currency of the Southern African Common Monetary Area : South Africa , Namibia (alongside the Namibian dollar ), Lesotho (alongside the Lesotho loti ) and Eswatini (alongside the Swazi lilangeni ). It is subdivided into 100 cents (sign: "c"), and a comma separates the rand and cents. The South African rand is legal tender in the Common Monetary Area member states of Namibia , Lesotho , and Eswatini , with these three countries also having national currencies: (the dollar , the loti and the lilangeni respectively) pegged with the rand at parity and still widely accepted as substitutes. The rand was also legal tender in Botswana until 1976 when the pula replaced the rand at par. Etymology The rand takes its name from the Witwatersrand ("white waters' ridge" in English, rand being the Afrikaans (and Dutch ) word for 'ridge '), the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. In English and Afrikaans (and Dutch), the singular and plural forms of the unit ("rand") are the same: one rand, ten rand, and two million rand. History See also: South African pound The rand was introduced in the Union of South Africa in 1961, three months before the country declared itself a republic .[2] A Decimal Coinage Commission had been set up in 1956 to consider a move away from the denominations of pounds, shillings, and pence; it submitted its recommendations on 8 August 1958 It replaced the South African pound as legal tender, at the rate of 2 rand to 1 pound, or 10 shillings to the rand. The government introduced a mascot, Decimal Dan, "the rand-cent man" (known in Afrikaans as Daan Desimaal). This was accompanied by a radio jingle to inform the public about the new currency. Although pronounced in the Afrikaans style as /rʌnt/ in the jingles when introduce the contemporary pronunciation in South African English is /rænd/ . Brief exchange rate history 1961–2000 Value of the South African rand to the United States dollar from 1975 to 2015 by the blue columns: The percentage rate of change year-on-year is shown by the black line. One rand was worth US$ 1.40 (R0.72 per dollar) from the time of its inception in 1961 until late 1971, and the U.S. dollar became stronger than South African currency for the first time on 15 March 1982. Its value thereafter fluctuated as various exchange rate dispensations[clarification needed ] were implemented by the South African authorities. By the early 1980s, high inflation and mounting political pressure combined with sanctions placed against the country due to international opposition to the apartheid system had started to erode its value. The currency broke above parity with the dollar for the first time in March 1982. It continued to trade between R1 and R1.30 to the dollar until June 1984, when the currency's depreciation gained momentum. By February 1985, it was trading at over R2 per dollar, and in July of that year, all foreign exchange trading was suspended for three days to try to stop the depreciation. By the time that State President P. W. Botha made his Rubicon speech on 15 August 1985, it had weakened to R2.40 per dollar. The currency recovered somewhat between 1986 and 1988, trading near the R2 level most of the time and breaking beneath it sporadically. The recovery was short-lived; by the end of 1989, the rand was trading at more than R2.50 per dollar. As it became clear in the early 1990s that the country was destined for Black majority rule and one reform after the other was announced, uncertainty about the country's future hastened the depreciation until the level of R3 to the dollar was breached in November 1992. A host of local and international events influenced the currency after that, most notably the 1994 general election , which had it weaken to over R3.60 to the dollar, the election of Tito Mboweni as the governor of the South African Reserve Bank , and the inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki in 1999, which had it quickly slide to over R6 to the dollar. The controversial land reform programme that was initiated in Zimbabwe , followed by the September 11, 2001 attacks , propelled it to its weakest historical level of R13.84 to the dollar in December 2001. 2001–2011 Two generations of older notes and coins, later replaced with the "Big Five " notes, which were in turn replaced to show the face of Nelson Mandela in 2012 This sudden depreciation in 2001 led to a formal investigation and a dramatic recovery. By the end of 2002, the currency was trading under R9 to the dollar again, and by the end of 2004, it was trading under R5.70. The currency softened somewhat in 2005, trading around R6.35 to the dollar at the end of the year. At the start of 2006, however, the currency resumed its rally and, as of 19 January 2006, was trading under R6 to the dollar again. However, the rand weakened significantly during the second and third quarters of 2006 (i.e., April through September). In sterling terms, it fell from around 9.5% to just over 7%, losing some 25% of its international trade-weighted value in six months. In late 2007, the rand rallied modestly to just over 8%, only to experience a precipitous slide during the first quarter of 2008. This downward slide could be attributed to a range of factors: South Africa's worsening current account deficit, which widened to a 36‑year high of 7.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007; inflation at a five-year high of just under 9%; escalating global risk aversion as investors' concerns over the spreading impact of the sub-prime crisis grew; and a general flight to "safe havens", away from the perceived risks of emerging markets. The rand depreciation was exacerbated by the Eskom electricity crisis, which arose from the utility's inability to meet the country's rapidly growing energy demands. 2012–present A stalled mining industry in late 2012 led to new lows in early 2013. In late January 2014, the rand slid to R11.25 to the dollar, with analysts attributing the shift to "word from the US Federal Reserve that it would trim back stimulus spending, which led to a massive sell-off in emerging economies."In 2014, South Africa experienced its worst year against the US dollar since 2009, and in March 2015, the rand traded at its worst since 2002. At the time, Trading Economics released data that the rand "averaged R4.97 to the dollar between 1972–2015, reaching an all time high of R12.45 in December 2001 and a record low of R0.67 in June of 1973." By the end of 2014, the rand had weakened to R15.05 per dollar, partly due to South Africa's consistent trade account deficit with the rest of the world. From 9–13 December 2015, over four days, the rand dropped over 10% due to what some suspected was President Jacob Zuma's surprise announcement that he would be replacing the Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene with the little-known David van Rooyen . The rapid drop in value stemmed when Zuma backtracked and announced that the better-known previous Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan , would instead be appointed to the post. Zuma's surprise sacking of Nene damaged international confidence in the rand, and the exchange rate was volatile throughout much of January 2016 and reached an all-time low of R17.9169 to the US dollar on 9 January 2016 before rebounding to R16.57 later the same day. The January drop in value was also partly caused by Japanese retail investors cutting their losses in the currency to look for higher-yield investments elsewhere and due to concerns over the impact of the economic slowdown in China , South Africa's largest export market. By mid-January, economists were speculating that the rand could expect to see further volatility for the rest of 2016. By 29 April, it reached its highest performance over the previous five months, exchanging at a rate of R14.16 to the United States dollar. Following the United Kingdom voting to leave the European Union, the rand dropped in value over 8% against the US$ on 24 June 2016, the currency's largest single-day decline since the 2008 economic crash. This was partly due to a general global financial retreat from currencies seen as risky to the US dollar and partly due to concerns over how British withdrawal from the EU would impact the South African economy and trade relations. In April 2017, a Reuters poll estimated that the rand would remain relatively stable for the rest of the year, as two polls found that analysts had already factored in a possible downgrade to "junk" status. At the time, Moody's rated South Africa two notches above junk status.[22] When President Jacob Zuma narrowly won a motion of no confidence in South Africa in August 2017, the rand continued to slide, dropping 1.7% that day. In September 2017, Goldman Sachs said that the debt and corruption of Eskom Holdings was the biggest risk to South Africa's economy and the exchange rate of the rand. At the time, it had no permanent CEO, and Colin Coleman of Goldman Sachs in Africa said the company was "having discussions on solutions" on finding credible management. In October 2017, the rand firmed against the US dollar as it recovered from a six-month low. Reuters noted, "South Africa is highly susceptible to global investor sentiment as the country relies on foreign money to cover its large budget and current account deficits." On 13 November 2017, the rand fell by over 1% when the budget chief, Michael Sachs, stood down from his position in Zuma's administration. In October 2022, the rand sank to its lowest point in two years, reaching R18.46 to the US dollar on 25 October 2022. Coins Main article: Coins of the South African rand A 5 rand bimetallic coin issued in 2004. Coins were introduced in 1961 in denominations of 1⁄2, 1, 2+1⁄2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. In 1965, 2-cent coins replaced the 2+1⁄2 cent coins. The 1⁄2 cent coin was last struck for circulation in 1973. The 1 rand coin for circulation was introduced in 1967, followed by 2 rand coins in 1989 and 5 rand coins in 1994. Production of the 1 and 2-cent coins was discontinued in 2002, followed by 5-cent coins in 2012, primarily due to inflation having devalued them, but they remain legal tender. Shops normally round the total purchase price of goods to the nearest 10 cents. To curb counterfeiting, a new 5-rand coin was released in August 2004. Security features introduced on the coin include a bimetal design (similar to the €1 and €2 coins , the Thai ฿10 coin , the pre-2018 Philippine ₱10 coin , the British £2 coin , and the Canadian $2 coin ), a specially serrated security groove along the rim and microlettering. On 3 May 2023, the South African Reserve Bank announced that a new series of coins would be released. These will have the same denominations as the previous series. The 10c will feature an image of the Cape Honey Bee, the 20c the Bitter Aloe, the 50c the Knysna Turaco , the R1 the Springbok , the R2 the King Protea , and the R5 the Southern Right Whale . Banknotes The first series of rand banknotes was introduced in 1961 in denominations of 1, 2, 10, and 20 rand, with similar designs and colours to the preceding pound notes to ease the transition. They bore the image of what was believed at the time to be Jan van Riebeeck , the first VOC administrator of Cape Town . It was later discovered that the original portrait was not, in fact, Van Riebeeck at all, but a portrait of Bartholomeus Vermuyden had been mistaken for Van Riebeeck. In 1966, a second series with designs that moved away from the previous pound notes was released. Notes with 1, 5, and 10 rand denominations were produced with predominantly one colour per note. A smaller 1 rand note with the same design was introduced in 1973, and a 2 rand note was introduced in 1974. The 20 rand denomination from the first series was dropped. The practice of having an English and an Afrikaans version of each note was continued in this series. The 1978 series began with denominations of 2, 5, 10, and 20 rand, with a 50 rand introduced in 1984. This series had only one language variant for each denomination of note. Afrikaans was the first language on the 2, 10, and 50 rand, while English was the first on the 5 and 20 rand. A coin replaced the 1 rand note. Rand banknotes and coins. South African ATM showing R50 and R100 banknotes. In the 1990s, the notes were redesigned with images of the Big Five wildlife species. 10, 20, and 50 rand notes were introduced in 1992 & 1993, retaining the colour scheme of the previous issue. Coins were introduced for the 2 and 5 rand, replacing the notes of the previous series, mainly because of the severe wear and tear experienced with low-denomination notes in circulation. In 1994, 100 and 200 rand notes were introduced. The 2005 series has the same principal design but with additional security features, such as colour-shifting ink on the 50 rand and higher and the EURion constellation . The obverses of all denominations were printed in English, while two other official languages were printed on the reverse, thus using all 11 official languages of South Africa . In 2010, the South African Reserve Bank and commercial banks withdrew all 1994 series 200-rand banknotes due to relatively high-quality counterfeit notes in circulation. In 2011, the South African Reserve Bank issued defective 100 rand banknotes which lacked fluorescent printing visible under UV light . In June, the printing of this denomination was moved from the South African Bank Note Company to Crane Currency's Swedish division (Tumba Bruk ), which reportedly produced 80 million 100 rand notes. The South African Reserve Bank shredded 3.6 million 100-rand banknotes printed by Crane Currency because they had the same serial numbers as a batch printed by the South African Bank Note Company. In addition, the notes printed in Sweden were not the correct colour and were 1mm short. On 11 February 2012, President Jacob Zuma announced that the country would be issuing a new set of banknotes bearing Nelson Mandela 's image. They were entered into circulation on 6 November 2012. These contained the same denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 rand. In 2013, the 2012 series was updated with the addition of the EURion constellation to all five denominations. On 18 July 2018, a special commemorative series of banknotes was released in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth. This series includes notes of all denominations, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 rand. These notes will circulate alongside the existing notes. The notes depict the standard face of Nelson Mandela on the obverse. Still, instead of the Big Five animals on the reverse, they show a younger Mandela with different iconic scenes relating to his legacy. These scenes comprise the rolling hills of the Eastern Cape , featuring Mandela's humble birthplace of Mvezo (10 rand); the home of Mandela in Soweto , where he defined his political life alongside other struggle icons (20 rand); the site where Mandela was captured near Howick , following 17 months in hiding, where a monument to him has been erected (50 rand); the place of Mandela's 27-year imprisonment at Robben Island , showing a pile of quarried limestone (100 rand); the statue of Mandela at the Union Buildings in remembrance of when he was inaugurated there in 1994 (200 rand). On 3 May 2023, the South African Reserve Bank announced that a new series of banknotes would retain the image of Nelson Mandela on the obverse while showing the Big 5 in a family depiction on the reverse. This series contains the same denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 rand. South Africa Currency 10 Rand banknote 1961 Jan van Riebeeck South Africa Currency 10 Rand banknote 1961 Jan van Riebeeck South Africa Currency 10 Rand banknote 1961 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans and English: "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and "South African Reserve Bank". An inscriptions: "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria TIEN RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" & "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria TEN RAND For the South African Reserve Bank". An Allegory of Hope at lower left corner - seated allegorical female with an anchor symbolizes hope of Voortrekkers for best and richer future. Vignette of pioneers and covered wagons train drawn by bulls rolls across plain (Voortrekkers or Voor-trekkers) at bottom center. (The basic motive was taken after the colored illustration from Ian D. Colvin's book "South Africa", published by London publisher "Caxton Pub. Co." in 1909. The illustration made by G. S. Smithard and J. S. Skelton). At the lower right corner of the banknote depiction of a lemon tree (Citrus limon). On the left from Lemon tree are two Golden Wildebeest (male - forehead and female - on background). Signature: President Governor - Dr. Michiel Hendrik de Kock (29 January 1898 — 18 September 1976) was the third Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. His term of office was from 1 July 1945 to 30 June 1962. Reverse: The South Africa's iconic ship "Dromedaris" at center. The face value of the banknote in words, in English and Afrikaans, are at the top and in arabic numerals "10" in ornate guilloche are at lower corners. The name of the bank in Afrikaans and English: "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and "South African Reserve Bank" at left and right. The "Dromedaris" was one of the three ships (Dromedaris, Rejiger and De Goede Hoop) landed by Jan van Riebeeck at the future Cape Town site on 6 April 1652 and the Reijger on 7 April 1652 and then commenced to fortify it as a way station for the Dutch East India Company (VOC "Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie") trade route between the Netherlands and the East Indies. The primary purpose of this way station was to provide fresh provisions for the Dutch East India Company fleets sailing between the Dutch Republic and Batavia, as deaths en route were very high. The arrival of Van Riebeeck marked the beginning of permanent European settlement in the region. Watermark: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck and the wavy lines along the borders of banknote. Size: 170 x 97 mm. Colour: Green and brown on multicolored underprint. 1961-1965 South African Currency 20 Rand banknote 1962 Jan van Riebeeck South African Currency 20 Rand banknote 1962 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom part of the banknote. An inscriptions: "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria TWINTIG RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" & "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria TWENTY RAND For the South African Reserve Bank". At the left part of the banknote depicted the vignette represents the South African animals: Antelope Springbok, Chacma Baboon, Burchell's zebra and Golden Wildebeest Bulls. At the bottom right corner of the banknote are Zulu woman with child, carrying a vessel on top of her head. Signature: President Governor - Gerard Rissik (21 February 1903 – 4 October 1979) was the fourth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. His term of office was from 1 July 1962 to 30 June 1967. Reverse: The Line Conveyors at South Africa gold mine, Witwatersrand Basin. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom part of the banknote. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "20" in ornate guilloche at each corners. Watermark: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck and the wavy lines along the borders of banknote. Size: 170 x 97 mm. Colour: Brown-violet. 1961-1965 South Africa Currency 1 Rand banknote 1967 Jan van Riebeeck South Africa Currency 1 Rand banknote 1967 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. Many Afrikaners view van Riebeeck as the father of the Afrikaner nation. The King Protea flower on the background at center, at bottom right corner and across all the field of the banknote (Proclaimed as South Africa's national flower in 1976, the king protea (Protea cynaroides) is a flowering bush as beautiful and unique as the country itself.). At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom part of the banknote. An inscriptions: "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria EEN RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" & "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria ONE RAND For the South African Reserve Bank". Signature: Theunis Willem de Jongh was the fifth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. His term of office was from 1 July 1967 to 31 December 1980. Reverse: Two South African merino sheep are staying near the plow. Behind them is a corn field. Landscape of corn field and farmhouse and mountain range in the background. A lemon tree (Citrus limon) and tobacco plant at left. The national flower of South Africa - Giant or King Protea, pineapple, watermelon, pear, grapes and other fruits and vegetables at right. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "1" in ornate guilloche at upper right and bottom left corners. Watermark: Springbok - national animal of South Africa and mascot for many national sport teams. Size: 126 x 64 mm. Colour: Dark reddish brown on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. 1966-1975 South African Currency 5 Rand banknote 1967 Jan van Riebeeck South African Currency 5 Rand banknote 1967 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. Many Afrikaners view van Riebeeck as the father of the Afrikaner nation. The Voortrekker Monument at center. Vignette of pioneers and covered wagons train drawn by bulls rolls across plain (Voortrekkers or Voor-trekkers) at bottom right corner. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank". An inscriptions: "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria FIVE RAND For the South African Reserve Bank" & "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria VYF RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank". The face value of the banknote in words at center: in English "FIVE RAND" and in Afrikaans "VYF RAND". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "5" in ornate guilloche at bottom left, upper right and left corners. Signature: Theunis Willem de Jongh was the fifth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. His term of office was from 1 July 1967 to 31 December 1980. Reverse: Factory with industrial freight train. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "5" in ornate guilloche at upper right and left corners. Watermark: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck. Size: 134 × 70 mm. Colour: Purple on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. 1966-1975 South Africa Currency 10 Rand banknote 1967 Jan van Riebeeck South Africa Currency 10 Rand banknote 1967 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. Many Afrikaners view van Riebeeck as the father of the Afrikaner nation. The Union Buildings in Pretoria at center. (The Union Buildings form the official seat of the South African Government and also house the offices of the President of South Africa). The Springbok at bottom right, national animal of South Africa and mascot for many national sport teams. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" at the bottom part of the banknote. An inscriptions: "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria TEN RAND For the South African Reserve Bank" & "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria TIEN RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank". The face value of the banknote in words at center: in English "TEN RAND" and in Afrikaans "TIEN RAND". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" in ornate guilloche at upper right and bottom left corners. Signature: Theunis Willem de Jongh was the fifth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. His term of office was from 1 July 1967 to 31 December 1980. Reverse: The Table Bay and Table Mountain with Van Riebeeck’s three ships at his arrival on April 6, 1652: the "Dromedaris", "Reijger" and "Goede Hoop" first time reaching the cape of Good Hope. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" in ornate guilloche at upper right and left corners. Watermark: Springbok - national animal of South Africa and mascot for many national sport teams. Size: 140 x 76 mm. Colour: Dark green and brown on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. 1966-1975 South African Currency 2 Rand banknote 1978 Jan van Riebeeck South African Currency 2 Rand banknote 1978 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. A vignette representing the infrastructure of the country: electric power transmission towers. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "2" in ornate guilloche at left and right. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom part of the banknote. An inscriptions: "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria TWEE RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" & "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria TWO RAND For the South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in words at center: in Afrikaans "TWEE RAND" and in English "TWO RAND". Signature: Theunis Willem de Jongh was the fifth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. His term of office was from 1 July 1967 to 31 December 1980. Reverse: A vignette representing the manufacturing of the country: Oil refinery plant of "Sasol Limited". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "2" are on left side and in lower right corner. Watermark: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck. Size: 120 x 57 mm. Colour: Blue on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South Africa Currency 5 Rand banknote 1978 Jan van Riebeeck South Africa Currency 5 Rand banknote 1978 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. Large Diamond at center. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "5" in ornate guilloche at left and right. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" at the bottom part of the banknote. An inscriptions: "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria FIVE RAND For the South African Reserve Bank" & "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria VYF RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank". The face value of the banknote in words at center: in Afrikaans "VYF RAND" and in English "FIVE RAND". Signature: Theunis Willem de Jongh was the fifth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. His term of office was from 1 July 1967 to 31 December 1980. Reverse: A vignette representing the diamond mining of the country: Diamond mine at center. On right side is the city skyscraper skyline, as parallel between diamonds mining and wealth and civilization. On left side is the small stylized model of hydrocarbon atoms. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "5" are on left side and in lower right corner. Watermark: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck. Size: 127 x 63 mm. Colour: Purple on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South African Currency 10 Rand banknote 1978 Jan van Riebeeck South African Currency 10 Rand banknote 1978 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. The King Protea flower at center (Proclaimed as South Africa's national flower in 1976, the king protea (Protea cynaroides) is a flowering bush as beautiful and unique as the country itself.). The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" in ornate guilloche at left and right. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom part of the banknote. An inscriptions: "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria TIEN RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" & "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria TEN RAND For the South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in words at center: in Afrikaans "TIEN RAND" and in English "TEN RAND". Signature: Theunis Willem de Jongh was the fifth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. His term of office was from 1 July 1967 to 31 December 1980. Reverse: A vignette representing the agriculture of the country - Livestock: the South African merino sheep and Afrikaner bull. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" in ornate guilloche at left. Watermark: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck. Size: 134 x 70 mm. Colour: Green on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South Africa Currency 20 Rand banknote 1990 Jan van Riebeeck South Africa Currency 20 Rand banknote 1990 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. Groot Constantia manor house, a historic building at center (Groot Constantia is the oldest wine estate in South Africa and provincial heritage site in the suburb of Constantia in Cape Town, South Africa). The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "20" in ornate guilloche at left and right. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" at the bottom part of the banknote. An inscriptions: "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria TWENTY RAND For the South African Reserve Bank" & "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria TWINTIG RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank". The face value of the banknote in words at center: in Afrikaans "TWINTIG RAND" and in English "TWENTY RAND". Signature: Dr. Chris Stals (born 13 March 1935) was the seventh Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, serving from 8 August 1989 to 7 August 1999. He succeeded Dr. Gerhard de Kock who had died in office. Reverse: The Table Bay and Table Mountain with Jan van Riebeeck’s three ships at his arrival on April 6, 1652: the "Dromedaris", "Reijger" and "Goede Hoop" first time reaching the cape of Good Hope. The (old) Coat of Arms of South Africa between 1910 and 2000, with the Latin motto "Ex Unitate Vires" - "From Unity, Strength" (also translated as "Unity Creates Strength"). "Ex Unitate Vires" was South Africa's motto until 27 April, 2000, when the new Coat of Arms and motto were adopted. Variations of the old motto were common in many Afrikaner and South African institutions, often in Afrikaans ("Eendrag maak mag") or Dutch ("Eendragt maakt magt" in old orthography, "Eendracht maakt macht" in modern orthography). Watermark: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck. Size: 144 x 77 mm. Colour: Brown on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South African Currency 50 Rand banknote 1984 Jan van Riebeeck South African Currency 50 Rand banknote 1984 Jan van Riebeeck South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank Obverse: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck (1619 – 1677), was a Dutch navigator and colonial administrator and the founder of Cape Town. Close-up of male Transvaal Lion head in under-print at center, as member of "The Famous Big Five animals of Africa". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "50" in ornate guilloche at left and right. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom part of the banknote. An inscriptions: "Ek beloof op aanvraag te betaal aan toonder te Pretoria VYFTIG RAND Vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" & "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at Pretoria FIFTY RAND For the South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in words at center: in Afrikaans "VYFTIG RAND" and in English "FIFTY RAND". Signature: Dr. Gerhard de Kock (14 February 1926 — 7 August 1989) was the sixth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. He was the son of Dr. Michiel Hendrik de Kock, who was the third Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Dr. de Kock was the first (and only) Governor of the South African Reserve Bank to die in office. His term was from 1 January 1981 until his death on 7 August 1989. Reverse: The vignette represents the South African animals at the watering, likely at Orange River: a giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, greater and lesser kudu. Crimson sun over a mountain range. The palm trees at the lower right corner. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "50" in ornate guilloche at left. Watermark: Portrait of Jan van Riebeeck. Size: 147 x 83 mm. Colour: Red on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South Africa Currency 10 Rand banknote 1999 White Rhinoceros South Africa Currency 10 Rand banknote 1999 White Rhinoceros South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Leopard, African Buffalo, Transvaal Lion, African Elephant, Rhinoceros Obverse: Close-up of a White Rhino head at right and a vignette of a White Rhinoceros mother and her Rhino baby in the African Savanna at center. Outline drawings of various round geometric figures at the bottom. Outline drawing of round geometric figure with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" at center, in numerals and words: in English "TEN RAND" at right and Afrikaans "TIEN RAND" along the left side of the banknote. Signature: Chris Stals - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Dr. Christian Lodewyk Stals, better known as Chris Stals (born 13 March 1935) was the seventh Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, serving from 8 August 1989 to 7 August 1999. He succeeded Dr. Gerhard de Kock who had died in office). Reverse: The theme of this banknote reverse is Agriculture: Close-up of a Ram head at left. Lower are South African merino sheep on the pasture and mountains in the background, the windmill at lower left corner. Above are three contour image of sunflowers. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" at center, in numerals and words: in English "TEN RAND 10" at right and Afrikaans "TIEN RAND 10" along the left side of the banknote. Watermark: White rhino and electrotype 10. Size: 128 × 70 mm. Colour: Dark green and dark blue on brown and multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South African Currency 20 Rand banknote 1993 African Savanna Elephant South African Currency 20 Rand banknote 1993 African Savanna Elephant South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Leopard, African Buffalo, Transvaal Lion, African Elephant, Rhinoceros Obverse: Close-up of an African Bush Elephant head at right and a vignette of the African Bush Elephant family walking in the bush at center (The African Bush Elephant, also known as the Savanna Elephant). Outline drawings of round brilliant cut at the bottom. Outline drawing of round brilliant cut with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "20" at center, in numerals and words: in English "TWENTY RAND" at left and Afrikaans "TWINTING RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Chris Stals - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Dr. Christian Lodewyk Stals, better known as Chris Stals (born 13 March 1935) was the seventh Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, serving from 8 August 1989 to 7 August 1999. He succeeded Dr. Gerhard de Kock who had died in office). Reverse: The theme of this banknote reverse is Surface mining industry - Open-pit mining. On the upper part of the banknote are three graphic image of round brilliant cut. Outline drawing of round brilliant cut with coinciding register, as security measure at lower right corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "20" at center, in numerals and words: in English "TWENTY RAND 20" at left and Afrikaans "TWINTING RAND 20" along the right side of the banknote. Watermark: African Bush Elephant and electrotype 20. Size: 134 × 70 mm. Colour: Deep brown and red-brown on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. BANK NOTES OF MANDELA South Africa Currency 50 Rand banknote 1992 Transvaal Lion South Africa Currency 50 Rand banknote 1992 Transvaal Lion South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Leopard, African Buffalo, Transvaal Lion, African Elephant, Rhinoceros Obverse: Close-up of male Transvaal Lion head at right and a vignette of the two Transvaal lionesses and cub drinking at water hole. Outline drawings of various round geometric shapes at the bottom. Outline drawing of stylized model of hydrocarbon atom with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "50" at center, in numerals and words: in English "FIFTY RAND" at right and Afrikaans "VYFTIG RAND" along the left side of the banknote. Signature: Tito Mboweni - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Tito Titus Mboweni, born 16 March 1959) is the current Minister of Finance of South Africa. Mboweni was the eighth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and the first Black South African to hold the post. He was sworn in as Finance Minister on 9 October 2018, following Nhlanhla Nene's resignation.) Reverse: The theme of this banknote reverse is Manufacturing - Sasol oil refinery at the bottom part of the note. On the upper part of the banknote are stylized model of hydrocarbon atoms. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "50" at center, in numerals and words: in English "FIFTY RAND 50" at right and Afrikaans "VYFTIG RAND 50" along the left side of the banknote. Refining capacity in South Africa is 250 million barrels/year, or about 700 thousand barrels/day, Including 500 thousand barrels/day of crude oil and 195 thousand barrels/day of synthetic liquid fuels from coal. It is interesting that the South African "Sasol" is the pioneer of the Fischer-Tpropsha producing synthetic fuel using this synthesis conversion of the gasified coal since 1955. Watermark: Transvaal lion and electrotype 50. Size: 140 × 70 mm. Colour: Maroon, brown and deep blue-green on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South African Currency 100 Rand banknote 1999 Cape Buffalo South African Currency 100 Rand banknote 1999 Cape Buffalo South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Leopard, African Buffalo, Transvaal Lion, African Elephant, Rhinoceros Obverse: Close-up of a Cape Buffalo head at right and a vignette of the two African or Cape Buffalos in the African Savannah at center. Outline drawings of various round geometric figures at the bottom. Outline drawing of round brilliant cut with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "100" at center, in numerals and words: in English "ONE HUNDRED RAND" at left and Afrikaans "EEN HONDERD RAND" at right. Signature: Tito Mboweni - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Tito Titus Mboweni, born 16 March 1959) is the current Minister of Finance of South Africa. Mboweni was the eighth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and the first Black South African to hold the post. He was sworn in as Finance Minister on 9 October 2018, following Nhlanhla Nene's resignation.) Reverse: The theme of this banknote is Tourism. A herd of zebras on the African savanna at the bottom. On the upper part of the banknote are four graphic image of round brilliant cut. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank" and in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "100" at center, in numerals and words: in English "ONE HUNDRED RAND 100" at left and Afrikaans "EEN HONDERD RAND 100" at right. Watermark: The African buffalo or Cape buffalo and electrotype 100. Size: 146 × 70 mm. Colour: Blue on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South Africa Currency 200 Rand banknote 1994 African leopard South Africa Currency 200 Rand banknote 1994 African leopard South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Leopard, African Buffalo, Transvaal Lion, African Elephant, Rhinoceros Obverse: Close-up of a Leopard head at right and a vignette showing a leopard lying above the branch of a tree at center. Outline drawings of various round geometric figures at the bottom. Outline drawing of round geometric figure with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "200" at center, in numerals and words: in English "TWO HUNDRED RAND" at right and Afrikaans "TWEE HONDERD RAND" along the left side of the banknote. Signature: Chris Stals - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Dr. Christian Lodewyk Stals, better known as Chris Stals (born 13 March 1935) was the seventh Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, serving from 8 August 1989 to 7 August 1999. He succeeded Dr. Gerhard de Kock who had died in office). Reverse: The theme of this banknote reverse is Transport and Telecommunications. The Bloukrans Bridge at center. On left side is a big satellite dish, symbolizing telecommunication. Centered, above, are three images: Left one reminds a the turbine of an aircraft, centered image - stylized wheel of car/truck/tractor and right one reminds the wheel of an Electric locomotive - as symbols of Transport. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in English "South African Reserve Bank" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "200" at center, in numerals and words: in English "TWO HUNDRED RAND 200" at right and Afrikaans "TWEE HONDERD RAND 200" along the left side of the banknote. Watermark: The African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) and electrotype 200. Size: 152 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. Bloukrans Bridge The Bloukrans Bridge is an arch bridge located near Nature's Valley, Western Cape, South Africa. Constructed between February 1980 and June 1983, the bridge stands at a height of 216m above the Bloukrans River. Its central span is 272m and the bridge is 451m in length in total. Its primary use is that of a road bridge, carrying national route N2. Bloukrans Bridge is the site of the world's highest commercial bridge bungee jumping, Bloukrans Bridge Bungy, operated by Face Adrenalin since 1997. The Bloukrans River below forms the border between the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces and is located in the Tsitsikamma region of the Garden Route. The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Africa is an environment with a diverse fauna and flora, that captures the hearts and minds of all who visit this beautiful content. A few animals, however, has been awarded a very special award, the Big Five. The famous Big Five refers to five of Africa's greatest wild animals - the Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Buffalo. The term "Big Five" was originally coined by hunters, and referred to the five most difficult animals to hunt on foot in Africa. The Big Five wasn't chosen for their size, but rather for the difficulty in hunting them, and the degree of danger involved. The term is still used today in most tourist and wildlife guides, and are usually high on the priority list and a real treat for many a visitor to African game reserves. African Elephant The African Elephant is a very large herbivore with thick, almost hairless skin. The upper incisors of the elephant forms long curved tusks of ivory. The African Elephant is difficult to spot because despite its large size, they are able to hide in tall grass, and more likely to charge than other species. Lion The Lion is a large carnivorous feline, with a short tawny coat and a tufted tail. Males have magnificent heavy manes around their necks and shoulders. Considered by many the best of the Big Five, lions are very dangerous animals, and would attack if given a chance. Cape Buffalo The African Buffalo is a large horned bovid. Buffalos are considered the most dangerous of the Big Five, reportedly having caused many hunter deaths. Buffalos are known as the "Black Death" in Africa, with wounded animals reportedly ambushing and attacking its pursuers. Rhinoceros Rhinoceros (also called Rhino for short) are large, thick-skinned herbivores with one or two upright horns on the nasal bridge. Rhinos are able to reach one tonne or more in weight. Rhinos are listed as "critically endangered" by the IUCN Red List, as they are killed by humans for their valuable horns, which are made of keratin, and wrongly believed by some to act as an aphrodisiac, amongst other things. Leopard The Leopard is a large, carnivorous feline with either tawny fur with dark rosetto-like markings, or black fur. Leopards are very difficult to spot as they have nocturnal feeding habits and secretive nature. Leopards are also extremely wary of humans, and will take flight in the face of danger. South African Currency 10 Rand banknote 2005 White Rhino South African Currency 10 Rand banknote 2005 White Rhino South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Obverse: Close-up of a White Rhino head at right and a vignette of a White Rhinoceros mother and her Rhino baby in the African Savanna at center. Outline drawings of various round geometric figures at the bottom. Outline drawing of round geometric figure with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The present South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" are in top left and lower right corners and in words: in English "TEN RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Tito Mboweni - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Tito Titus Mboweni, born 16 March 1959) is the current Minister of Finance of South Africa. Mboweni was the eighth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and the first Black South African to hold the post. He was sworn in as Finance Minister on 9 October 2018, following Nhlanhla Nene's resignation.) Reverse: The theme of this banknote reverse is Agriculture: Close-up of a Ram head at left. Lower are South African merino sheep on the pasture and mountains in the background, the windmill at lower left corner. Above are three contour image of sunflowers. At the top are the name of the bank in Afrikaans "Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank" and in Swati "liBhangi lesiLulu leNingizimu Afrika" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" are in top left and lower right corners, in numerals and words: in English "TEN RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Watermark: White rhino and electrotype 10. Size: 128 × 70 mm. Colour: Dark green and dark blue on brown and multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. The South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner of all the denominations. It can also be seen in the iridescent band on the back, and as a holographic image in the security thread of the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes. Watermark: This is smaller and the denomination numeral is added to the watermark of the main motif. Perfect registration: This see-through security feature reveals the denomination numeral in perfect registration on the front and back when the banknote is held up to the light. Windowed security thread: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the thread is 4 mm wide. “SARB”, “RAND” and the denomination numeral appear when the banknote is held up to the light, and a holographic Coat of Arms appears in the thread when tilted. On the R10 and R20 banknotes the thread is 2 mm wide and “SARB” and the denomination numeral appear in clear text. Diamond shapes: The dots on the front that assist the blind to distinguish between the denominations have been replaced with diamonds: 1 diamond for the R10, 2 diamonds for the R20, 3 diamonds for the R50, 4 diamonds for the R100, and 5 diamonds for the R200. Unique numbering: This has moved from the front to the back: a vertical number on the left-hand side and a horizontal number top right. The horizontal number is conical. Microlettering: “SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK” appears in microlettering to the right of the animal’s ear. The microlettering is printed in positive and negative text. Iridescent band: This is a very prominent feature in a gold colour on the back of all banknotes. When tilted, the Coat of Arms and the denomination numeral appear. Different geometric shapes: These have been added to the front of the banknotes as an aid for the partially sighted: diamond on the R10, square on the R20, circle on the R50, and different hexagons on the R100 and R200. Latent image: When the banknote is held almost horizontally at eye level, the denomination numeral appears inside the geometric shapes. Optically variable ink: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the denomination numeral on the front bottom right is printed in colour-changing ink. When the R50 and R100 banknotes are tilted, the colour changes from green to gold. On the R200 it changes from magenta to green. Denomination numerals: These are more prominent on both the front and back of the banknotes. South Africa Currency 20 Rand banknote 2005 African Bush Elephant South Africa Currency 20 Rand banknote 2005 African Bush Elephant South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Leopard, African Buffalo, Transvaal Lion, African Elephant, Rhinoceros Obverse: Close-up of an African Bush Elephant head at right and a vignette of the African Bush Elephant family walking in the bush at center (The African Bush Elephant, also known as the Savanna Elephant). Outline drawings of round brilliant cut at the bottom. Outline drawing of round brilliant cut with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The present South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "20" are in top left and lower right corners and in words: in English "TWENTY RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Tito Mboweni - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Tito Titus Mboweni, born 16 March 1959) is the current Minister of Finance of South Africa. Mboweni was the eighth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and the first Black South African to hold the post. He was sworn in as Finance Minister on 9 October 2018, following Nhlanhla Nene's resignation.) Reverse: The theme of this banknote reverse is Surface mining industry - Open-pit mining. On the upper part of the banknote are three graphic image of round brilliant cut. Outline drawing of round brilliant cut with coinciding register, as security measure at lower right corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in Tswana "Banka-kgolo ya Aforika Borwa " and in Southern Ndebele "lBulungelo-mali eliKhulu leSewula Afrika" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "20" are in top left and lower right corners, in numerals and words: in English "TWENTY RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Watermark: African Bush Elephant and electrotype 20. Size: 134 × 70 mm. Colour: Deep brown and red-brown on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. The South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner of all the denominations. It can also be seen in the iridescent band on the back, and as a holographic image in the security thread of the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes. Watermark: This is smaller and the denomination numeral is added to the watermark of the main motif. Perfect registration: This see-through security feature reveals the denomination numeral in perfect registration on the front and back when the banknote is held up to the light. Windowed security thread: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the thread is 4 mm wide. “SARB”, “RAND” and the denomination numeral appear when the banknote is held up to the light, and a holographic Coat of Arms appears in the thread when tilted. On the R10 and R20 banknotes the thread is 2 mm wide and “SARB” and the denomination numeral appear in clear text. Diamond shapes: The dots on the front that assist the blind to distinguish between the denominations have been replaced with diamonds: 1 diamond for the R10, 2 diamonds for the R20, 3 diamonds for the R50, 4 diamonds for the R100, and 5 diamonds for the R200. Unique numbering: This has moved from the front to the back: a vertical number on the left-hand side and a horizontal number top right. The horizontal number is conical. Microlettering: “SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK” appears in microlettering to the right of the animal’s ear. The microlettering is printed in positive and negative text. Iridescent band: This is a very prominent feature in a gold colour on the back of all banknotes. When tilted, the Coat of Arms and the denomination numeral appear. Different geometric shapes: These have been added to the front of the banknotes as an aid for the partially sighted: diamond on the R10, square on the R20, circle on the R50, and different hexagons on the R100 and R200. Latent image: When the banknote is held almost horizontally at eye level, the denomination numeral appears inside the geometric shapes. Optically variable ink: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the denomination numeral on the front bottom right is printed in colour-changing ink. When the R50 and R100 banknotes are tilted, the colour changes from green to gold. On the R200 it changes from magenta to green. Denomination numerals: These are more prominent on both the front and back of the banknotes. South African Currency 50 Rand banknote 2005 Transvaal Lion South African Currency 50 Rand banknote 2005 Transvaal Lion South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Leopard, African Buffalo, Transvaal Lion, African Elephant, Rhinoceros Obverse: Close-up of male Transvaal Lion head at right and a vignette of the two Transvaal lionesses and cub drinking at water hole. Outline drawings of various round geometric shapes at the bottom. Outline drawing of stylized model of hydrocarbon atom with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The present South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "50" are in top left and lower right corners and in words: in English "FIFTY RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Tito Mboweni - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Tito Titus Mboweni, born 16 March 1959) is the current Minister of Finance of South Africa. Mboweni was the eighth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and the first Black South African to hold the post. He was sworn in as Finance Minister on 9 October 2018, following Nhlanhla Nene's resignation.) Reverse: The theme of this banknote reverse is Manufacturing - Sasol oil refinery at the bottom part of the note. On the upper part of the banknote are stylized model of hydrocarbon atoms. At the top are the name of the bank in Xhosa "iBhanki enguVimba yoMzantsi Afrika " and in Venda "Bannga ya Vhukati ya Afurika Tshipembe" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "50" are in top left and lower right corners, in numerals and words: in English "FIFTY RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Refining capacity in South Africa is 250 million barrels/year, or about 700 thousand barrels/day, Including 500 thousand barrels/day of crude oil and 195 thousand barrels/day of synthetic liquid fuels from coal. It is interesting that the South African "Sasol" is the pioneer of the Fischer-Tpropsha producing synthetic fuel using this synthesis conversion of the gasified coal since 1955. Watermark: Transvaal lion and electrotype 50. Size: 140 × 70 mm. Colour: Maroon, brown and deep blue-green on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. The South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner of all the denominations. It can also be seen in the iridescent band on the back, and as a holographic image in the security thread of the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes. Watermark: This is smaller and the denomination numeral is added to the watermark of the main motif. Perfect registration: This see-through security feature reveals the denomination numeral in perfect registration on the front and back when the banknote is held up to the light. Windowed security thread: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the thread is 4 mm wide. “SARB”, “RAND” and the denomination numeral appear when the banknote is held up to the light, and a holographic Coat of Arms appears in the thread when tilted. On the R10 and R20 banknotes the thread is 2 mm wide and “SARB” and the denomination numeral appear in clear text. Diamond shapes: The dots on the front that assist the blind to distinguish between the denominations have been replaced with diamonds: 1 diamond for the R10, 2 diamonds for the R20, 3 diamonds for the R50, 4 diamonds for the R100, and 5 diamonds for the R200. Unique numbering: This has moved from the front to the back: a vertical number on the left-hand side and a horizontal number top right. The horizontal number is conical. Microlettering: “SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK” appears in microlettering to the right of the animal’s ear. The microlettering is printed in positive and negative text. Iridescent band: This is a very prominent feature in a gold colour on the back of all banknotes. When tilted, the Coat of Arms and the denomination numeral appear. Different geometric shapes: These have been added to the front of the banknotes as an aid for the partially sighted: diamond on the R10, square on the R20, circle on the R50, and different hexagons on the R100 and R200. Latent image: When the banknote is held almost horizontally at eye level, the denomination numeral appears inside the geometric shapes. Optically variable ink: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the denomination numeral on the front bottom right is printed in colour-changing ink. When the R50 and R100 banknotes are tilted, the colour changes from green to gold. On the R200 it changes from magenta to green. Denomination numerals: These are more prominent on both the front and back of the banknotes. South Africa Currency 100 Rand banknote 2005 African Buffalo South Africa Currency 100 Rand banknote 2005 African Buffalo South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Leopard, African Buffalo, Transvaal Lion, African Elephant, Rhinoceros Obverse: Close-up of a Cape Buffalo head at right and a vignette of the two African or Cape Buffalos in the African Savannah at center. Outline drawings of various round geometric figures at the bottom. Outline drawing of round brilliant cut with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The present South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "100" are in top left and lower right corners and in words: in English "ONE HUNDRED RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Tito Mboweni - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Tito Titus Mboweni, born 16 March 1959) is the current Minister of Finance of South Africa. Mboweni was the eighth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and the first Black South African to hold the post. He was sworn in as Finance Minister on 9 October 2018, following Nhlanhla Nene's resignation.) Reverse: The theme of this banknote is Tourism. A herd of zebras on the African savanna at the bottom. On the upper part of the banknote are four graphic image of round brilliant cut. At the top are the name of the bank in Northern Sotho "Panka ya Resefe ya Afrika Borwa " and in Tsonga "Banginkulu ya Afrika-Dzonga" at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "100" are in top left and lower right corners, in numerals and words: in English "TWO HUNDRED RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Watermark: The African buffalo or Cape buffalo and electrotype 100. Size: 146 × 70 mm. Colour: Blue on multicolored underprint. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. The South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner of all the denominations. It can also be seen in the iridescent band on the back, and as a holographic image in the security thread of the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes. Watermark: This is smaller and the denomination numeral is added to the watermark of the main motif. Perfect registration: This see-through security feature reveals the denomination numeral in perfect registration on the front and back when the banknote is held up to the light. Windowed security thread: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the thread is 4 mm wide. “SARB”, “RAND” and the denomination numeral appear when the banknote is held up to the light, and a holographic Coat of Arms appears in the thread when tilted. On the R10 and R20 banknotes the thread is 2 mm wide and “SARB” and the denomination numeral appear in clear text. Diamond shapes: The dots on the front that assist the blind to distinguish between the denominations have been replaced with diamonds: 1 diamond for the R10, 2 diamonds for the R20, 3 diamonds for the R50, 4 diamonds for the R100, and 5 diamonds for the R200. Unique numbering: This has moved from the front to the back: a vertical number on the left-hand side and a horizontal number top right. The horizontal number is conical. Microlettering: “SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK” appears in microlettering to the right of the animal’s ear. The microlettering is printed in positive and negative text. Iridescent band: This is a very prominent feature in a gold colour on the back of all banknotes. When tilted, the Coat of Arms and the denomination numeral appear. Different geometric shapes: These have been added to the front of the banknotes as an aid for the partially sighted: diamond on the R10, square on the R20, circle on the R50, and different hexagons on the R100 and R200. Latent image: When the banknote is held almost horizontally at eye level, the denomination numeral appears inside the geometric shapes. Optically variable ink: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the denomination numeral on the front bottom right is printed in colour-changing ink. When the R50 and R100 banknotes are tilted, the colour changes from green to gold. On the R200 it changes from magenta to green. Denomination numerals: These are more prominent on both the front and back of the banknotes. South African Currency 200 Rand banknote 2005 African Leopard South African Currency 200 Rand banknote 2005 African Leopard South African Reserve Bank - Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank The Famous Big Five animals of Africa Leopard, African Buffalo, Transvaal Lion, African Elephant, Rhinoceros Obverse: Close-up of a Leopard head at right and a vignette showing a leopard lying above the branch of a tree at center. Outline drawings of various round geometric figures at the bottom. Outline drawing of round geometric figure with coinciding register, as security measure at lower left corner. The parts printed on the back perfectly match the ones on the front. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The present South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "200" are in top left and lower right corners and in words: in English "TWO HUNDRED RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Tito Mboweni - President Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. (Tito Titus Mboweni, born 16 March 1959) is the current Minister of Finance of South Africa. Mboweni was the eighth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and the first Black South African to hold the post. He was sworn in as Finance Minister on 9 October 2018, following Nhlanhla Nene's resignation.) Reverse: The theme of this banknote reverse is Transport and Telecommunications. The Bloukrans Bridge at center. On left side is a big satellite dish, symbolizing telecommunication. Centered, above, are three images: Left one reminds a the turbine of an aircraft, centered image - stylized wheel of car/truck/tractor and right one reminds the wheel of an Electric locomotive - as symbols of Transport. At the top are the name of the bank in Zulu "iBhange-ngodla laseNingizimu Afrika" and in Sotho "Banka ya Sesiu ya Afrika Borwa " at the bottom. The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "200" are in top left and lower right corners, in numerals and words: in English "TWO HUNDRED RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Watermark: The African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) and electrotype 200. Size: 152 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. Bloukrans Bridge The Bloukrans Bridge is an arch bridge located near Nature's Valley, Western Cape, South Africa. Constructed between February 1980 and June 1983, the bridge stands at a height of 216m above the Bloukrans River. Its central span is 272m and the bridge is 451m in length in total. Its primary use is that of a road bridge, carrying national route N2. Bloukrans Bridge is the site of the world's highest commercial bridge bungee jumping, Bloukrans Bridge Bungy, operated by Face Adrenalin since 1997. The Bloukrans River below forms the border between the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces and is located in the Tsitsikamma region of the Garden Route. The South African Coat of Arms is used prominently on the front top left corner of all the denominations. It can also be seen in the iridescent band on the back, and as a holographic image in the security thread of the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes. Watermark: This is smaller and the denomination numeral is added to the watermark of the main motif. Perfect registration: This see-through security feature reveals the denomination numeral in perfect registration on the front and back when the banknote is held up to the light. Windowed security thread: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the thread is 4 mm wide. “SARB”, “RAND” and the denomination numeral appear when the banknote is held up to the light, and a holographic Coat of Arms appears in the thread when tilted. On the R10 and R20 banknotes the thread is 2 mm wide and “SARB” and the denomination numeral appear in clear text. Diamond shapes: The dots on the front that assist the blind to distinguish between the denominations have been replaced with diamonds: 1 diamond for the R10, 2 diamonds for the R20, 3 diamonds for the R50, 4 diamonds for the R100, and 5 diamonds for the R200. Unique numbering: This has moved from the front to the back: a vertical number on the left-hand side and a horizontal number top right. The horizontal number is conical. Microlettering: “SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK” appears in microlettering to the right of the animal’s ear. The microlettering is printed in positive and negative text. Iridescent band: This is a very prominent feature in a gold colour on the back of all banknotes. When tilted, the Coat of Arms and the denomination numeral appear. Different geometric shapes: These have been added to the front of the banknotes as an aid for the partially sighted: diamond on the R10, square on the R20, circle on the R50, and different hexagons on the R100 and R200. Latent image: When the banknote is held almost horizontally at eye level, the denomination numeral appears inside the geometric shapes. Optically variable ink: On the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes the denomination numeral on the front bottom right is printed in colour-changing ink. When the R50 and R100 banknotes are tilted, the colour changes from green to gold. On the R200 it changes from magenta to green. Denomination numerals: These are more prominent on both the front and back of the banknotes. South Africa Currency 10 Rand banknote 2012 President Nelson Mandela South Africa Currency 10 Rand banknote 2012 President Nelson Mandela The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank (Afrikaans) and liBhangesilulu leNingizimu Afrika (Swati). The notes have been nicknamed the "randela". Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "TEN RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The White Rhinos on the background at center. Across all field of banknote are ornaments and leaping antelopes. Reverse: The Famous Big Five animals of Africa - A Closeup of a head of White Rhino and another White Rhino in the background at center. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 10. Size: 128 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South African Currency 20 Rand banknote 2012 President Nelson Mandela South African Currency 20 Rand banknote 2012 President Nelson Mandela The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank (Afrikaans) and liBhangesilulu leNingizimu Afrika (Swati). The notes have been nicknamed the "randela". Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "20" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "TWENTY RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The African bush elephants on the background at center. Across all field of banknote an ornament and Prehistoric hunting scenes. Reverse: The Famous Big Five animals of Africa - A Closeup of a head of African bush elephant and another African bush elephant in the background at center. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 20. Size: 134 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South Africa Currency 50 Rand banknote 2012 President Nelson Mandela South Africa Currency 50 Rand banknote 2012 President Nelson Mandela The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank (Afrikaans) and liBhangesilulu leNingizimu Afrika (Swati). The notes have been nicknamed the "randela". Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "50" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "FIFTY RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The Transvaal lions on the background at center. Across all field of banknote an ornament and Prehistoric hunting scenes. Reverse: The Famous Big Five animals of Africa - A Closeup of a head of Transvaal Lion and another Transvaal Lion in the background at center. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 50. Size: 140 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South African Currency 100 Rand banknote 2012 President Nelson Mandela South African Currency 100 Rand banknote 2012 President Nelson Mandela The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank (Afrikaans) and liBhangesilulu leNingizimu Afrika (Swati). The notes have been nicknamed the "randela". Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "100" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "ONE HUNDRED RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The African buffalo on the background at center. Across all field of banknote an ornament and Prehistoric fishing scenes. Reverse: The Famous Big Five animals of Africa - A Closeup of a head of African Buffalo and another African Buffalo in the background at center. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 100. Size: 146 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South Africa Currency 200 Rand banknote 2013 President Nelson Mandela South Africa Currency 200 Rand banknote 2013 President Nelson Mandela The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank (Afrikaans) and liBhangesilulu leNingizimu Afrika (Swati). The notes have been nicknamed the "randela". Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "200" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "TWO HUNDRED RAND" along the right side of the banknote. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The African leopards on the background at center. Across all field of banknote an ornament and Prehistoric hunting scenes with dogs. Reverse: The Famous Big Five animals of Africa - A Closeup of a head of African Leopard and another African Leopard in the background at center. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 200. Size: 152 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South African Currency 10 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary South African Currency 10 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018 South African Reserve Bank The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has issued the release of limited edition commemorative banknotes in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, celebrating the liberation icon’s centenary in July 2018, which look to show “the journey of a nation as of the man”. The honorary ‘randelas’ are an ode to the former president’s struggle saga, which ultimately led to the liberation of South Africa and an end to apartheid oppression. Different imagery has been designed for each of the five notes, which look to chronologically “tell the story of Mandela’s life from a young boy through to president of South Africa”. Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "10" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "TEN RAND" along the right side of the banknote. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" along the right side of the bank note. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The White Rhinos on the background at center. Across all field of banknote are ornaments and leaping antelopes. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right. Reverse: A "youthful" portrait of Mandela dressed in traditional attire. The vignette of the life events of Mandela - "Birth" - Mvezo. The 10 Rand note portrays the humble rural hamlet of Madiba’s birthplace, Mvezo. The small Eastern Cape village solidified its place in the history books by being the official hometown of Nelson Mandela. While Mandela spent most of his childhood in the nearby town of Qunu, a time he describes as the “happiest moments of his childhood”, the honour bestowed upon Mvezo is commemorated by the Madiba Birthplace Museum. Mandela grew up in Qunu after his father was ousted as the chief of Mvezo. The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: iBhangle Lombuso laseNingizmu Afrika (Zulu) and Banka ya Risefe ya Afrika Borwa (Sotho). A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right and "Madiba" at left. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 10. Size: 128 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South Africa Currency 20 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary South Africa Currency 20 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018 South African Reserve Bank The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has issued the release of limited edition commemorative banknotes in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, celebrating the liberation icon’s centenary in July 2018, which look to show “the journey of a nation as of the man”. The honorary ‘randelas’ are an ode to the former president’s struggle saga, which ultimately led to the liberation of South Africa and an end to apartheid oppression. Different imagery has been designed for each of the five notes, which look to chronologically “tell the story of Mandela’s life from a young boy through to president of South Africa”. Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "20" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "TWENTY RAND" along the right side of the banknote. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" along the right side of the bank note. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The African bush elephants on the background at center. Across all field of banknote an ornament and Prehistoric hunting scenes. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right. Reverse: A "youthful" portrait of Mandela dressed in traditional attire. The vignette of the life events of Mandela - "Life" - Soweto. Nelson Mandela moved into his Soweto home in 1946. The 20 Rand note depicts the humble home at 8115 Orlando West, on the corner of Vilakazi and Ngakane Streets. The story of Mandela’s Soweto home is bittersweet; following his marriage to Winnie Madikizela, the struggle leader was in constant state of flux, evading the apartheid police and intelligence agencies, while being consumed by his commitment to the liberation struggle. In those years, Madiba seldom saw the inside of his Soweto home. Mandela returned here for a brief 11 days after his release from Robben Island in 1990. The house now operates as a museum, honouring the legacy of Madiba, managed by the Soweto Heritage Trust. The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: iBhangle Lombuso laseNingizmu Afrika (Zulu) and Banka ya Risefe ya Afrika Borwa (Sotho). A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right and "Madiba" at left. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 20. Size: 134 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South African Currency 50 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary South African Currency 50 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018 South African Reserve Bank The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has issued the release of limited edition commemorative banknotes in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, celebrating the liberation icon’s centenary in July 2018, which look to show “the journey of a nation as of the man”. The honorary ‘randelas’ are an ode to the former president’s struggle saga, which ultimately led to the liberation of South Africa and an end to apartheid oppression. Different imagery has been designed for each of the five notes, which look to chronologically “tell the story of Mandela’s life from a young boy through to president of South Africa”. Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "50" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "FIFTY RAND" along the right side of the banknote. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" along the right side of the bank note. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The Transvaal lions on the background at center. Across all field of banknote an ornament and Prehistoric hunting scenes. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right. Reverse: A "youthful" portrait of Mandela dressed in traditional attire. The vignette of the life events of Mandela - "Capture" - Howick. The 50 Rand note represents a place of pain in the life of Mandela. While the area is now a site for celebration, featuring a commemorative steel sculpture revealing a portrait of the struggle icon, on 5 August 1962 it became the site of Mandela’s capture. Mandella was travelling in disguise as the chauffeur of the car he drove and was on the R103 road between Durban and Johannesburg. Apartheid police and intelligence agencies had been on his trail for 17 months, eventually catching up to him on this stretch of road near Howick in KwaZulu-Natal. Then Nelson Mandela Capture Site is now home to a mammoth steel structure, comprised of 50 steel columns, which reveal a portrait of Madiba when viewed from a certain angle. The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: iBhangle Lombuso laseNingizmu Afrika (Zulu) and Banka ya Risefe ya Afrika Borwa (Sotho). A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right and "Madiba" at left. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 50. Size: 140 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South Africa Currency 100 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary South Africa Currency 100 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018 South African Reserve Bank The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has issued the release of limited edition commemorative banknotes in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, celebrating the liberation icon’s centenary in July 2018, which look to show “the journey of a nation as of the man”. The honorary ‘randelas’ are an ode to the former president’s struggle saga, which ultimately led to the liberation of South Africa and an end to apartheid oppression. Different imagery has been designed for each of the five notes, which look to chronologically “tell the story of Mandela’s life from a young boy through to president of South Africa”. Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "100" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "ONE HUNDRED RAND" along the right side of the banknote. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" along the right side of the bank note. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The African buffalo on the background at center. Across all field of banknote an ornament and Prehistoric fishing scenes. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right. Reverse: A "youthful" portrait of Mandela dressed in traditional attire. The vignette of the life events of Mandela - "Struggle" - Robben Island. A pile of rocks on Robben Island, where the great liberator was imprisoned from 1964–1982. Mandela spent 18 years on the stark island, working in a lime quarry, busting rocks as part of his forced labour. While on the island, he was permitted one visit and one letter every six months. While enduring physical and psychological torture at the hands of white warders, at night he persevered with his studies for an LLB degree which he was obtaining from the University of London. In April 1982, Mandela was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Tokai, Cape Town. The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: iBhangle Lombuso laseNingizmu Afrika (Zulu) and Banka ya Risefe ya Afrika Borwa (Sotho). A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right and "Madiba" at left. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 100. Size: 146 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. South African Currency 200 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary South African Currency 200 Rand Commemorative banknote 2018 Nelson Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018 South African Reserve Bank The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has issued the release of limited edition commemorative banknotes in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy, celebrating the liberation icon’s centenary in July 2018, which look to show “the journey of a nation as of the man”. The honorary ‘randelas’ are an ode to the former president’s struggle saga, which ultimately led to the liberation of South Africa and an end to apartheid oppression. Different imagery has been designed for each of the five notes, which look to chronologically “tell the story of Mandela’s life from a young boy through to president of South Africa”. Obverse: An image of Nelson Mandela, considered by most South Africans (both black and white) to be the father of the post-apartheid new South Africa. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation". Despite spending 27 years in jail, Mandela's presidency (1994-1999) was marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. The denomination of the bank note in the lower-right-hand corner, printed in a special, colour-changing security ink that carries the pattern of Mandela’s famous shirts, and a seven-bar circle that frames Mandela’s portrait image. This aims to represent the bars seen on the post-apartheid South African national flag, and the seven bars on the door of Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island. These bars also contain ultraviolet (UV) light technology, another security feature. At the top are the name of the bank in English "South African Reserve Bank". The face value of the banknote in arabic numerals "200" at left center and on the right of the portrait of Nelson Mandela along the bottom side of the note, and in words: in English "TWO HUNDRED RAND" along the right side of the banknote. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" along the right side of the bank note. Signature: Lesetja Kganyago - Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa at upper left. The African leopards on the background at center. Across all field of banknote an ornament and Prehistoric hunting scenes with dogs. A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right. Reverse: A "youthful" portrait of Mandela dressed in traditional attire. The vignette of the life events of Mandela - "Destiny" - Union Buildings. This 200 Rand note represents the moment Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994. The image on the note is that of a bronze statue situated at the Union Buildings, unveiled to close the official 10-day mourning period for the much loved former state president, who died at his Johannesburg home on 5 December 2013. South African sculptors André Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren were responsible for creating the statue. According to Prinsloo, the sculptors considered various poses like the Raised Fist Salute, but in the Spirit of Reconciliation, the current open arm pose was suggested. The bank's name South African Reserve Bank are translated into two official South African languages: iBhangle Lombuso laseNingizmu Afrika (Zulu) and Banka ya Risefe ya Afrika Borwa (Sotho). A commemorative inscription "Mandela Centenary 1918 - 2018" at right and "Madiba" at left. Watermark: Portrait of Nelson Mandela and electrotype 200. Size: 152 × 70 mm. Printer: South African Bank Note Company Ltd, Pretoria. BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

< Back An African lion is the largest predator on land. Preys of the lion include zebra, impala, giraffes, and other herbivores like wildebeest. A group of lions is called a pride and males are easily distinguished from females because of their large manes. The darker the lion's manes, the older he is. A male lion is sometimes referred to as the king, but in reality, lions don't have a permanent social hierarchy. The dominant male in a lion pride can change at any time. The females hold the territory and stay with the pride in which they were born. They also do most of the hunting and take care of the cubs. Lions use their roar as a form of communication and can be heard up to 5 miles away. Previous Next BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

THE GREAT TREK SOUTH AFRICA The Great Trek was a significant event in South African history that took place in the 1830s. It involved the migration of thousands of Boers, or Afrikaans-speaking farmers, from the British-controlled Cape Colony to the interior of the country. The reasons for the trek were complex, but included dissatisfaction with British rule, a desire for greater independence, and a search for new land to farm. The Great Trek had a profound impact on South African history, shaping the country's politics, culture, and society in important ways. Intro Great Trek 1835-1846 … TheGreatTrek was a movement of Dutch-speaking colonists up into the interior of southern Africa in search of land where they could establish their own homeland, independent of British rule. … December 16 and the Construction of Afrikaner Nationalism … The date, December 16, holds a special significance in South African history. On this day in 1838, the Voortrekkers fought a … abolition of slavery that sparked a unique event that would transform the former Dutch colonists into a new ‘volk’ – theGreatTrek ). The British outlawed slavery in 1834. Without slaves, the burghers could not survive as farmers, and the Dutch Cape … Louis Botha … Louis Botha was born near Greytown in Natal in 1862. He was the son of Voortrekker parents and was brought up on a farm in the Free State, and was educated at the local German mission … included both British and Dutch. Botha was a leading figure in the Paris Peace Conference at the end of World War I. A great man of action, he was renowned for his simplicity, humanity, quick wit and good nature. He was endowed with natural … of his descendants signed themselves as 'Both' and 'Boota'. His paternal grandfather Philip Rudolf took part in theGreatTrek. Louis, the ninth among thirteen children, was born near Greytown in the Colony of Natal on 27 September 1862. The … Deployment of Racism in South Africa by Rooha Variava … Contents Chapter 1: Theoretical Debates and Methodological Controversies Chapter 2: Questions Method Chapter 3: The Constitution of Black as ‘Other’ Chapter 4: The Black as Uncivilized Chapter 5: The Management of Blacks Chapter 6: The … or 'total' history situates events into grand explanatory systems and linear processes, celebrating individuals and great movements, seeking to record a specific point of origin for a particular historical process, whereas genealogical … I should wish that the Hottentots be given no rights, because otherwise we shall be obliged to leave our property and to trek as well. 83 The Afrikaner wanted to retain control over blacks without let or hindrance from outside. The Great Trek in South Africa between 1835 and 1840 The Great Trek in South Africa started in 1835 when over a time span of three years more then 12,000 Boers (farmers) left the Cape Colony. They trekked (moved) into the interior by ox wagon, in search of land where they would be free and beyond British control. In time, after facing many hardships, these farmers started to build a unique identity and started calling themselves "Afrikaners". They also developed a hybrid language, Afrikaans, which stemmed from high Dutch but incorporated strong French, Malay, German and Black influences. The Afrikaans-speaking descendants of these people would later simply be called "Boere" (Farmers) Causes of The Great Trek,... One of the most important causes of the Great Trek in South Africa was the unrest on the eastern border. The government was unable to segregate the Xhosas from the whites and the two groups kept on clashing. The Xhosas stole the white farmers’ cattle and the farmers occupied territory that had traditionally belonged to the Xhosa. Not even the establishment of neutral territory could keep the parties from becoming involved in battles with each other. Some governors did more than others to protect the frontier farmers but there was nevertheless a significant number of wars on the eastern frontier. During the sixth eastern frontier war, farmers lost livestock to the value of R600 000. Vagrant Hottentots also plundered the farms. Conditions deteriorated badly after the institution of Ordinance 50 of 1828, which cancelled the pass laws. In 1834, when the slaves were freed, the situation worsened even further, as many of them had no option but to steal to make a living. The freeing of the slaves also meant financial loss for the farmers and this added to their dissatisfaction. Sketch of a 17th century farm house in the cape colony The Great Trek in South Africa The Dutch-speaking people also felt that their identity was being threatened. A series of laws proclaimed between 1823 and 1828 enabled the government to substitute the official use of Dutch with English. When the magistrates and councils were also abolished, the colonists no longer had any say in the government and their desire for self-government increased. Leaders of The Great Trek,... Trichardt and Van Rensburg Andries Hendrik Potgieter Gerrit Maritz Piet Retief Piet Uys Trichardt and Van Rensburg,... The Great Trek in South Africa started with Louis Trichardt and Hans van Rensburg leading the first groups to leave the Colony. There were 53 people in Trichardt’s group and they crossed the Orange River in 1835 on their way to the Soutpansberg. Hans van Rensburg also left the colony at the same time with his group of followers but his aim was to move to Mozambique. The Van Rensburg party was subsequently massacred near the Limpopo River. Louis Trichardt moved on to the area where the town of Louis Trichardt is situated today. He waited for some time for Potgieter’s trek to meet up with them but eventually became impatient and moved on to Lourenco Marques (present day Maputo). By the time Trichardt reached Maputo, on 13 April 1838, many of his cattle had been killed by tsetse flies and nearly half of his group had died of malaria. Sketch of a Voortrekker with his wagon encampment in the background The Great Trek in South Africa Andries Hendrik Potgieter,... Potgieter left the Cape Colony towards the end of 1835 with 200 people. They also wanted to go to Lourenco Marques for trading purposes, but they did not get that far. They were attacked by an army of 1 000 men sent by Mzilikazi. A few of the Voortrekkers were killed and Potgieter left his trek temporarily to meet up with Louis Trichardt. On his return, he instructed his people to form a laager (circle of ox wagons) as a defence strategy against the black armies. Two months later, all their cattle were stolen during another attack at Vegkop. Moroka (chief of the Barolong) and Gerrit Maritz helped Potgieter’s group to get back to Thaba Nchu. Gerrit Maritz,... Gerrit Maritz, also joining the Great Trek in South Africa, left for Thaba Nchu with 700 people. When they arrived in November 1836, they held a mass meeting with the Voortrekkers who had already arrived. Maritz was elected as the president of a council of 7 members who were to look after the interests of the Voortrekkers. Potgieter was elected the military leader. One of the first decisions of the council was to send an expedition out to recapture their cattle from Mzilikazi. Encampment of a Voortrekker family The Great Trek in South Africa Piet Retief,.. . Piet Retief was the commandant of the Winterberg ward in the district of Albany. He was also a farmer, building contractor and speculator and had sufficient money to finance a venture into the interior. Before he left, he published a manifesto in the Grahamstown Journal in which he explained his reasons to join the Great Trek in South Africa. He left the Cape in March 1837, together with 400 people. When he joined the Voortrekkers in the Free State, they numbered more or less 5 000. Retief was elected governor and military leader at a convention held at Winburg. At the same convention Maritz was elected chairman of the Political Council. Piet Uys,... Piet Uys and his followers were the last to leave the Cape as part of a big organised trek. These 100 odd men, women and children departed from the district of Uitenhage in April 1837. They arrived in the Free State in August of the same year. The Voortrekkers in Zululand and Natal,... 1938 photograph of a column of ox wagons in commemoration of the Great Trek in South Africa The Voortrekkers had opposing views about the direction the trek should take. Potgieter felt it best to remain in Transvaal, since Britain might annex Natal, which would mean that the Voortrekkers would once again be under British rule. Maritz, Cilliers and Retief did not share his fears and decided to move to Natal. Piet Uys was not quite sure where his trek should be heading. When the Voortrekkers arrived in Natal, one of the favourite destinations during the Great trek in South Africa, the greater part of Natal was under the control of Dingane. Retief attempted to buy land from Dingane who promised to sell it if the Voortrekkers agreed to recover the cattle which had been stolen by Sikonyela. When Retief and his people brought back the stolen cattle, they signed a contract with Dingane. Later that day, however, Dingane’s people killed 67 of the Voortrekkers, including Retief. Dingane’s soldiers then went to the laagers (camps) of the Voortrekkers and killed many more, including women and children. The Zulus also drove off the bulk of the Voortrekkers' cattle. Portrait of Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius The Great Trek in South Africa In April 1838, Uys and Potgieter retaliated by launching a counterattack against the Zulus. They were defeated by the Zulus at Italeni. The Zulus attacked again on 13 August and in December 1838, the last remaining Voortrekker leader, Maritz, died. As the Voortrekkers needed a new leader, they sent for Andries Pretorius. Pretorius acted as their leader in the Battle of Blood River on 16 December 1838 when they defeated the Dingane’s Zulu army. Dingane fled, after setting fire to his kraal. At Kwa Maritane, the skeletons of Retief and his men were found, together with a satchel containing the treaty between Dingane and the Voortrekkers. The Voortrekkers were now the owners of the land between the Drakensberg Mountains, from the Tugela River to the Umzimvubu River and the sea. Dingane was finally defeated by Mpande who became the new paramount chief of the Zulus. The Voortrekkers now felt safer and on 14 February 1840, Andries Pretorius proclaimed Natal a Voortrekker Republic, the Republic of Natal. They formed a government and Pietermaritzburg was chosen as the new capital. The Republic of Natal existed for only 5 years until the governor of the Cape, Sir George Napier, sent Sir Harry Smith and his men to annex Natal. A struggle followed, during which the British suffered a number of casualties and lost two of their cannon. Dick King (a legend in the history of the Great Trek in South Africa) escaped on horseback, and astonishingly, it took him only six days to reach Grahamstown. The British sent reinforcements and the Voortrekkers were forced to retreat to Pietermaritzburg. On 12 May 1843, Natal became a British colony and most of the Voortrekkers chose to return to the Free State and the Transvaal. The Voortrekkers in the Transvaal,... Voortrekker family settling down on their new land The Great Trek in South Africa After being attacked by Chief Mzilikazi and his Matabele army, the Voortrekkers in the Transvaal moved back to Thaba Nchu under the leadership of Andries Potgieter. In two attacks against Mzilikazi, one a counter-attack and the second a precautionary attack, the Matabele were defeated and Potgieter and his followers thought it safe to remain in Transvaal. Soon after, Potgieter gave in to pressure and moved to Natal, but soon returned to the Transvaal where he founded the town of Potchefstroom. He proclaimed the district as the Republic of Winburg-Potchefstroom. From here, the Voortrekkers moved to Marico and Rustenburg. Potgieter and his people wanted to move as far away from the Cape as possible and in the process, other towns such as Ohrigstad and Lydenburg were founded. Conflict arose between Potgieter and another group and Potgieter moved even further north and founded the town of Schoemansdal. Some of the Voortrekkers who had fled to northern Natal after the British occupation, asked to be incorporated into the ZAR (the South African Republic) as the Transvaal had been named. In order to do this, the land on which the town of Utrecht was founded, had to be bought from Zulu king Mpande. Britain did not recognise the independence of Transvaal, but made no attempt at annexation. The reason for its inactivity was the hostile attitude of certain black tribes towards Britain and also the fact that war was looming in Europe. On 17 January 1852, the Sand River Convention was signed between Britain and the Transvaal Republic. It was the first time that Britain had acknowledged the independence of a Voortrekker Republic. The Voortrekkers in the Orange Free State,... The Voortrekker monument in Pretoria in commemoration of the Voortrekkers The Great Trek in South Africa Long before the Great Trek in South Africa started, the "Trek Boers" had already moved into the area that would come to be known as the Free State, as early as the 17th and 18th centuries. At the start of the 19th century there were already different groups present in the area. Some of these groups were the Basotho (under leadership of Moshweshwe, the Griqua (under Adam Kok), the Batlokwa, the Bataung and the Barolong. The area that became known as Trans Orangia was situated between the Orange and the Vet Rivers. Many of the Trek boers settled in the Phillippolis area, where Adam Kok rented land to them. The Trek boers considered themselves British subjects but, when the Voortrekkers passed through the area, some Trek boers joined them while others chose to remain. When the Potgieter trek arrived at Thaba Nchu in 1836, Potgieter made an arrangement with Makwana, chief of the Bataung, that, in exchange for cattle and protection against Mzilikazi, Potgieter would be given land in an area between the Vet and Vaal Rivers. This area became known as Winburg. When Retief arrived, it was decided that the Trekkers should move to Natal. Potgieter eventually agreed, but he moved back to Winburg after his defeat at Italeni by Dingane. He later also founded Potchefstroom, a town next to the Mooi River. Potgieter linked the towns of Winburg and Potchefstroom by declaring the Winburg Potchefstroom Republic. The Vet River divided the area between the Vaal River and the Orange River. The southern part became known as Trans-Orangia and the Northern area formed part of the Winburg - Potchefstroom Republic. The Voortrekkers had to travel across wild country, negotiating rivers, mountains and gorges The Great Trek in South Africa The Vet River divided the area between the Vaal River and the Orange River. The southern part became known as Trans-Orangia and the Northern area formed part of the Winburg - Potchefstroom Republic. Jan Mocke and Jan Kok were the leaders of the Voortrekkers who lived in the vicinity of the Vet River. After the annexation of Natal, their numbers increased because many people who were not prepared to submit to British rule moved back to the area. In Trans-Orangia, however, the Trek boers, under the leadership of Machiel Oberholzer, wished to remain under British authority. Oberholzer therefore informed the judge at Colesberg of the plans of the upper region to establish a republic. Without consulting the British government, the judge immediately annexed the area but the British government would not ratify the annexation. When Sir Harry Smith became governor of the Cape Colony in 1847 long after the Great Trek in South Africa had fizzled out, he wanted to annex the territory as far as the Vaal River. He informed the British government that the majority of the people living in the area strongly supported such an annexation, which was not true. Typical Voortrekker wagon on display at the Voortrekker monument museum The Great Trek in South Africa However, Smith went ahead and annexed the area up to the Vaal River and called it the Orange River Sovereignty. The citizens of Winburg revolted but were defeated at Boomplaats by Smith’s soldiers. Potgieter was outlawed and magistrates were appointed in the districts of Bloemfontein, Winburg and the Vaal River. The Battle of Boomplaats disturbed the British government because it cost a lot of money and proved that many of the inhabitants were opposed to the annexation. The Basotho under Moshweshwe were one of the dissatisfied groups and in 1854 they defeated a British armed force sent to punish them for their raids. The British government was of the opinion that since the independence of Transvaal had been recognised in 1852, there was no reason why the same could not be done for the Orange Free State. When the Basotho defeated another British force in the area of Berea, Britain decided to officially recognise the Republic of the Orange Free State. On 23 February 1854, the Bloemfontein Convention was signed and the area between the Vaal and Orange Rivers officially became the Republic of the Orange Free State. With the Independence of the republics Transvaal and Free State, the Voortrekkers saw their dreams come true. Dreams of freedom, independence and self-government that had moved them to embark upon the Great trek in south Africa. SHORT INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE GREAT TREK Introduction The Great Trek was a very important event in the history of South Africa. It came about because of disagreements between British and Afrikaner settlers in the colony known as the Cape Colony. As a result of the disagreements, many Afrikaner farmers moved away from the Cape Colony and established their own colonies. This was a first step in establishing their independence from Britain and forming their own country. The farmers would later be called Voortrekkers, or “early migrants.” Background In the 1830s, Afrikaner farmers in the eastern part of the Cape Colony (now Eastern Cape) were unhappy. They were descendants of Dutch settlers who had first landed in the area in 1652. The British had taken over the colony in the early 1800s, and the Afrikaners did not like the change. They were also unhappy about cattle theft by the Xhosa, a group of people who lived nearby. Journey to Independence The Great Trek began in 1835. More than 10,000 farmers left the Cape Colony. They took about 10,000 black workers and large herds of cattle with them. The farmers mostly traveled by horse and ox wagon. They were armed with muzzle-loading guns. The most well-known leaders were Piet Retief, Gerrit Maritz, and Andries Pretorius. There were many battles between the Voortrekkers and black tribes during the Great Trek. The main tribes were the Ndebele (beyond the Vaal River) and the Zulu tribes in Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal). The Zulu king Dingane had Piet Retief and his men killed. Later, other Voortrekkers were also killed by the Zulus. The Voortrekkers recovered from those setbacks. The most famous battle between the Voortrekkers and the Zulu took place on December 16, 1838. In what became known as the Battle of Blood River, more than 3,000 Zulu warriors were killed. The Voortrekkers eventually defeated the Ndebele and the Zulus. Then they were able to set up their own republics, or places where they could live and make their own laws. But their republics were taken over by Britain. Their battles ended only when the Voortrekker republics in the Orange Free State and Transvaal were recognized as independent states by Britain in the 1850s. That meant that the Voortrekkers were free to establish their own governments in those places. Andries Pretorius was a leader of the Boers of southern Africa. Pretorius helped to gain independence for the Transvaal, a Boer republic. The city of Pretoria, South Africa,... Piet Retief was one of the leaders of the Boers during the Great Trek in the 1830s. The Boers were mostly descendants of early Dutch settlers. They undertook the Great Trek... A long journey to a new home is called a migration. Migrating animals generally go back and forth between summer and winter homes. When people migrate, however, they often... Voortrekkers were a group of European settlers in what is now South Africa. The word Voortrekkers means “those who trek ahead.” They were called Voortrekkers because they... South Africa is the southernmost country on the continent of Africa. It has three capital cities: Pretoria (Tshwane), Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. They each are home to a... Dingane was one of the most famous kings of the Zulu people of South Africa. He was king of the Zulus from 1828 to 1840. Dingane was born in about 1795. He was the son of... World War II started in 1939. By the time it ended in 1945, the war involved nearly every part of the world. The two sides that fought the war were called the Axis powers and... The Cape Frontier Wars were a series of wars between European colonists and the Xhosa people of southern Africa. Nine wars took place between 1779 and 1878. They were fought... The Battle of Blood River took place on December 16, 1838, in what is now South Africa. On that day a group of European settlers called Voortrekkers defeated an army of Zulu... The countries that won World War I (1914–18) set up an organization called the League of Nations. They wanted the League to be a place where countries could settle... Jacob Zuma is a politician who served as the president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. He also served as president of his party, the African National Congress (ANC). Early... In the South African War (also called the Boer War or the Second Boer War), British and Boer forces fought for control of what is now South Africa. The war lasted from 1899... Nelson Mandela spent almost 30 years in prison for fighting against apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was a government policy that separated people of different races.... About one third of the world’s population lives in the member countries of the Commonwealth, or Commonwealth of Nations. The organization was formerly known as the British... The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was created in South Africa in 1995, after the end of apartheid. It was established by the country’s parliament. The main task... Jan Smuts was a South African soldier, politician, and prime minister. He was also a scholar and naturalist. During the Anglo-Boer War he fought against the British forces in... The Soweto Uprising of 1976 was a major protest against apartheid in South Africa. It began as a march by black schoolchildren. The students were unhappy because schools in... The metal gold has been considered valuable for centuries. At times people have discovered places where gold can be dug out of the ground. This has created a gold rush, when... Desmond Tutu was a religious leader in South Africa. His protests helped to bring an end to South Africa’s apartheid laws. Apartheid was a system that kept blacks separate... Thabo Mbeki is a South African politician. He served as president of South Africa from 1999 to 2008. He was also president of the African National Congress (ANC) for two... Mangosuthu Buthelezi Mangosuthu Buthelezi was a South African politician. He was the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). He was also a Zulu chief and a prince in the Zulu royal family.... The Anglo-Zulu War, or Zulu War, was fought between Great Britain and the Zulu people of southern Africa in 1879. The British won the war. Their victory allowed them to take... F.W. de Klerk was the president of South Africa from 1989 to 1994. He helped to end apartheid and to make South Africa a democratic country in which people of all races are... Steve Biko was a founder of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa. The movement encouraged black South Africans to be proud of their culture and to stand up for... Kgalema Motlanthe is a South African politician. He served as president of South Africa during 2008–09. He was named deputy president of South Africa in 2009. Motlanthe was... Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd H.F. Verwoerd was a South African professor and politician. He served as prime minister of South Africa from 1958 to 1966. He also helped create the policy of apartheid.... BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

General De la Rey General De la Rey releases General Lord Methuen after his wounds are treated 8 March 1902 References South African History Online, ‘Anglo-Boer War 2: Gen. De la Rey defeats and captures Gen. Methuen in the Battle of Tweebosch (or De Klipdrift) in Western Tran’ , [online] available at www.sahistory.org.za (Accessed: 13 February 2013)| Boddy-Evans, A. ‘This Day in African History: 8 March’ , from About African History, [online], available at africanhistory.about.com (Accessed: 13 February 2013)| Melrose House, ‘The Guerrilla War, Part 3’ , [online], available at www.melrosehouse.co.za (Accessed: 13 February 2013) Towards the end of the Second South African War (Anglo-Boer War 2), General De La Rey released General Lord Methuen after his wounds were treated. After only travelling 29 kilometres Methuen's party was once again taken - De La Rey had been forced to reverse his decision by the burghers of his Commando. General Methuen was defeated and captured by General De La Rey on 7 March 1902 in the Battle of Tweebosch (or De Klipdrift), Western Transvaal. This was the last important battle won by the Boer forces. Methuen and more than 870 soldiers were captured. General De la Rey protests British mistreatment of women and children 16 August 1901 References Wessels. A.c., "General De la Rey protests British mistreatment of women and children ",from women24,[Online], available at blogs.women24.com [Accessed: 14 August 2013]| Anglo-Boer War. [online] Available at: angloboerwar.com [Accessed 4 August 2009] The Anglo-Boer War broke out in 1899 and was the result of the British annexation of the Transvaal, soon after gold had been discovered in the region in 1886. The Boers made use of guerrilla tactics by sabotaging British supply wagons, while the British responded by burning down the farms that the Boers received their supplies from. This was known as the scorched earth policy and resulted in the destruction of over 30 000 Boer farm houses. Boer women and children, as well as their black servants, were taken to concentration camps, where they were met with appalling conditions, malnutrition, diseases and in many instances, death. The scorched earth policy had been implemented by March 1901. On 16 August 1901, De la Rey, a Boer general, had protested against the inhumane conditions to which women and children in the camps were being exposed. This cause was taken up by Emily Hobhouse, who campaigned for the closure of concentration camps and collected clothing, supplies and money to support Boer families at the end of the war. Around 26 000 Boer women and children, as well as 15 000 black people, died in concentration camps during the course of the Anglo-Boer War. The Treaty of Vereeniging, signed in May 1902, brought the closure of the concentration camps and an end to the inhumane treatment of Boer women and children at the hands of the British. Related: The Rise of Afrikaner Nationalism Anglo-Boer War 2: The Battle of Enslin or Graspan takes place, with the burghers under General De la Rey and Commandant Lubbe Anglo-Boer War 2 -ZAR General De la Rey arrests ex-General Schoeman on his farm near Pretoria for refusing to obey an order to General De la Rey protests the British mistreatment of women and children. National Party (NP) The first leader of the National Party (NP) became Prime Minister as part of the PACT government in 1924. The NP was the governing party of South Africa from 1948 until 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a South African Republic, and the promotion of Afrikaner culture. NP members were sometimes known as ‘Nationalists’ or ‘Nats’. The feature includes a history of the National party, broken down into sections, according to significant periods of the NP’s history. An archive section listing and linking to relevant speeches, articles, documents and interviews. Featured is also a people section that lists all of the key figures and members of the NP, with links to their relevant biographies. A history of the National Party Founding and ideology (1910-1914) In 1910 the Union of South Africa was established, and the previously separate colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange Free State became provinces in the Union. However, the union was established with dominion status, which effectively meant that South Africa was no longer a colony, but it was not independent and could not leave the empire or ignore the monarchy. After the 1910 elections Louis Botha became the first prime minister of the Union, and headed the South African Party (SAP) - an amalgam of Afrikaner parties that advocated close cooperation between Afrikaners and persons of British descent. The founder of the NP, General JBM Hertzog, was a member of the Union Government, and was fiercely and publicly nationalistic. This offended English-speaking South Africans and stood in opposition to Botha’s policies of national unity. However, many Afrikaans people saw Hertzog as their representative and many important Afrikaans political and cultural leaders supported him- particularly people from the Orange Free State and the Cape. Hertzog often publicly disagreed with the opinions of his fellow leaders of the SAP, in particular, those of Prime Minister Louis Botha and General Jan Smuts. He promoted South Africa’s interests above Britain’s and saw English and Afrikaans South Africans developing in two parallel, but separate, cultural streams. Some enthusiastic supporters of the British Empire’s presence in South Africa described him as anti-British, and called for his removal from government. Some even decided to resign rather than work with him- while he refused to leave his position. In May 1913, his Orange Free State supporters in the SAP insisted on his inclusion in the cabinet at the SAP Free State Congress, while the Transvaal members who supported Botha thought he should be excluded. At the national SAP Congress in November 1913, in Cape Town, Botha won enough support to keep Hertzog out of the cabinet. This was the last straw for Hertzog and he left the SAP to form the National Party. From 1 to 9 January 1914, Hertzog’s supporters met in Bloemfontein to form the National Party, and to lay down its principles. The main aim was to direct the people’s ambitions and beliefs along Christian lines towards an independent South Africa. Political freedom from Britain was essential to the NP, but the party was prepared to maintain the current relationship with the Empire. They also insisted on equality of the two official languages, English and Dutch. Since Hertzog’s policies were orientated towards Afrikaner nationalism, most of his supporters were Afrikaans people. On 1 July 1914 the National Party of the Orange Free State was born and on 26 August the Transvaal followed. The Cape National Party was founded on 9 June 1915. The NP did not have a regular mouthpiece to promote its policies and campaigns like the SAP’s Ons Land newspaper in Cape Town and De Volkstem in Pretoria. Die Burger newspaper was therefore created in the Cape on 26 July 1915 for this specific purpose, with D. F. Malan as editor. The National Party strengthens (1914-1923) Most Afrikaners were against South African participation in World War 1 on the side of the British. Therefore, when South Africa was asked to invade German South West Africa (SWA) in August 1914 there was opposition from the ranks of the newly formed National Party (NP), and even from some who were part of the South African government. At their August congress the opposed invasion, and on 15 August there was a republican demonstration in Lichtenburg. Besides these protest efforts, it was agreed that South West Africa should be invaded. The economic depression after the war and dissatisfaction from Black South Africans and other extra-parliamentary groups made the SAP's rule more difficult. The main reason for black anger was Smuts' acceptance of the Stallard report that stated: ”It should be a recognised principle that natives (men, women and children) should only be permitted within municipal areas in so far and for as long as their presence is demanded by the wants of the white population. The masterless native in urban areas is a source of danger and a cause of degradation of both black and white. If the native is to be regarded as a permanent element in municipal areas there can be no justification for basing his exclusion from the franchise on the simple ground of colour.” (This report later led to the passing of the Natives (Urban Areas) Act no 21 of 1923). The Afrikaner opposition to WW1 proved to strengthen the, particularly after the death of General De la Rey (Afrikaners blamed Smuts and Botha). The death of General Louis Botha in 1919 pushed away more of the SAP supporters, and by the end of the Great War many of the SAP’s supporters had left the party and joined the. In the 1920 elections it became clear that the SAP would need the cooperation to form a combined cabinet, in order to maintain political stability. Members of both parties met at Robertson on 26 and 27 May 1920, and made a potential agreement. On 22 September the two parties met again, but they could not finalize an agreement. The main point of disagreement concerned South Africa’s relationship with Britain - Hertzog wanted independence, while Smuts was happy with the situation as it was. The Rand Rebellion of 1922 further strengthened the popularity, as it led to cooperation between the and the Labour Party (LP). The Rebellion was the result of severe labour unrest that had been simmering for some time. Both parties wanted to protect White labour, and decided to make a pact in April 1923 that would ensure that they would not oppose each other in the elections, and would support each other’s candidates in certain areas. This Pact resulted in the defeat of the SAP in the 27 June 1924 general elections. Afrikaans then became an official language and the country got a new flag. The Pact Government (1924-1938) After the Pact Government's 1924 election victory, South Africa had a new government. Hertzog was Prime Minister and also Minister of Native Affairs. His chief assistants were Tielman Roos (the leader of the National Party in the Transvaal), who was Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Justice. Dr D. F. Malan , who was the leader of the NP in the Cape, and became Minister of the Interior, Public Health and Education. Hertzog's close confidant, N. C. Havenga of the Orange Free State was made Minister of Finance. To express his gratitude to the Labour Party (for their help in getting him into power) Hertzog included two English-speaking Labour Party men in his cabinet, namely Colonel F. H. P. Creswell, as Minister of Defence, and T. Boydell, as Minister of Public Works, Posts and Telegraphs. The Hertzog government curtailed the electoral power of non-Whites, and furthered the system of allocating “reserved” areas for Blacks as their permanent homes- while regulating their movements in the remainder of the country. In 1926 South Africa’s position in relation to Britain was made clear in the Balfour Declaration, drawn up at the Imperial Conference of the same year. The Declaration became a law in 1931 with the Statute of Westminster, and the Pact Government’s greatest progress was made in industrial legislation and economy. Its protection of White workers and strict control over industry removed all problems in mines and factories, and these industries grew enormously . The Pact Government managed to keep the white voters happy, and five years later in the 1929 election, they were able to win again - therefore securing a second term, from 1929 to 1934. After the 1929 election Hertzog still gave his Pact partner, the LP, some representation in the new cabinet - with Colonel F. H. P. Creswell keeping the portfolios of Defence and Labour, while H. W. Sampson was named Minister of Posts and Telegraphs. The rest of the cabinet was made up of NP members, who gradually laid more and more stress on republican independence and Afrikaner identity. The Great Depression, from 1930 to 1933, made the government’s rule difficult. Britain left the gold standard on 21 September 1931, and Tielman Roos returned to politics in 1932 to oppose Hertzog in his position to retain the gold standard. His campaign was successful and the government met their demand. Over time, the difference between the NP and SAP became smaller, and in 1933 the two parties merged to form a coalition government. The two parties were named the United Party (UP) in 1934, but D. F. Malan and his Cape NP refused to join. He remained independent to form the new opposition, which was called the Purified National Party (PNP). The outbreak of World War II in 1939 caused an internal split in the UP. Hertzog wanted to remain neutral in the war and by winning a crucial vote in parliament (September 1939), Smuts became prime minister again and brought South Africa into the war on the British (Allied) side. Hertzog then returned to the NP, which was reformed as the Herenigde Nasionale Party (HNP) [Reformed National Party] on 29 Jan 1940. Hertzog was the party’s leader, with Malan as his deputy. NP Ascendancy and Apartheid (1939-1950s) The split decision in 1939 to take South Africa into the war, and the disruption the war effort, caused Afrikaners to be seriously alienated from the UP. By 1948 there was growing irritation with wartime restrictions that were still in place, and living costs had increased sharply. White farmers in the northern provinces were particularly unhappy that Black labourers were leaving farms and moving to the cities, and therefore demanded the strict application of pass laws. In the election of 26 May 1948, D.F. Malan's National Party, in alliance with N.C. Havenga's Afrikaner Party, won with a razor-thin majority of five seats and only 40% of the overall electoral vote. The alliance was formed during the war from General Hertzog's core support Malan said after the election: “Today South Africa belongs to us once more. South Africa is our own for the first time since Union, and may God grant that it will always remain our own.” When Malan said that South Africa “belonged” to the Afrikaners he did not have the white-black struggle in mind, but rather the rivalry between the Afrikaner and the English community. After the 1948 election, The NP that came to power was effectively two parties rolled into one. The one was a party for white supremacy that introduced apartheid and promised the electorate that it would secure the political future of whites; the other was a nationalist party that sought to mobilise the Afrikaner community by appealing to Afrikaans culture i.e. their beliefs, prejudices and moral convictions- establishing a sense of common history, and shared hopes and fears for the future. Immediately after the 1948 election, the government began to remove any remaining symbols of the historic British ascendancy. It abolished British citizenship and the right of appeal to the Privy Council (1950). It scrapped God Save the Queen as one of the naÂtional anthems, removed the Union Jack as one of the national ensigns (1957) and took over the naval base in Simon's Town from the Royal Navy (1957). The removal of these symbols of dual citizenship was seen as a victory for Afrikaner nationalism. The NP's advance was the story of a people on the move, filled with enthusiasm about the 'Afrikaner cause'- putting their imprint on the state, defining its symbols, and giving their schools and universities a pronounced Afrikaans character. Political power steadily enhanced their social self-confidence. In the world of big business Rembrandt, Sanlam, Volkskas and other Afrikaner enterprises soon began to earn the respect of their English rivals. However, apartheid policy steadily marginalised ethnic groups, and undermined their culture of and pride in their achievements. For others it seemed as if the Afrikaners were obsessed with fears about their own survival, and did not care about the damage and the hurt that apartheid inflicted upon others in a far weaker position. The novelist Alan Paton made this comment about Afrikaner nationalism: “It is one of the deep mysteries of Afrikaner nationalist psychology that a Nationalist can observe the highest standards toÂwards his own kind, but can observe an entirely different standard towards others, and more especially if they are not White.” Malan was prime minister from 1948 to 1954, and was directly succeeded by J.G. Strijdom as leader and prime minister. This signalled the new dominance of the Transvaal in the NP caucus. Later, in the 1958 election, the NP won 103 seats and the UP just 53, with H. F. Verwoerd elected as the new Prime Minister. The elected government greatly strengthened white control of the country, and apartheid rested on several bases. The most important were the restriction of all power to Whites, racial classification and racial sex laws. Laws also allocated group areas for each raÂcial community, segregated schools and universities, and eliminated integrated public facilities and sport. Whites were protected in the labour market, and a system of influx control that stemmed from Black urbanization lead to the creation of designated 'homelands' for Blacks. This was the basis for preventing them from demanding rights in the common area (timeline of Apartheid legislation ). Black South Africans had long protested their inferior treatment through organizations such as the African National Congress (ANC; founded in 1912) and the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union of Africa (founded 1919 by Clements Kadalie ). In the 1950s and early 1960s there were various protests against the National Party's policies, involving passive resistance and the burning of passbooks. In 1960, a peaceful anti- pass law protest in Sharpeville (near Johannesburg) ended when police opened fire, massacring 70 protesters and wounding about 190 others. This protest was organized by the Pan-Africanist Congress (an offshoot of the ANC). In the 1960s most leaders (including ANC leaders Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu ) who opposed apartheid were either in jail or living in exile, while the government proceeded with its plans to segregate blacks on a more permanent basis. (Liberation Struggle in the 1960s). What the 1948 government meant to the English-speaking White population? While retaining their economic dominance, English-speakers continued to hold the key to future domestic fixed investment, and to foreign fixed investment. By 1948 the per capita income of English-speakers was more than double that of Afrikaners, and their level of eduÂcation was much higher. They also identified with a culture that was vastly richer and more diverse than Afrikaans culture. After the 1948 election the English community in South Africa found itself in the political wilderness. Patrick Duncan , son of a South African governor-general, wrote: “English South Africans are today in the power of their adversaries. They are the only English group of any size in the world today that is, and will remain for some time, a ruled, subordinated minority. They are beginning to know what the great majority of all South Africans have always known - what it is to be second-class citizens in the land of one's birth.” For English-speaking business leaders, the NP victory came as a major shock, as the Smuts government had been ideal for English business. After 1948, English business leaders contributed substantially to the United South African Trust Fund that funded the UP- with a view to unseating the NP government. Ernest Oppenheimer , the magnate controlling the giant conglomerate Anglo American Corporation, was the main donor. However, business was hardly liberal, and this fund refused to back the Liberal Party that Alan Paton had helped to form after the 1953 election - which propagated a programme of a multi-racial democracy based on universal franchise. By the mid-1950s, English business leaders were beginning to accept the status quo, and were working with the government. Manufacturers enthusiastically welcomed the government's policy of promoting growth and boosting import substitution through protection. Mining magnates reaped the benefits of a very cheap, docile labour force, while blaming the government for the system. International reactions to the results of the 1948 election and the introduction of apartheid The result of the 1948 election dismayed Britain, South Africa's principal foreign investor and trading partner. But with the shadow of the Cold War falling over the world, the priority for Western governments was to prevent South Africa, with its minerals and strategic location, from falling under communist influence. The British Labour government under Clement Attlee concluded that this aspect was more important than its revulsion for apartheid. He would soon offer South Africa access to the intelligence secrets of Britain and the United States. In the southern states of America, segregation still held sway. A survey in 1942 found that only 2% of whites favoured school integration, only 12% residential integration, and only one-fifth thought the intelligence of blacks was on the same level as that of whites. Even among northern whites only 30-40% supported racial integration. The West did not insist on a popular democracy in South Africa, arguing that such a system was impossible for the time being. During the 1950s it was not uncommon for Western leaders to express racist views. In 1951 Herbert Morrison, foreign secretary in the British Labour government, regarded independence for African colonies as comparÂable to “giving a child often a latch-key, a bank account and a shotgun”. Still, the defeat of Nazi Germany and the horror of the Holocaust had discredited racial ideologies, and speeded up pressure for racial integration, particularly in the United States. The granting of independence to India in 1947 was a major turning point in world history that intensified the pressure to grant subordinated ethnic groups their freedom. The General Assembly of the United Nations became an effective platform for the nations of the Third World to vent their anger over centuries of Western domination, and apartheid soon became the focus of their wrath. The Republic of South Africa and Racial Strife (1960-1984) One of these goals was achieved in 1960, when the White population voted in a referendum to sever South Africa's ties with the British Monarchy, and establish a republic. On 5 October 1960 South African whites were asked: “Do you support a republic for the Union?”. The result showed just over 52 per cent in favour of the change. The opposition United Party actively campaigned for a “No” vote, while the smaller Progressive Party appealed to supporters of the proposed change to “reject this republic”, arguing that South Africa's membership of the Commonwealth, with which it had privileged trade links, would be threatened. The National Party had not ruled out continued membership after the country became a republic, but the Commonwealth now had new Asian and African members who saw the apartheid regime's membership as an affront to the organisation's democratic principles. Consequently, South Africa left the Commonwealth on becoming a republic. When the Republic of South Africa was declared on May 31, 1961, Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be head of state, and the last Governor General of the Union took office as the first State President. Charles Robberts Swart , the last Governor-General, was sworn in as the first State President (see “People”section for more detail about this position). The State President performed mainly ceremonial duties and the ruling National Party decided against having an executive presidency, instead adopting a minimalist approach - a conciliatory gesture to English-speaking whites who were opposed to a republic. Like Governor-Generals before them, State Presidents were retired National Party ministers, and consequently, white, Afrikaner, and male. Therefore, HF Verwoerd remained on as the Prime Minister of the country. In 1966, Prime Minister Verwoerd was assassinated by a discontented White government employee, and B.J. Vorster became the new Prime Minister. From the late 1960s, the Vorster government began attempts to start a dialogue on racial and other matters with independent African nations. These attempts met with little success, except for the establishment of diplomatic relations with Malawi and the adjacent nations of Lesotho, Botswana, and Swaziland - all of which were economically dependent on South Africa. South Africa was strongly opposed to the establishment of Black rule in the White-dominated countries of Angola, Mozambique, and Rhodesia, and gave military assistance to Whites there. However, by late 1974, with independence for Angola and Mozambique under majority rule imminent, South Africa faced the prospect of further isolation from the international community - as one of the few remaining White-ruled nations of Africa. In the early 1970s, increasing numbers of whites (especially students) protested apartheid, and the National party itself was divided, largely on questions of race relations, into the somewhat liberal verligte [Afrikaans=enlightened] faction and the conservative verkrampte [Afrikaans,=narrow-minded] group. In the early 1970s, black workers staged strikes and violently revolted against their inferior conditions. South Africa invaded Angola in 1975 in an attempt to crush mounting opposition in exile, but the action was a complete failure. In 1976, open rebellion erupted in the black township of Soweto, in protest against the use of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in Black schools. Over the next few months, rioting spread to other large cities of South Africa, which resulted in the deaths of more than 600 Black people. In 1977, the death of Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko in police custody (under suspicious circumstances) prompted protests and sanctions. The National Party increased its parliamentary majority in almost every election between 1948 and 1977, and despite all the protest against apartheid, the National Party got its best-ever result in the 1977 elections with support of 64.8% of the White voters and 134 seats in parliament out of 165. Pieter Willem Botha became prime minister in 1978, and pledged to uphold apartheid as well as improve race relations. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the government granted “independence” to four homelands: Transkei (1976), Bophuthatswana (1977), Venda (1979), and Ciskei (1981). In the early 1980s, as the regime hotly debated the extent of reforms, Botha began to reform some of the apartheid policies. He legalised interracial marriages and multiracial political parties, and relaxed the Group Areas Act. In 1984, a new constitution was enacted which provided for a Tricameral Parliament. The new Parliament included the House of Representatives, comprised of Coloureds; the House of Delegates, comprised of Indians; and the House of Assembly, comprised of Whites. This system left the Whites with more seats in the Parliament than the Indians and Coloureds combined. Blacks violently protested being shut out of the system, and the ANC and PAC, both of whom had traditionally used non-violent means to protest inequality, began to advocate more extreme measures (Umkhonto we Sizwe and the turn to the armed struggle) . Regime Unravels (1985-1991) As attacks against police stations and other government installations increased, the regime announced an indefinite state of emergency in 1985. In 1986, Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu , a black South African leader opposing apartheid, addressed the United Nations and urged further sanctions against South Africa. A wave of strikes and riots marked the 10th anniversary of the Soweto uprising in 1987. In 1989, in the midst of rising political instability, growing economic problems and diplomatic isolation, President Botha fell ill and was succeeded, first as party leader, then as president, by F. W. de Klerk . Although a conservative, de Klerk realised the impracticality of maintaining apartheid forever, and soon after taking power, he decided that it would be better to negotiate while there was still time to reach a compromise, than to hold out until forced to negotiate on less favourable terms. He therefore persuaded the National Party to enter into negotiations with representatives of the Black community. Late in 1989, the National Party won the most bitterly contested election in decades, pledging to negotiate an end to the apartheid system that it had established. Early in 1990 de Klerk's government began relaxing apartheid restrictions. The African National Congress (ANC) and other liberation organisations were legalized and Nelson Mandela was released after twenty-seven years of imprisonment. In late 1991 the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) , a multiracial forum set up by de Klerk and Mandela, began efforts to negotiate a new constitution, and a transition to a multiracial democracy with majority rule. In March 1992, voters endorsed constitutional reform efforts by a wide margin in a referendum open only to Whites. However, there was continued violent protests from opponents of the process, especially by supporters of Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi , leader of the Zulu-based Inkatha movement - with the backing and sometimes active participation of the South African security forces. The New South Africa and the New National Party (1993-2005) Despite obstacles and delays, an interim constitution was completed in 1993. This ended nearly three centuries of white rule in South Africa, and marked the eradication of white-minority rule on the African continent. A 32-member multiparty transitional government council was formed with blacks in the majority, and in April 1994, days after the Inkatha Freedom party ended an electoral boycott, the republic's first multiracial election was held. The ANC won an overwhelming victory, and Nelson Mandela became president. South Africa also rejoined the Commonwealth in 1994 and relinquished its last hold in Namibia, by ceding the exclave of Walvis Bay . In 1994 and 1995, the last vestiges of apartheid were dismantled, and a new national constitution was approved and adopted in May 1996. It provided for a strong presidency and eliminated provisions guaranteeing White-led and other minority party representation in the government. De Klerk and the National party supported the new charter, despite disagreement over some provisions. Shortly afterward, de Klerk and the National party quit the national unity government to become part of the opposition- the New National party after 1998. The new government faced the daunting task of trying to address the inequities produced by decades of apartheid, while promoting privatization and a favourable investment climate. The liberal Democratic party became the leading opposition party, and in 2000 it joined forces with the New National Party to form the Democratic Alliance (DA). That coalition, however, survived only until late 2001, when the New National party left to form a coalition with the ANC. Parliamentary elections in April 2004, resulted in a resounding victory for the ANC, which won nearly 70% of the vote, while the DA remained the largest opposition party and increased its share of the vote. The new parliament subsequently re-elected President Mbeki. As a result of its poor showing, the New National party merged with the ANC, and voted to disband in April 2005. Further Reading What won the NP the 1948 election? by Hermann Giliomee, PoliticsWeb, 22 October 2020 … parties that advocated close cooperation between Afrikaners and persons of British descent. The founder of the NP, General JBM Hertzog, was a member of the Union Government, and was fiercely and publicly nationalistic. This offended … did not have a regular mouthpiece to promote its policies and campaigns like the SAP’s Ons Land newspaper in Cape Town and De Volkstem in Pretoria. Die Burger newspaper was therefore created in the Cape on 26 July 1915 for this specific purpose, … Act no 21 of 1923). The Afrikaner opposition to WW1 proved to strengthen the, particularly after the death of GeneralDelaRey (Afrikaners blamed Smuts and Botha). The death of General Louis Botha in 1919 pushed away more of the SAP supporters, … Christiaan Rudolf De Wet Christiaan de Wet was born at Leeuwkop near Smithfield, Orange Free State, on 7 October 1854. He received little formal education, spending his days helping his father in the management of the farm Nuwejaarsfontein, near the present town of Dewetsdorp. At the age of nineteen, he married Cornelia Margaretha Kruger, a woman of strong character. They were to have sixteen children. Upon the annexation of the Transvaal in 1877, he moved to the Vredefort district in the Orange Free State, then to Weltevreden near the present village of Koppies, and from there to Rietfontein in the Heidelberg district (Transvaal), in 1880. De Wet was twenty-seven when the First Anglo-Boer War broke out in 1880. He fought with the Heidelberg Commando, taking part in the Battle of Laing's Nek, where he displayed courage at Ingogo and in the storming of Majuba in early 1881. After the war and the restoration of Transvaal independence, he was elected a veld-cornet. In 1882, the family moved again, this time to the farm Suikerboskop in the Lydenburg district. Elected to the Transvaal Volksraad in 1885, he only attended one session because he decided to buy his father's farm, Nuwejaarsfontein, and the family moved back to the Orange Free State. In 1896, he was to move once more, this time to the farm Rooipoort in the Heilbron district. In 1889, he was elected to the Free State's Volksraad and represented Upper Modder River until 1898. Expecting the outbreak of war in 1899, De Wet, then forty-five, prepared for the hardships to come. Among other things, he bought Fleur, the white Arab horse that was to carry him steadfastly through many battles and across thousands of miles on the veld. On 2 October 1899, De Wet and his eldest son, Kotie, were called up as ordinary burghers in the Heilbron commando. De Wet's sons, Izak and Christiaan enlisted as volunteers and the four of them reported for duty under Commandant Lucas Steenekamp. In March and April 1900 De Wet launched an offensive that heralded the Boer revival. Attacking south-eastwards, in the guerrilla style for which he was to become legendary. In order to decide whether to continue the war or to accept the British terms the Boer leaders called a conference of sixty representatives of the Transvaal and Orange Free State to be held at Vereeniging on 15 May. With Steyn ill, De Wet, as Acting President, represented the Free State. De Wet said he was prepared to carry on the struggle beside President Steyn to the bitter end. The Treaty of Vereeniging was the result of the Boer discussions. With his family, De Wet returned to his ruined farm, Rooipoort. In July 1902, leaving his wife and children in a tent on the farm, he left for Europe with Botha and De la Rey to try to raise funds for the widows and orphans impoverished by the war. On board ship, the Reverend J D Kestell assisted him in the prodigious effort of writing his war memoirs, De Strijd Tusschen Boer en Brit (subsequently published in English as Three Years War). The book was an overwhelming success and was later translated into at least six languages.On his return, De Wet played an important part in the movement to counter Milnerism in the Free State, which culminated in the establishment of the Orangia Unie in 1906. When the Orange River Sovereignty was granted self-Government in 1907, De Wet was elected the member for Vredefort and became Abraham Fischer's Minister of Agriculture. He was a delegate to the National Convention of 1908-09, which met to decide on the Constitution of the Union of South Africa. He left politics after Union in 1910 and went to live at Allanvale, near Memel, where he was nominated to the Union Defence Board. A supporter of Hertzog, his fiery personality came to the fore when he made his famous 'dunghill' speech in Pretoria on 28 December 1912. The following year he resigned from the Defence Board. In 1914, when De Wet and Hertzog founded the National Party, the political divisions between Afrikaners grew wider. In mid-August 1914, a number of prominent Boer War leaders were in contact with each other. They were: General de la Rey, now a Government senator, Lieutenant-Colonel 'Manie' Maritz, who was in command of the Union forces near the border of South West Africa, General Beyers, the commander of the Active Citizen Force, General Kemp, the commander of the Potchefstroom military camp, and General De Wet. Wanting no part in 'England's wars', they opposed South African participation in World War I and the proposed invasion of German South West Africa by South African forces. According to subsequent statements of the participants, these leaders saw an opportunity of regaining the independence they had so dearly lost twelve years earlier and were planning a coup d'etat, which was to take place on the South West African border, in the Free State and at Potchefstroom. Beyers had arranged to meet Governor Seitz of German South West Africa at the border. De la Rey was to address the soldiers in the camp at Potchefstroom. And Maritz was to defect to the Germans with his men. Beyers and Kemp both resigned their commissions. On 15 September Beyers set out to drive to Potchefstroom with General J.H. de la Rey. When they failed to stop at a roadblock at Langlaagte, a trooper opened fire and De la Rey was shot dead. After speaking at De la Rey's funeral in Lichtenburg, De Wet took part in a protest meeting in the town the following day. It was decided that he and others would try to persuade Botha and Smuts to abandon their plans to attack German South West Africa. But the deputation achieved nothing. Soon after De la Rey's funeral, Maritz defected to the German side with more than a thousand men. Kemp joined him. At Steenbokfontein on 29 October 1914, Beyers issued a declaration on behalf of himself and De Wet that they were to stage an armed protest. Afrikaners flocked to them, intending to march on Pretoria. The rebellion spread, inspired by De Wet who occupied towns and seized property in the north-eastern Free State where he commanded a great following. In total, more than 11,400 poorly equipped men rebelled. They were doomed to failure. Martial law was declared and Government troops were swiftly mustered to suppress the revolt. It took Botha one month. At Allemanskraal, De Wet's son Danie and several other rebels were killed. De Wet, who was grieving bitterly over his son, occupied Winburg. At Mushroom Valley, north-east of Bloemfontein, Botha completely surprised the poorly armed rebels. A short sharp skirmish showed they were no match for Botha and the Government troops. Twenty-two rebels and six of Botha's men were killed; the rest were captured or fled in every direction. With his family, De Wet returned to his ruined farm, Rooipoort. In July 1902, leaving his wife and children in a tent on the farm, he left for Europe with Botha and De la Rey to try to raise funds for the widows and orphans impoverished by the war. On board ship, the Reverend J D Kestell assisted him in the prodigious effort of writing his war memoirs, De Strijd Tusschen Boer en Brit (subsequently published in English as Three Years War). The book was an overwhelming success and was later translated into at least six languages. On his return, De Wet played an important part in the movement to counter Milnerism in the Free State, which culminated in the establishment of the Orangia Unie in 1906. When the Orange River Sovereignty was granted self-Government in 1907, De Wet was elected the member for Vredefort and became Abraham Fischer's Minister of Agriculture. He was a delegate to the National Convention of 1908-09, which met to decide on the Constitution of the Union of South Africa. He left politics after Union in 1910 and went to live at Allanvale, near Memel, where he was nominated to the Union Defence Board. A supporter of Hertzog, his fiery personality came to the fore when he made his famous 'dunghill' speech in Pretoria on 28 December 1912. The following year he resigned from the Defence Board. In 1914, when De Wet and Hertzog founded the National Party, the political divisions between Afrikaners grew wider 1, 400 poorly equipped men rebelled. They were doomed to failure. Ever the master of evasive tactics, De Wet managed to escape, only to be engaged in a fierce skirmish at Virginia station. Seeing it was useless to continue the fight, he instructed his burghers to accept Botha's favourable amnesty terms, while he and a handful of faithful followers headed towards the Kalahari Desert in a bid to join Maritz in South West Africa. On 30 November 1914, at Waterbury farm near Vryburg, an informer told Colonel G F Jordaan that the exhausted De Wet and his companions were hiding out in the district. Coen Brits set off after him with a posse of motorcars. For the first time in his life, De Wet was taken prisoner. "It was the motorcars that beat me," he said. And on hearing that his captors were Afrikaners, he remarked with a wry smile, "Well, thank God for that. Then the English never captured me!" De Wet was taken at once to the Johannesburg Fort, where together with other rebels he was imprisoned. Special courts were set up to try the rebels. De Wet got six years and a fine of £2,000. He expressed surprise at the leniency of his sentence. Within a short time the fine was collected from voluntary contributions, and after six months he was granted a reprieve. But imprisonment had seriously undermined his health. Shortly after his release, De Wet sold his farm Allanvale and settled near Edenburg for a few years. Then he moved for the last time to the farm Klipfontein, near Dewetsdorp. Although he was poor and a shadow of his former self, his spirit remained forceful; and an incessant flow of visitors found their way to his door to pay their respects to him. But, because of his illness, he made few public appearances. Nevertheless, when ex-President Steyn died in November 1916, De Wet paid tribute to his old friend and comrade-a-arms in a famous oration at the graveside. As he aged, De Wet became politically moderate, to the extent that he advised the inclusion of English-speaking citizens in political affairs; but he never forgave those who had collaborated during the Boer War De Wet progressively weakened and at length, on 3 February 1922, he died on his farm. General Smuts, who had become Prime Minister, cabled his widow: 'A prince and a great man has fallen today.' De Wet was given a state funeral in Bloemfontein and buried next to President Steyn and Emily Hobhouse at the foot of the memorial to the women and children who died in the concentration camps. On the hundredth anniversary of his birth, a bronze equestrian statue, by Coert Steynberg, was unveiled at the Raadzaal in Bloemfontein. Anglo-Boer War 2: The Battle of Silkaatsnek begins 11 July 1900 References Cloete, P G (2000). The Anglo-Boer War: a chronology. ABC Press, Cape Town, pg 169.| Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau).| Kormorant, (2009), ‘The Battle of Silkaatsnek 11 July 1990 - ARMAGEDDON OF THE MOUNTAIN ’, from Kormorant, 18 February [Online], Available at www.kormorant.co.za [Accessed: 10 July 2013] There is a pass in the Magaliesberg known as Silkaatsnek It was here that the two 12-pounder guns of 'O' Battery, Royal Horse Artillery (RHA), were placed and ultimately captured in the first battle of Silkaatsnek on 11 July 1900. After the fall of Pretoria on 5 June 1900, the British forces found themselves in command of most strategic points, but with enormously extended lines of communication. In the then 'Western Transvaal', communications were maintained through huge tracts of inhospitable country, which were difficult to fight in; rough hills, tenacious bushes and hard stony ground with infrequent sources of water, especially in the southern winter. Conditions were ideal for guerrilla warfare conducted by tough, unsophisticated fighters who were brought up as horsemen and marksmen, who knew the country intimately and who could adapt themselves to harsh conditions using the topography to their advantage. 11 July 1900 marked the beginning of this type of war with four Boer actions, of which the action of Silkaatsnek was but one of three successes, with resultant timely encouragement to Boer morale in the Western Transvaal, and dismay amongst English garrisons and outposts. General De la Rey had commanded the northern sector of the Boer forces at Diamond Hill. After this battle, De la Rey, who also commanded the Western Transvalers, fell back to the Bronkhorstspruit-Balmoral area. On lO July, De la Rey was travelling north of Silkaatsnek towards Rustenburg with some 200 men, when his scouts brought information that the Nek was lightly held and that the commanding shoulders of the Nek had been ignored. He decided to attack. De la Rey launched a three-pronged attack on the small British force commanded by Colonel HR Roberts. De la Rey personally lead the frontal assault from the north and sent two groups of 200 men to scale both shoulders of the pass, where the British had placed small pickÂets. The burghers surrounded and captured two British field-guns, but the British put up a gallant fight that lasted the entire day. Colonel Roberts surrendered the next morning. 23 British troops were killed, Colonel Roberts and 44 others were wounded and 189 (including the wounded) were captured. The Boers casualties are unknown, but De la Rey's nephew and his adjutant were both killed, and a known 8 men were wounded. The Boers captured two field-guns, a machine gun, a numÂber of rifles ammunition. De la Rey used these weapons to rearm several burghers who returned to duty. Read SAHO's Anglo-Boer war feature. Dwarsvlei, near Pretoria The Farm Dwarsvlei is situated 15 kilometres North of Krugersdorp, on the road to Hekpoort, past Sterkfontein of Archaeological fame. It is still Owned and Farmed by Descendants of the Oosthuizen family, the Voortrekkers who first Settled there. It was the scene of at least two almost forgotten clashes between the Boers and the British during the Anglo-Boer War (1899 - 1902) The first incident which took place here, on 11 July 1900, was a fierce Battle in which three Victoria Crosses were earned in circumstances initially remarkably similar to the Battle of Colenso, seven Months earlier, 15 December 1899. Amongst the Boer casualties was their Commander, Sarel Oosthuizen. The engagement was described by Major-General Smith-Dorrien as their 'most trying fight of the whole war'. Then, on 9 October 1900, a captain in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, Hugh Montague Trenchard, was ambushed and critically wounded outside the door of the Farmhouse in the second incident which occurred on the Farm, during the War. Trenchard survived to become 'one of the few great men, who can be said to have changed the course of History'. He became 'the father of the Royal Air Force and the Architect of modern air power', dictating the role of Aerial Bombing Warfare in both the First and Second World Wars. He fought Economic cuts to keep the Air Force, in existence between the wars and it is said that, 'without him, there would have been no Battle of Britain'. Today, only a short drive from Johannesburg, the tarred road to Hekpoort passes over the Battlefield of Dwarsvlei, but there is no indication of the events that took place there a Century ago. Not even a cartridge case remains to be seen, although the British alone fired 38 000 rounds that Day. The Farm and the Slope of the Witwatersberg to the North are now covered with invasive Wattle Trees, but the two Kopjes and the Hollow, beyond them remains open Veld, as it was a Century ago. Thus, the Panorama of the Battlefield can be easily surveyed. The positioning of the roads has changed slightly over time with the Hekpoort road to be to the West of the Kopjes, while the present tarred road follows the path between them taken by the guns. The Battle of Dwarsvlei, 11 July 1900- It was mid-Winter on the Highveld, Pretoria had fallen to the British, and General de la Rey had gathered the Burghers North of the Magaliesberg for the start of the guerrilla phase of the war. On that day, 11 July 1900, the British were engaged at four Places: Witpoort, East of Pretoria; Onderstepoort to the North; and Zilikat's Nek (Silkaatsnek) and Dwarsvlei in the West. The results of the actions at the last three sites was disastrous. The Gordon Highlanders and Shropshire Regiment under the Command of Major-General Smith-Dorrien were to leave Krugersdorp for Hekpoort in order to join the Scots Greys from Pretoria and link up with Baden-Powell at Olifantsnek, South of Rustenburg. The Force consisted of about 1 335 men, 597 Gordon Highlanders, 680 Shropshires, 34 Imperial Yeomanry with a Colt Gun, two Guns of the 78th Battery, three Ambulances and forty Wagons. The Track they followed is in very much in the same position as the Tarred Road is today, topping a Rise after about 15 km before dropping through an open Hollow and rising again to cross the Witwatersberg beyond. Here the Boers, mainly from the Krugersdorp Commando under Sarel Oosthuizen, opened fire on them from the high ground. The guns advanced between the two Kopjes to the open Ground and opened fire on the opposing Ridges while the Gordons took up positions on the Kopjes. As at Colenso, the Horse-Drawn Artillery, in their eagerness to come into action, had left the Infantry behind and found themselves in an exposed Position. They sent the limbers 600 Yards (548 metres) to the Rear, instead of taking advantage of the perfect cover provided by the Kopjes. The deadly Boer fire, from only 800 Yards (731 metres) away, soon took its toll and within half an hour, fourteen of the seventeen Gunners had been hit and the guns had been silenced. The section commander, Lieutenant Turner, although wounded three times, continued for some time to fire one of the guns himself. One of the limber teams, in endeavouring to remove a gun, had four horses shot and gave up the attempt, while the horses of the other had taken fright and bolted. Captain W E Gordon, with some Gordon Highlanders, then made a gallant but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to manhandle the guns. Captain D R Younger and three men were killed and seventeen were wounded in the attempt. For his efforts, Captain Gordon was awarded the Victoria Cross, while Captain Younger's award was only gazetted on 8 August 1902, as Posthumous Awards were not made at the time. Corporal J F Mackay had been recommended for the Victoria Cross at Doornkop on 29 May 1900 as well as on three other occasions, including Dwarsvlei, where he had dashed out from the safety of the right Kopje, hoisted Captain Younger on his back, and carried him behind the left Kopje under the concentrated fire of several hundred rifles. As the expected Scots Greys and two guns of the Royal Horse Artillery were pinned down and eventually Captured by De la Rey at Zilikat's Nek, Lord Roberts Signalled from Pretoria at 13.25 that the operation was to be cancelled and that the force must retire to Krugersdorp. Orders were issued for the withdrawal, but Lieutenant Turner, upon hearing of them from where he lay wounded next to the headquarters, burst out, 'Oh, you can't leave my guns!' Then, on Colonel Macbean's assurance that the Gordons could hold on all day, Smith-Dorrien cancelled the order. Skirmishing continued for the rest of the Day and the Transport, HQ and Ambulance all came under fire. At dusk, the Boers, with shouts of 'Voorwaarts, mense, voorwaarts!' (Forward, people, forward!), attempted to capture the guns. They were driven off with considerable losses, including their leader, Sarel Oosthuizen. He was wounded in the thigh and Died a Month later, on 14 August 1900. The British guns were recovered and both sides withdrew from the Field, the British reaching Krugersdorp weary but in good spirits in the early Hours of the following Morning. A week later, the British resumed their Mission, Reinforced by Lord Methuen's force, and passed the same Area on 19 July, observing a few Boers who kept their Distance and put up but slight resistance later. In the Krugersdorp Cemetery, Captain Younger's Headstone stands thirty paces away from the Memorial stone to vecht-generaal Sarel Oosthuizen and his younger brother, korporaal Izak Johannes Oosthuizen (who died on 20 April 1902, a few days before the end of the war). The Battle of Dwarsvlei has also been referred to as: 'Leeuhoek, Door Boschfontein and Onrus', all being names of Farms in the Area, that the action took place in that day. References http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol113js.html Further Reading https://www.sahistory.org.za/.../anglo-boer-war-2-boer-general-sf-oosthuizen -dies-wounds-received-dwarsvlei-11-07-1900 https://www.sahistory.org.za/.../sterkfontein-caves-krugersdorp-within-cradle- humankind-world-heritage-site https://www.sahistory.org.za/.../second-anglo-boer-war-1899-1902 https://www.sahistory.org.za/.../a-tribute-to-the-pioneers-voortrekkers-of-the- transvaal https://www.sahistory.org.za/.../timeline-world-war-ii-1939-1945 https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/preller-rondawels-pelindaba https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/krugersdorp https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/kitson-steam-train-krugersdorp Women and Children in White Concentration Camps during the Anglo-Boer War, 1900-1902 Due to the fact that Black People were detained in separate camps, the issue of Black Concentration Camps is dealt with in another chronology. Boer women, children and men unfit for service were herded together in concentration camps by the British forces during Anglo-Boer War 2 (1899-1902). The first two of these camps (refugee camps) were established to house the families of burghers who had surrendered voluntarily, but very soon, with families of combatant burgers driven forcibly into camps established all over the country, the camps ceased to be refugee camps and became concentration camps. The abhorrent conditions in these camps caused the death of 4 177 women, 22 074 children under sixteen and 1 676 men, mainly those too old to be on commando, notwithstanding the efforts of an English lady, Emily Hobhouse , who tried her best to make the British authorities aware of the plight of especially the women and children in the camps. 1900 September, Major-Gen J.G. Maxwell announces that "... camps for burghers who voluntarily surrender are being formed at Pretoria and Bloemfontein." This signals the start of what was to evolve into the notorious Concentration Camp Policy. 22 September, As result of a military notice on this date, the first two 'refugee' camps are established at Pretoria and Bloemfontein. Initially the aim was to protect the families of burghers who had surrendered voluntarily and their families by the institution of these camps. As the families of combatant burghers were also driven into these and other camps, they ceased to be 'refugee' camps and became 'concentration' camps. 20 December, A proclamation issued by Lord Kitchener states that all burghers surrendering voluntarily, will be allowed to live with their families in Government Laagers until the end of the war and their stock and property will be respected and paid for. 21 December, Contrary to the announced intention, Lord Kitchener states in a memorandum to general officers the advantages of interning all women, children and men unfit for military services, also Blacks living on Boer farms, as this will be "the most effective method of limiting the endurance of the guerrillas... "The women and children brought in should be divided in two categories, viz.: 1st. Refugees, and the families of Neutrals, non-combatants, and surrendered Burghers. 2nd. Those whose husbands, fathers and sons are on Commando. The preference in accommodation, etc. should of course be given to the first class. With regard to Natives, it is not intended to clear ... locations, but only such and their stock as are on Boer farms." Second Boer War - Bloemfontein Concentration Camp Image source 1901 21 January, Emily Hobhouse, an English philanthropist and social worker who tried to improve the plight of women and children in the camps, obtains permission to visit concentration camps. Lord Kitchener, however, disallows visits north of Bloemfontein. 24 January, Emily Hobhouse visits Bloemfontein concentration camps and is appalled by the conditions. Due to limited time and resources, she does not visit the camp for Blacks, although she urges the Guild of Loyal Women to do so. 30 January, Pushing panic-stricken groups of old men, women and children, crowded in wagons and preceded by huge flocks of livestock in front of them, French's drive enters the south-eastern ZAR (Transvaal). 31 January, Mrs Isie Smuts, wife of Gen. J.C. Smuts, is sent to Pietermaritzburg and placed under house arrest by the British military authorities, despite her pleas to be sent to concentration camps like other Boer women.Concentration camps have been established at Aliwal North, Brandfort, Elandsfontein, Heidelberg, Howick, Kimberley, Klerksdorp, Viljoensdrift, Waterfall North and Winburg. 25 February, A former member of the Free State Volksraad, H.S. Viljoen, and five other prisoners are set free from the Green Point Camp near Cape Town. They are sent to visit Free State concentration camps with the intention of influencing the women in the camps to persuade their husbands to lay down their arms. They are met with very little success. 27 February, Discriminatory food rations - 1st class rations for the families of 'hands-uppers' and 2nd class for the families of fighting burghers or those who refuse to work for the British - are discontinued in the 'Transvaal' concentration camps. 28 February, Concentration camps have been established at Kromellenboog, Middelburg, Norvalspont, Springfontein, Volksrust, and Vredefort Road.At the Middelburg conference between Supreme Commander Lord Kitchener and Commandant-General Louis Botha, Kitchener comments to Lord Roberts, now Commander-in Chief at the War Office in London: "They [referring to the Burghers S.K.] evidently do not like their women being brought in and I think it has made them more anxious for peace." The conference is discussing terms of a possible peace treaty.Sir Alfred Milner leaves Cape Town for Johannesburg to take up his duties as administrator of the 'new colonies'. 1 March, Concentration camps in the 'Orange River' and 'Transvaal' Colonies are transferred to civil control under Sir Alfred Milner. 4 March, Emily Hobhouse visits the Springfontein concentration camp. 6 March, Discriminatory food rations are also discontinued in the 'Orange River Colony' camps. 8 March, Emily Hobhouse visits the Norvalspont concentration camp. 12 March, Emily Hobhouse visits the Kimberley concentration camp. 6 April, Emily Hobhouse returns to Kimberley 9 April, Emily Hobhouse visits the Mafeking concentration camp. 12 April, Emily Hobhouse witnesses the clearing of Warrenton and the dispatch of people in open coal trucks. 13 April, Emily Hobhouse returns to Kimberley, witnessing the arrival of the people removed from Warrenton at the Kimberley camp, where there are only 25 tents available for 240 people. 20 April, The towns of Parys and Vredefort and many outlying farms have been cleared of inhabitants and supplies. The women and children have been removed to concentration camps. 21 April, Emily Hobhouse arrives in Bloemfontein. 23 April, Sir Alfred Milner refuses to issue a permit to Emily Hobhouse authorising her to travel north of Bloemfontein. 4 May, Emily Hobhouse arrives in Cape Town. 7 May, Emily Hobhouse leaves for Britain after an extended fact-finding tour of the concentration camps. 14 June, Speaking at a dinner party of the National Reform Union in England, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, leader of the Liberal opposition, says the war in South Africa is carried on by methods of barbarism. 17 June, David Lloyd-George in England condemns the concentration camps and the horrors inflicted on women and children in the camps in South Africa. He warns, "A barrier of dead children's bodies will rise between the British and Boer races in South Africa." Emily Hobhouse tells the story of the young Lizzie van Zyl who died in the Bloemfontein concentration camp: She was a frail, weak little child in desperate need of good care. Yet, because her mother was one of the "undesirables" due to the fact that her father neither surrendered nor betrayed his people, Lizzie was placed on the lowest rations and so perished with hunger that, after a month in the camp, she was transferred to the new small hospital. Here she was treated harshly. The English disposed doctor and his nurses did not understand her language and, as she could not speak English, labeled her an idiot although she was mentally fit and normal. One day she dejectedly started calling for her mother, when a Mrs Botha walked over to her to console her. She was just telling the child that she would soon see her mother again, when she was brusquely interrupted by one of the nurses who told her not to interfere with the child as she was a nuisance. Quote from Stemme uit die Verlede ("Voices from the Past") - a collection of sworn statements by women who were detained in the concentration camps during the Second Boer War (1899-1902). Image source 18 June, Emily Hobhouse's report on concentration camps appear under the title, "To the S.A. Distress Fund, Report of a visit to the camps of women and children in the Cape and Orange River Colonies". Summarising the reasons for the high fatality rate, she writes, "Numbers crowded into small tents: some sick, some dying, occasionally a dead one among them; scanty rations dealt out raw; lack of fuel to cook them; lack of water for drinking, for cooking, for washing; lack of soap, brushes and other instruments of personal cleanliness; lack of bedding or of beds to keep the body off the bare earth; lack of clothing for warmth and in many cases for decency ..." Her conclusion is that the whole system is cruel and should be abolished. 26 June, Lord Kitchener, in a telegram to Milner: "I fear there is little doubt the war will now go on for considerable time unless stronger measures are taken ... Under the circumstances I strongly urge sending away wives and families and settling them somewhere else. Some such unexpected measure on our part is in my opinion essential to bring war to a rapid end." 27 June, The British War Department promises to look into Emily Hobhouse's suggestions regarding improvements to the concentration camps. 30 June, The official camp population is 85 410 for the White camps and the deaths reported for June are 777. 15 July, Dr K. Franks, the camp doctor at the Mafeking concentration camp reports that the camp is "overwhelmed" by 1 270 women and children brought in after sweeps on the western ZAR (Transvaal). Lack of facilities ads to the hardships encountered by the new arrivals. 16 July, The British Colonial Office announces the appointment of a Ladies Commission to investigate the concentration camps in South Africa. The commission, whose members are reputed to be impartial, is made up as follows:Chairlady Mrs Millicent G. Fawcett, who has recently criticised Emily Hobhouse in the Westminster Gazette; Dr Jane Waterson, daughter of a British general, who recently wrote against "the hysterical whining going on in England" while "we feed and pamper people who had not even the grace to say thank you for the care bestowed on them"; Lady Anne Knox, wife of Gen. Knox, who is presently serving in South Africa; Nursing sister Katherine Brereton, who has served in a Yoemanry Hospital in South Africa; Miss Lucy Deane, a government factory inspector on child welfare; Dr the Hon Ella Scarlett, a medical doctor. One of the doctors is to marry a concentration camp official before the end of their tour. 20 July, Commenting on confiscation of property and banishment of families, St John Brodrick, British secretary of State for War, writes to Kitchener: "... Your other suggestion of sending the Boer women to St Helena, etc., and telling their husbands that they would never return, seems difficult to work out. We cannot permanently keep 16,000 men in ring fences and they are not a marketable commodity in other lands ..." 25 July, Since 25 June, Emily Hobhouse has addressed twenty-six public meetings on concentration camps, raising money to improve conditions. 26 July, Emily Hobhouse again writes to Brodrick asking for reasons for the War Department's refusal to include her in the Ladies Commission. If she cannot go, "it was due to myself to convey to all interested that the failure to do so was due to the Government". 27 July, St John Rodrick replies to Emily Hobhouse's letter, "The only consideration in the selection of ladies to visit the Concentration Camps, beyond their special capacity for such work, was that they should be, so far as is possible, removed from the suspicion of partiality to the system adopted or the reverse." 31 July, The officially recorded camp population is 93 940 for the White camps and the deaths for July stands at 1 412. 16 August, General De la Rey protests to the British against the mistreatment of women and children. 20 August, Col. E.C. Ingouville-Williams' column transports Gen. De la Rey's mother to the Klerksdorp concentration camp. A member of the Cape Mounted Rifles notes in his diary: "She is 84 years old. I gave her some milk, jam, soup, etc. as she cannot eat hard tack and they have nothing else. We do not treat them as we ought to." 31 August, The officially recorded camp population for White camps is 105 347 and the camp fatalities for August stand at 1 878. 13 September, The Merebank Refugee Camp is established near Durban in an attempt to reduce the camp population in the Republics. Its most famous inmates are to be Mrs De Wet and her children. 30 September, Cornelius Broeksma is executed by an English firing squad in Johannesburg after having been found guilty of breaking the oath of neutrality and inciting others to do the same. A fund is started in Holland for his family and for this purpose a postcard with a picture of himself and his family is sold, bearing the inscription: "Cornelius Broeksma, hero and martyr in pity's cause. Shot by the English on 30th September 1901, because he refused to be silent about the cruel suffering in the women's camps."The officially recorded camp population of the White camps is 109 418 and the monthly deaths for September stand at 2 411. 1 October, Emily Hobhouse again urges the Minister of War, "in the name of the little children whom I have watched suffer and die" to implement improvements in the concentration camps. 26 October, As the commandoes in the Bethal district, Transvaal, become wise to Benson's night attacks, his success rate declines and he contents himself with 'ordinary clearing work' - burning farms and herding women, children, old men and other non-combatants with their livestock and vehicles. 27 October, Emily Hobhouse arrives in Table Bay on board the SS Avondale Castle, but is refused permission to go ashore by Col. H. Cooper, the Military Commandant of Cape Town. 29 October, Reverend John Knox Little states in the United Kingdom: "Among the unexampled efforts of kindness and leniency made throughout this war for the benefit of the enemy, none have surpassed the formation of the Concentration Camps". 31 October, Despite letters of protest to Lord Alfred Milner, Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson and Lord Ripon, Emily Hobhouse, although unwell, is forced to undergo a medical examination. She is eventually wrapped in a shawl and physically carried off the Avondale Castle. She is taken aboard the Roslin Castle for deportation under martial law regulations.The officially recorded camp population of White camps is 113 506 and the deaths for October stand at 3 156. 1 November, Miss Emily Hobhouse, under deportation orders on board the Roslin Castle writes to Lord Kitchener: "... I hope in future you will exercise greater width of judgement in the exercise of your high office. To carry out orders such as these is a degradation both to the office and the manhood of your soldiers. I feel ashamed to own you as a fellow-countryman."And to Lord Milner: "Your brutal orders have been carried out and thus I hope you will be satisfied. Your narrow incompetency to see the real issues of this great struggle is leading you to such acts as this and many others, straining [staining S.K.] your own name and the reputation of England..." Boer prisoners in Johannesburg. Source: Parliament Archive, Cape Town 7 November, The Governor of Natal informs St John Brodrick that the wives of Pres. Steyn, General Paul Roux, Chief Commandant C.R. de Wet, Vice President Schalk Burger and Gen. J.B.M. Hertzog, the last four all presently in Natal, are to be sent to a port, other than a British port, outside South Africa.Lord Milner, referring to the concentration camps, writes to British Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain: "I did not originate this plan, but as we have gone so far with it, I fear that a change now might only involve us in fresh and greater evils." 15 November, In his 'General Review of the Situation in the Two New Colonies', Lord Milner reports to Chamberlain, "... even if the war were to come to an end tomorrow, it would not be possible to let the people in the concentration camps go back to their former homes. They would only starve there. The country is, for the most part, a desert..." 16 November, On being questioned by St John Brodrick on his motivations for proposing the deportation of prominent Boer women, Kitchener cancels his orders. 21 November, Referring to a 'scorched earth' raid, Acting State President S.W. Burgers and State Secretary F.W. Reitz address a report to the Marquis of Salisbury, the British Prime Minister: "This removal took place in the most uncivilised and barbarous manner, while such action is ... in conflict with all the up to the present acknowledged rules of civilised warfare. The families were put out of their houses under compulsion, and in many instances by means of force ... (the houses) were destroyed and burnt with everything in them ... and these families among them were many aged ones, pregnant women, and children of very tender years, were removed in open trolleys (exposed) for weeks to rain, severe cold wind and terrible heat, privations to which they were not accustomed, with the result that many of them became very ill, and some of them died shortly after their arrival in the women's camps." The vehicles were also overloaded, accidents happened and they were exposed to being caught in crossfire. They were exposed to insults and ill-treatment by Blacks in service of the troops as well as by soldiers. "...British mounted troops have not hesitated in driving them for miles before their horses, old women, little children, and mothers with sucklings to their breasts ..." 30 November, The officially recorded camp population of the White camps is 117 974 and the deaths for November are 2 807. 1 December, Fully aware of the state of devastation in the Republics, and trying to force the Boer leadership to capitulate, Lord Milner approves a letter that Kitchener sends to London, with identical copies to Burger, Steyn and De Wet. In the letter he informs them that as they have complained about the treatment of the women and children in the camps, he must assume that they themselves are in a provision to provide for them. He therefore offers all families in the camps who are willing to leave, to be sent to the commandos, as soon as he has been informed where they can be handed over. 4 December, Lord Milner comments on the high death rate in the Free State concentration camps: "The theory that, all the weakly children being dead, the rate would fall off, it is not so far borne out by the facts. I take it the strong ones must be dying now and that they will all be dead by the spring of 1903! ..." 7 December, In a letter to Chamberlain, Lord Milner writes: "... The black spot - the one very black spot - in the picture is the frightful mortality in the Concentration Camps ... It was not until 6 weeks or 2 months ago that it dawned on me personally ... that the enormous mortality was not incidental to the first formation of the camps and the sudden inrush of people already starving, but was going to continue. The fact that it continues is no doubt a condemnation of the camp system. The whole thing, I now think, has been a mistake." 8 December, Commenting on the concentration camps, Lord Milner writes to Lord Haldane: "I am sorry to say I fear ... that the whole thing has been a sad fiasco. We attempted an impossibility - and certainly I should never have touched the thing if, when the 'concentration' first began, I could have foreseen that the soldiers meant to sweep the whole population of the country higgledy piggledy into a couple of dozen camps ... " 10 December, President Steyn replies to the British Commander-in-Chief Lord Kitchener's letter about releasing the women and children, that, however glad the burghers would be to have their relatives near them, there is hardly is single house in the Orange Free State that is not burnt or destroyed and everything in it looted by the soldiers. The women and children will be exposed to the weather under the open sky. On account of the above-mentioned reasons they have to refuse to receive them. He asks Kitchener to make the reasons for their refusal known to the world. Anglo-Boer war prisoners in St Helena showing old men and young boys with toys made at the camp. Source: Parliament Archive 11 December, In his reply to Kitchener's letter about the release of women and children, Chief Commandant De Wet says: "I positively refuse to receive the families until such time as the war will be ended, and we shall be able to vindicate our right by presenting our claims for the unlawful removal of and the insults done to our families as well as indemnification on account of the uncivilised deed committed by England by the removal of the families ..." 12 December, The report of the Ladies Commission (Fawcett Commission) is completed on this day, but is only published during February 1902. The Commission is highly critical of the camps and their administration, but cannot recommend the immediate closure of the camps "... to turn 100 000 people new being fed in the concentration camps out on the veldt to take care of themselves would be a cruelty; it would be turning them out to starvation..." The Commission substantiated the most Emily Hobhouse's serious charges, bur reviled her for her compassion for enemy subjects. 22 December, On Peace Sunday, Dr Charles Aked, a Baptist minister in Liverpool, England, protests: "Great Britain cannot win the battles without resorting to the last despicable cowardice of the most loathsome cur on earth - the act of striking a brave man's heart through his wife's honour and his child's life. The cowardly war has been conducted by methods of barbarism ... the concentration camps have been Murder Camps." He is followed home by a large crowd and they smash the windows of his house. 31 December, The camp population in White camps is 89 407 with 2 380 deaths during December. 1902 22 January, In a daring exploit, General Beyers and about 300 men seize the concentration camp at Pietersburg and take the camp superintendent and his staff prisoner. After all-night festivities with wives, friends and family, the superintendent and his staff are released the next day on the departure of Beyers. 31 January, The officially reported White camp population is 97 986 and the deaths for January are 1 805. 4 March, The long-delayed report of the Ladies Commission (Fawcett Commission) on the concentration camps is discussed in the House of Commons. The Commission concludes that there are three causes for the high death rate: "1. The insanitary condition of the country caused by the war. 2. Causes within the control of the inmates. 3. Causes within the control of the administration." The Opposition tables the following motion: "This House deplores the great mortality in the concentration camps formed in the execution of the policy of clearing the country." In his reply Chamberlain states that it was the Boers who forced the policy on them and the camps are actually an effort to minimise the horrors of war. The Opposition motion is defeated by 230 votes to 119. 24 March, Mr H.R. Fox, Secretary of the Aborigines Protection Society, after being made aware by Emily Hobhouse of the fact that the Ladies Commission (Fawcett Commission) ignored the plight of Blacks in concentration camps, writes to Joseph Chamberlain, Colonial Secretary. He requests that such inquiries should be instituted by the British government "as should secure for the natives who are detained no less care and humanity than are now prescribed for the Boer refugees". On this request Sir Montagu Ommaney, the permanent under-secretary at the Colonial Office, is later to record that it seems undesirable "to trouble Lord Milner ... merely to satisfy this busybody". 9 April, Emily Hobhouse's 42nd birthday. 30 April, The officially reported population of the White camps is 112 733 and the death toll for April stands at 298. 15 May, Sixty Republican delegates take part in a three-day conference in Vereeniging, debating whether to continue fighting or end the war.Complicated negotiations continue between Boer delegates among themselves and British delegates, also with different opinions, up to the end of May.During the peace negotiations Acting President Schalk Burger of the ZAR (South African Republic/Transvaal) says: "... it is my holy duty to stop this struggle now that it has become hopeless ... and not to allow the innocent, helpless women and children to remain any longer in their misery in the plaque-stricken concentration camps ..." 31 May, The officially reported camp population of the White camps is 116 572 and the deaths for May are 196.The final peace conditions, comprised in The Treaty of Vereeniging, is signed by representatives of both the Burghers and the British at 23:05 at Melrose House, Pretoria.After this, inhabitants of the concentration camps were gradually released as burghers came to claim the members of their families still living, while other left on their own to return to their burnt-down houses and farms. 27 927 persons died in the camps, 1 676 men, mainly those too old to be on commando, 4 177 women and 22 074 children under sixteen. Federation These 8 facts of life must be presented by the LLP. to the white electorate. But it has to present a ninth fact of its own. It has decided to work towards a federal constitu- tion and a federal parliament, the powers of which will be allotted to it by the white parliament of " w h i t e " South Africa. That in the first place is going to require an amount of co-operation from the other homeland governments of an almost unbelievable kind. But suppose it is achieved. Then the white parliament must begin to allot yet more powers to the federal parliament, until eventually the transfer of power is complete. The U.P. will go down in history as one of the most extraordinary parties in the history of parliamentary government. BUT - BUT - BUT - The white fear! The gross disparity! The machinery of apartheid! One cannot frontally assault the first, but the white parlia- ment that is going to phase itself out must first phase out the gross disparity and start dismantling the machinery. I am convinced that the gross disparity in financial status is one of the deepest causes of white fear and black resentment. The dismantling of apartheid would certainly decrease black resentment. But will it lessen white fear or increase it? That is a big question. But the important thing is t o be doing, and to be seen to be doing, something about it. FEDERATION by Leo Marquard I should like to congratulate and thank those responsible for calling this conference. If anything is to become of the much-talked about federation it is at such conferences as this that ideas will have to be sorted out before they are presented to the public - that is, to 14 or 15 million adult South Africans. The word 'federation' is very much in the air these days, and I mean that in both senses: it is being talked about a good deal in rather limited circles, and the talk is often divorced from reality. This is the result, I think, of the rather loose conceptions of federation that are current. I have an uncomfortable feeling that it has become fashionable to throw off remarks at cocktail parties that, of course, what we really need is federation, more often than not w i t h the I wish to make one last point, I believe it is possible t o cherish an ideal goal, and to be willing at the same time to pursue it by methods not so ideal, that is by methods one would not have used had one been able to use others. I realise that this causes tensions between young and old, between black and white, between the militants and the dogged stickers, between the radicals and the liberals, between the all-or-nothings and the all-or-somethings. In fact an all-or-nothinger finds it difficult — logically and psychologically — t o understand an all-or-somethinger. There is a kind of presumption that an all-or-somethinger has already announced his intentions of settling for a very small something. A n d there is a kind of nobility accredit- ed t o those who take nothing, and a kind of ignobilit^ t o those who take something. If I had a leaning when I was younger, it was to the noble side. I remember Donald Molteno saying to me at a Liber- al Party meeting, in that devastating way of his, " t h e trouble w i t h y o u , Paton, is that you think the Liberal Party is a church." But now I'm out to get something. I'm out t o make white South Africa do something (sensible, I mean). I'm out to make everyone who can, do something. Therefore I am out to make the U.P. do something. All that I can say to them is, do it quickly. Otherwise violence and death will be the destiny of many of us, both black and white, many of us yet not born.D Alan Paton (Paper read at the Conference on Federation, held near East London on the 9th November 1973.) corollary that this will fix the Nationalists or possibly even the United Party. It is rather like a doctor saying to a banned person whose passport has been taken from h i m : 'What you really need is t o get away from South Africa for a long holiday. Why not go to the Reviera? '. Alternatively, of course, you can establish yourself as an up-to-date authority by saying, possibly even at the same cocktail party: 'Of course it's quite absurd. Federation has never worked anywhere else and it certainly w o n ' t work here.' The reason why the feeling I have about this superficial attitude is uncomfortable is that, as you all know, federation is not going to come about merely as the result of a change of government or of a slight shift in white political power or of sloaans. There is nothina 'mere' about what is reauired before a federation can be brought about. And unless it is recognised that it is going to be a long and hard job we shall fail to take even the first step, which is to bring the idea of federation into the sphere of public conciousness and thus of practical politics. It is because I believe that federation, properly understood, could be a useful constitutional device in South Africa's circumstances that I think it is important to be clear about what we mean by it. I suggest the straightforward defini- tion that it is a system of government best suited to those who desire union but do not want unity. And federation will come about only when people believe that it is both useful and safe. It is hardly necessary to say that South Africa is essentially a country in which federation would be more appropriate for all the inhabitants than either of the t w o alternatives of total partition or total union. The conditions that make it so are its diverse population w i t h great differences of race, language, history and culture; its divergent climatic regions and great geographic distances; and its diverse economic conditions. Not only is South Africa — and, indeed, Southern Africa an area where federation is an appropriate form of government: these conditions have, after all, always been there. But, so it seems to me, conditions have never been so favourable for f r u i t f u l discussion about it. The main reason for this is the very general realisation that South Africa's race policies are rapidly reaching the end of the road. What we are now experiencing is the logical outcome of generations of those policies which, during the past twentyfive years, have gone under the general name of apartheid. A n d the logical consequences of apartheid are not pleasant to contemplate. That is why more and more people are seeking alternatives. I don't want to be misunderstood when I say that the fear of worsening racial disharmony is a powerful factor in inducing South Africans of all races to seek an escape. I do not regard federation as a means of solving race questions or dissolving race prejudice and I do not advocate it for that reason. But it could provide a constitutional framework within which such questions may find more rational answers. Incidentally, there seems to be an idea abroad that there is something ignoble, almost dishonest in acting under the spur of fear. This seems to me to be nonsense and I hope advocates of federation will not for one instant allow this to deter or inhibit them. It would take a lot of hard, clever, and honest propaganda to persuade the people of South Africa that, in theory at any rate, federation would be a good thing. But it is not, I believe, impossible to do so. A much bigger snag comes in the second part of my definition. You can persuade South Africans that federation is useful. But can you convince them that it is safe? How do you set about persuading the Zulu and the Xhosa that federation is not just the latest model of colonial exploitation? How do you convince Afrikaners that their language and culture will be safer under federation than they are now, when political power, however illusory, is in Afrikaner hands? . I am not going even to suggest answers. That is, after all, what this conference is about. But I would like t o make a few observations. In the first place, let us not fall into the trap of expecting federation to do what it never was designed to do. It is not designed to rid society of race prejudice, to abolish greed and the exploitation of the weak by the strong. It is not designed to ensure either weak or strong central or local government. In other words, federation is not a social or political panacea. It is not a super washing machine into which you can put all your dirty political and economic linen and expect to have it come out clean and shiny. In the second place, while it is of great advantage not to be dogmatic about any federal arrangements that are suggested, it is important to realise that there are three essential principles in federation: the division of sovereign powers, the special function of the supreme court, and the machinery for constitutional amendment. Any plans for federation should be measured against these three principles. If they are violated or even watered down and weakened, the result will almost certainly be a pernicious distortion of federation. Finally, let us, black and white together, not underestimate the immensity of the task of persuading black and white that federation is sound and safe. Nor, at the same time, let us shrink from it. This conference may not be the beginning of the end; but as Churchill said, it might well be the end of the beginning. And to quote another great man, Albert Luthuli, who once said to me: ' It doesn't matter how fast the car goes so long as it's going in the following notice is hereby published for general information. By order of His Excellency the High Commissioner and Administrator of the Transvaal. WE Davidson, Acting Secretary to the Transvaal Administration -3 rd June 1902. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, SOUTH AFRICA General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Command in Chief AND His Excellency Lord Milner, High Commissioner, on behalf of the BRITlSH GOVERNMENT, AND Messrs S.W. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Louis Botha, J.H. de la Rey, LJ. Meyer, and J.C. Krogh, acting as the government of south african REPUBLIC, AND Messrs W.J.C. Brebner, C.R. de Wet, J.B.M. Hertzog, and C.H. Olivier, acting as the government of the orange free state, on behalf of their respective burghers Desirous to terminate the present hostilities, agree on the following Articles. 1. The burgher Forces in the Field will forthwith lay down their Arms, handing over all Guns, Rifles, and Munitions of War, in their possession or under their control, and desist from any further resistance to the Authority of his majesty king edward VII, whom they recognise as their lawful sovereign. The Manner and details of this surrender will be arranged between Lord Kitchener and Commandant General Botha, Assistant Commandant General de la Rey and Chief Commandant De Wet. 2. Burghers in the field outside the limits of the transvaal and orange river colony, and all Prisoners of War at present outside South Africa, who are burghers, will, on duly declaring their acceptance of the position of subjects of his majesty king dward VII, be gradually brought back to their homes as soon as transport can be provided and their means of subsistence ensured. 3. The burghers so surrendering or so returning will not be deprived of their personal liberty, or their property. 4. No proceedings civil or criminal will be taken against any of the burghers so surrendering or so returning for any Acts in connection with the prosecution of the War. The benefit of this clause will not extend to certain Acts contrary to the usage of War which have been notified by the Commander in Chief to the Boer Generals, and which shall be tried by Court Martial immediately after the close of hostilities. 5. The dutch language will be taught in Public Schools in the T ransvaal and the orange river colony where the Parents of the Children desire it, and will be allowed in courts of law when necessary for the better and more effectual Administration of Justice. 6. The Possession of Rifles will be allowed in the transvaal and O range river colony to persons requiring them for their protection on taking out a licence according to Law. 7. MILITARY ADMINISTRATION in the TRANSVAAL and ORANGE river colony will at the earliest possible date be succeeded by civil government, and, as soon as circumstances permit, Representative Institutions, leading up to self-Government, will be introduced. 8. The question of granting the Franchise to Natives will not be decided until after the introduction of Self-Government. 9. No Special Tax will be imposed on Landed Property in the transvaal and orange river colony to defray the Expenses of the War. 10. As soon as conditions permit, a Commission, on which the local inhabitants will be represented, will be appointed in each District of the transvaal and orange river colony, under the Presidency of a Magistrate or other official, for the purpose of assisting the restoration of the people to their homes and supplying those who, owing to war losses, are unable to provide for themselves, with food, shelter, and the necessary amount of seed, stock, implements etc. indispensable to the resumption of their normal occupations. His Majesty's Government will place at the disposal of these Commissions a sum of three million pounds sterling for the above purposes, and will allow all notes, issued under Law No. 1 of 1900 of the Government of the south african republic, and all receipts, given by the officers in the field of the late Republics or under their orders, to be presented to a judicial commission, which will be appointed by the Government, and if such notes and receipts are found by this Commission to have been duly issued in return for valuable consideration they will be received by the first-named Commissions as evidence of War losses suffered by the persons to whom they were originally given. In addition to the above named free grant of three million pounds, His Majesty's Government will be prepared to make advances as loans for the same purpose, free of interest for two years, and afterwards repayable over a period of years with 3 per cent interest. No foreigner or rebel will be entitled to the benefit of this Clause. Signed at Pretoria this thirty first day of May in the Year of Our Lord Thousand Nine Hundred and Two. [Signed] KITCHENER OF KHARTOUM, MILNER, S W BURGER, F W REITZ, LOUIS BOTHA, J H DE LA REY, L J MEYER, J C KROGH, C R DE WET, J B M HERTZOG, WJ C BREBNER, C .H OLIVIER Source , No 22, March 1978 Peace Treaty of Vereeniging - transcript Published date 16/01/2012 Last updated 12/05/2017 Related Collections from the Archive Peace Treaty of Vereeniging - transcript Second Anglo-Boer War - 1899 - 1902 Related content Second Anglo-Boer War - 1899 - 1902 THE FOLLOWING NOTICE is hereby published for general information. By order of His Excellency the High Commissioner and Administrator of the Transvaal. WE Davidson, Acting Secretary to the Transvaal Administration -3rd June 1902. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, SOUTH AFRICA General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Command in Chief AND His Excellency Lord Milner, High Commissioner, on behalf of the BRITlSH GOVERNMENT, AND Messrs S.W. Burger, F.W. Reitz, Louis Botha, J.H. de la Rey, LJ. Meyer, and J.C. Krogh, acting as the GOVERNMENT of SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, AND Messrs W.J.C. Brebner, C.R. de Wet, J.B.M. Hertzog, and C.H. Olivier, acting as the GOVERNMENT of the ORANGE FREE STATE, on behalf of their respective BURGHERS Desirous to terminate the present hostilities, agree on the following Articles. 1. The BURGHER Forces in the Field will forthwith lay down their Arms, handing over all Guns, Rifles, and Munitions of War, in their possession or under their control, and desist from any further resistance to the Authority of HIS MAJESTY KING EDWARD VII, whom they recognise as their lawful SOVEREIGN. The Manner and details of this surrender will be arranged between Lord Kitchener and Commandant General Botha, Assistant Commandant General de la Rey and Chief Commandant De Wet. 2. Burghers in the field outside the limits of the TRANSVAAL and ORANGE RIVER COLONY, and all Prisoners of War at present outside South Africa, who are burghers, will, on duly declaring their acceptance of the position of subjects of HIS MAJESTY KING DWARD VII, be gradually brought back to their homes as soon as transport can be provided and their means of subsistence ensured. 3. The BURGHERS so surrendering or so returning will not be deprived of their personal liberty, or their property. 4. No proceedings CIVIL or CRIMINAL will be taken against any of the BURGHERS so surrendering or so returning for any Acts in connection with the prosecution of the War. The benefit of this clause will not extend to certain Acts contrary to the usage of War which have been notified by the Commander in Chief to the Boer Generals, and which shall be tried by Court Martial immediately after the close of hostilities. 5. The DUTCH language will be taught in Public Schools in the TRANSVAAL and the ORANGE RIVER COLONY where the Parents of the Children desire it, and will be allowed in COURTS of LAW when necessary for the better and more effectual Administration of Justice. 6. The Possession of Rifles will be allowed in the TRANSVAAL and ORANGE RIVER COLONY to persons requiring them for their protection on taking out a licence according to Law. 7. MILITARY ADMINISTRATION in the TRANSVAAL and ORANGE RIVER COLONY will at the earliest possible date be succeeded by CIVIL GOVERNMENT, and, as soon as circumstances permit, Representative Institutions, leading up to self-Government, will be introduced. 8. The question of granting the Franchise to Natives will not be decided until after the introduction of Self-Government. 9. No Special Tax will be imposed on Landed Property in the TRANSVAAL and ORANGE RIVER COLONY to defray the Expenses of the War. 10. As soon as conditions permit, a Commission, on which the local inhabitants will be represented, will be appointed in each District of the TRANSVAAL and ORANGE RIVER COLONY, under the Presidency of a Magistrate or other official, for the purpose of assisting the restoration of the people to their homes and supplying those who, owing to war losses, are unable to provide for themselves, with food, shelter, and the necessary amount of seed, stock, implements etc. indispensable to the resumption of their normal occupations. His Majesty's Government will place at the disposal of these Commissions a sum of three million pounds sterling for the above purposes, and will allow all notes, issued under Law No. 1 of 1900 of the Government of the SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, and all receipts, given by the officers in the field of the late Republics or under their orders, to be presented to a JUDICIAL COMMISSION, which will be appointed by the Government, and if such notes and receipts are found by this Commission to have been duly issued in return for valuable consideration they will be received by the first-named Commissions as evidence of War losses suffered by the persons to whom they were originally given. In addition to the above named free grant of three million pounds, His Majesty's Government will be prepared to make advances as loans for the same purpose, free of interest for two years, and afterwards repayable over a period of years with 3 per cent interest. No foreigner or rebel will be entitled to the benefit of this Clause. Signed at Pretoria this thirty first day of May in the Year of Our Lord Thousand Nine Hundred and Two. [Signed] KITCHENER OF KHARTOUM, MILNER, S W BURGER, F W REITZ, LOUIS BOTHA, J H DE LA REY, L J MEYER, J C KROGH, C R DE WET, J B M HERTZOG, WJ C BREBNER, C .H OLIVIER Louis Botha Louis Botha was born near Greytown in Natal in 1862. He was the son of Voortrekker parents and was brought up on a farm in the Free State, and was educated at the local German mission school. A Boer general and statesman, he was leader of the Transvaal army in the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) from March 1900, and he was one of the architects of the Union of South Africa. His vision of South Africa included both British and Dutch. Botha was a leading figure in the Paris Peace Conference at the end of World War I. A great man of action, he was renowned for his simplicity, humanity, quick wit and good nature. He was endowed with natural gifts, yet his training was hardly sufficient to equip him for fifteen years of unremitting political, diplomatic, and military tasks. Louis Botha's ancestors came from Thuringia in central Germany. Around 1672, a young soldier, Frederich Boot, or Botha, arrived at the Cape and later became a free burgher. Several of his descendants signed themselves as 'Both' and 'Boota'. His paternal grandfather Philip Rudolf took part in the Great Trek. Louis, the ninth among thirteen children, was born near Greytown in the Colony of Natal on 27 September 1862. The family moved to the Orange Free State near Vrede in 1869. In 1880, at the outbreak of the First Anglo-Boer War, Louis overheard that British spies were crossing into the Transvaal by using rowing boats belonging to farmers along the Vaal riverbanks. He resolved to cut every boat and pontoon adrift and accomplished it. The Volksraad decided to act on Botha's recommendations that the Uitlanders should be granted franchise concessions, dependent on residency prior to July 1892. The folly of the Jameson Raid of December 1895, had however, strengthened stubborn resistance to Uitlander grievances, and weakened the position of Joubert's followers. With Lucas Meyer, De la Rey and others, he was strongly opposed to sending the British the fateful ultimatum. But by October 2, 1899, shortly before Kruger's ultimatum, Botha had already left Pretoria for Vryheid to prepare for military service. Emphatically against war - he was nevertheless prepared to oppose any actions that might affect the integrity of his country. When war broke out in 1899 Botha at once volunteered as an ordinary burgher for the Vryheid commandos under General Lucas Meyer In December 1900, the republics were annexed under the names of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. Though the burghers refused to condone this, Lord Roberts reported to the Secretary for War that organized resistance had ceased. Roberts was wrong. With the railways in the hands of the British, Botha returned to guerrilla tactics. This new phase in Botha's war was marked by a change in the Boer morale. They fought on with renewed vigour and belief in their cause, operating from their home areas, living off the country and seizing British supplies. Kitchener determined to end the war at all costs. He built blockhouses linked by fences and telephones which marched for miles across the endless veld, organized systematic drives to catch their quarry, deported prisoners-of-war, and placed the women and children in concentration camps, where the death rate soared. Despite all these measures Botha, De la Rey, De Wet and the other leaders consistently evaded capture. Trains were boldly attacked, railway lines destroyed. Stronger discipline was enforced. Smuts and Botha carried out raids into the Cape and Natal. Kitchener, on his own initiative, opened peace negotiations with Botha in February and March 1901 using Annie Botha as an intermediary. They met at Middelburg where Kitchener presented draft peace terms, approved by Milner and Chamberlain, granting financial assistance and reconstruction of property, and postponing black voting rights until after representative government had been introduced in the 'annexed colonies', in return for the surrender of Boer independence. The Boers found this unacceptable and many were angered that Botha had agreed to negotiate with Kitchener. Kitchener pressed Milner to soften the terms by introducing representative governments almost immediately and by granting full amnesty to the rebels. But Milner objected. The Boers responded by rejecting the British terms. Though Botha was hard pressed, he got as far as Babanango in Zululand and managed to capture a convoy of thirty-one British wagons in September. But, by October 1901, the commandos had become fugitives and ammunition and supplies were dwindling to nothing; nonetheless, Botha defeated a British force on the 20th at Bakenlaagte. Botha said he owed much to his wonderful white horse, Dopper, which carried him through the war! A meeting of sixty representatives of the commandos met on 15 May 1902 at Vereeniging to ascertain the views of the burghers. The representatives reported that in every area people were in desperate straits. To continue the war, Botha concluded, would result in total destruction of the two erstwhile republics and the virtual extermination of its people. On May 16, in a carefully reasoned speech, he persuaded the Free Staters that a decision for peace should be declared while they were still a nation, 'Do not let us regard a period of universal burial as the bitter end. If we do, we shall be to blame for national suicide,' he said. On May 28, during negotiations at Pretoria, Lord Milner tried to get the five Boer generals to sign an unsatisfactory document recognizing the proclamations that had annexed the republics as colonies. Botha emphatically rejected this scheme. But negotiations were going anything but smoothly. Lord Milner, unbending, wanted the Afrikaners denationalized and would not be limited by a timetable for self-government. The only concession he made was at the expense of blacks and Coloureds who were expressly excluded from political participation until some hazy period in the future. Botha succeeded in fixing a sum for economic reconstruction after the war and a draft was drawn up which became the Peace Treaty. The Boers were bitter. On May 29, negotiations were resumed. President Steyn left Pretoria, using his serious illness as an excuse to avoid signing the peace treaty. For three days, the negotiators argued. Then on the last morning, Botha and De La Rey managed to persuade defiant General de Wet to support the cause for peace. General Hertzog expressed his respect for Botha at this time, 'for he has shown himself to be possessed of a heart that feels all these things (the brunt of war), while he has had the courage to tell his people, and us, exactly how matters stand'. Reluctantly the burghers decided to relinquish their independence and to accept the otherwise generous terms of peace. The annexation proclamations were tacitly dropped, and the Treaty of Vereeniging was ratified on May 31 by fifty-four votes to six. For Milner the task was to control and administer a loyal post-war British South Africa himself. For Botha the task was to transform himself from a fighting man into a politician to ensure lasting peace in southern Africa. Though they had been conquered and impoverished, the Afrikaners had not been denationalised, and Milner failed to swamp them with British immigrants. Having overwhelmed the republics, British supremacy in South Africa began to wane. Botha, De la Rey, and De Wet were appointed to collect money overseas for economic reconstruction of the country. In July, the trio left for Europe, but despite their warm reception, they only raised £125,000. Chamberlain refused to increase the amount agreed on for reconstruction. Botha then wrote a persuasive article in The Contemporary Review, 'The Boers and the Empire', in which he described the advantages a conciliatory and accommodating attitude on the part of the British would have as a humane gesture and as effective politics. Shortly afterward, the British House of Commons voted a further £8-million. Botha also pleaded for an amnesty for the Cape and Natal rebels, and Chamberlain eventually agreed that the two colonial governments should decide on the matter. Botha interceded with the Cape and Natal premiers and the amnesty was granted. Back in South Africa, Botha determined to bring his people together again. Afrikaners resented Milner increasingly for his repatriation policies, for the way he carried out British compensation, and because he wanted to import Chinese labour to work on the mines. Botha, Smuts and De la Rey refused to serve on the Legislative Council in 1903. A protest meeting, headed by Botha, was held in Heidelberg to ask that Dutch and English be given equal status, to prevent further Chinese immigration, and to push for postponement of further importation of Indians. Milner's Legislative Council ignored the protesters. Smuts and other Boer leaders founded Het Volk in May 1904. Although it was an Afrikaner political party, it was based on principles likely to appeal to Boer and Englishman alike. It aimed for conciliation, self-government, and acceptance of those who had surrendered or had served with the British. One year later, the party's influence had spread so far that a meeting was held at the Wanderers, Johannesburg, to oppose the Lyttelton Constitution. Here, they protested against Chinese labour, the inadequate government of the former republics as crown colonies, and, finding some support among prominent businessmen, they founded the Responsible Government Association. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, leader of the Liberal Party, had publicly endorsed his party's abhorrence of Kitchener's farm burnings and concentration camps as 'methods of barbarism'. In Britain, reaction had set in and at the end of 1905, the Liberal Party was swept in to victory at the polls. Botha immediately sent Smuts overseas to plead for self-government. Campbell-Bannerman convinced his cabinet ministers that it would be 'a great act of faith' to make amends and retain Afrikaner co-operation. The Transvaal and the Free State shortly afterward obtained responsible government. (Transvaal in December 1906 and Orange River Colony in June 1907). Het Volk, now including many English-speaking allies, won the next election, and Botha became Prime Minister of the Transvaal on 4 March 1907. Botha attended the opening of Parliament at Pretoria by Lord Selborne on 21 March 1902 and heard him announce the decision to cease employment of Chinese labour by the Witwatersrand mines. Soon afterwards, he was summoned to attend the Imperial Conference. Botha was conciliatory. He pronounced Afrikaner loyalty to the Empire, presented the Cullinan diamond to Edward VII and was highly praised in England and South Africa. However, there was some tongue wagging in South Africa that Botha was becoming too anglicized. The gracious gesture of the uncommon present was immediately generously returned by the British House of Commons, which approved a loan to the Transvaal of £5 million. This was used mainly to establish the Land Bank to assist farmers, part was used to introduce free primary education, the railways were expanded, experimental farms were developed, and the fight against cattle diseases was given vigorous impetus. With all four colonies self-governing, hopes revived for uniting South Africa under one government. Botha and Smuts worked hard towards this goal. Gold and diamond production expanded and economic prosperity followed. But, politically, Botha was walking a tightrope. The majority of Chinese were repatriated, but the Indian question was thorny. Indians were very dissatisfied when compulsory registration of Indians in the Transvaal was passed in 1906 and the Gold Law of 1908 further restricted their trade. Afrikaners mistrusted Botha for his friendliness towards the British, especially after the Education Act of 1907 made English, but not Dutch, a compulsory school-learning subject. Nevertheless, supported by moderate Afrikaners and English-speakers, his party grew. In July 1907, the Selborne Memorandum, and in May 1908, the Customs Conference, laid the foundations for the National Convention. Botha played a leading part in the deliberations of the National Convention that produced the constitution for a unified form of government, ratified by the British Parliament on 31 May 1910. Botha becomes the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa on 21 May 1910. In terms of the South Africa Act, the first governor-general, Lord Gladstone, asked Botha to form the government for the Union of South Africa. John X Merriman, the experienced Prime Minister of the Cape, had been considered, but Botha's great prestige and his standing amongst Afrikaners made him the obvious choice. Instead of choosing a 'Best Man' government from all the parties Botha chose his cabinet from supportive party representatives. Percy Fitzpatrick was disillusioned because Botha had given up his negotiations for choosing a moderate government of the best brains in the country; but Fitzpatrick was stunned when he learned that Botha was to oppose him at Pretoria East. However, on polling day in September 1910, Botha, in a hotly contested election, was sensationally defeated by his former friend. To get into Parliament the member for Standerton was obliged to resign and Botha sought re-election at Standerton. Botha was faced with the problem of what to do with General J B M Hertzog, a controversial but influential figure among the Afrikaners, whom Free Staters especially, regarded as their own spokesman. Botha tried to fob him off by offering him a judgeship instead of a cabinet post but Hertzog turned it down. Botha was torn, and believing that Afrikaner leaders in his government might accommodate Afrikaner interests, he reluctantly appointed Hertzog minister of Justice and Native Affairs. This alienated many English-speakers, particularly when Hertzog delivered a number of speeches stressing that South African interests should come before those of Empire and that a 'two-stream' policy should be followed regarding Dutch and English-speaking white South Africans. Botha agreed that South Africa came first, but he disapproved of Hertzog's speeches on these issues for being tactless and inappropriate political wrangling. Minister of Commerce Colonel G Leuchars resigned in protest over Hertzog's speeches and Hertzogism divided Botha's party. English-speakers were against the bilingualism clause in the Civil Service and Pensions Bill presented before Parliament in April 1912. Minister of Finance H C Hull and Minister of Railways J W Sauer clashed on overlapping railway and financial matters and Hull resigned. Botha then dissolved his cabinet and excluded Hertzog and Leuchars. By 1913, the Afrikaner people were completely divided and nationalism carried its own momentum. The National Party was founded in 1914 with Hertzog, as leader, defining a 'two stream policy' -two nationalities flowing in parallel channels of cultural and national development - in contradiction of Botha's avowed 'one stream' policy to merge the two races into one people, the object of union. Like Hertzog, Botha believed in maintaining black traditions and in totally segregating black and white, except where blacks were needed as workers. As agriculture expanded, his attitude to blacks became increasingly illiberal in his efforts to placate the white races. The oppressive Native Land Act of 1913 was a revolution in land tenure; blacks had no rights to hire or buy land in the white areas and their lands were strictly demarcated and inadequate. At the outbreak of World War I, though some 70,000 Africans were recruited and went to France to work behind the lines, generally, they were not affected. Botha thought that while the war continued it would be very unwise to raise any large issues of policy in connection with the African population. In an attempt to appease and reunify Afrikaners by showing that he and Hertzog shared a mutual approach to segregation, Botha introduced the Native Affairs Administration Bill in 1917. This dealt with the question of the segregation of blacks, the principle of which had been settled by the Act of 1913. Merriman vigorously the bill, predicting that large numbers of Africans would be forced to leave their districts. He foresaw that the promised commission to investigate the purchase of additional land for them would be thwarted by whites, who would never agree to sell their lands. The bill caused intense anxiety among blacks, for what they needed was access to land on easy terms. Among whites, there was such intense disagreement within Botha's party that the bill was finally withdrawn. The industrial colour bar was a related question. It had been introduced to assist impoverished whites in retaining jobs threatened by the influx into the towns of blacks who accepted lower wages. White workers were determined to resist any upward movement of blacks with skills. From 1911, efforts were made to reclassify semi-skilled mining and railway tasks as skilled and thus, reserved for whites. Industrial unrest erupted on the Rand in May 1913. Neglect and incompetence allowed the situation to get out of hand. In June, fighting and violent outrages broke out in Johannesburg and many people died. The government conceded to nearly all the demands of the Labour leaders, but six months later gold miners, coal miners and railway workers went on strike again. Smuts put down the strike and deported nine foreign leaders. Their political opponents labelled Botha and Smuts military dictators and the Labour Party gained many erstwhile supporters of the SAP. The Great War confronted the Botha Government with a crisis: what part should South Africa play in it, and what action should the Union take in regard to German South West Africa? Botha felt it was a debt of 'duty and honour' to demonstrate gratitude for the early granting of self-government. But he had another motive too: he did not wish any other country to occupy and administer South West Africa. He had an eye on its incorporation into South Africa after the war. He considered the army that the Germans were raising in South West Africa a threat to South Africa itself. He therefore told the British Government that the Union would defend itself, and, as South Africa was part of the British Empire, it would look on Britain's enemies as its own. This pronouncement estranged influential anti-British Afrikaners. At Britain's request, Botha undertook to seize those parts of South West Africa, which would give it command of Luderitz Bay and Swakopmund. Their aim was to take over the coastal wireless stations and especially the long-distance radio transmitters at Windhoek, which they wrongly thought were able to transmit to German ships and submarines. Hertzog pleaded for neutrality. Many Afrikaners had ties of kinship with Germany and they felt grateful for the sympathy of the German people during the Anglo-Boer War. Though the Kaiser had let them down, Germans had assisted the Boers in the field and through the Red Cross, to the extent that President Steyn had said, 'My people here consider that they are under a debt of obligation to the German race.' Afrikaners did not universally hold these feelings, but there was widespread dissatisfaction. Botha and Smuts took steps to carry out the campaign, using volunteers. Botha did not consult Steyn or Hertzog beforehand and in his patriotic speeches he failed to stress the material advantages to South Africa of such a campaign. Unintentionally, he set those with German loyalties against those with British loyalties. The chief of the citizen force, General Beyers, resigned on 15 September 1914. That same evening General De la Rey was accidentally shot dead by the police. General De Wet held protest meetings in the Orange Free State and on 10 October Lieutenant Colonel S G (Manie) Maritz, who commanded the north-western Cape border, defected to the Germans. The protest in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State had become a rebellion. Botha defeated De Wet in a sharp skirmish, Beyers was put to flight and subsequently drowned. The rebellion was a formidable revolt of some thirteen thousand inadequately armed burghers who were prepared to follow their leaders blindly. Had it been successful, it would have led to a general civil war. It distressed Botha to take up arms against his own people. Though an amnesty was declared for the rank and file and the leaders were leniently treated, their prison sentences and fines upset Afrikaners and the shooting of Jopie Fourie as a traitor caused deep resentment. Botha commanded the Union troops in South West Africa, penetrating the region in four different directions; he overran the German positions and put them to flight. Early in July 1915, the Germans surrendered, but the full peace terms were only to be drawn up after the war in Europe had ended. The elections of 1915 were stormy. Botha was attacked for not implementing language equality. The Nationalists pronounced him a disloyal Afrikaner and he lost much support. Though the SAP won the elections, the Prime Minister did not have an outright majority in Parliament. His task was onerous after he took over the portfolio for Defence from Smuts, who had assumed supreme command of the South African forces in German East Africa. Botha was offered a post on the British War Cabinet but refused, and in 1914, Smuts sailed for Britain to attend the Imperial Conference and to take his place on the War Cabinet. Try as he might, Botha could not reconcile or reunite his people. And as the republican movement gained strength, his health began to fail. The Nationalists criticized his war policy and chided him for the country's lack of economic development because of South Africa's war effort. In 1917, the National Party proclaimed a republican manifesto, which asked Britain to restore independence to the former Boer republics. Unionists set fire to properties belonging to Afrikaners who in turn formed themselves into commandos. Botha swiftly intervened. Then blacks went on strike in Johannesburg and were sternly dealt with. This gave rise to further unrest. Peace. At the end of the war in 1918 Botha personally directed the repatriation of the South African troops in France. He went with Smuts to Paris to join the Allied delegations to the Peace Conference. Botha wanted to annex South West Africa outright but could not obtain general agreement on the issue from Wilson. Under the Peace of Versailles, the territory of South West Africa was handed over to the Union 'to be administered as an integral part of the Union with full power of administration and legislation,' subject to the Mandate of the League of Nations. This obliged the Union to submit annual reports on its administration of the mandated territory. The proposed peace terms were severe. Smuts at first refused to sign, but Botha realized further argument would be futile and persuaded Smuts to sign. Botha was given a tumultuous welcome on his return to South Africa. Worn out and not in the best of health, he caught a cold at his farm Rusthof that quickly developed into pneumonia. Very ill, he returned to his home in Pretoria where he died of a heart attack a few days later. He was buried in the Rebecca Street cemetery in Pretoria on 30 August. BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

< Back The African savanna elephant is the largest land mammal in the world and can reach up to 3 meters in height and can weigh up to 7 tons. The African forest elephant is 3 feet shorter. Elephants communicate across a large distance at a very low frequency through their feet and the soil that cannot be heard by humans. Elephants live in a herd that is led by the 'matriarch' female. The elephant is threatened by ivory poachers for their tusks. Previous Next BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

Northern Cape Northern Cape, province, western South Africa . It is bordered to the north by Namibia and Botswana ; to the east by North West , Free State , and Eastern Cape provinces; to the south and southwest by Western Cape province; and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean . Northern Cape was administratively created out of northern and central Cape of Good Hope province in 1994. Kimberley is the provincial capital. Northern Cape’s eastern half and southwest form part of the Highveld, an arid plateau that gradually rises to the Great Escarpment (more than 6,000 feet [1,900 metres] in elevation) along the province’s southern border. To the northwest is desert, including the sand dunes of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park , a conservation area jointly managed by South Africa and Botswana. The Orange River traverses the province from east to west and provides water for irrigation. The Orange is joined by one of its main tributaries, the Vaal River , near Douglas, in the east. In the west, near the Namibian border, the river plunges in a series of cataracts and rapids at Augrabies Falls , a total drop of more than 600 feet (183 metres). Thornveld is the natural vegetation of the province, and the climate is generally hot and arid. Annual rainfall increases from 4 inches (100 mm) in the west to about 14 inches (350 mm) in the east. Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. About half of the population is of mixed race. Blacks make up about one-third of the population, and whites constitute about one-tenth. Afrikaans is by far the most widely used language, spoken by about two-thirds of the population. Tswana is spoken by about one-fifth of the population. Several other languages are also spoken, including Xhosa and English. More than two-thirds of the population live in urban areas. The major urban centres are Kimberley and Upington. Annual spring wildflower display, Northern Cape province, South Africa. Merino sheep are raised in the south and Karakul sheep in the north, and cattle graze throughout the province. Pig raising and horse breeding are also practiced. Wheat, alfalfa (lucerne), cotton, peanuts (groundnuts), citrus fruit, and grapes are grown under irrigation. There are vineyards in the north. Winter rains in the western part of the province sustain an abundance of wildflowers. Mining is an important industry in Northern Cape. Major copper mines are located in Nababeep, Okiep, and Aggeneys. Diamonds are recovered throughout the province. Many diamonds and other precious stones are mined in the arid region of Namaqualand in the west, along the Atlantic coast. Kimberley, in the east, is well known for its diamond-mining past and is still a centre for mining and cutting diamonds. Northern Cape province produces almost all of the manganese mined in South Africa. Tungsten, zinc, lead, asbestos, iron ore, and limestone are also extracted at various locations. Area 143,973 square miles (372,889 square km). Pop. (2009 est.) 1,147, 600. The Northern Cape Province is the largest province in South Africa, with the lowest number of residents. The capital city is Kimberley. Some of its best-known attractions in this province are several of South Africa’s best national parks. This includes the Augrabies Falls National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Namaqua National Park and the Ai Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. Read more about South Africa’s 9 provinces. The province borders the Free State Province, Eastern Cape Province, North-West Province and Western Cape Province. It also borders Namibia in the Northwest. Find out more about South Africa’s location. Towns in the Northern Cape Province The biggest city in the Northern Cape Province is Kimberley, the capital city. The other main towns include: Barkly West Calvinia Carnarvon Colesberg Danielskuil De Aar Fraserburg Griekwastad Hondeklipbaai Kakamas Kamieskroon Kathu Kuruman Loeriesfontein Loxton Nieuwoudtville Prieska Springbok Upington Northern Cape The Northern Cape (Afrikaans : Noord-Kaap [ˈnuərtkɑːp] ; Tswana : Kapa Bokone; Xhosa : Mntla-Koloni) is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa . It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley . It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park , part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and an international park shared with Botswana . It also includes the Augrabies Falls and the diamond mining regions in Kimberley and Alexander Bay . The Namaqualand region in the west is famous for its Namaqualand daisies . The southern towns of De Aar and Colesberg found within the Great Karoo are major transport nodes between Johannesburg , Cape Town and Gqeberha . Kuruman can be found in the north-east and is known as a mission station. It is also well known for its artesian spring and Eye of Kuruman . The Orange River flows through the province, forming the borders with the Free State in the southeast and with Namibia to the northwest. The river is also used to irrigate the many vineyards in the arid region near Upington . Native speakers of Afrikaans comprise a higher percentage of the population in the Northern Cape than in any other province. The Northern Cape's four official languages are Afrikaans, Tswana , Xhosa , and English . Minorities speak the other official languages of South Africa and a few people speak indigenous languages such as Nama and Khwe . The provincial motto, Sa ǁa ǃaĩsi 'uĩsi ("We go to a better life"), is in the Nǀu language of the Nǁnǂe (ǂKhomani) people. It was given in 1997 by one of the language's last speakers, Ms. Elsie Vaalbooi of Rietfontein , who has since died. It was South Africa's first officially registered motto in a Khoisan language . Subsequently, South Africa's national motto , ǃKe e ǀxarra ǁke, was derived from the extinct ǀXam language . History Main article: History of the Northern Cape The Northern Cape was one of three provinces made out of the Cape Province in 1994, the others being Western Cape to the south and Eastern Cape to the southeast. Politically, it had been dominated since 1994 by the African National Congress (ANC). Ethnic issues are important in the politics of the Northern Cape. For example, it is the site of the Orania settlement, whose leaders have called for a Volkstaat for the Afrikaner people in the province. The Northern Cape is also the home of over 1,000 San who emigrated from Namibia following the independence of the country; they had served as trackers and scouts for the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War , and feared reprisals from their former foes. They were awarded a settlement in Platfontein in 1999 by the Mandela government. The precolonial history of the Northern Cape is reflected in a rich, mainly Stone Age, archaeological heritage . Cave sites include Wonderwerk Cave near Kuruman, which has a uniquely long sequence stretching from the turn of the twentieth century at the surface to more than 1 million (and possibly nearly 2 million) years in its basal layer (where stone tools , occurring in very low density, may be Oldowan ). Many sites across the province, mostly in open air locales or in sediments alongside rivers or pans, document Earlier, Middle and Later Stone Age habitation. From Later Stone Age times, mainly, there is a wealth of rock art sites – most of which are in the form of rock engravings such as at Wildebeest Kuil and many sites in the area known as ǀXam -ka !kau , in the Karoo . They occur on hilltops, slopes, rock outcrops and occasionally (as in the case of Driekops Eiland near Kimberley), in a river bed. In the north eastern part of the province there are sites attributable to the Iron Age such as Dithakong . Environmental factors have meant that the spread of Iron Age farming westwards (from the 17th century – but dating from the early first millennium AD in the eastern part of South Africa) was constrained mainly to the area east of the Langeberg Mountains, but with evidence of influence as far as the Upington area in the eighteenth century. From that period the archaeological record also reflects the development of a complex colonial frontier when precolonial social formations were considerably disrupted and there is an increasing 'fabric heavy' imprint of built structures, ash-heaps, and so on. The copper mines of Namaqualand and the diamond rush to the Kimberley area resulted in industrial archaeological landscapes in those areas which herald the modern era in South African history. Geography See also: List of cities and towns in the Northern Cape A waterfall situated a few kilometres north of Nieuwoudtville on the road to Loeriesfontein , in the Northern Cape (Namaqualand region). The Northern Cape is South Africa's largest province, and distances between towns are enormous due to its sparse population. Its size is just shy of the size of the American state of Montana and slightly larger than that of Germany. The province is dominated by the Karoo Basin and consists mostly of sedimentary rocks and some dolerite intrusions. The south and south-east of the province is high-lying, 1,200–1,900 metres (3,900–6,200 ft), in the Roggeveld and Nuweveld districts. The west coast is dominated by the Namaqualand region, famous for its spring flowers. This area is hilly to mountainous and consists of granites and metamorphic rocks . The central areas are generally flat with interspersed salt pans. Kimberlite intrusions punctuate the Karoo rocks, giving the province its most precious natural resource, diamonds . The north is primarily Kalahari Desert, characterised by parallel red sand dunes and acacia tree dry savanna. Northern Cape has a shoreline in the west on the South Atlantic Ocean. It borders the following areas of Namibia and Botswana: ǁKaras Region , Namibia – northwest Hardap Region, Namibia – far northwest Kgalagadi District, Botswana – north Domestically, it borders the following provinces: North West – northeast Free State – east Eastern Cape – southeast Western Cape – south and southwest Rivers The major river system is the Orange (or Gariep ) River Basin, draining the interior of South Africa westwards into the Atlantic Ocean. (The political philosopher Neville Alexander has used the idea of the 'Garieb' as a metaphor for nationhood in South Africa, a flowing together, in preference to the rainbow metaphor where the diverse colours remain distinct) The principal tributary of the Orange is the Vaal River , which flows through part of the Northern Cape from the vicinity of Warrenton . The Vaal, in turn, has tributaries within the province: the Harts River and the Riet River , which has its own major tributary, the Modder River . Above the Orange-Vaal confluence, the Seekoei River drains part of the northeastern Karoo into the Orange River above the Vanderkloof Dam . Next downstream from the Orange-Vaal confluence is the Brak River , which flows nonperennially from the south and is in turn fed by the Ongers River , rising in the vicinities of Hanover and Richmond respectively. Along the Orange River near the town of Kakamas , the Hartebeest River drains the central Karoo . Above Kenhardt the Hartebeest is known as the Sak River , which has its source on the northern side of the escarpment, southeast of Williston . Further downstream from Kakamas, below the Augrabies Falls , and seldom actually flowing into the Orange River, is the Molopo River , which comes down from the Kalahari in the north. With its tributary, the Nossob River , it defines part of the international boundary between South Africa and Botswana . Further tributaries of the Molopo River include the Kuruman River , fed by the Moshaweng River and Kgokgole River , and the Matlhwaring River . Flowing west into the Atlantic, in Namaqualand , is the Buffels River and, further south, the Groen River . [citation needed ] Climate Windmills in Namaqualand, Northern Cape Mostly arid to semiarid, few areas in the province receive more than 400 mm (16 in) of rainfall per annum and the average annual rainfall over the province is 202 mm (8.0 in).[13] Rainfall generally increases from west to east from a minimum average of 20 mm (0.79 in) to a maximum of 540 mm (21 in) per year. The west experiences most rainfall in winter, while the east receives most of its moisture from late summer thunderstorms. Many areas experience extreme heat, with the hottest temperatures in South Africa measured along the Namibian border. Summers maximums are generally 30 °C (86 °F) or higher, sometimes higher than 40 °C (104 °F). Winters are usually frosty and clear, with southern areas sometimes becoming bitterly cold, such as Sutherland , which often receives snow and temperatures occasionally drop below the −10 °C (14 °F) mark. Kimberley averages: January maximum: 33 °C (91 °F) (min: 18 °C (64 °F)), June maximum: 18 °C (64 °F) (min: 3 °C (37 °F)), annual precipitation: 414 mm (16.3 in) Springbok averages: January maximum: 30 °C (86 °F) (min: 15 °C (59 °F)), July maximum: 17 °C (63 °F) (min: 7 °C (45 °F)), annual precipitation: 195 mm (7.7 in) Sutherland averages: January maximum: 27 °C (81 °F) (min: 9 °C (48 °F)), July maximum: 13 °C (55 °F) (min: −3 °C (27 °F)), annual precipitation: 237 mm (9.3 in) Demographics - Race/Ethnicity - Languages - Religion Demographics Population density in the Northern Cape <1 /km2 1–3 /km2 3–10 /km2 10–30 /km2 30–100 /km2 100–300 /km2 300–1000 /km2 1000–3000 /km2 >3000 /km2 Dominant home languages in the Northern Cape Afrikaans English Xhosa Tswana No language dominant As of the 2022 census , the Northern Cape had a population of 1,355,629, an increase of 18.3% from the prior census in 2011 . It is least populous and by a considerable margin the least densely populated of South Africa's nine provinces. The median age is 27, an increase of 2 years from 2011. Race/Ethnicity In the 2022 census, 50.1% of the population described themselves as Black African , 41.6% as Coloured , 7.3% as White and 0.8% as Indian/Asian . Coloureds form a higher proportion of the population in the Northern Cape than in any other province except for the Western Cape . Historic Breakdown of Population by Group Population Group1996200120112022 Black African 44.9%46.5%50.4%50.1% Coloured 43.7%42.9%40.3%41.6% White 11.2%10.3%7.1%7.3% Indian/Asian 0.2%0.2%0.7%0.8% Othern/an/a1.6%0.2% Languages In the 2022 census, 54.6% of the population reported their first language as Afrikaans , 35.7% as Setswana , 4.5% as Xhosa , and 2.4% as English . The Northern Cape is the only province in which native Afrikaans-speakers form a majority of the population. It is also the province with the second-highest proportion of Setswana speakers, after North West province. Religion The population of the Northern Cape is overwhelmingly Christian . As of the 2022 census, 97.8% of the population described themselves as Christians , the highest proportion among South Africa's provinces. Among other religions, 0.8% of the population described themselves as Muslim , and 0.7% of the population stated that they practiced Traditional African religions. Only 0.3% of the population described themselves as being atheist, agnostic, or having no religious affiliation Municipalities - Cities and towns - Economy Municipalities Main article: List of municipalities in the Northern Cape Northern Cape districts and local municipalities Sign along R354 welcoming motorists into the Northern Cape from the Western Cape . The sign is in Afrikaans (top left), English (bottom left), Tswana (top right), and Xhosa (bottom right) The Northern Cape Province is divided into five district municipalities . The district municipalities are in turn divided into 27 local municipalities : District municipalities Frances Baard District Sol Plaatje Dikgatlong Magareng Phokwane John Taolo Gaetsewe District Moshaweng Ga-Segonyana Gamagara Namakwa District Richtersveld Nama Khoi Kamiesberg Hantam Karoo Hoogland Khâi-Ma Pixley ka Seme District Ubuntu Umsobomvu Emthanjeni Kareeberg Renosterberg Thembelihle Siyathemba Siyancuma ZF Mgcawu District (formerly Siyanda) Kai !Garib Dawid Kruiper !Kheis Tsantsabane Kgatelopele Cities and towns Main article: List of cities and towns in the Northern Cape Springbok viewed from the old cemetery Population 50,000+ Kimberley Upington Population 10,000+ Douglas Barkly West Colesberg De Aar Jan Kempdorp Kathu Kuruman Postmasburg Prieska Springbok Victoria West Warrenton Population < 10,000 Orania Carnarvon Garies Griekwastad Groblershoop Hartswater Keimoes Kakamas Pofadder Port Nolloth Strydenburg Sutherland Vanderkloof Economy As reported by the Northern Cape Provincial Government, unemployment still remains a big issue in the province. Unemployment was reported to be at 24.9% during Q4, 2013. Unemployment also declined from 119,000 in Q4, 2012 to 109,000 in Q4, 2013. The Northern Cape is also home to the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), which is located 75 km North-West of Carnarvon . The economy of the Northern Cape relies heavily on two sectors, mining and agriculture, which employ 57% (Tertiary Sector) of all employees in the province.[citation needed ] See also: Northern Cape wine Most famous for the diamond mines around Kimberley , it also has mining activities for Manganese and iron ore. The Northern Cape also has a substantial agricultural area around the Orange River , including most of South Africa's sultana vineyards. Some Wine of Origin areas have been demarcated. The Orange River also attracts visitors who enjoy rafting tours around Vioolsdrif . Extensive sheep raising is the basis of the economy in the southern Karoo areas of the province. See also Northern Cape Provincial Legislature Griqualand West List of speakers of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

< Back giraffe , (genus Giraffa ), any of four species in the genus Giraffa of long-necked cud-chewing hoofed mammals of Africa, with long legs and a coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. Giraffes are the tallest of all land animals; males (bulls) may exceed 5.5 metres (18 feet) in height, and the tallest females (cows) are about 4.5 metres. Using prehensile tongues almost half a metre long, they are able to browse foliage almost six metres from the ground. Giraffes are a common sight in grasslands and open woodlands in East Africa , where they can be seen in reserves such as Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Amboseli National Park . The genus Giraffa is made up of the northern giraffe ( G. camelopardalis ), the southern giraffe ( G. giraffa ), the Masai giraffe ( G. tippelskirchi ), and the reticulated giraffe ( G. reticulata ). Previous Next BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

Andreas Dezius Website C/O Phone: Email: a.dezius@gmail.com Address: Steedener Weg 65594 Runkel/Dehrn Germany How the site works 1. What are the criteria to be listed on South African Tours ? In order to be listed on South African Tours , accommodations must meet all of the following criteria: Must be open to the general public Must have an official name Must have an official address at a single and permanent location Must be open for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks of the year at a single and permanent location Must have multiple rooms/units Must be able to accommodate 2 or more separate parties at a time Must not require guests to stay more than 7 nights Must be currently open or taking reservations for a future opening date To be listed in the hotel category, an accommodation must also meet all of the following criteria or have an official business license issued by a local governmental or tourism authority that identifies the accommodation is classified as Hotel as defined by local authorities A front desk is open and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Check-in hours can have a start time, but should not have a designated end time Periodic housekeeping is included in the room rate Private bathroom for each unit Must not require guests to stay more than 3 nights In select countries, some specially-designated accommodations are displayed with Hotels. These accommodations are editorially selected and not available by request. Currently, these include Hotels, and , all in South Africa. To be listed in the B&B and Inns category, an accommodation must also meet all of the following criteria or have an official business license issued by a local governmental or tourism authority that identifies the accommodation is classified as B&B, Inn, Guest House, or Pension as defined by local authorities: Daily on-site management. Daily housekeeping is included in the room rate Must not require guests to stay more than 3 nights We may, on a case-by-case basis, allow B&Bs with only one room. To qualify, the accommodation must be locally licensed to operate as a B&B, and it must be listed with local tourism authorities. To be listed in the Specialty Lodging category, an accommodation must meet our accommodation listing guidelines. Any accommodation that offers shared (dorm-style) rooms will be considered a hostel and will be listed in Specialty Lodging. For more information, In order to be listed on South African Tours , restaurants must meet all of the following criteria: Must serve prepared food Must be open to the public; cannot require membership Must be open on a regularly scheduled basis Must be open for at least 12 consecutive weeks of the year Must maintain a permanent location in one city/town but can deliver to multiple cities/towns. Must be stationary and have a permanent address (Food trucks may be listed as long as their schedule and locations are posted online.) In order to be listed on South African Tours , airlines must meet the following criteria: Operate a scheduled service under their own brand Publish fares or schedules to the public Operate a service that transports a passenger from one point to another Has been in commercial operation for a minimum of 60 days In order to be listed on South African Tours, Things to Do must meet the following criteria. Permanent attractions: Must be of interest to tourists Must abide by our Animal Welfare Policy Must have an official name and a permanent address Must be open and available to the general public on a regularly scheduled basis Must be open for at least 12 consecutive weeks of the year (Exception: Performances must operate at one venue for at least 24 consecutive weeks of the year. Events lasting less than 12 weeks must be non-travelling events happening at one location.) Must be currently open or taking reservations for a future opening date Tours, cruises, and classes: Must be of interest to tourists Must abide by our Animal Welfare Policy Our Animal Welfare Policy Many tourism attractions around the world feature live animals in some way, whether in the wild or in captivity. At South African Tours , we believe every attraction has a responsibility to ensure that any animals in its care are treated humanely. We know that most attraction operators act responsibly, and agree with the basic precept of treating animals humanely. But we also know that worldwide, the standards of care that animals receive can vary depending on local laws. As an online platform used by millions, we recognize the role South African Tours can play in driving improvements in animal welfare standards across the tourism industry. As a result, we are proud to have introduced a set of industry-leading animal welfare guidelines that every bookable experience sold on our platform must comply with. Here are the guidelines in full: Physical interaction with animals in captivity South African Tours will not sell tickets to, or generate booking revenue from, specific experiences where tourists come into physical contact with captive wild animals unless certain exceptional circumstances apply. The circumstances in which Tripadvisor would allow for sale an experience that involves physical contact between guests and captive wild animals are as follows: Aquarium touch pools used for education purposes, where tourists are under the supervision of zoo, aquarium and or wildlife officials Invertebrate touch and feel experiences (such as spider/insect experiences) used for education purposes, where tourists are under the supervision of zoo, aquarium and or wildlife officials Any feeding or touching program in a captive environment, conducted under the supervision of zoo and or wildlife officials, where physical interaction is initiated by the animals themselves as a natural behavior (i.e. the animals are not drugged, baited or intimidated into compliance) and where those animals can disengage from contact at will Voluntourism programs for endangered species preservation at zoos, aquariums or sanctuaries where it is possible that there might be some level of physical interaction with an animal Domesticated animals Experiences or attractions that involve only domestic animals, such as horseback riding or children’s petting zoos, are eligible for sale on South African Tours . Shows and Performances South African Tours will not sell tickets to, or generate revenue from, specific experiences where captive wild or endangered animals are forced to perform demeaning tricks or other unnatural behaviors in front of the general public, or where they are featured as part of a live circus or stage entertainment act in a demeaning manner (including imitating humans, such as dressing up in costume). Demeaning acts are defined as those where an animal may be either drugged or forcibly trained to behave or comply in an unnatural way, and which do not provide either necessary stimulation, exercise or veterinary care to that animal. Tripadvisor will not sell tickets to greyhound racing. Cetaceans (Whales and Dolphins) South African Tours will not sell tickets to, or directly generate revenue from, attractions or experiences where captive cetaceans are placed on public display, with the exception of: Whale and dolphin seaside sanctuaries Guest experiences that take place at the following types of facilities are eligible for sale: Any sanctuary facility that provides all of its captive cetaceans with a permanent seaside living environment. Any commercial or not-for-profit facility that is in the process of developing, alternative seaside sanctuary environments for captive cetaceans and that has made a public commitment to rehouse all captive cetaceans in its care to these environments in an expedient manner. A seaside sanctuary environment is defined as a natural body of coastal water, such as a bay or cove, that houses cetaceans in as close to a natural environment as possible while providing protection and oversight from qualified husbandry and veterinary staff. Seaside sanctuaries must adhere to a strict no-breeding policy, must not train their animals to perform in any shows or performances for public display, and must prohibit all forms of physical interaction between guests and the animals, including any in-water guest experiences. Other facilities Subject to any other relevant policy stipulations, guest experiences at the following types of facilities may also be eligible for sale: Any accredited* facility that has made an official and public commitment to implement all of the following practices: Cease and prevent the breeding of cetaceans in its care Cease the importation of captive cetaceans from other facilities for public display Cease the capture and importation of wild cetaceans for public display *Accreditation must be provided by a member association of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Bloodsports South African Tours will not sell tickets to any attraction that is found to be in breach of the South African Tours listing policy as it relates to the harming or killing of animals. This policy stipulates that South African Tours does not list attractions where the primary purpose of the business includes: The harming or killing of endangered species in the wild (such as the hunting of endangered animals); and/or The harming or killing of any captive animal (such as bloodsport attractions) Feeding demonstrations that involve live animals being fed to other animals for entertainment (e.g. feeding live cows to lions). Must have an official name and published phone number or email Must be a tour company, not an individual tour Must operate for at least 12 consecutive weeks of the year Must have an official website which includes: duration of tour description of what is included in the tour name of the city where the tour departs For vacation rentals properties to be listed on South African Tours , there are no specific listing criteria. Hotels, restaurants and airlines are listed free of charge and once listed on the website, businesses are not delisted so long as they remain open.. Landmarks, places of interest and tour operators are listed free of charge, irrespective of commercial relationships. Tours and activities will be bookable on South African Tours only if the suppliers of such tours and activities contract with one of South African Tours affiliate companies to have their products available for bookings or reservations, or otherwise if the listing is displayed as part of a commercial licensing arrangement with a third party business. Bookable vacation rental properties are listed only if the listing is displayed as a part of a commercial licensing arrangement with a third party business. The results displayed are not necessarily exhaustive of all offers that may be available, whether on the Internet or otherwise. 2. What are our policies and criteria for ranking? Hotels are currently ranked in the following ways: “Traveler Ranking” or “Highest Rating”: ranks the top rated hotels, as the case may be, based on user input on South African Tours . Results are ranked on the basis of the 'Popularity Index' , which is based on the quality, recency and quantity of reviews an establishment receives from users. “Best Value” is the default sort order for hotels and ranks these establishments using exclusive South African Tours data, including confirmed availability from our partners, booking popularity as reported to us by our partners, traveler ratings, prices, location, personal user preferences and hotel browsing history. “Price (low to high)”: ranks the establishments according to the lowest prices offered through our partners for your selected dates at the time of your search. “Distance to city center”: ranks first the establishments closest to the applicable city center with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners. “Featured”: ranks accommodations taking into account the compensation paid to us by those accommodations and/or booking sites. It also incorporates exclusive South African Tours data, including traveler ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity, location and personal user preferences. Pages featuring Hotels may also feature horizontal selections of other points of interest, suppliers or their products. A range of different factors inform these selections, and the title is usually indicative of this. Revenue paid to companies in the South African Tours group can also be a factor. The ingredients that feed these selections are summarized below. Those selections that are influenced by revenue are highlighted. “Popular Nearby” Proximity to the hotel featured at the top of the page, availability with our partners, user reviews “Similar Sponsored Properties” Payments to South African Tours from the properties listed, along with user review scores, location, availability, price data, booking popularity with our partners “Most booked properties” User review scores, location, availability, price data, booking popularity with our partners “Compare more popular hotels” Location, availability, price data, booking popularity with our partners and reviews “Nearby” Location, availability, price data, booking popularity with our partners and reviews “Vacation Rentals” Vacation rental properties advertised on the South African Tours website ranked by review data, price and availability for the user’s selected dates. Things to Do are currently ranked in the following ways: “Traveller Favorites”: Things to do ranked using South African Tours data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location. “Featured”: The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on South African Tours is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by South African Tours from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, the user’s recent browsing history on South African Tours , and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary. “Traveller Ranking”: ranks places of interest and/or tour operators on South African Tours based on traveler reviews in accordance with the Popularity Index, using the same method as stated above under Hotels. “ Price”: ranks tours, activities and experiences bookable on South African Tours , based on the prices offered by our partners. “Duration”: ranks tours, activities and experiences bookable on South African Tours , based on their duration. Pages featuring Things to Do may also feature horizontal selections of other points of interest, suppliers or their products. A range of different factors inform these selections, and the title is usually indicative of this. Revenue to companies in the South African Tours group can also be a factor. The ingredients that feed these selections are summarized below. Those selections that are influenced by revenue are highlighted. “Other Top Attractions around {Geo}” Geographic distance from the location, overall ratings, ratings in the past year, total number of reviews, reviews in the past year, distinct number of travelers who viewed the attraction’s detail page in the past year, attraction creation date “Explore popular experiences” bookings, page views, clicks, number of products or attractions per category Bookings, page views, ratings, clicks “Ways to tour” / “Must-do experiences” Bookings, ratings, review count, category, linked points of interest “Tours in and around [location]” Bookings, ratings, review count, category, linked points of interest, distance of experience from geographic location “Tours near [location]” Bookings, ratings, review count, category, linked points of interest, distance of experience from geographic location “Recommended for you” User browsing history (previously viewed products and points of interest) Category-based selections Same as Traveller Favourites sort, described above “Experiences you don’t want to miss” Traveler Favorites sort, but filtered further using availability and pricing data “Recommended experiences” Availability, bookings, page views “Similar experiences” Bookings, ratings, review count, category, linked points of interest “Recommended” Revenue, bookings, pageviews, point of interestname, Product name, review counts, ratings, Product/points of interest mappings “Top ways to experience” Ratings, review count, bookings, geographic distance, Revenue, relevant point of interest data, title, description “Ways to experience” Revenue, ratings, review count “Shop tickets and tours” Bookings, page views, ratings, clicks “More to explore in [location]” Bookings, page views, ratings, clicks “Buy it with” Bookings, category, geo location, price, review count, ratings, duration, points of interest mappings “Similar experiences” Product locations, bookings, page views, product title and description, availability “Top rated” Ratings, review count, revenue, product locations, bookings, product tags, product title and description “You may also like” Bookings, ratings, review count, category, linked points of interest “Travelers also viewed” Page views “Buy it with” Bookings, category, location, price, review count, ratings, duration, point of interest data “Recently viewed” User behavior (recent views) “Top attractions in [location]” Revenue, ratings, review count, pageviews, user country “Buy it with” Bookings, category, location, price, review count, ratings, duration, relevant points of interest “Attraction tickets” Revenue, ratings, review count, location “Half day tours” Revenue, ratings, review count, location “Shop tickets and tours” Bookings, page views, ratings, clicks, location “City tours” Revenue, ratings, numbers of reviews, location “Cultural tours” Revenue, ratings, numbers of reviews, location "[Location] is great for" Attraction bookings, page views, reviews, place of interest data, user's answers to questions "Essential [Location]" - Do Hand curated by Tripadvisor staff "Essential [Location]" - Stay Hand curated by Tripadvisor staff "Essential [Location]" - Eat Hand curated by Tripadvisor staff “Top experiences in [Geo]” Bookings, ratings, review count, category, linked points of interest “Top experiences in and around [Geo]” Bookings, ratings, review count, category, linked points of interest, distance of experience from geographic location “Top experiences near [Geo]” Bookings, ratings, review count, category, linked points of interest, distance of experience from geographic location “Top attractions in [Geo]” Review count, ratings, pageviews, user country “Top global destinations” Pageviews, revenue “Top experiences worldwide” Bookings, frequency of user clicks, ratings, review count “Top global attractions” Review count, ratings, pageviews “Family adventures await” Bookings with children, views, reviews and ratings, reviews and ratings by families, minimum age requirement, duration, product title and description, category, availability Restaurants are currently ranked in the following ways: “Highest Rating”: ranks the top rated restaurants based on user input on South African Tours, Results are ranked on the basis of the 'Popularity Index' , which is based on the quality, recency and quantity of reviews an establishment receives from users. “Relevance”: ranks restaurants based on themed ‘tags’, relating to things like cuisine type and amenities. “Best Nearby”: ranks restaurants based on how close other properties are to the featured property, coupled with quality, quantity and recency of user reviews. Hotels may be displayed based on their room availability. “Commerce”: displays restaurants based on partnerships with service providers that enable services like table reservations, food delivery, and dining with a chef, from which South African Tours generates revenue. When restaurants are filtered by sub-category (for instance: type of cuisine, dinner, local cuisine, etc), then within this sub-category they are ranked according to the “Relevance” logic. Sub-categories displaying restaurants that have table reservations and chef experiences are only featured through our partners. The sub-category for delivery is a combination of both “Relevance” and partnerships through our delivery partners. The “special offer” sub-category is displayed based on “Highest Rating.” There are various different types of pages on the South African Tours site that offer lists of restaurants, presented either horizontally or vertically. The restaurants in those lists are sorted and ranked according to different rules and systems, in response to different types of data pertaining to those restaurants. The logic behind these lists is summarized below. Page Description of Logic(s) Restaurants List Horizontal Rows (Shelves): Our relevance logic is based on themed ‘tags’, relating to things like cuisine type and amenities. ‘Community Picks’ is based on public trips rated by the South African Tours community. Our partnerships with service providers enable services like table reservations, food delivery, and dining with a chef, from which Tripadvisor generates revenue. Vertical Rows (List): Our ‘highest rating’ logic is based on quality, quantity, and recency of user reviews. Pages Dedicated to Individual Restaurants Our relevance logic is based on themed ‘tags’, relating to things like cuisine type and amenities, coupled with quality, quantity and recency of user reviews. Best Nearby logic is based on how close other properties are to the featured property, coupled with quality, quantity and recency of user reviews. Hotels may be displayed based on their room availability. “Explore” Page South African Tours editorial staff select properties to be displayed in shelves across the platform. Other properties are displayed from relevance logic based on themed ‘tags’, relating to things like cuisine type and amenities, coupled with quality, quantity and recency of user reviews for properties in proximity to the center of the featured geography. Vacation rental properties are currently ranked in the following ways: "South African Tours Sort" is the default sort order and ranks vacation rental property listings based on a number of criteria (in order of importance from least to most) such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, location, amenities, minimum stay requirements, number of photographs, length of time the property has been advertised by Vrbo on South African Tours website, number of times the listing has been viewed, number of bookings, cancellation rates and advertising revenue made by South African Tours when the property is booked. For all other sort orders, the South African Tours Sort also works as a “tie-breaker” to determine ordering where there are two or more properties with the same attributes. “Price (Low to high/ High to low)”: ranks properties based on price on the dates searched. “Bedrooms (Most to least/ Least to most)”: ranks properties based on the number of bedrooms, in the order selected. “# of reviews”: ranks properties based on the total number of reviews of the property, including both reviews submitted to South African Tours and those submitted on Vrbo. Flights are currently ranked in the following ways: “Price”: ranks the results according to the prices currently offered by our partners. “Duration”: ranks based on total estimated flight time from departure to arrival. “Best Value”: ranks the best combination of price, flight duration, and sometimes factors such as additional fees. Earliest/Latest Outbound/Return Arrival/Departure: these options list by various aspects of available flight times. Search: South African Tours internal search function presents results relevant to your text query. To give you the most useful information, search algorithms look at many factors and signals, including the words of your query, reviews, bubble rating, number of page views, and your location. Different result types can have different factors relevant to them, but the text query is applied to rank all the results on the search page. Apart from the query, the following factors are used to order the search results, depending on the type of South African Tours content discovered by the search: Followers/followees count, verified member flag - for Member Profiles Reviews, bubble rating, number of page views, distance from you, open/closed state - for Hotels, Restaurants, Things to Do, Vacation Rental properties. Number of page views - for Geographic Locations Date (freshness of the content) - for Forum Posts AI-powered Trips South African Tours AI-powered trip itinerary builder creates lists of suggestions for a potential trip. The tool suggests destinations based on similar searches by users from the user’s home location. The suggested interests, from which travelers can select, are a mix of generic topics and topics selected by AI as being particularly relevant for the destination. Then, taking the user’s selected destination, dates and interests, the trip tool suggests accommodations, things to do and restaurants to visit. Where options for bookable Things to Do products are shown, they may also be selected partially due to the revenue they are likely to generate for South African Tours . Options for accommodations will be shown according to the Best Value sort, which is described above under Hotels. The itinerary produced by the tool then lists restaurants, places of interest and things to do based on review scores in our Popularity Index and proximity to other recommendations in the list. Bookable Things to do may also appear partly due to the revenue they are likely to generate for South African Tours . The descriptions are generated by AI, drawing on content from user reviews. AI is not perfect and the Trip planner’s suggestions are only intended as a starting point for a user’s booking journey. Travelers should continue their own research and keep reading user reviews and other available information before booking. Trips pages For you – South African Tours users, when logged in, can create Trips and save them to their South African Tours account via the Trips page. Our Trips section also features a “For you” page bearing further suggestions. Where suggestions are described as being “top ranked”, this is a reference to the following sort logics, all of which are explained above: Hotels - Best Value Things to Do – Traveller Favourites Restaurants - Highest Rating Traveler's Choice South African Tours awards fall into two levels: Best of the Best and Travelers’ Choice. Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best is our highest honor. The award takes into account the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings, and ranks the very best accommodations, destinations, beaches, restaurants, and things to do in specific categories and geographic areas, as rated and reviewed by travelers. Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners are among the top 1% of listings on South African Tours . Travelers’ Choice, formerly Certificate of Excellence, recognizes businesses that earn consistently great reviews. Travelers’ Choice award-winners are among the top 10% of listings on South African Tours . South African Tours Travelers’ Choice honors select accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence. On destination pages, these winners are ranked using South African Tours data including reviews, ratings and number of page views. 3. No ownership of any listed businesses South African Tours does not own any of the businesses listed on its site. See here the list of websites managed and operated by South African Tours and/or its affiliate companies . 4. Compensation Except where described above, travel and hospitality businesses are listed on South African Tours for free. Where price offers are provided for hotels, the ranking of price offers may depend in part on the price paid by affiliates who participate in our "cost-per-click" auction system. Suppliers of tours, activities and experiences can be listed on South African Tours for free. If they wish to make a tour, activity or experience bookable through South African Tours or its affiliate companies, they must enter into an agreement with one of Tripadvisor’s affiliate companies, pursuant to which the suppliers are paid for bookings made through our platforms. Vacation rental properties are listed for free, a commission is paid on completion of a stayed booking. Airlines are listed on South African Tours for free. South African Tours does not accept any compensation that could influence the rankings of flight for a given user search, as described above. 5. Commercial Relations Partners can enter into a number of different kinds of direct commercial relationship with South African Tours if they wish, especially in order to be bookable online. Commercial relationships that partners may have with South African Tours may influence certain ranking methods as described above. However, they have no influence on South African Tours . 'Popularity Index'. How the Popularity Ranking works The Popularity Ranking is based on the quality, recency and quantity of reviews that a business receives from users — and the consistency of those reviews over time Quality The bubble ratings that users provide as part of their reviews are used to rank the quality of the experience at each business. All other things being equal, a business with more 5-bubble ratings will rank higher than a business with lower bubble ratings. Recency Recent reviews are more valuable than older reviews. They give a more accurate representation of the current experience at the business. This means reviews — good or bad — that are older will not count as much towards a business's ranking as a review written more recently. Although older reviews do not have as much weight in the ranking, they are still visible in the Overview section of each listing and in the business’s review history. Quantity The number of reviews is a critical indicator to Tripadvisor users about a business. South African Tours users typically read multiple reviews to help form a balanced opinion on a business and have more confidence in their decisions when they see agreement across a large set of fellow users’ reviews. When we talk about review quantity, it’s important to note that a business just needs to have enough reviews to provide statistical significance and allow for a confident comparison to other businesses. Just having more reviews doesn’t mean that a business will be ranked higher than its competitors. For example, a business with 1,000 reviews isn’t necessarily going to be rated higher than one with 500 reviews that were received in roughly the same period of time. This is because they both have enough reviews to make us confident in the potential travel experience they can deliver. The Popularity Ranking algorithm is designed to provide a statistical measure of confidence about the current experience at a business. As we accumulate more reviews on a business over time, we have more insight into the potential experience consumers can expect. Once we've reached a critical mass of reviews, we're able to more accurately predict that business's ranking. Consistency: putting it all together In summary: Good reviews are better than poor reviews Recent reviews are given more weight than older reviews More reviews help build confidence faster These factors interact over time to determine a business’s Popularity Ranking. For example, the quality and quantity of reviews over time provide us with a view of each business's consistency. A business that has consistently good reviews will rank higher than one with a similar number of good and poor reviews. Similarly, recency and quantity are closely linked — a large number of recent reviews will be valued higher than ones that are several years old. How has the Popularity Ranking evolved? Over time, we continue to optimize and enhance the Popularity Ranking to improve our site experience for users and businesses alike. We know how important ranking on South African Tours is to businesses. Any changes we make are not undertaken lightly. They are carefully designed and tested to improve our rankings algorithm in very specific ways, while maintaining the accurate standings of existing businesses on South African Tours . Recent changes, in 2016 and 2018, have focused on promoting more consistency in the rankings. The goal with each change has been to more accurately reflect a business’s performance relative to others in its location over time, regardless of its size or the rate at which it collects reviews. How can you improve your business’s Popularity Ranking Because the Popularity Ranking is based on user feedback, consistently collecting new, high-quality reviews — that reflect levels of service and value that meet expectations — is the best way for businesses to improve their position over time. It is important to note that the Popularity Ranking takes into account a business's performance, in relation to the performance of other businesses in the area. As one business moves up in the ranking, it impacts others directly around it. Movements in the Popularity Ranking may be a result of reviews on one particular business — or reviews that have come in for other businesses in the area. To help with review collection, South African Tours offers a variety of tools and businesses who use review collection tools can consistently measure their performance and make improvements based on the feedback they receive. Some questions and answers Why is Business A above Business B? In most cases, this is because A has a statistically better set of reviews (based on quality, quantity, and recency) than B. I received a bad review. Is my Popularity Ranking going to be badly impacted? Positions in the ranking are not necessarily influenced by a single review — positive or negative. Businesses may notice changes in their positions depending on their own performance, or based on how other businesses around them perform. Since our algorithm takes into account the overall quality of the reviews you receive over time, regularly collecting feedback from users is the best way to maintain or improve your business’s position over time, relative to the performance of other businesses in the area. Do Management Responses factor into the Popularity Ranking? Management Responses are not factored into Popularity Ranking. However, research shows that when an owner responds promptly and professionally to a review, addressing any specific complaints as well as the positive comments, it can make a big impact on prospective customers. A Phocuswright1 study shows that 85% of users say that a thoughtful response to a review improves their impression of a hotel and 65% are more likely to book a hotel that responds to reviews versus a comparable hotel that doesn’t. Does having a commercial relationship with South African Tours impact my Popularity Ranking? No. A business’s commercial relationship with South African Tours has absolutely no impact on the Popularity Ranking. While it's helpful to be able show users whether you have availability for their search dates and help them book, or provide a website link or phone number, these have never been part of the Popularity Ranking algorithm. How often is the Popularity Ranking calculated? The ranking is re-calculated daily based on all published reviews, including those new reviews received that day. Do the sub-ratings (cleanliness, service, etc.) impact my ranking? Sub-ratings do not factor into the ranking calculation. However, they do provide users with valuable information on your business. How do fraud penalties impact the Popularity Ranking? Fraud penalties exist on South African Tours to protect the integrity of the content on the site. We employ a number of penalization methods for companies that try to manipulate our system which may impact a business’s position in the Popularity Rankings, and ultimately could lead to the publication of a red alert warning to users. Although Sponsored Placements may appear in and around a list of results, partners cannot buy their way to a particular place in any of the ranking methods described above. The advertising nature of these placements referenced for a fee is indicated by the label "Ad" or “Sponsored”. 6. Our Comparison and Booking Services Hotels and Vacation Rentals South African Tours gives you the ability to search for and compare hotels, as well as availability and pricing offered by professional third-party providers. The results displayed are not exhaustive of all the offers available on the Internet. South African Tours LLC displays results from data provided by its partners and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by these third-party providers and that it displays on its sites or applications, or content on other websites. The ranking of price offers for a particular property will depend in part on the price paid by our advertising partners participating in our "cost-per-click" auction system. If you make a reservation with a third-party provider, you will need to read and comply with the terms and conditions of purchase and use of the provider's site, their Privacy Policy and any other rules or policies, including the policy relating to the site or the goods of the supplier. You are responsible for your interactions with third-party providers. The price results that consumers see on South African Tours are provided by our business partners, such as online travel agencies, hotel chains and independent hoteliers. When a user enters their dates into our search function for that particular home (assuming that this business works with us or one of our business partners), our systems make an electronic "call" on the programming interface of application (API) provided by this trading partner. The partner then automatically gives us the relevant price information in real time, if there is availability. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions. Flights For flights, the total prices include taxes and fees for one traveler as provided by our partners. For every travel flight listed, South African Tours does not guarantee any specific prices or rates. We recommend checking on the booking site for the exact amount requested as well as the currency. Consult our partners to find out more about the elements of the price included baggage fees, fare attributes and optional fees as well. The price results that consumers see on South African Tours are provided by our business partners in real time for each search done by a user. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions. Things to Do For any attractions listed on our site, the price listed is the total price, inclusive of taxes and fees. Prices are provided in real time for each search conducted by a user. 7. Commercial guarantees and dispute resolution None of the South African Tours company offers any commercial guarantees. If you book a hotel, restaurant or flight, you should consult our partners to find out more about any commercial guarantees and dispute resolution methods they may offer. If you book a tour, activity or experience via the intermediary services of one of our group companies, the applicable South African Tours group company that facilitated your booking will provide you with customer service in the event of a dispute, and will work with the supplier of the tour, activity or experience to help the parties try to reach a resolution. Where you make a booking facilitated by a third-party company outside of our group, that company will provide you with customer service. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions. 8. Main features of review moderation Before being posted to our site, each review goes through our automated processing system, which collects for each review a certain amount of information answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects an element in clear contradiction to our Content & Community Guidelines, the review will not be posted to the site. The user may be informed as well as the reason for this and may be offered the opportunity to write another review in accordance with our Guidelines, depending on eligibility. When the system detects a potential problem with a review, it is sent to our team of content specialists, who work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to maintain the quality of content posted to our site. In some cases, we will also send an e-mail asking users to validate their review before it is posted. In certain circumstances (for example, if an owner/manager disputes a review), we might ask the reviewer of a vacation rental property to provide us with proof of their stay, to ensure that the review is attached to the correct property listing. Our team checks every review that is reported to us by our community (both businesses and users) as potentially not meeting our Guidelines. For more information on our anti-fraud policy please refer to our Trust & Safety information center . 9. Our criteria for hosting traveler reviews We want to ensure that South African Tours remains a reliable and secure source for our global community. For this purpose, and to ensure that your review is posted as quickly as possible, make sure that it meets our Content & Community Guidelines. For reviews of vacation rental properties, there are additional criteria listed . In summary, vacation rental reviews must also be: based on short-term stays, written after check-in, verifiable by the name on the rental contract, and written in relation to stays that can be evidenced by the reviewer. Any review that does not meet these criteria will not appear on the site. If you have a question about a review that has not been posted, you can contact us directly by clicking on the link here . 10. When will my review appear on the site? It usually takes less than 24 hours to see reviews on our site. The process can be longer if the review needs to be examined in more detail by our team of moderators. See here for more info. After submitting, the title of your review appears in your profile, on the Review page. If we are unable to host your review, you may be notified of the refusal and the reason for this. Please note that in some cases, we will also send you an e-mail asking you to validate your review before it can appear. You just have to click on the link provided in the e-mail. 11. How long will my review appear? Once posted, your review will appear indefinitely on our site. Your review will only be removed if: 1) You choose to remove it 2) our team of moderators has determined that this review did not meet our Guidelines. 3) You fail to click on the link contained with an email asking you to validate your review, as outlined above 4) an establishment is removed from our site, in which case all reviews are removed. 5) An establishment goes through an ownership change or major renovation and reviews prior to a certain date that are no longer relevant are removed 12. Can I be rewarded for a review? No. Reviews written in exchange for personal benefits, such as gifts, services or money, will be removed. Establishments are free to encourage their clients to post their reviews when they return home. However, no representative of the establishment can offer premium, discount, upgrade or special treatment for current or future stays in exchange for advice. Properties making such offers may have their rankings penalized. If someone has offered you a reward for a review, please let us know by emailing us and including any available evidence (screenshots, photos, etc) at a.dezius@gmail.com 13. Is it possible to modify a review? No, Once submitted, your review can not be edited. You can remove your review and resubmit as long as it complies with our posting guidelines . 14. Will my review appear on other websites or publications? After being posted, all or part of the reviews written by our members may be used on some of our partner sites or in promotional materials generally. For more information, read our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . 15. If I write a review about an establishment, can I be contacted about it? Sharing a contributor's e-mail address to an owner, manager, or other person is against our privacy policy. Contributors remain anonymous unless they choose to publish their email address or contact information in a contribution, such as a review or message in a forum. However, property owners or managers may contact you through South African Tours private messaging system, which allows South African Tours members to be in contact without providing an email address. Owners can use the messaging system to thank contributors, ask for other comments, legitimately attempt to resolve customer service issues, or (in the case of vacation rental property owners or managers) discuss a booking with a user, but they are not allowed to ask contributors to retract a review via the mailing system. It is also strictly forbidden to harass contributors. For more information, see our rules for using private messaging. 16. AI-Powered review summaries South African Tours facilitates easier and more informative hotel, restaurant, and experience searches by presenting AI-powered Review Summaries. These summaries, generated through state-of-the-art generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), offer concise, impartial highlights of traveler reviews on South African Tours from the previous 12 months, focusing on key attributes like cleanliness, location, and value. The summaries are derived solely from user-generated content, with supporting quotes added for transparency. Advanced machine learning techniques including Retrieval-Augmented Generation and BART are employed to preserve the authenticity of the original reviews while providing a clear, practical overview. This technology enables users to quickly understand the essence of traveler opinions, assisting in informed decision-making. Travellers should read the summaries in the context of the original user reviews on which they are based. Tripadvisor provides this feature for convenience and does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content of the summaries. To learn more about how these AI-powered summaries are generated, please visit our detailed blog post (available only in English). 17. Translation of reviews To assist our global community of travelers, South African Tours uses the services of Google and Phrase, both third-party vendors, to provide automated translations of user reviews. This helps ensure that all travelers, regardless of their language preferences, can access and benefit from the insights shared by others. Phrase and Google employ advanced translation technologies to convert user-generated content into multiple languages accurately and efficiently, enhancing the accessibility of our platform. Please note that while our vendors strive for accurate translations, some variations might occur due to linguistic differences. Tripadvisor plays no role in these translations, does not guarantee their accuracy and does not endorse the content of any individual user review or its translation. RULES South African Tours Collective Program South African Tours Collective is our contributor program that recognises you each time you add to South African Tours ! Think of it as your travel community’s way of saying thanks for helping us collectively travel better. For more information, visit the South African Tours Collective main page or the South African Tours Collective FAQs. Contribute experiences to earn points Earn points and reach new levels Collect badges and show your expertise At this time, this program is for entertainment purposes only and the points are not redeemable. Was this helpful? Contact us South African Tours Travel Map Our travel map is an interactive way to share the places you have been, want to go to, or love with your friends and family. You can pin cities, towns, some national parks and islands. However, you cannot pin larger regions such as countries, states, and island groups. There are three ways to add pins to your map: Search for city names in the search box on the right side of the map. Check off cities from the list of popular cities next to the map. Double-click to zoom in on the map and then click in an area near the city you wish to add. Our travel map can only display up to 2,000 pins at a time. If you try to add more than 2,000 pins, be aware that they may not be displayed in the map but are still counted in your statistics: percent of the world traveled and the total distance traveled. These statistics are for entertainment value only, and are based on the number of cities that you have pinned and the distance from your home location. If you have trouble with your travel map, including: You cannot find a place on the map that you would like to pin, even after searching for it in the search bar above the map; You find a pin in the wrong location; Contact us providing the location of the place you are trying to pin. Our editors will revise the information provided and make the appropriate changes when needed. Was this helpful? Contact us Combine my two South African Tours accounts Please use the information and instructions on this page if you have two South African Tours accounts you would like to merge. Take Note: The South African Tours account you are logged into when making the merge request is considered the primary account and will be maintained while the duplicate account will be closed If merging a traveler and owner account, the owner account must be the account maintained for the merge to go through If merging a traveler and a South African Tours Plus subscribed account, the South African Tours Plus subscribed account must be the account maintained for the merge to go through As you can only submit merge account requests for two accounts at a time, you will need to submit multiple requests if you have more than 2 accounts and would like to merge them all into one. After you receive an email confirmation that the first merge is completed, you can submit further merge requests for the remaining accounts. Once you merge accounts the process cannot be reversed Merge account requests cannot be processed from the Tripadvisor App at this time. What Merging Your Account Means: Eligible contributions from the duplicate account will be transferred to your primary account The duplicate account will be closed once the merge is completed Below is a table that shows all eligible merge contributions Contributions eligible for transfer * Contributions not transferable Reviews Photos Videos Trips Badges Points Travel Map Pins Forum Posts Q&A’s Private Messages Links Followers/following *Contributions must meet our Content Guidelines to be transferred. To request a merge of your accounts please select the option that applies to your current situation: I know the email addresses associated with both South African Tours accounts I want to merge AND I am able to access emails sent to the address associated with the account I want closed. Great! You have everything you need, you can request a merge of your two accounts here . I forgot my password to one or both of the South African Tours accounts I want to merge. To reset the password associated with your South African Tours account(s) please click here. I can log in to my South African Tours account, but I do not know the email address associated with the account. Visit this page in your account settings to locate your email address. I am not able to receive emails at the address associated with the South African Tours account I would like to merge and close. Unfortunately, we are unable to merge your South African Tours accounts. You must be able to access emails sent to the email address associated with the South African Tours account you wish to close. Was this helpful? Contact us Become a South African Tours member To become a member, click the Sign In link at the top of most South African Tours pages. You have the option to continue signing in with Google or with your email address and each process varies. Membership is free and lets you post reviews and photos, ask and answer questions in the forums, and create your own trip-planning folders. There are two ways to create your free account: If you have a Google account, you can quickly create a South African Tours account using your Google login credentials. To join via Google, select the Continue with Google button. If you are not already logged into Google, you will need to log in during the registration process. If you do not have a Google account, you can create a South African Tours account by providing your email address and choosing a password. To join with your email address, click Continue with email. Below the email address and password fields, you will need to click the Join link to fill out your name, email address and set a password. Once you've created an account, add some information to your profile so that other members will know a bit about you. Don't forget to fill out your travel map with the places you've traveled, your favorite destinations, and where you want to go. We also recommend that you subscribe to our personalized weekly newsletters. If you own or manage a business, register as an owner to claim your South African Tours page. Was this helpful? Contact us South African Tours profile privacy and personal security Your privacy and personal security are our top priorities at South African Tours . Any contributions you make will be associated with your display name, not your full name. We will never expose your email address, full name, mailing address, or other private information to any other member of South African Tours , unless you include it in a review or forum post. However, your full name will be shown to your friends if you connect via Facebook. Any pages in your Profile that can be viewed by other members are clearly marked, "Information on this page is public.” For more information on our Privacy Policy, click here . Was this helpful? Contact us Change my account email address To change your email address: Go to your Account Info page . Click + Add an email address. Insert the new email and click Make primary. For security purposes, enter your account password and click Save. Was this helpful? Contact us Update my home airport Your home airport is the airport that you prefer to depart from when you book air travel. We use this information to improve our flight recommendations for you. To update your home airport: Go to your Account Info page . For security purposes, log into your South African Tours account via Google, Facebook or email. Update the information displayed under Home airport. Click Save at the bottom of the page. Was this helpful? Contact us Update my username Your username is the unique South African Tours name that only belongs to you and will allow others to find your profile. This name will appear next to your contributions. To update your username: Go to your profile Click Edit profile. Amend the username field and click Save. Please note that usernames which infringe on any copyright, trademark, or other legal property rights are prohibited, as are those created for the purposes of impersonation. If someone has your trademarked name in their username, you can report their profile . TIP: If your username has already been claimed, you will be asked to select a different one. Adding underscores or numbers before or after your desired username will help make it unique. For example, if you would like the username @Andreas but it has already been claimed, consider selecting a name like @_Andreas or @Andreas60. Was this helpful? Contact us Update my profile information Your profile is a place for other South African Tours members to learn about you and your travel style. Information on this page is public and other South African Tours members can read it. To update information in your profile: Go to your profile. Click Edit profile. Add your information and Save. Here, you can add a bio, a profile photo, and your current city. Was this helpful? Contact us Close my member account We work hard to provide our members with great service, so please contact us if you have specific issues with our site, policies, or other members. We would be glad to work with you to improve your experience. There are a few things to keep in mind when you close your account: We will remove your reviews and other content from our site. This process cannot be reversed. Any forum messages you’ve posted will remain on the site attributed to your display name. We do not remove forum posts in bulk, as this would disrupt the flow of conversation. If you wish to remove your forum posts before closing your account, you can do so following these instructions . If you manage a listing, you will lose access to the Management Center. If you have a Plus subscription, all Plus bookings you have made will stay active. If you still wish to close your account: Visit your Account Settings page. Click the blue Close Your Account link at the bottom of the page. Was this helpful? Contact us Maintaining Anonymity There are many reasons to prefer to create an anonymous account and, whatever your reason, at South African Tours we want to make it easy. It is best to use your personal email address - not connect via Facebook or Google. Your email address is never shared with our travel community; however, if you connect via Facebook or Google you are giving permission for anyone connected to you on that platform to see certain updates. If you prefer to ensure your account is absolutely anonymous, use an email address only associated with your South African Tours account. Be sure to regularly check this email address in case we need to verify information about your account or the content associated with it. Do not use your real name but instead select an anonymous username and an anonymous social handle. More information about username/social handle selection can be found here . When selecting your profile picture, allow South African Tours to select a stock photo for you or upload a photo that will not give away your identity. The photo must abide by our photo guidelines . Do not discuss your occupation, location, or general timelines about upcoming travel plans in public facing content. If you would prefer not to see messages from others in the travel community, including from property owners, you can turn off your private message feature. Instructions can be found here . If you decide to keep your messages on but are being harassed, please report the sender to South African Tours . We take these reports seriously and will ban any members of our community who participate in harassment behavior on our platform. Property owners or employees who harass members of our community will be penalized. If you do not want specific profiles to be able to follow you or re-post your content, you can block that profile. For more information on how to block a member of our community follow this link . Was this helpful? Contact us Update my current city Your current city is the location that you want to display in your public profile. It also appears under your screen name next to your contributions on the site. To update your current city: Go to your profile . Click the Edit profile on the right. Edit the Current City field by searching for the name of your location and click Save. We list cities, towns, individual islands, and national parks in some cases. If your specific location is not yet in our database, please contact us providing some information about your location. We will be glad to review and add it to our database as long as it fits our criteria. TIP: Your current city lets other members know where you live, which helps them know more about you as they read your contributions. However, if you are uncomfortable showing your exact location, you may pick a location that represents your region. Was this helpful? Contact u Disconnect my South African Tours account from Google or Facebook To disconnect your South African Tours account from Google or Facebook: Go to the Account Settings page in your South African Tours profile. Click Disconnect under Facebook Settings or Google Settings. The accounts will be immediately disconnected. Was this helpful? Contact us Update my profile cover photo A cover photo is the larger photo above your profile picture. Like your profile picture, cover photos are public, which means anyone who is visiting your profile will be able to see them. To add or change your cover photo: Go to your profile . Click on the symbol next to the Edit profile button. Click on Edit cover photo. Select an existing photo or upload a new photo in one of the following file types .jpg .jpeg .gif .png. Click Save. TIP: For best quality, we suggest a photo size of 2560 x 500 Pixels. Was this helpful? Contact us Facebook name and photo on South African Tours If you have connected your Facebook and South African Tours accounts, we show your Facebook name and picture to you and your friends. Anyone who is not friends with you on Facebook will see your South African Tours display name and avatar. However, if you have not selected a South African Tours photo, we will use your Facebook photo as your South African Tours avatar. You can change this by adding a South African Tours photo, or disconnecting your Facebook and South African Tours accounts. To test how South African Tours members see your name and avatar, find one of your reviews or other contributions , take a look at how your name and photo display, and then log out of your South African Tours account. You should see your name and avatar change. Was this helpful? Contact us Update my profile photo A profile photo is the photo that appears next to your username in your profile page. This photo is public, which means that anyone visiting your profile will be able to see it. To add a profile picture or change your current profile picture: Go to your profile page . Click Edit profile. Click on your profile photo. Select one photo or upload a new one. Click Save. TIP: For best quality, we suggest a photo size of 150 x 150 Pixels or larger. Photos will be scaled to fit the standard display boxes on our site. We support the following file types: .jpg .jpeg .gif .png. Was this helpful? Contact us Manage my email subscriptions To subscribe / unsubscribe from a notification email: Visit the Subscriptions page of your profile. Once you have made your selections, a Changes saved confirmation box will briefly appear and your preferences will be updated. If you are a business representative, you will also see a tab called Emails for Owners. Here you can find a list of the notification emails you are eligible to receive as an owner. We recommend that you subscribe for notifications of new reviews and questions on your listing. If you are not receiving the emails you signed up for: Check your email’s spam folder and make sure to mark South African Tours emails as "not spam." Check your Subscriptions page. If there is a red alert box at the top of the page letting you know that your emails are not being delivered, follow the instructions. If you already followed the instructions and did not receive any South African Tours emails within a week, please contact us . Peruse the page to make sure that you are subscribed to the emails you want to receive, and also check that we have your email address right. Was this helpful? Contact us Manage my Trips Trips make it easy to save, organize and map out all of your ideas for places to stay, things to do and where to eat – and bring them with you, wherever you go. There are two ways to create a Trip: Click the Trips icon at the top of the South African Tours homepage and select Create a Trip. Click on the heart icon appearing on a hotel, attraction or restaurant you find on South African Tours and want to save. You’ll then be asked if you want to add the item to a new Trip or an existing one. When creating a new Trip, you’ll be prompted to give it a title (you can change the title later if you’d like). Once you’ve titled your Trip, you can either view your new Trip or keep browsing South African Tours for other places to save. To edit a Trip: Click the Trips icon at the top of the South African Tours homepage Select a Trip to edit Click the ellipses (...) button towards the top of your Trip’s itinerary. In the drop-down, you can edit the Trip name and description, organize items, change the privacy settings, add collaborators, or delete the Trip. Your saved Trips can always be viewed by visiting https://adezius.wixsite.com/south-african-tours ! Was this helpful? Contact us Content & Community Guidelines At South African Tours , our mission is to help you to find the good out there, wherever it is in the world. We are proud to host contributions from millions of travelers, giving people a platform to guide and inspire others every day. We also recognize how important it is that our platform provides a safe environment for everyone in the travel community, and that the contributions on our site provide useful and relevant guidance that helps travelers plan their trips. That’s why we developed and spent more than 20 years refining our Community Guidelines. In addition to our general community guidelines, different types of content on our site have additional guidelines specific to that content type. Sexually explicit content: We will not post content that contains sexually explicit material, except in the following instances: Lifestyle resort experiences: South African Tours understands that some of our users travel to specific lifestyle resorts to engage in adult activity and, for such locations, we may allow an innuendo that alludes to a sexual experience, but we don't allow graphic or explicit description of such experiences even if directly relevant to understanding the travel experience at those resorts. Eye-witness accounts: If you witness explicit sexual activity and recounting it is relevant to your experience and the experience other travelers may have in the future, we may post the content as long as the commentary is not excessively graphic. Reports of non-consensual sex activity: In this scenario, we reserve the right to host content that some may consider graphic or extreme in order to ensure travelers are informed about an event(s) that may compromise traveler safety. Violence: We are an inclusive community and want our users to feel welcome and safe when visiting our app or website. Please do not include language that expresses intent or inclination to harm specific person(s) or property(s), encourages others to do the same, or conveys a desire for such actions to occur. Content that specifically mentions that people should be shot, killed, strangled, assaulted, or harmed in any way - even if used as sarcasm or stated in an exaggerated manner - will be removed. Content that glorifies structural harm to a property, such as threats of bombing or fires, will be removed. Content containing the above types of threats may be reported to law enforcement. We will not publish content that promotes or describes personal participation in criminal activity that is illegal in the country of the property, establishment or location being written about . We reserve the right to report to the authorities any instances brought to our attention of child endangerment, human trafficking or imminent threats to a person or property. In addition, we will remove any content that mentions: A user’s or travel companion’s participation in prostitution, even if legal in the city or country where activity takes place Participation in non-prescription drug use, including requests to purchase, obtain or smuggle drugs, with the exception of content that describes the personal use of alcohol or marijuana. South African Tours does not condone the use of illegal substances. Participation in the illegal distribution of weapons or firearms. Contributors can include eye-witness accounts of criminal activity, including, but not limited to, staff participation in drugs, violence, robberies, and sexual assaults. Such context should not glorify violent or illegal activity but is included to be helpful to future travelers. South African Tours does not actively monitor content that discusses circumventing property rules or guidelines such as trespassing or refusing to pay an entrance fee and will allow these to remain on the site. Keep it clean! We request that contributors refrain from using vulgar or profane terms. Of course, we don’t allow the “super profane” words and our general rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t shout it in public, don’t say it here. In some cultures terms may not be seen as problematic while in another culture that same term could be seen as extremely offensive. We are a global platform, so if a term is found generally held to be extremely offensive in the context used in any geography, we may remove that content for the sake of our global community. We ask our community to use the medical or anatomically correct term when referencing body parts or bodily functions. We may choose to publish slang or more colloquial terms on a case-by-case basis. We allow emojis, acronyms and veiled profanities as long as they are not offensive, particularly when aimed at an individual. We reserve the right to allow language that might otherwise be considered offensive when we believe it's necessary to convey important information to our travel community. This could include recounting an experience with a property representative or other guests that may be relevant and informative to other travelers We do not allow contributions that promote any service or product offered by the contributor. With the exception of certain management functions provided to listed businesses, we do not host content that is included primarily for commercial reasons. If you post content to promote your own business, such as a tour provider or packaged goods company, the review will be removed. We reserve the right to reject any website link or content that is deemed promotional or irrelevant such as blogs, news articles, social media references and contact information. Website links may be allowed when relevant and helpful to the travel experience and not promotional in nature. For example, the site used to book a tour reservation at a specific museum could be helpful to travelers. We do not allow advertisements or solicitations, including website links, with referrer tags or affiliate codes. Content posted to South African Tours is available publicly and may be visible in general internet search results. As such, we strongly discourage you from sharing your own private information in any content you submit. This includes passwords, email addresses, loyalty and frequent flyer numbers, your full name, your home address, other personally identifying information, or anything else you do not want shared publicly. That said, we will not remove content because a contributor has chosen to include such information, but can remove it upon a direct request from that contributor. We will remove content that contains information posted by businesses or other travelers that is private or confidential information such as wifi passcodes, door codes, email addresses that are not publicly available, social media contact information, loyalty/frequent flyer numbers, and credit card numbers. We do not allow users to post content containing the full names (including last or surnames) of other individuals. Exceptions to this may be: Employees of the business you are writing about that are commonly referred to at the business with their last/surname or have electively participated in social media platforms with their full name and place of employment; The name of the business is inclusive of the surname of the employee named; Executive-level employees; Property owners/managers; Celebrities; Any employees of a property who respond to reviews on Tripadvisor using their last/surname; or The full names of public professionals such as doctors, lawyers, etc. Property Owners: we will remove management responses if they contain any information that personally identifies the author and/or other guests if such information is not readily available in the content you are responding to. For example, a guest’s full name, medical information or travel itinerary. Special note on Escape Room-type experiences or similar experiences that have an element of surprise: Don’t ruin it for future travelers by giving away secret information about the experience! If you do without explicitly letting travelers know about a spoiler alert, we may remove your post and ask you to submit an updated one without that information. We want you to share your best, most accurate travel advice and tips with our community— just make sure any content you submit is yours! There should be no extensive quoted material from other sources. Any content plagiarized or copied from other websites, reviewers/travelers, property owners, emails, or printed materials that was not written by you will be removed. Review content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is not permitted and a violation of South African Tours guidelines. Users found to be submitting AI-generated text and/or images to the site may be banned, in addition to having their content removed. South African Tours will not host any content that promotes intolerance for, contains offensive stereotypes of, or incites hatred/bias towards people based on their ethnic or social origin, race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religious/spiritual beliefs, socioeconomic class, physical or mental ability, immigration status, or nationality. If the text is not explicit, we will lean towards removing any such content that could be perceived as expressing bias or hatred even if not necessarily intended that way. Certain terms may not be considered problematic, while in another culture that same term could be seen as extremely offensive. We are a global platform leveraged across geographies and if a term is found offensive in any geography, when used to convey the same meaning, we will remove it for the sake of our global community. We recognize that, in some places, local laws and regulations may require businesses to alter or adjust the service they provide to individuals based on a person’s race, gender identity or orientation, religion, sexual preference, or nationality. We encourage travelers who experience such a scenario to post honest, first-hand accounts of their experience, and we respect their right to criticize or condemn any discriminatory practices they may encounter at a business, even where those practices may fall in line with local laws or regulations. Be nice! No personal insults or other unnecessary and derogatory commentary about other individuals. South African Tours is not the place to promote your favorite political candidate or cause you support. We appreciate your passion, but unlike other websites that allow users to post about anything they want, the South African Tours platform is focused on travel experiences. Any substantial comments on political or religious preferences, ethics, or wider social issues that are not relevant to travel or incite non-travel related discussions on our platform will be removed. Given that we are a global travel platform and help people around the world, we understand at times you might want to write in a language that is not your native language. We advise you not to use a machine to translate because often the text can be garbled and the original intent is missing. If a machine was used to translate and the content is difficult to understand, we may remove it. Please make sure your posting is using the correct alphabet for languages we support as when not used, it can make content hard to read. Do not use HTML tags or type in ALL CAPS. Our Approach to Content Integrity Every day, travelers from all over the world visit South African Tours for guidance in planning and taking trips. The platform is powered by the generosity of travelers who have memorable experiences — and then take the time to share them with others.Over the years, millions of travelers have shared their first-hand experiences on South African Tours in the form of traveler reviews. These reviews offer guidance about destinations and businesses all over the world, and so it is incredibly important that travelers feel confident about the information they provide. That is why every review has to follow a strict set of posting guidelines. These guidelines determine which reviews can be posted to South African Tours and which cannot.But how does South African Tours decide what these guidelines should be? And how does it enforce the rules to ensure reviewers abide by them? Here we detail the principles that shape our posting guidelines, and the steps we take to ensure they are enforced... We believe the best travel advice comes from other travelers. At South African Tours , our members can submit reviews of their experiences at hotels, restaurants, and attractions all over the world. Over the past 20+ years we have received hundreds of millions of reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses from our members, covering virtually every country in the world. We believe in "the right to write." The South African Tours community has a wealth of valuable travel experience, and every one of our hundreds of millions of monthly users should feel confident sharing their opinions. When you stay in a hotel, eat in a restaurant, or visit an attraction, you have a fundamental right to talk about that experience with others. We are immensely proud of the community we’ve built which helps travelers do just that. For that reason, we do not take lightly the decision to block or remove a review from our site. It might be easier to give in to censorship and remove reviews that a business owner disagrees with. But it goes against what we stand for, which is the right for genuine consumers to share their experiences. We believe every customer counts. Every customer has the right to share their experience, not just the ones who paid the bill. So while we do require reviewers to certify that they are reviewing their own experiences before they can submit their review to South African Tours , we don’t require reviewers to provide a receipt or a proof of purchase. We believe that everyone should play by the same rules. We have unique processes for moderating the reviews and content submitted to South African Tours , as well as proprietary algorithms that calculate a business' daily rank within our Traveler Ranking. Those processes and algorithms are applied in the same way to all content, complaints and properties. We never have and will never give our advertisers or anyone else preferential treatment when we moderate reviews. We believe that businesses who don't play by the rules should be penalized. Businesses know that travelers rely on reviews for travel guidance. Unfortunately, we know that there will always be a minority of unscrupulous businesses that will try to cheat in order to take advantage of that. We define “cheating” as any attempt to unfairly or dishonestly impact reviews or rankings for their own business or their competitors. These activities constitute review fraud. Attempting to post fake or dishonest reviews violates the South African Tours Terms of Use, as well as unfair competition and consumer protection laws in many countries. We invest massive amounts of time, effort and resources -both from an automated and human perspective - into identifying and stopping fraudulent activity from making it onto the Tripadvisor platform. How South African Tours identifies and blocks review fraud Unlike on other social platforms, when a review is submitted by a traveler on South African Tours it is not immediately posted to the site. Instead, it is assessed by our review analysis system. This system determines which reviews can be posted, which require further assessment by our team of moderators, and which can be blocked outright. This assessment of every review usually takes less than 24 hours. Our review analysis system captures thousands of data points associated with every review submission, and matches that information to the data points we already know about millions of other reviews, reviewers and businesses on South African Tours , Our system is able to filter, analyze and categorize massive amounts of data quickly and thoroughly. This is how we identify patterns of review behavior. We have over two decades of experience learning what normal review behavior tends to look like on our platform. We are experts at spotting patterns that don’t look normal, and which may indicate attempts at review fraud. We have hundreds of staff all over the world working to assess reviews and to identify, block and remove fraud. Once reviews are posted, we allow businesses and travelers to flag and report content if they believe it is fraudulent. All reports are assessed and analyzed by our advanced technology and team of experts, who can take action to remove any reviews that violate our posting guidelines. We also have a team of highly qualified and trained investigators focused on stopping fake reviews. Among other activities, they proactively engage and catch companies and individuals trying to ‘sell’ reviews, as well as those businesses trying to buy them. We are constantly learning. Fraudsters are always evolving the methods they use to submit reviews. But so are we. Every day, we are innovating, updating, and improving our system to stay one step ahead of anyone who would try to cheat the system. How South African Tours penalizes businesses engaged in review fraud We block or remove the fake reviews. Every fraudulent submission we identify has a negative impact on a business’s rank in our Traveler Ranking - whether the review was ever posted or not. We may disqualify offending properties from our recognition and awards programs, such as our Travelers' Choice Awards. We aggressively pursue companies or individuals that offer to boost a business' reputation by writing fake reviews on its behalf. When we catch them, we block or remove all of the fake reviews they've submitted, we penalize their clients, and in some cases we even help prosecutors send them to jail For businesses that repeatedly try to break the rules, we will post a warning notice on their South African Tours listing called a red penalty badge to warn travelers that they are not playing by the rules. We do not remove the listings of businesses that break the rules - because often that’s exactly what unscrupulous business owners want. They do not want travelers to benefit from the transparency that reviews provide. But we do. That is why we keep businesses listed on our platform if they are open and accepting customers. Finally, we believe it's important for our community to be informed. With over hundreds of millions of reviews and opinions on South African Tours , and millions of travelers using our site each month, we're confident that we're taking the right steps to keep our content fresh and useful. Review Guidelines In addition to our general community guidelines, we have specific posting guidelines for reviews. Reviews are posted to a property’s listing page and are associated with a bubble rating between 1 and 5. Ratings selected may have an impact on the property’s position in South African Tours popularity rankings and/or how a property appears on our platform. A review on South African Tours should be an honest account of a traveler’s personal experience at or with a property that is listed on our site. As reviews are associated with a bubble rating and impact a business’s position within South African Tours popularity ranking they should include relevant, helpful tips for other travelers and members of our community and must be based on a first-hand experience. In order to ensure each review reflects a first-hand experience, each user must have their own account and may not write on behalf of others or use another's account to submit, unless you're writing about the experience of someone in your travelling party at the same location as part of your experience. The author of the review should be the person who experienced the property directly - either via a trip there, a booking, or by experiencing the facilities or some other service interaction. We will not post reviews from customers who only relay a brief phone conversation with a property or property representative. If you did not experience the business as a guest or potential guest, we will not post your review. To ensure that travelers are aware of serious safety incidents at properties we do have a few exceptions to our policy requiring a review to be first-hand: As we want the experience you write about to be your own, we do not allow information attributed to a third-party to be posted as part of your review. Specifically we will remove reviews that contain the following (no matter how minor of a mention): Quotes or descriptions from the media, internet or another guest/person that is not part of your traveling party. This includes, among many others, excerpts of laws, quotes from government agencies, food ratings or a news story. Information that you receive from a third-party after your experience with the business. Exceptions to this guidance are (as long as they pertain to your experience): Anything communicated to you by a staff member of the business you are reviewing. Opinions or experiences of those in your traveling party. Minor references to recommendations received from other travelers, diners or locals - but not media - prior to experiencing the business. References to conversations and bookings with travel agents, booking companies and OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), as travelers often associate these companies as partners of the business being reviewed. Opinions, advice or diagnoses from your lawyer or doctor pertaining to your experience with the business. References to well-known (i) facts, (ii) news stories, (iii) public opinions, or (iv) world events (“well-known” is defined as those things that would be known by most international travelers traveling to that destination.) Incidental mentions of another guest’s experience, either (i) reported directly to you by that guest, but which you did not witness yourself, or (ii) reported directly to staff which you witnessed. It must relate directly to something you or your traveling party experienced.For example, we would not post a review that states, "Another guest at the bar told me that the owner doesn’t pay her employees on-time."We would post a review that states, "Another guest at the bar told me they also had the best pina colada at the swim-up bar."The guests must have experienced the property at the same time as you. Political, Ethical, Religious Views Reviews are not the place to discuss political preferences, ethical differences, religion or your perspective on wider social issues. We understand travel experiences can be deeply personal and may incite perspectives around politics and religion - and we will post such commentary as long as it is directly relevant to the location or business you are reviewing and meets our other content posting guidelines. Any such commentary that evolves into a rant may be removed. If the political, religious, ethical or social views of the owner or employees of the business listed on our site directly impact the experience you are reviewing, you may elaborate on this but not expand to include your personal, non-travel related perspective. We also will post comments and advice that relates to local customs which impact travel, as long as your personal travel experience with the business you are reviewing is detailed. For example, if a specific hotel is not LGBTQ friendly due to local laws or owner behavior, we encourage contributors to share this information with our traveler community. Due to the increased risk of violence and terrorist activity targeting refugees seeking asylum in Great Britain, we will not be posting any reviews in that region which provide information that could lead to the whereabouts of asylum seekers. This includes reviews that may not specifically identify asylum seekers but which make their location easily determinable. South African Tours has been and will continue to be a supporter of refugees seeking a safe haven and condemns any acts of violence towards such communities. Review Length and Ratings It is important that your review offers travel guidance to those planning future trips! For that reason, if your review does not contain enough substantial information about the business you are reviewing, we may ask you to provide additional information about your experience.We have a character limit for reviews we enforce as follows: Hotels - 200 characters Restaurants, Experiences, Airlines & Cruises - 100 characters We have a minimum character count to ensure review content is detailed, helpful and explains the reasoning behind the rating that was given. Reviews that contain very little context in them will be removed.Our bubble rating is from 1 to 5, with 1 being defined as “Terrible” and 5 being defined as “Excellent.” Depending on the type of property you are reviewing, we may ask you to rate specific aspects of your visit such as sleep quality for a hotel visit or food for a restaurant visit. These fields are not required. You should not rate an aspect of the business you did not experience. Irrelevant to Your Experience If your review contains excessive commentary on other reviews, business owners or South African Tours policies we will ask you to resubmit a review that primarily focuses on your experience with that property. If you believe a review has been written by the owner or competitor of a listing on South African Tours , please use the reporting function on our site to let us know. Reviews that allege other posted reviews are fraudulent will not be posted as that information does not relate to your travel experience. If you are concerned a particular business is engaged in multiple incidents of fraud please email us at a.dezius@gmail.com . You can also contact us with any other fraud-related questions you may have. Listed on our Site We list all businesses relevant to travelers, however we don't accept reviews for businesses that are not listed. Your review will be removed if it is submitted on a property that does not correlate with a listed business on South African Tours ,If you would like to submit a review for a business that is not listed, we ask that you submit a request for a new listing. Additionally, if a property is providing a function outside of the primary service you would typically receive at that property, we will not post the review. It is not helpful to the majority of travelers because it is not a regular part of the experience at that property. A review related to special event parking at a restaurant would be an example of a removal in this scenario. Recent Experience To ensure reviews are fresh and current, all reviews must be submitted within one year of your experience. You may write one review on any given business listed on South African Tours per experience or visit. This means one review per hotel stay, restaurant visit, tour taken, or car rental. If you would like to amend your original review you will need to remove that review and submit a new one. For flights, we will post one review per leg of your trip as we understand each experience can differ. If you prefer to write about your round trip experience in one review - we will post that too! To ensure enough time between visits, additional reviews of new experiences will be accepted after three months for an accommodation, attraction or tour, and after one month for restaurants/eateries. An exception is for airline reviews, where there is no limit on how many reviews that can be submitted within a given time frame. Unique Experience We will not post a review that describes the same experience to two listings; we will post it to the most relevant listing. For example, if you post a review to a hotel and the restaurant within that hotel that has exactly the same text and is not specific to one listing more than the other, we will post the review to the hotel. If you want to write a review about each experience you may, just do so independently so as not to confuse travelers. We will allow multiple travelers to write about the same experience. For example, if you and your partner each choose to write a review from your own individual perspectives, we will post both reviews. We also allow reviews from multiple members of a large traveling party. Please just make sure the content is written in your own words and from your own perspective. Contributors may only have one account on South African Tours , except in exceptional circumstances determined at Tripadvisor’s sole discretion. If you submit a review to the same listing from multiple accounts, we may remove duplicate submissions. South African Tours does not allow content on our site that is biased or submitted in an attempt to manipulate rankings or ratings on our site. Violations of these guidelines may result in penalties to your South African Tours listing page, including ranking penalties, red badges, and/or exclusion from awards. Furthermore, not abiding by these guidelines may violate local, national and/or international laws and can lead to legal action - including civil and criminal penalties. Biased Content South African Tours strives to ensure that all reviews are submitted from an authentic traveler’s perspective. This means any person affiliated with a property listed on our site, in any way, may not write a review of that property. Specifically we will not accept reviews from users who: Are currently employed or have been employed at a property at any point in time. This includes reviews from people who have volunteered at or for a business listed on our site. Are related to or are friends with a current employee or owner. Receive any goods or services or provide goods or services to a property. For example, if you are the food purveyor for a property, you may not submit a review to that property. If you provide entertainment at a property, you may not submit a review. Own or are employed at a property of the same business category and are located within the same municipality of such property. To be clear, if you own or are employed by a coffee shop in Dublin, Ireland you may not submit reviews for other eateries in Dublin such as an Italian restaurant. This also applies to similar properties that may not be in your city’s geographic borders but are within 10 miles/16 kilometers of the location of where your business address is listed on South African Tours . While we understand that you certainly may have experienced that business as a general traveler, this policy is in place to help to ensure property rankings remain unbiased. Own a share of a property, such as a timeshare, even if within a larger group of properties and ownership is with a variety of properties. Exceptions to people associated with a property include: Eco-Volunteers: travelers who pay to volunteer or work at a property and still use the general facilities of a property as a traveler may write a review. Attempts to Manipulate Property Ranking by Businesses South African Tours is staunchly opposed to any and all attempts at artificially manipulating a property’s ranking on our site. These include, but are not limited to, the following actions: Reviews submitted by property representatives. We reserve the right to remove content and/or penalize properties should we receive content submissions from anyone who owns, is employed by, or is affiliated with the reviewed property, or any umbrella or parent companies with which that property may be affiliated, in any way. This includes (but is not limited to) content from users who are upfront about their affiliation in addition to users who are impersonating travelers, competitors, or any other individuals or entities. It is also prohibited for representatives of a business to submit reviews on behalf of guests, regardless of whether the opinion is genuine or not. Paid Reviews/Review Exchanges. South African Tours is staunchly opposed to the selling, purchasing, or quid-pro-quo exchange of reviews. Any reviews submitted in this manner are considered inherently fraudulent and will be met with penalties for not only the property or properties involved, but the reviewers as well. If you have been contacted by anyone offering these services, or you know of anyone involved in this behavior, please let our team know at a.dezius@gmail.com Incentives for Reviews. It is against our guidelines to offer or promise anything in exchange for any reviews, irrespective of rating. Examples include offers for free drinks, discounts, entry into a contest, making donations to a cause in the name of a customer, etc. Incentives for Review Removals. Attempts by an individual representing a property to offer anything in exchange for the removal of a published review are against our guidelines and will be met with penalties. Pressuring Users to Remove Reviews. Attempts by anyone affiliated with a property to pressure, threaten, or otherwise coerce a user into removing their review for that property are a violation of our guidelines and will be met with penalties. Coercing Users to Submit Reviews. Any form of coercion by individuals associated with a property to compel users into submitting reviews is strictly forbidden. Such practices include, but are not limited to: (a) using threats, whether explicit or tacit, to pressure a user into submitting a review, (b) withholding any element of service until a user submits a review. Taking Action on Behalf of Users. Individuals affiliated with properties listed on our site should not be directly involved in the submission of reviews. Such practices include, but are not limited to: (a) creating user accounts on behalf of users, (b) writing reviews on behalf of users, (c) monitoring users while they write reviews, (d) suggesting specific terms, wording, or paraphrasing to be included in reviews. Employee Incentives. It is a violation of our guidelines for a property to offer incentives designed to reward employees for encouraging reviews, e.g., a bonus for being mentioned in a review, or a contest for the highest number of reviews achieved within a certain timeframe. Such programs are against our guidelines and may be met with penalties to a property’s ranking. If you are aware of such programs at any property, please let our team know by emailing content a.dezius@gmail.com Review Gating. We prohibit the practice of selectively soliciting positive content and/or rejecting moderate or negative content. If any survey or external website ultimately directs users to submit a review on South African Tours , the user interface and experience for submitting positive and negative reviews must be identical. For example, directing a guest to one review page if they indicate a positive experience but directing them to another path (such as an internal customer support channel) if they indicate a negative experience is against our review guidelines. Restrictions . We do not allow properties to contractually prohibit or discourage guests from posting negative or critical reviews of their experience. Any properties found to be engaging in these practices will have a warning badge posted on their business listing page on South African Tours until that policy has been discontinued. Vandalism. Any attempts, made by individuals affiliated with one property, to damage the reputation of a competing property are considered to be violations of our guidelines. This includes (but is not limited to) submitting negative reviews, attempting to falsely register as an owner of the competing listing, or similar behaviors. User Attempts to Manipulate a Property’s Ranking Any users who attempt to manipulate a property’s ranking, even if not affiliated with that property, may be banned from our site due to such actions. The actions may be, but are not limited to: Blackmail. South African Tours classifies any attempt made in bad faith by a traveler to obtain something of value from a property by threatening to post a negative review on South African Tours , or promising to remove a published negative review, as blackmail. It is not considered blackmail if a guest mentions they plan to write a review due to a negative experience but is not making a bad faith demand. Examples would include a guest trying to rectify a situation with a broken pipe in a room or an incorrect order at a restaurant. Review Bombing Events. Reviews must describe a first-hand experience; users who are submitting reviews to a property due to a personal or political agenda, or reviews submitted solely due to news or social media exposure of a property which do not describe first-hand experiences will not be published. If a significant amount of such content is detected on a listing, we reserve the right to temporarily suspend publishing all content for that listing. There are some scenarios where we do not allow a review to be posted even if there might have been some contact with the property. You are invited to share such comments in the Forums section of our site where members of our community discuss travel-related topics.Some examples of this may include: Comments solely on a property’s policy. While it may be helpful for a traveler to know that a restaurant reserves its bathrooms for patrons only or that a hotel does not allow dogs or that you can not receive a refund for your cancellation, it is unfair to a business to be rated negatively based solely on these types of policies that occur regularly in the travel industry. We will remove reviews that simply describe an interaction that is a disagreement on the stated policies. If you describe a more substantial customer service interaction with the business, beyond the stated policies, we will post the interaction because we believe that customer service experience may be helpful to travelers. Commenting on a property due to media coverage . If you wish to comment on a recent event at that property which attracted media attention but at which you were not present, we will not post your review. Comments solely on business hours or closures. While we recognize that it could be frustrating to arrive at a restaurant only to find out that it is closed, we will not post reviews commenting solely on business hours or closures unless the official information posted by the business created an expectation of service. Unsuccessful attempts to contact a business. We do not consider unanswered calls or emails to be a valid description of the service provided by the business. Experiencing a property from the "outside." If you visit a property with only the intent to view its architecture or decor, we will only post a review if a main component of the property is that visual element alone. For example, when reviewing a cathedral we understand that part of the traveler experience at that business is to view the exterior of the building and is acceptable in a review. We would not post a review of a hotel from someone who was not a guest of that hotel and is only speaking to the hotel’s architecture. Long term stays. We do accept reviews from users who have a prolonged stay at a given property provided the information in the review is relevant to other (more traditional) travelers. We will not post your review if it is written exclusively from a tenant or renter’s perspective. We love hearing about your travel experiences and value your contributions to our site! We also want to make sure that Vacation Rentals is a safe and trustworthy source for our global community. To help us with this goal, and to get your reviews published as quickly as possible, please ensure your reviews are: Recent To keep content fresh for our readers, we ask that you stick to writing about experiences that occurred within the current calendar year or up to two calendar years prior. Based on short-term stays We welcome you to share your thoughts on any stay that is 90 days or less. 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When we store or transfer your personal information outside the EEA and the UK, we take the following precautions to ensure that your personal information is properly protected. Let's Get Social BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

< Back The African buffalo is very territorial and protective and is probably the most dangerous animal of the big five to humans. If this cow-like animal feels threatened it can become very aggressive and charge with astonishing speed. Buffaloes are mostly found in groups and large herds and spend a lot of their time grazing. Both male and female buffaloes have horns, but the males' horns curve and come together in the center, forming a big bony plate called a boss. The primary predator of the buffalo is the lion. A buffalo will try to protect and rescue another member of the herd and they have even been seen killing a lion after the lion had killed a member of the group. Although the African buffalo and water buffalo resemble each other, they are not closely related. Previous Next BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

Wildlife of South Africa The wildlife of South Africa consists of the flora and fauna of this country in Southern Africa . The country has a range of different habitat types and an ecologically rich and diverse wildlife, vascular plants being particularly abundant, many of them endemic to the country. There are few forested areas, much savanna grassland, semi-arid Karoo vegetation and the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region . Famed for its national parks and big game, 297 species of mammal have been recorded in South Africa , as well as 849 species of bird and over 20,000 species of vascular plants. Geography South Africa is located in subtropical southern Africa, lying between 22°S and 35°S . It is bordered by Namibia , Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, by Mozambique and Eswatini (Swaziland) to the northeast, by the Indian Ocean to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the coastline extending for more than 2,500 km (1,600 mi). The interior of the country consists of a large, nearly flat, plateau with an altitude of between 1,000 m (3,300 ft) and 2,100 m (6,900 ft). The eastern, and highest, part of this is the Drakensberg , the highest point being Mafadi (3,450 m (11,320 ft)), which is on the border with Lesotho , a country surrounded by South Africa. The south and south-western parts of the plateau, at approximately 1,100 to 1,800 m (3,600 to 5,900 ft) above sea level, and the adjoining plain below, at approximately 700 to 800 m (2,300 to 2,600 ft) above sea level, is known as the Great Karoo , and consists of sparsely populated shrubland . To the north the Great Karoo fades into the drier and more arid Bushmanland , which eventually becomes the Kalahari Desert in the far north-west of the country. The mid-eastern, and highest part of the plateau is known as the Highveld . This relatively well-watered area is home to a great proportion of the country's commercial farmlands. To the north of Highveld, the plateau slopes downwards into the Bushveld , which ultimately gives way to the Limpopo lowlands or Lowveld . The climate of South Africa is influenced by its position between two oceans and its elevation. Winters are mild in coastal regions, particularly in the Eastern Cape . Cold and warm coastal currents running north-west and north-east respectively account for the difference in climates between west and east coasts. The weather pattern is also influenced by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation . In the plateau area, the influence of the sea is reduced, and the daily temperature range is much wider; here the summer days are very hot, while the nights are usually cool, with the possibility of frosts in winter. The country experiences a high degree of sunshine with rainfall about half of the global average, increasing from west to east, and with semi-desert regions in the north-west. The Western Cape experiences a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall, but most of the country has more rain in summer. Flora A total of 23,420 species of vascular plant has been recorded in South Africa, making it the sixth most species-rich country in the world and the most species-rich country on the African continent. Of these, 153 species are considered to be threatened.Nine biomes have been described in South Africa: Fynbos , Succulent Karoo , desert , Nama Karoo , grassland , savanna , Albany thickets , the Indian Ocean coastal belt , and forests . The most prevalent biome in the country is the grassland, particularly on the Highveld, where the plant cover is dominated by different species of grass ; fires, frosts and grazing pressure result in few trees occurring here, but geophytes (bulbs) are plentiful and there is a high level of plant diversity, especially on the escarpments. Vegetation becomes even more sparse towards the northwest due to low rainfall . There are several species of water-storing succulents , like aloes and euphorbias , in the very hot and dry Namaqualand area. The grass and thorn savannah turns slowly into a bush savannah towards the north-east of the country, with denser growth. There are significant numbers of baobab trees in this area, near the northern end of Kruger National Park . Fynbos vegetation on the Cape Peninsula There are few forests in the country, these being largely restricted to patches on mountains and escarpments in high rainfall areas and gallery forests , and much of the plateau area is covered by grassland and savanna . The karoo occupies much of the drier western half of the country; this area is influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic and has winter rainfall. The vegetation here is dominated by dwarf succulent plants , with many endemic species of both plants and animals. Fynbos is a belt of natural shrubland located in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces with a unique flora dominated by ericas , proteas and restios . This area is part of the Cape Floristic Region . The World Wide Fund for Nature divides this region into three ecoregions : the Lowland fynbos and renosterveld , the Montane fynbos and renosterveld and the Albany thickets . There is some concern that the Cape Floristic Region is experiencing one of the most rapid rates of extinction in the world due to habitat destruction , land degradation , and invasive alien plants . The Cape Floral Region Protected Areas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , a group of about thirteen protected areas that together cover an area of over a million hectares. This is a hotspot of diversity of endemic plants, many of which are threatened, and demonstrates ongoing ecological and evolutionary processes. This region occupies less than 0.5% of the area of the African continent yet has almost 20% of its plant species, almost 70% of the 9,000 plant species being endemic to the region. The Fynbos vegetation consists mainly of sclerophyllous shrubland. Of special interest is the pollination biology of the plants, many of which rely on ants, termites, birds or mammals for this function, the adaptions they have made to the fire risk, and the high level of adaptive radiation and speciation . The Mediterranean climate produces hot, dry summers, and many of the plants have underground storage organs allowing them to resprout after fires. A typical species is the silver tree , which grows naturally only on Table Mountain . Fire kills many of the trees but triggers the germination of the seeds, founding the next generation of these short-lived trees. Fauna Mammals See also: List of mammals of South Africa Cape buffalo Gemsbok Greater kudu bull Some 297 species of mammal have been recorded in South Africa, of which 30 species are considered threatened. The Kruger National Park , in the east of the country, is one of the largest national parks in the world, with an area of 19,485 square kilometres (7,523 sq mi) of grassland with scattered trees. It supports a wide range of ungulates including Burchell's zebra , impala , greater kudu , blue wildebeest , waterbuck , warthog , Cape buffalo , giraffe and hippopotamus . There are also black and white rhinoceroses , African elephant , African wild dog , cheetah , leopard , lion and spotted hyena . Elsewhere in the country there are gemsbok , alternatively known as oryx, nyala , bushbuck and springbok . There are seventeen species of golden mole , a family limited to southern Africa, five species of elephant shrew , many species of shrews, the southern African hedgehog , the aardvark , various hares and the critically endangered riverine rabbit . There are numerous species of bat and a great many species of rodent . Primates are represented by the Mohol bushbaby , the brown greater galago , the Sykes' monkey , the vervet monkey and the chacma baboon . Smaller carnivores include mongooses , genets , the caracal , the serval , the African wildcat , the Cape fox , the side-striped jackal , the black-backed jackal , meerkats , and the African clawless otter . The brown fur seal and other species of seal occur on the coasts and the waters around the country are visited by numerous species of whale and dolphin . Birds See also: List of birds of South Africa With its diverse habitat types, South Africa has a wide range of residential and migratory species. According to the 2018 edition of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World , 849 species of bird have been recorded in South Africa and its offshore islands. Of these, 125 species are vagrants, and about 30 are endemic either to South Africa, or the more inclusive South Africa/Lesotho/Eswatini region.The endemic species include the southern black and blue korhaans , the grey-winged francolin , the Knysna turaco , the Fynbos buttonquail , the southern bald ibis , the forest buzzard , the ground woodpecker , the Cape and Drakensberg rockjumpers , the Cape , eastern and Agulhas long-billed larks , the red , Karoo , Rudd's and Botha's larks , the Cape bulbul , the Victorin's and Knysna warblers , the Drakensberg prinia , the bush blackcap , the Cape sugarbird , the chorister robin-chat , the sentinel and Cape rock thrushes , the buff-streaked chat , the pied starling , the African Penguin , and the orange-breasted sunbird . The common ostrich is plentiful on the open grassland and savannah areas. Some birds breed elsewhere but migrate to South Africa to overwinter, while others breed in the country but migrate away in the non-breeding season. Migratory species include the greater striped swallow , white-rumped swift , white stork , African pygmy kingfisher , yellow-billed kite and the European bee-eater . Reptiles and amphibians There is a rich fauna of reptiles and amphibians , with 447 species of reptile recorded in the country (as compiled by the Reptile Database), and 132 species of amphibian (compiled by AmphibiaWeb). South Africa has the richest diversity of reptiles of any African country. Endemic species include the angulate tortoise and geometric tortoise , the Zululand dwarf chameleon , the Transkei dwarf chameleon and the Robertson dwarf chameleon , the Broadley's flat lizard , the dwarf Karoo girdled lizard , the Soutpansberg rock lizard , and the yellow-bellied house snake . Natal diving frog Also included among the fauna are the Nile crocodile , the leopard tortoise , the Speke's hinge-back tortoise , the serrated hinged terrapin , various chameleons, lizards, geckos and skinks, the cape cobra , the black mamba , the eastern green mamba , the puff adder , the mole snake and a range of other venomous and non-venomous snakes. Amphibian diversity reflects the many diverse habitats around the country. Species of interest include the endemic western leopard toad and the arum frog , the bronze caco , the spotted snout-burrower and the critically endangered Rose's ghost frog , found only on the slopes of Table Mountain . Another endangered endemic species is the Natal diving frog . National parks Main article: List of national parks in South Africa The following have been designated as national parks in South Africa: Addo Elephant National Park Agulhas National Park Augrabies Falls National Park Bontebok National Park Camdeboo National Park Garden Route National Park Golden Gate Highlands National Park Karoo National Park Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Kruger National Park Mapungubwe National Park Marakele National Park Mokala National Park Mountain Zebra National Park Namaqua National Park Richtersveld National Park Table Mountain National Park Tankwa Karoo National Park West Coast National Park South African endangered species Some animals occurring in South Africa are classified as "endangered " or "critically endangered ". These include: Giant golden mole , Chrysospalax trevelyani Van Zyl's golden mole , Cryptochloris zyli Marley's golden mole , Amblysomus marleyi Gunning's golden mole , Neamblysomus gunningi Juliana's golden mole , Neamblysomus julianae White-tailed rat , Mystromys albicaudatus African wild dog , Lycaon pictus Sei whale , Balaenoptera borealis Blue whale , Balaenoptera musculus African penguin , Spheniscus demersus Critically endangered De Winton's golden mole , Cryptochloris wintoni Riverine rabbit , Bunolagus monticularis Hooded vulture , Necrosyrtes monachus White-headed vulture , Trigonoceps occipitalis White-backed vulture , Gyps africanus WILD ANIMALS IN SOUTH AFRICA Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus They have broad shoulders, broad muzzles, and cow-like horns. They are typically slate-colored with tan forelegs, dark vertical stripes on their shoulders and backs, and white or tan manes and beards. Wildebeests are one of the most unique-looking animals in South Africa! Blue Wildebeests look like cows to me, although they are considered antelopes. They eat short grasses and live in various habitats. However, their favorite spots are moderately moist with rapidly regrowing grasses and a nearby water source. Despite their shrinking population, Wildebeest herds are protective of their young. Females give birth in the middle of the day, allowing the calf time to get steady on its feet before most predators come out in the evening. Blue wildebeest. (2023, August 16). In Wikipedia. The map above shows the ranges of the different Blue Wildebeest subspecies. While healthy adult Blue Wildebeests are perfectly capable of defending themselves, the calves are not. If the adults spot a potential predator, they bunch together, stamp their feet, and issue loud, shrill alarm calls. The larger the herd, the more likely the calf will survive. Blue Wildebeest herds are famous for their historic long-distance migrations with the change of season, where they move to areas where good forage is more available. Sadly, Blue Wildebeests have seen serious population declines. Today, they typically live in much smaller herds and are less nomadic. Only three populations are known to migrate more than 100 miles. Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus They have shaggy brown-gray coats, large rounded ears, and white patches above the eyes, on the throat, and around the nose and mouth. Males have prominently ringed horns that curve back and up and may reach 55–99 cm (22–39 in) long. The Waterbuck’s appearance may vary throughout its range. There are 13 recognized subspecies, all with slightly different traits! In general, all waterbucks have glossy coats with a unique oily secretion. It makes them smell a bit funny to humans, but the scent helps them to find a mate! The oil secretion also serves to help keep their coat waterproof. These robust animals live in grasslands in South Africa and are almost always found near water. Compared to some more migratory antelope species, Waterbucks tend to be rather sedentary, remaining in valleys with rivers and lakes. This is because their diet depends on access to fresh water along with the protein-rich medium and short grasses that grow in moist areas. Waterbuck. (2023, June 6). In Wikipedia. Waterbucks are social animals and usually live in herds of up to 30 individuals. Typically, bachelor males form herds together, and females form separate herds comprised of only females and their young. Once born, mothers leave their calf hidden in the thicket and only visit to nurse. This helps prevent predators from smelling or finding the calf, though mortality is still quite high. Tsessebes are one of the most territorial herbivores in South Africa. Their territories are taken seriously by other Tsessebe herds, to the point that traveling herds will go to great lengths to avoid them. They will move around the outskirts of another herd’s territory, occasionally risking entering neutral areas with lions and other predators! Tsessebe Range Map Damaliscus lunatus. (2023, July 9). In Wikipedia. The map above shows the ranges of the different Tsessebe subspecies. All of the Tsessebes’ territories have high vantage points, which allow females to alert others of danger and males to display their territory. They prefer grassland habitats, including open plains and lightly wooded savannas. As their habitat suggests, they feed primarily on grass. During the rainy season, when the grass is fresh and wet, they get all their water needs from their food, but during dry periods, they need fresh water every day or two. Tsessebes are most active in the morning and evening and spend the hotter parts of the day watering, resting, and digesting their food. Tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus They have glossy, tan coats with grayish or bluish-black markings on their upper legs, black faces and tail tufts, and light undersides. Both sexes have ringed, s-shaped horns but are typically slightly larger in males. Southern White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum simum Adults typically weigh 3,080 to 7,920 pounds (1,397 to 3,593 kg). They have pale-gray skin with dense, tough, plate-like folds. Relatively small eyes, square lips, long necks, humps, and two horns of unequal size. Southern White Rhinos are the second largest land animal in South Africa after the Elephant. They may not look like antelopes and other grazers, but White Rhinos feed primarily on grass, something their wide upper lip is specially adapted to. They usually spend their mornings along riverbanks and in open areas and move to denser woodlands for shade during the heat of the day. Females give birth to just a single offspring, which they aggressively defend, after 16 months of gestation. Interestingly, females can continue to breed every two to three years until they’re 46 years old! Unlike most other animals, White Rhinos live longer in the wild than in captivity. In the wild, they often live for 46 to 50 years, while they only live about 27 to 30 years in captivity. Southern White Rhinos almost went extinct at the end of the 19th century, when there were only between 20-50 individuals left. But since then, their population has recovered due to aggressive conservation efforts. Unfortunately, they are still threatened due to habitat loss and poaching for their horns in the use of traditional Chinese medicine. Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis They have white faces with dark stripes running from eyes to mouths, light brown coats with reddish stripes on their sides, and white undersides and rump flags. Both sexes have long black horns that curve backward and grow to 35-50 cm (14-20 in) long. Springboks were once one of the most hunted animals in South Africa. Dutch farmers killed enormous numbers because they ruined crops. Today, most live within game preserves. Amazingly, Springboks can live without drinking water for years! They survive by selecting various leaves, flowers, and other succulent vegetation high in moisture. They will graze and browse, and their diet varies seasonally. Springboks are preyed on by lions, cheetahs, and other big predators. When threatened or startled, Springboks display a unique defense tactic known as “pronking.” They leap straight into the air up to 2 m (6.6 ft) off the ground in a stiff-legged position with their tail up and back arched. This is believed to startle and throw off predators. Thankfully, predators don’t seem to impact this species’ population too severely. They are one of the few antelope species that are believed to be increasing. Southern Bushbuck Tragelaphus sylvaticus They are light brown with up to seven white stripes on their backs, white splotches on their sides, and often some white on their ears, chins, tails, legs, necks, and muzzles. Males have horns with a single twist up to 0.5 m (1.64 ft) long. Bushbucks are one of the least social antelopes in South Africa. Unlike many of their relatives that move about in herds, Southern Bushbucks are solitary animals. However, they aren’t aggressive towards each other and will sometimes forage in close proximity. Bushbucks only come together to mate and then go their separate ways. Females hide their young and go to great lengths to keep them hidden. When they visit their calves, they go so far as to eat their dung to keep the scent from attracting predators. Side-striped Jackal Lupulella adusta They are heavily built and have shorter legs and ears than other jackal species. Coloration is buff-gray with a darker gray back and a blackish tail with a white or almost silver tip. Look for these mammals in moist habitats in South Africa. Side-striped Jackals live in swamps, marshes, humid savannas, and wooded areas up to 2,700 m (8,800 ft) above sea level. They’re strictly nocturnal, so they can be hard to spot, but you may hear them calling out at night. These canines are incredibly vocal creatures that make various noises, including yipping to communicate with other jackals, screaming when threatened or wounded, and an owl-like hoot, which sets them apart from other jackal species. Side-striped jackal. (2023, September 6). In Wikipedia. Side-striped Jackals are omnivorous scavengers. While their diet varies with location and season, they commonly feed on insects, small vertebrates, fruit, carrion, and plant material. They occasionally kill small prey like rats or birds but spend the most time feeding on the leftovers from other large predators. Sadly, massive trapping and poisoning efforts have damaged the population of these animals. Side-striped Jackals have also been seriously impacted by rabies and distemper epidemics. While they’re rare in much of their range, they are not endangered and have been given some protection at national parks. Warthog Phacochoerus africanus Warthogs have disproportionately large heads with thick protective pads (“warts”) on the sides of their heads, two upper tusks that protrude from their snout, and sharp lower tusks. Sparse bristles cover their body, with manes of longer bristles down the top of their head and spine. A tuft of long hairs at the end of their tail. Warthogs live in various habitats in South Africa, including wooded savannas, grass steppes, and semideserts. But their lack of body fat and fur means they need certain landscape features to help them regulate their body temperatures. Common warthog. (2023, July 27). In Wikipedia. For example, they use wet areas called “wallows” to cool off in the mud when the temperature is hot. In cool temperatures, they go inside burrows to stay warm. They fill these holes with grass and use them as shelter and insulation from the hot sun and cold temperatures. Warthogs have some interesting feeding adaptations. They often kneel on their calloused, padded front knees when feeding on grass. They also use their strong, blunt snouts and tusks to dig up and eat tubers, bulbs, and roots. Suni Nesotragus moschatus Identifying Characteristics: Adults are 30-43 cm (12-17 in) tall at the shoulder. They may vary in color from gray to rich chestnut with a reddish tinge with paler underparts, and each leg has a black band above the hoof. Adult males have wide-set, black, ringed horns, which slant backward and measure 8–13 cm (3–5 in) long. These antelopes in South Africa are small but MIGHTY! They live in high-altitude forests that many other animals can’t tolerate. This helps Suni’s stay away from predators because their small size makes them an easy target for carnivores. Their coloring helps camouflage them in dense foliage as well. In addition to their inhospitable habitat, Suni are excellent at maintaining their diet through tough conditions. They eat fallen leaf litter and follow monkeys to feed on the fruit that they drop! Sunis don’t need to live near a fresh water source because all the water they need comes from their food. If a Suni does encounter a predator, their first instinct is to freeze when threatened. When this fails, they will quickly leap away through the underbrush in hopes of escaping larger animals. They tend to be shy and secretive, active in the early morning, late evening, and night. Straw-coloured Fruit Bat Eidolon helvum Wingspans up to 30 inches (76 cm). They have yellowish-brown necks and backs and tawny olive or brownish undersides. Large, narrow wings, long, pointed faces, large eyes, and widespread ears. Straw-colored Fruit Bats are the second largest African species of fruit bat. They are often called “flying foxes” for their large size, dog-like faces, widespread ears, and big eyes. These big bats are social animals in South Africa that live in large colonies of 100,000 to 10,000,000 individuals! While they are often active during the day, they mostly feed at night, leaving the colony in small groups to search for food in nearby forests. Straw-colored Fruit Bat Range Map Straw-coloured fruit bat. (2022, November 21). In Wikipedia. Unlike many of the smaller insectivorous bat species you may be familiar with, Straw-colored Fruit Bats are herbivores. When they find fruit, Straw-colored Fruit Bats grab it using their large thumbs and hold it to eat. Unlike most bats, Straw-colored Fruits Bats don’t use echolocation to navigate the skies. They rely upon their keen sense of smell and eyesight. Steenbok Raphicerus campestris They are reddish-fawn with a white throat and belly, large white-lined ears, and sharp hooves. Males have vertical horns that grow 7–19 cm (3-7.5 in) long. Steenboks are one of the smallest antelopes in South Africa! They prefer to live in open areas that offer some cover in the form of grasses or sparse trees. They’re herbivorous but don’t just graze like some antelopes. Steenboks will use their sharp hooves to dig up roots and tubers. They get most of the moisture they need from their food, so you may find them far from fresh water. Due to their small size, Steenboks must be on high alert for predators. If they sense danger, their first instinct is to freeze and lie low in dense vegetation, but if they still feel threatened, they will run and sometimes try to hide in aardvark burrows! Steenbok. (2023, August 21). In Wikipedia. You’ll usually see Steenboks by themselves or in pairs. The males are territorial and solitary, remaining in their territory for life. Males and females only come together to mate. Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger Adult males are black, adult females are chestnut, and all adults typically have white eyebrow markings, cheek stripes, bellies, and rump patches. Both sexes have horns that arch backward, but the horns of females are generally 61–102 cm (24–40 in) long, while males’ horns may reach 81–165 cm (32–65 in). These stunning animals in South Africa prefer mixtures of savanna, open woodlands, and grasslands. They tend to avoid extensive areas of open land. Researchers believe that their food preferences dictate their somewhat limited habitat. Sable Antelopes prefer grasses at specific heights and only graze during certain seasons in a highly specific feeding pattern. They also require water at least every other day. You will rarely spot this species far from a river or watering hole. Interestingly, Sable Antelopes will chew on bones to ingest important minerals they can’t get from grass. Sable antelope. (2023, May 3). In Wikipedia. Despite their calm appearance, these antelope are impressive fighters with few natural predators besides humans. Their formidable size and abilities make even lions think twice about taking on adults. However, the young are susceptible to predation from various species. To help protect against predators, Sable Antelopes typically live in herds of 15 to 25 members. The herds with females, their young, and one dominant male will rally around all the young to protect them in case of an attack. Non-dominant males will also form bachelor herds until they are old enough to mate. African Savanna Elephant Loxodonta africana Also called the African Bush Elephant. Thick, gray, creased skin, muscular trunks, and large triangular ears shaped a bit like the African continent. Both sexes have thick, curved ivory tusks. The African Savanna Elephant is the biggest land animal in South Africa (and the world). It is also the largest of the three elephant species (Forest and Asian). Due to their size, an elephant’s most significant requirement is food. They spend most of their time eating, and a single individual may eat 350 pounds (158 kg) of vegetation daily. Today, these magnificent creatures are restricted to preserves, but in the past, they would migrate hundreds of miles annually, moving from high to low elevations with food availability. Savanna Elephant Range Map African bush elephant. (2023, August 17). In Wikipedia. As you probably know, one of the most unique features of elephants is their trunks. Their trunks contain over 40,000 muscles and two sensitive finger-like projections on the tip, allowing them to handle small objects or pick up as much as 400 pounds (181 kg)! They can also use their trunks to breathe, drink water, or blow water onto their backs to cool themselves. The females have a 22-month gestation period, the longest among mammals, and give birth to a single calf, which the whole herd helps to raise. Elephants are considered ecosystem engineers because of their many impacts. For example, they dig in dry riverbeds in the dry season, creating watering holes with their tusks, which other animals rely upon. And as they move through the landscape, they create large pathways for other species to follow. They also rip up small trees and open areas for other grazers like zebras. Lastly, their dung also spreads seeds from several important plant species. Rusty-spotted Genet Genetta maculata They have slender bodies, long tails, and short legs. Coloration is yellowish-gray with rust-colored to black spots, a continuous dark line down their backs, and dark rings around their tails. Look for these cat-like animals in South Africa at night. Rusty-spotted Genets are small omnivores closely related to mongooses. They’re nocturnal and solitary but occasionally hunt or live in pairs. They LOVE to eat rodents, which means they’re frequently spotted around cultivated fields where mice and similar species feed. Side-striped jackal. (2023, September 6). In Wikipedia. These mammals are semi-arboreal, meaning they spend much of their time in the trees and prefer to live in densely forested areas. They sleep during the day and use densely vegetated tree branches, aardvark burrows, or rock crevices as shelter. As you might expect, they have excellent climbing skills! You may be able to spot a Rusty-spotted Genet right now on our LIVE animal camera from South Africa . They are often seen at night visiting the feeding station. Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis Also called Dassie, Cape hyrax, Rock Rabbit, and Coney. Short snouts, cleft upper lips, stout legs, short ears, and rubber-like soles on their feet. They are brownish-gray with creamy undersides, long black whiskers, and a black patch of hair on their back. These small animals may look like rodents in South Africa, but their closest living relatives are actually elephants and manatees! As their name suggests, they live in rocky, scrub-covered areas. Rock Hyrax have several adaptions that allow them to move about skillfully on steep, rocky surfaces. First, Rock Hyrax feet soles are rubber-like and kept moist by a glandular secretion. And second, their feet also have a depression in the center that acts a bit like a suction cup. Rock Hyrax Range Map Rock hyrax. (2023, June 9). In Wikipedia. Rock Hyraxes usually live in colonies called “kopjes,” ranging from 5 to 60 individuals. Usually, these groups are made of a male, several females, and their young. Interestingly, Rock Hyrax colonies usually urinate and defecate in a common restroom. This habit causes a build-up of calcium carbonate from the urine, turning the cliffs where they live white. In the past, African tribes and Europeans collected the calcium carbonate crystals for medicine to treat epilepsy, hysteria, and other injuries and ailments. Roan Antelope Hippotragus equinus They are reddish-brown with lighter undersides, black faces, and white eyebrows, cheeks, and around the nose. They have short, erect manes, light beards, and red nostrils, and both sexes have ringed horns that sweep backward. Roan Antelopes are one of the largest animals in South Africa! Look for these large ruminants in lightly wooded savannas with medium or tall grass and access to water. They feed in the morning and evening and retreat to shaded areas in the middle of the day, so you’ll need to rise early to observe them. Unlike many antelopes, healthy adult Roan Antelopes are formidable opponents to most predators. They don’t flee like many animals. Instead, they face down even the most fearsome predators, like lions. They’re known to gore attacking lions with their long, scimitar-like horns. Roan antelope. (2023, March 1). In Wikipedia. These fierce creatures don’t travel alone either, instead living in mixed herds of about 20 animals, including females, young, and one dominant bull. Less dominant bachelor males tend to form their own groups. Being a herd animal is one more way these animals discourage attacks. Roan Antelopes are currently listed as lower risk but conservation dependent by the IUCN. Their populations have rapidly declined in recent years due to hunting and poaching, habitat deterioration and loss, and slaughter as part of tsetse fly control efforts. Plains Zebra Equus quagga Zebras are boldly striped, with some populations tending to have more narrow, defined striping. They have upright ears with rounded tips, erect manes, tufts at the ends of their tails, relatively short legs, convex heads, and somewhat concave nose profiles. The Plains Zebra is probably the most recognized animal found in South Africa! Even the youngest children can identify their black and white coats. Interestingly, the exact coat pattern is unique to the individual, just like a fingerprint. As their name suggests, Plains Zebras prefer open terrain and spend most of their time in open savannas, grasslands, woodlands, and scrublands. Typically, zebras move about these areas in social groups called harems, consisting of one dominant stallion (male) and several females and their offspring. Plains Zebra Range Map Plains zebra. (2023, August 22). In Wikipedia. When threatened, Plains Zebras will often form a semi-circle. The stallion will attempt to protect his harem and may charge their two most common predators, Lions and Spotted Hyenas. Adults are fast animals, capable of running 40 miles per hour (64 kmh) to escape when necessary. To help avoid predation, newborn foals are incredibly well-developed when born. Unbelievably, they can STAND within 15 minutes and can run after an hour! Then, after a week, they are already feeding on grass, even though they aren’t fully weaned until 7 to 11 months old. Nyala Tragelaphus angasii Identifying Characteristics: Adults are 90-110 cm (35-43 in) tall at the shoulder. Females are a rusty red color, while males are slate gray, and both sexes have some white stripes and spots that vary with the individual. Both sexes have a dorsal crest of hair running from the back of the head to the base of the tail. Males also have spiraling horns up to 60–83 cm (24–33 in) long. Nyalas are one of the oldest antelope species in South Africa! These amazing animals emerged as a separate species at the end of the Miocene era, close to six million years ago! They live in savannas and woodlands, always within close proximity to freshwater sources. They’re mainly active in the morning and late afternoon when they browse and graze on grasses, twigs, fruit, and tree leaves. They’re clever, too, sometimes following baboons to eat the fruits and leaves that they dislodge from trees. Interestingly, Nyalas are among the few species that benefit from poor agricultural practices. Overgrazing by cattle usually encourages weeds to grow, and these plants are some of their favorite things to eat! Large carnivores are a major concern for these antelopes. When they feel threatened, they give a deep barking alarm call that warns other Nyalas in the area. Nyalas listen closely to other animals, too, and react to the alarm calls of impala, baboons, and kudu. Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus Adults are 2.8-3.5 m (9-11.5 ft) long. Coloration is dark olive to gray-olive with yellowish bellies, but young individuals may be more greenish or brown with darker crossbands on their bodies and tails. They have long, sturdy tails, long, powerful jaws, stout legs, and thick, scaly, heavily armored skin. The Nile Crocodile is the largest reptile in South Africa. These creatures have a nasty reputation as man-eaters, and it isn’t entirely undeserved. Nile Crocodiles are indiscriminate carnivores that feed on whatever they can catch, and because their habitat often overlaps with human settlements, run-ins happen. Although the data can be unreliable, some reports indicate that Nile Crocodiles kill about 200 people annually. These intimidating carnivores are patient, agile ambush predators. They will feed on nearly any prey that comes into range and may swallow it whole or rip it apart. Their conical teeth and strong jaws give them a uniquely powerful bite with a grip that’s nearly impossible to loosen. As if that weren’t enough, these incredible predators can swim at 30-35 kph (19-22 mph) and remain underwater for up to 30 minutes. During mating season, males attract females to their territory by bellowing, slapping their snouts in the water, blowing water out of their noses, and making other noises. In areas with high populations of males, they sometimes get into physical altercations over females, especially if they’re similar in size. These altercations aren’t common but can be quite a spectacle to witness! Lion Panthera leo They have short, tawny coats, white undersides, and long tails with black tufts at the ends. Males have manes, while females do not. Lions are probably the most famous animal found in South Africa. Though intimidating, lions aren’t very effective hunters on their own. Instead, lions usually hunt in groups, called prides, to take down large herbivores like zebras, impalas, gazelles, wildebeests, giraffes, and cape buffalo. Tommyknocker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Lions live in groups called prides, which range from 2-40 individuals, though they are rarely all together at once. Female pride members are all related, as females don’t leave their mother’s territories. Females don’t have a dominance hierarchy and instead work together to find food and care for each other’s cubs. On the other hand, males are generally forced out of their father’s territory at about 2.5 years of age, roam for two to three years, and then attempt to take over their own pride by seriously injuring or killing the current leaders. While we often picture one male as the “king,” male lions sometimes form coalitions of 2-4 males to take over a pride. These coalitions are often brothers, and the larger the coalition, the longer they’ll be able to reign over their pride. While they don’t have natural predators, lions are still susceptible to starvation and human attacks. Their worldwide populations have declined significantly throughout their range. Sadly, some subspecies of lions are critically endangered, while others are already extinct. Leopard Panthera pardus Identifying Characteristics: They have relatively short heads and long bodies, broad heads, small round ears, and long whiskers. Adults may be tawny, light yellow, reddish-orange, or black, and they often have black rosettes on their faces and bodies and black rings on their tails. Leopards have the most varied coloring of any animal in South Africa. In fact, individuals’ coat coloring is so unique it can be used to identify individuals like fingerprints. Their color patterns help these carnivores to remain camouflaged in various habitats. This excellent camouflage is essential as leopards are ambush predators. They approach prey while remaining hidden, crouched low to the ground, and then pounce before the animal can react. These big cats have tremendous strength and can tackle prey up to ten times their own weight! Leopard. (2023, August 29). In Wikipedia. Leopards are some of the most athletic wildlife you will find in South Africa. They can swim, climb trees and descend from them head first, run at bursts of 60 kph (36 mph), and jump 6 m (20 ft) horizontally and 3 m (10 ft) vertically. This is one carnivore that would break every record in gym class! 🙂 Sadly, leopard populations are declining due to habitat loss, range fragmentation, and hunting. Today, they are listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus Adults are stocky with short necks and bodies, large hindquarters, large rounded ears, and sometimes short, straight horns. Their coats may be yellow and speckled with brown, bright golden-yellow, or gray and dull, with each individual hair being light at the base and dark towards the tip. Look for these animals in the arid, rocky hills of South Africa. To make life in these rocky regions a bit easier, Klipspringers have specially adapted feet. The last joints of their toes are rotated so that they walk on the tips of their hooves. The rocks wear the hooves down into cylindrical shapes well-suited for balancing on the rocks. Klipspringer. (2023, January 18). In Wikipedia. These unique little creatures are also monogamous to a greater extent than most other antelopes. A pair will mark and defend a territory together, with males performing dominance displays and butting heads. Females are a bit aggressive, too, and may bite and rip out each other’s fur. Klipspringers are usually most active in the morning and evening. One of the pair, usually the male, will stand guard while the other feeds. They are preyed on by many large predators and have to remain constantly alert. Impala Aepyceros melampus They have reddish-brown hair on the upper parts of their bodies, and the undersides of their bellies, chins, lips, inside ears, the line over the eye, and tails are white. Look for these well-known animals in South Africa in grasslands and savannas. While Impala are predominantly grazers, especially when the grass is lush and abundant, they switch to shrubs, trees, and other plants as needed. They’re ruminants, meaning they have multi-chambered stomachs and regurgitate and chew their food, called cud, multiple times to get the most nutrients possible. Impala. (2023, July 30). In Wikipedia. Impalas share their grassland and woodland habitats with many large, capable predators, so they must stay alert and ready to make a quick escape! Impalas leap in random directions when they sense danger and run quickly to startle their enemies. They’re incredibly athletic and may jump up to 10 ft (3.5 m) in the air! To avoid being grabbed, Impalas often kick their back feet up as they land on just their front legs. Calves are the most susceptible to predation, harsh weather conditions, and illness. Thankfully, female Impalas have some incredible strategies to care for their young. For example, they can delay giving birth for up to one month if weather conditions are harsh. They also typically give birth around mid-day when most predators are sleeping. Honey Badger Mellivora capensis Identifying Characteristics: Adults are 55–77 cm (22–30 in) long. They have stocky bodies, large heads, small eyes, strong, wide forefeet, small hind feet with short claws, muscular necks and shoulders, and thick, loose skin. Their color varies with subspecies, but generally, their lower half is black, and they have an upper mantle of gray or bright white. Honey Badgers are one of the toughest animals in South Africa! They have a reputation for living anywhere, eating anything, and surviving no matter what. Honey badger. (2023, August 7). In Wikipedia. Their diet is as varied as their habitat. Honey Badgers are opportunistic foragers whose menu changes with the season and prey availability. They frequently prey on snakes, birds, eggs, frogs, and small rodents. As their name suggests, they’re also known for raiding honey bee hives to eat the larvae and honey inside. Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius Adult males weigh up to 9,920 pounds (4,500 kg), while adult females average 3000 pounds (1,360 kg). They’re typically purple or slate gray, brownish pink around their ears and eyes, and covered in sparse, thin hair. Hippos are the LARGEST animal in South Africa you will find in freshwater! In fact, the Hippopotamus is the third largest land animal alive today, after the Elephant and the White Rhinoceros! Hippos have unique skin that needs to be wet most of the day, meaning they spend most of their time submerged in shallow lakes, rivers, and swamps. But despite their aquatic lifestyle, Hippos can’t actually swim! They are just walking on the bottom when you see them in water. Hippopotamus Range Map Hippopotamus. (2023, August 25). In Wikipedia. At night, Hippos typically leave the water to feed to avoid the sun. They mainly feed on short grasses near the water but sometimes travel miles for food, using their acute sense of smell for dropped fruit. These big mammals may look cute, but beware, Hippos are one of the most aggressive and dangerous mammals alive, particularly the dominant males. They clash with anything in their territory, including other hippos, humans boating, and predators. Hippos have HUGE, sharp canines that grow continuously and may reach 20 inches (51 cm) in length! Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus Deeply sloping backs, long legs, long, narrow snouts, tufted tails, and large glands below their eyes. Their coloring varies, may be pale brown to brownish gray, and both sexes have dark, oddly shaped horns. Look for these animals in grasslands and savannas in South Africa. Hartebeests are almost entirely grazers; their diet is never less than 80% grass. Their odd, long snout may look funny, but it enhances their chewing ability, allowing them to gain more nutrition from poor-quality food. Hartebeest. (2023, August 21). In Wikipedia. The map above shows the ranges of the different Hartebeest subspecies. Hartebeests are usually rather sedentary animals that often appear to be relaxing, but don’t let their casual appearance fool you. They are alert and cautious. Hartebeests always have a sentinel watching for predators. When danger is spotted, the herd will bolt away as a group. Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros Their coloring ranges from reddish-brown to blue-gray, with 6 to 10 stripes down their back and black-tipped tails with white undersides. Males have beards and large horns with two and a half twists that can grow as long as 120 cm (47 in). This species is one of the biggest animals in South Africa! Greater Kudus are tall and large with impressive horns. These graceful creatures can easily clear obstacles up to 2.5 m (8 ft) tall and run up to 100 kph (62 mph). Greater Kudus are social and surprisingly vocal animals. You may hear them make whimpers, bleats, barks, grunts, and hums. The females stay together in groups of up to 25 with their offspring, and the males gather in small herds of 2-10. Males and females only come together to mate. Greater kudu. (2023, September 6). In Wikipedia. The map above shows the ranges of the different Greater Kudu subspecies. The females give birth during the rainy season when the grass is high, essential for keeping the calves hidden from predators. The calves remain hidden for the first four weeks of their lives before they can join the herd. During this time, their mother will only visit to nurse them to avoid attracting attention from predators. Gemsbok Oryx gazella Identifying Characteristics: Adults are about 1.2 m (4 ft) at the shoulder. They are typically light taupe to tan in color with lighter patches towards the bottom of their rump. Black markings extend from the base of the horns and sweep back in stripes over the eyes and cheeks, continuing down their necks and backs. They have black bands around all four legs. Both sexes have slightly curved black horns with light-colored rings that average 85 cm (33 in) long. Gemsboks are some of the most-hunted antelope in South Africa. They are prized by hunters for their long, curved horns, which are often turned into trophies or other ornamental objects. Although they’re a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List , there have been large declines in several parts of their range. They’re most susceptible to hunting, climate change, habitat destruction, and livestock overgrazing. Oddly, you can also find these unique creatures in parts of North America . The New Mexico Department of Fish and Game introduced a herd to the Tularose Basin between 1969 and 1977. Today, scientists estimate their current North American population at around 3,000 individuals, and an unknown number have also spread north into the San Andres Wildlife Refuge and the Jornada Biosphere Reserve. Common Eland Tragelaphus oryx Females are usually much smaller than males. They are a uniform fawn color with some vertical white striping on their upper parts. Both sexes have long dewlaps, short manes, and corkscrew horns that are 43–66 cm (17–26 in) long. Elands are incredibly large animals found in South Africa. But they are relatively slow compared to other wildlife, only running at speeds up to 32 kph (20 mph). However, they can jump nearly 1 m (3 ft) into the air. They are one of the world’s most adaptable ruminants and can survive in deserts, grasslands, and mountainous areas. Elands have another feature that sets them apart: a weird sound that lets you know they’re near. When walking, the tendons and joints in their front legs produce sharp clicking sounds that can be heard from a distance. Scientists believe that these sounds may help an Eland advertise their territory. Common eland. (2023, August 15). In Wikipedia. Elands are generally social creatures and may form large herds of up to 500 individuals. Typically, these larger herds are mostly females and their young, while males tend to roam by themselves or in small groups. Males often fight for mates, and females tend to select the most dominant males to breed with. Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Identifying Characteristics: Relatively long legs, small, rounded heads, and short ears. Their coloration is yellowish with a white or light tan underside, small black spots, and dark rings terminating in a white tip on the end of their tail. As you probably know, Cheetahs are the FASTEST animal in South Africa (and the world). Unlike most other big cats, Cheetahs do not stalk their prey. Instead, they use their incredible speed (80-130 kph, or 50-80 mph) to charge. However, they can only maintain this speed for short distances. Cheetahs are solitary except during mating. The cubs are cared for solely by their mother. When they’re young, the female will hide the cubs in tall vegetation, rocky outcrops, or marshy areas while she hunts, occasionally carrying them to new hiding spots. Once they are old enough to fend for themselves, the mother goes back to her solitary lifestyle until mating again. Cheetah. (2023, September 6). In Wikipedia. When a Cheetah overtakes its prey, it strangles its target by squeezing its neck in its jaw. They feed mostly on gazelles but also consume impalas, hares, and birds. Interestingly, most hunts are unsuccessful, and they work much harder than other big cats to get a meal. Cheetahs are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Researchers have found they have little genetic diversity, which leaves them susceptible to disease and environmental changes. Despite this, some countries still allow Cheetahs to be hunted, and they are sometimes persecuted for livestock losses. Caracal Caracal caracal Coloration is red to brown with white undersides adorned with many small spots and black facial markings. They have robust builds, disproportionately long, muscular back legs, short faces, long tufted ears, and short tails. These animals are nearly impossible to spot in South Africa. Caracals are nocturnal and generally very secretive. These medium-sized cats live in a range of habitats, including plains, rocky hills, scrub forests, woodlands, and thickets. They love edge habitats, especially the transition between forest and grasslands. Caracals are highly athletic, capable carnivores that can take down prey three times their size. They’re also known for their incredible bird-snaring leaps into the air. To hunt, they rely on stealth to get close to prey and then pounce on it, using their muscular back legs. Caracal. (2023, September 4). In Wikipedia. They’re also perfectly capable of avoiding predation. When they sense a threat, they often lie flat and use their coloring to blend in with the ground and go unnoticed. They’re also agile climbers that can escape lions and other large predators by climbing into trees. If all else fails, they’re known to chase off predators twice their size. Unfortunately, the one predator they can’t go up against is humans. Farmers and ranchers frequently kill them for feeding on small livestock. Cape Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis Covered with bristly hairs and quills that they can erect. Long whiskers and hollow spines on their tail, which rattle when they shake. The Cape Porcupine is the largest rodent in South Africa! These formidable animals are most commonly seen at night and usually live in wooded areas with plenty of vegetation and rocky outcrops. They need shelter and frequently seek out crevices, caves, or antbear dens. They will build dens up to 65 feet (20m) long if none are available. Cape Porcupine Range Map Cape porcupine. (2023, June 23). In Wikipedia. Despite looking a bit clumsy, Cape Porcupines are formidable opponents for most predators. If approached by a lion, hyena, or other meat-eater, they freeze and lift the sharp quills running down their back, making them appear twice their size. They give other warning signs, too, by rattling their tails, hissing, and snorting. Bush Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia Adults only grow up to 50 cm (20 in) tall. They vary in color and may be chestnut, silvery gray, or light brown, with an erect tuft of hair on the top of their head. Males have small, spike-like horns up to 11 cm (4.3 in) long with grooves at the base. Bush Duikers are the smallest antelopes in South Africa! These little animals will adapt to various habitats and live in woodlands, savannas, grasslands, and mountainous areas. They inhabit higher altitudes than any other African ungulate. To help live in these inhospitable conditions, they consume insects and have occasionally been observed stalking and eating birds, rodents, lizards, and frogs. Bush Duikers are territorial and form monogamous pairs. Both sexes will use threat displays to drive other Duikers of the same sex out of their territory. If these displays fail, battles may ensue! Females will head-butt other females, and males may fight, chase, and stab each other with their horns. The lifespan of Bush Duikers in the wild is unknown, but they have lived up to 14 years in captivity. This species is listed as one of least concern on the IUCN Red List . Brown Hyena Parahyaena brunnea They have heavily built necks, shoulders, chests, and heads. Short brushy tails, large pointed ears, noticeably larger hind feet, and longer forelegs than hind legs, giving them a sloping appearance. They have long, shaggy hair that’s usually dark brown to black on their body and tan on the shoulders and neck and striped legs. Look for this predator in semi-arid regions of South Africa. Brown Hyenas can live in drier areas than some of their relatives because they consume fruit with high water content when fresh water sources aren’t available. While this is a great adaption, it also puts them at odds with melon farmers seeking to protect their crops. These canines protect themselves from heat by hunting nocturnally and taking shelter during the day. They build dens in sandy areas near rocks or vegetation, which helps provide shade. Brown hyena. (2023, August 21). In Wikipedia. Brown Hyenas may form clans or remain solitary, but all adults look for food alone. They don’t usually hunt live prey, instead using their keen sense of smell to locate carrion. However, they will go after birds and small mammals if a good opportunity presents itself. Brown Hyenas have decreasing populations and are listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. They are often killed by farmers who blame them for crop and livestock losses. This is sad because they almost never prey on livestock since they are primarily scavengers. Serval Leptailurus serval Identifying Characteristics: They have the longest ears and legs in the cat family relative to their size. They have a coppery, golden-yellow, or buff coat with some white on their faces and undersides, black tail and ear tips, black rings on their tail, and various black stripes and spots on their bodies. Servals are some of the most playful wildlife you will find in South Africa! They have a kitten-like personality. Both young and adult Servals sometimes play with their food like domestic cats. They may throw animals into the air or let them scurry away before catching them again. They hunt by using their large ears and acute hearing to locate prey, sometimes remaining motionless for up to 15 minutes while they listen. Servals can pounce on prey from more than 4m (13 ft) away! These athletic cats have also been observed jumping 1.5 m (5 ft) into the air after birds. Serval. (2023, August 27). In Wikipedia. Servals are solitary creatures that spend most of their time in reed beds and grasslands but will also roam through thickets, forest brush, streams, and marshes. They’re crepuscular, spending most of their time hunting in the morning and evening, though Servals living close to human populations often become nocturnal to avoid people. Bontebok/Blesbok Damaliscus pygargus They are chocolate brown with black tails, white undersides, white stripes from their foreheads to the tips of their noses, and a white patch surrounding their tails. Both sexes have large, dark-colored, noticeably ringed, curving horns. The horns can reach a length of 0.5 m (1.64 ft). These animals are some of the easiest to spot in South Africa! They have a striking color pattern, with rich brown fur and a large white patch on the front of the head. Their curved, ringed horns add another level of glamor to their appearance. Males are territorial and fiercely guard harems of females and young year-round. They will attempt to intimidate other males by stamping their feet, digging up the soil with their horns, and swinging their heads. If their intimidation tactics fail, things may get violent. Males clash their horns and occasionally catch each other on the sides or head, which can be deadly. In the early 1900s, Bonteboks came within a hair’s breadth of extinction! In 1931, only 17 Bonteboks remained in the wild! Thankfully, these 17 were conserved, and Bontebok National Park was created. Today, their population ranges from 2,500 to 3,000 individuals descended from those original 17 animals. However, Bonteboks remain listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List . Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis Hairless except for their ears. Typically gray but may vary from yellow-brown to dark brown. They have two horns, short, rounded ears, and hooked or pointed upper lips. Black Rhinos are distinguished from White Rhinos by their hooked upper lip, which is flat in White Rhinos. This distinguishing feature is due to their different diets. White Rhinos are grazers feeding primarily on grass, while Black Rhinos are browsers, and their hooked lips help them pull leaves from trees and bushes. Black Rhinos will inhabit woodlands, forests, wetlands, and semidesert savannas. Good food sources are one of the most essential features of their habitat, as they need areas with plenty of shrubs and woody plants, water sources, and mineral licks. Black Rhino Range Map Black rhinoceros. (2023, June 25). In Wikipedia. Adults have NO natural predators due to their large size, deadly horns, and thick skin. Despite being aggressively defended by their mother, calves, and juveniles are sometimes preyed upon by lions and crocodiles. These incredible animals are classified as “critically endangered” in South Africa due to habitat loss and poaching. Black-backed Jackal Lupulella mesomelas They have a fox-like appearance with slender bodies, long legs, large ears, and bushy tails. They are reddish-brown to tan with a black saddle that has a mix of silver hair and black tail tips. Unlike many other animals in South Africa, Black-backed Jackals are noisy! These fox-like canines are highly vocal, making various sounds, including yelling, yelping, woofing, whining, growling, and cackling. They use sounds to advertise their presence and territory and express alarm and excitement. These opportunistic omnivores eat anything they can find. They take small prey like insects, small mammals, and young antelopes but will also go after larger species if the animal is wounded or sick. In coastal areas, Black-backed Jackals will consume seals, fish, and shorebirds. Black-backed jackal. (2023, September 6). In Wikipedia. Throughout the 1800s and 1900s, there were several attempts to eradicate Black-backed Jackals through hunting, poisoning, gas, and trapping, but they were all unsuccessful. These resourceful creatures have learned to regurgitate poisoned bait or avoid it altogether. Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis Coloration is yellow-brown with pale throats and underparts. Black outer ears, raccoon-like face masks, lower legs, feet, and tail tips. They have relatively short legs, huge ears, and more molars than other canids. Look for these small animals in the arid grasslands and savannas of South Africa. Named for their enormous ears, these interesting-looking foxes prefer areas with short grass. They live in large dens with long tunnels and several entrances, and they have multiple dens within their territory. Bat-eared fox. (2023, September 7). In Wikipedia. Bat-eared Foxes arrange their schedule by the weather. In the summertime, they’re mostly nocturnal to avoid the heat of the day, while during colder weather, they sleep at night. They spend much of their time feeding on insects and other arthropods. They often follow herds of wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo, which disturb the termites as they walk. Their dung also attracts dung beetles, which make a tasty treat. Their large ears allow them to hear insects even underground! African Wild Dog Lycaon pictus They have large, muscular legs, thin bodies, large, rounded ears, four toes on each foot, and blackish skin, which may show through where fur is sparse. Their coloring makes them appear painted in shades of yellow, white, brown, red, and black, with some black on their head and white on the tip of their tail. These canines live in savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands in South Africa. They’re widespread, social animals, often living in packs of up to 40 members. The pattern of colors on each African Wild Dog is unique to that individual, like a fingerprint. African wild dog. (2023, August 13). In Wikipedia. Like their wolf cousins, African Wild Dog packs are run by a dominant male and female pair. They have a complicated hierarchy that dictates their behavior, but the entire pack is incredibly nurturing toward one another. All members care for the pups once they’ve left the den, and pups may even nurse from other females. Upon returning from a hunt, all hunting pack members will regurgitate food for the puppies, old or sick dogs, and any adults unable to go on the hunt. African Wild Dogs are diurnal and do most of their hunting during the morning and evening. The alpha male usually leads the hunts. Once the pack locates prey, they chase it as a group. Chases may last several kilometers and reach speeds up to 56 kph (35 mph). African Wildcat Felis lybica Coloration varies and may be tawny brown, sandy yellow, reddish, or gray with faint tabby spots and stripes, banded legs, and reddish or rusty-brown on the backs of their ears. They have long legs, small ear tufts, and long, thin tails with rings near the end and black tips. You are looking at the ancestor of the domestic cat! African Wildcats are skillful hunters with incredible hearing. Once they’ve located prey, they slowly and sneakily approach it and pounce once they’re in range. They usually feed on mice, rats, and other small mammals. African wildcat. (2023, September 6). In Wikipedia. African Wildcats are most active at night. During the day, they tend to avoid the heat and rest under bushes or other shelter, although sometimes they can be observed out hunting on cloudy, overcast days. Additionally, when threatened, these cats raise their hair to make themselves seem larger and intimidate their opponents, similar to what we see in domestic cats. African Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis They have large heads, stout, tapered tails, partially webbed hind feet, long white whiskers on their cheeks, chin, and brows, and are clawless except for three grooming claws on each back foot. They have thick, shiny, dark brown coats with white markings on their upper lips, the sides of their faces, necks, throats, bellies, and lower ears. Otters are one of the most playful animals in South Africa! As a primarily aquatic species, you’ll almost always see African Clawless Otters around rivers and other freshwater habitats. They prefer areas with thick reed beds and shallow water because they don’t dive below 1.5 m (5 ft). African clawless otter. (2023, August 7). In Wikipedia. African Clawless Otters also spend time on land. They build dens with entrances above or below the water they share with other otters. They use their dens for giving birth, playing, eating, and resting. These creatures breed during the dry season, and the young otters are particularly fun to watch. They spend much of their time fighting, swimming, sliding on rocks, playing with food, and throwing pebbles into the water to dive and grab before reaching the bottom. Watching them is like a little circus show! African Civet Civettictis civetta They have large hindquarters, low heads, and short manes that extend down their backs. Coloration is silverish or cream with black or brown markings and spots, a black raccoon-like face mask, and white neck stripes. If you see this shy animal in South Africa, you might not know exactly what you’re looking at! African Civets are incredibly unique. They have similar features to raccoons and cats but aren’t related to either. Their large hindquarters and extended mane are dead giveaways that you have found an African Civet. African civet. (2023, August 31). In Wikipedia. These unusual-looking animals live in forested and open areas but need plenty of cover for hunting and hiding from larger animals. For example, in open areas, they require tall stands of grasses or thickets to shelter in during the daytime. African Civets are primarily nocturnal but occasionally move around during the morning or evening of cloudy days. They’re secretive and solitary except when they come together to breed. Aardwolf Proteles cristatus They have large pointed ears, slender skulls, thick manes that run from the back of their head to their tail, and longer forelegs than hind legs, giving them a sloping appearance. They have buff-yellow or dark brown fur with dark stripes on their bodies, horizontal dark stripes on their legs, and dark feet and tails. It’s easy to mistake this animal in South Africa for a hyena. Aardwolves are smaller than hyenas and have more defined stripes. However, their similarity is so uncanny that some researchers have suggested it may be a defense mechanism called Batesian mimicry . This trait, which is rare in mammals, is where one species mimics a more dangerous one in appearance. Aardwolf. (2023, August 26). In Wikipedia. Aardwolves don’t hunt large animals and are considered insectivores since they almost exclusively feed on insects. Their favorite food is termites, and they have specially adapted long, sticky tongues that help them lap up hundreds at a time. One Aardwolf can consume 300,000 termites in a single night! Aardwolves live in dry, open savannas and grasslands and spend most of their life either solitary or in pairs. During the daytime, they retreat into underground dens to escape the sun and heat. Despite being common and widespread, it’s rare to spot one since they’re nocturnal, shy, and secretive. Aardvark Orycteropus afer They have squared-off heads, long noses wider at the end, tapering tails, four-toed forefeet, five-toed hind feet, and massive bodies with muscular limbs. They have short hairs on their heads, necks, and tails and longer hair on their limbs that may be worn off in older individuals. Aardvarks might be the strangest-looking animal in South Africa! Aardvarks are highly specialized to forage for their favorite prey: ants and termites. Their large ears, long noses, and sticky tongues help them easily find, scoop, and eat these insects. Due to their highly specific prey preference, they avoid areas that flood or have hard, compacted, or rocky soil. Aardvark. (2023, August 23). In Wikipedia. When Aardvarks find an ant or termite mound, they dig rapidly into the side of it with sharp claws. Then, they sweep the ants and termites into their mouth with their long, sticky tongues. They don’t chew the insects but digest them in a gizzard-like stomach. The defenses ants and termites use, like stinging, biting, chemical defenses, and hard mounds, may work on other insectivores but are no match for Aardvarks. These odd-looking creatures have some equally odd methods of defending themselves. When threatened, Aardvarks will stand on their hind legs or lay on their backs to fight enemies with their large front claws. They also avoid predators and heat by building underground burrows, which they shelter in during the day. African Buffalo Syncerus caffer They are heavy, cow-like animals that are typically dark gray or black. Both sexes have heavy, ridged horns that go straight out from the head and curve downward, then up. African Buffalo are one of the most formidable animals in South Africa! They are widely regarded as dangerous and have few natural predators other than humans. Lions are the only carnivores that regularly hunt adults, but it is certainly not easy. Cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, and African wild dogs will only go after calves. Buffalo are known to defend themselves courageously against lions and will often fight off multiple individuals, chasing them until they jump into a tree. These large mammals are some of the most successful grazing wildlife found in South Africa. They live in a wide range of habitats so long as there is plenty of access to water and grass. You may spot them in semi-arid bushlands, savannas, lowland rainforests, grasslands, montane forests, and coastal savannas. This is one of my favorite videos to watch, and it shows the toughness of the African Buffalo. You must watch it to the end! The African Buffalo uses a safety-in-numbers approach to avoid predation, sometimes congregating in herds of thousands of animals. These large herds are critical to protecting young calves. Calves give low, mournful bellows if threatened, and their herd will come running to defend them! Wildlife in South Africa Several Big Five reserves protect the more charismatic large mammals associated with the African savannah. Foremost among these is the Kruger National Park and its abutting private reserves. Still, other key safari destinations include iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Madikwe, Pilanesberg, Addo Elephant National Park, and a variety of smaller and more exclusive private reserves. These premier reserves all support healthy lion, elephant, and buffalo populations. South Africa stands as the world’s most important stronghold for rhinos (around 90% of the global population of White rhinos and Black rhinos is concentrated there). At the same time, the private reserves bordering Kruger have few, if any, rivals when it comes to intimate leopard encounters. Other wildlife associated with these reserves includes African wild dogs, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, giraffes, zebra, warthogs, baboons, and Vervet monkeys. Leopards are elusive and shy animals so spotting one on safari is a magical experience The country supports around two dozen species of antelope, ranging from the outsized eland and stately spiral-horned greater kudu to the gregarious Blue wildebeest and impala and arid-country specialists such as gemsbok, springbok, and the diminutive forest-dwelling Red and Blue duikers. Several large mammal species are endemic to South Africa. The Black wildebeest and Blesbok are associated mainly with grassy habitats in the Highveld. At the same time, the Cape mountain zebra and bontebok are fynbos-dwellers more-or-less confined to the Western Cape. Marine wildlife is a strong feature of South Africa. The clifftop town of Hermanus offers the world’s finest land-based whale-watching, while other aquatic wildlife attractions range from caged shark dives at Mossel Bay and turtle-nesting excursions in iSimangaliso to the penguin colony at Cape Town’s Boulders Beach and dolphins that frequently visit many of the country’s bays. The African wild dog is one of the most endangered predators in Africa, but also the most efficient hunters in the bush South Africa is a key bird-watching destination . The national checklist comprises around 840 species and includes the world’s largest bird (ostrich) and what is reputedly its bulkiest flying species (kori bustard), along with a dazzling variety of bee-eaters, turacos, parrots, rollers, and waxbills. The iconic Mountain zebra in the Karoo National Park The national checklist comprises around 840 species and includes the world’s largest bird (ostrich) and what is reputedly its bulkiest flying species (kori bustard), along with a dazzling variety of bee-eaters, turacos, parrots, rollers, and waxbills. d several more are near-endemics with a range that extends a small way into Namibia and/or Botswana. A Southern right whale breaks the water near the coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape Avian variety is most significant in the southern summer (November-March) when several resident species assume a colorful breeding plumage and dozens of migrant species arrive from Europe or elsewhere in Africa. There are several sites in South Africa, most notably perhaps Kruger, where a moderately skilled birder could tick 100 species in a day. BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

THE VOORTREKKERS The Battle - Andries Pretorius and his men advance After the fall of Port Natal Port Natal Andries Pretorius arrived from Graaff-Reinet. On 25 November 1838 Pretorius took over leadership as Commandant-General of the Voortrekkers in Natal. He immediately re-organised the Voortrekkers and started to prepare a retaliatory attack on the Zulu. On Sunday, 9th December, Pretorius and his followers made a vow to God that in the case of victory; they would build a church to honour God and they would tell there children to observe a day of thanksgiving. (Recent research has put a question mark over the vow and its existence as 'thanksgiving' was not commemorated in the years immediately following the battle, but the church was built). The Pretorius party crossed the Ncome (Buffalo) River, and on Saturday 15 December, they reached a tributary (Thukela). Their scouts reported that a large AmaZulu force was advancing (10 000-20 000 Zulu warriors). The Zulu army was led by Dingane's generals Dambuza (Nzobo) and Ndlela kaSompisi. After the scouts had given the warning the Voortrekkers moved there wagons into a laager (circular formation) in the best strategical position possible, between a deep pool in the river and a donga (a large ditch). The Voortrekkers force consisted of 470 men. There were only two gaps in the laager and in each, a canon was placed. 16 December 1838: The Battle At dusk on the 15th December the Amazulu had already begun to circle the laager. A heavy mist surrounded the laager and only lifted in the early hours of the morning, this made visibility poor. At dawn on the 16th December 1838 the Zulu warriors equiped with assagais and shields swept towards the laager. To be able to use their assagais effectively they had to come as close as possible to the defenders. The Voortrekkers were equiped with far superior weaponry and responded to the Zulu advancement with musket and cannon fire. Eyewitnesses and writers differ slightly on the exact details of the battle, but at dawn when the first Zulu attack began, the firing was apparently so heavy that the Zulu warriors could not be seen through the smoke. The main shortcoming of the Voortrekkers weapons was the lengthy reloading times. The first Zulu attack had scarcely been repulsed when a second was launched, this time the Zulu warriors almost reached the laager... Meanwhile hundreds of warriors were hiding in the donga. Sarel Cilliers and 80 others attacked them during a short lull in the fighting. When the Zulu's, who had withdrawn about 50 yards from the laager, failed to launch a third attack, Pretorius sent some men to draw them out to seal the victory. Pretorius' cavalry met with determined resistance from the Zulu Warriors, and it was only after a third sortie that the Zulu's were put to flight, pursued by the Voortrekkers. At midday the pursuit was called off. More than 3000 corpses were counted around the laager. Only, 3 Voortrekkers (including Pretorius himself) were wounded, none were killed. The Ncome River became red with the blood of the slain. Hence the battle became known as the battle of "Blood River". After this defeat, the Zulu kingdom never really recovered. Dingane's half-brother Mpande allied with Pretorius to defeat Dingane, who was eventually killed by the Swazi as he tried to regroup further north. Europeans now increasingly began to dictate the nature of Zulu politics. Timeline of Land Dispossession and Segregation in South Africa 1800-1899 The nineteenth century was a period of several events whose socio-political and economic impact profoundly changed South Africa and the African continent. Colonial conquest and rapid land dispossession was accelerated during this period. Conversely, fierce resistance was launched by African people in response to their loss of land, livestock and political power. As voortrekkers moved away from the Cape Colony to escape British rule, they fought, seized and occupied land while dispossessing Khoi, San and African communities in the process. This opened up the interior of South Africa to further colonial conquest. The British in turn, pursued the voortrekkers by annexing more land and at times even claiming it back from the voortrekkers. In some instances, land dispossession was achieved by stealth through “treaties” which colonists claimed were signed by leaders of communities. The mineral revolution which exploded during the century further contributed to land dispossession as the white colonial government sought to force Africans off their land to become cheap labourers in the newly established mines in Kimberley and the Transvaal. 1803 February, The British returns the Cape Colony to the Batavian Republic. The new administration reinforces the colonial government’s claims to the frontier zone in the east and vows to restore the European dominated social order. Subsequently, the district of Uitenhage is established with Ludwig Alberti as the landdrost and several white farmers who had deserted the area due to attacks by the Khoi and Xhosa return. May, A peace settlement is reached between the Batavian government and Khoisan after the parties fought over issues of land and livestock raids. 1809 1 November, The Caledon Code is promulgated as an attempt to regulate the relationship between the Khoikhoi and the colonists. In terms of the Act, each Khoikhoi within the confines of the colony had to have a fixed place of residence and carry a valid passes should they move from one place to another. 1811-12 The British assisted by about 700 men of the Cape Regiment drive an estimated 20 000 Xhosa people, men, women and children over the Fish River from Zuurveld in the Fourth War of Dispossession. They then establish 27 military garrisons along the River to prevent Xhosa people from returning and station more British troops in Grahamstown and Cradock. 1813 The freehold land tenure under a perpetual quitrent system is introduced. It replaces the old system of the loan farms. 1814 Cape Governor Sir John Cradock changes the system of land tenure from leasehold to freehold for white farmers. Prior to this period, farmers paid little for the land nor made major developments as they recognized that they did not own the land. This measure was introduced to allow for a denser population of white people on the eastern border to act as buffer against black people. 1817 Lord Charles Somerset meets the Ngqika, a Xhosa chief, at the Kat River and is forced to cede land between the Fish and Keiskamma Rivers to the British. 1818 The British invade Xhosa territory by attacking Ndlambe and seize 23 000 cattle marking the outbreak of the Fifth War of Dispossession. Subsequently, those Xhosa people whose cattle had been seized rally behind Makhanda ka Nxele who leads an attack of 6000 warriors on Grahamstown. 1825 Landdrost Andries Stockentroom begins issuing temporary permits allowing white farmers to graze their livestock north of the Orange River, but they are not allowed to trade or erect buildings. This changes later in the decade as farmers stop asking for permission and simply inform the magistrate. 1828 Ordinance 49 of 1828 is passed. The Ordinance allows the government to source labourers from ‘Frontier Tribes’. All black workers were given passes for the sole propose of working and all contracts over a month long were to be registered. 1829 January, Maqoma raids Bawana a Thembu chief forcing the latter’s followers to flee across into territory seized by the colonists. Stockenstroom orders the expulsion of Maqoma from the Kat River Valley and establishes a settlement for landless Khoikhoi to create a buffer zone between the Xhosa and white settler farmers, and to consolidate territory seized by the colonists. Maqoma responds by increasing cattle raids on white farms forcing them to informally allow him to return to the territory. 1834-35 21 December, The Xhosa launch an attack on the British after Xhoxho was injured by a British patrol sparking the Sixth War of dispossession. Other long standing grievances such as loss of land, cattle also fuel the rebellion. A massive herd of 276 000 stock was seized by the Xhosa fighters and 456 farms are destroyed. The British retaliate and later murder Hintsa, and Colonel Harry Smith annexes the area between Keiskama and Kei renaming it Queen Adelaide Province. 1835 May, Benjamin D’Urban proclaims the annexation of what he called Queen Adelaide Province which was land extending to the Kei River, and announces his intention to fight the Xhosa and expel them across the river. He appoints Harry Smith to incorporate African chiefdoms into the newly proclaimed province. 1836 October, The British abandon their annexation of the Queen Adelaide Province and hand the seized land back to the Xhosa. 1837 The voortrekkers under the leadership of Hendrik Potgieter defeat the Ndebele under Mzilikazi at the Marico River and seize vast tracts of land between the Limpopo and Vaal Rivers. 1838 16 May, The voortrekkers led by Andries Pretorius fight and defeat the Zulu at the banks of the Ncome River (“Battle of Blood River) and dispossess them of their land. Subsequently, they establish the Republic of Natalia. 1845 Two parties of voortrekkers arrive near areas settled by Pedi people and establish a settlement at Ohrigstad. 5 July, King Sekwati and Boer leader Hendrik Potgieter ‘sign’ a peace treaty. The treaty becomes a subject of dispute between the Boers and Pedi. The former claim the treaty gave them full ownership and title to a large area of Pedi lands, while the latter claim treaty merely allocated land on which trekkers could settle without relinquishing his people’s ownership to the land. When trekkers offer cattle as payment to acquire more land to establish a farming settlement Sekwati refuses their offer. 1846 A Land Commission is appointed to demarcate locations for Africans in Natal. The commission recommends that seven large locations be set apart for the settlement of black people.As a consequence, Theophilus Shepstone the Commissioner of Native Affairs moves an estimated 80,000 African people to 'Locations' in different parts of the country. 26 July, King Mswati signs a treaty with voortrekkers as a way of protecting his kingdom against Zulu invasion. He grantstrekkers the right to lands bounded by the Oliphants River in the North and the Crocodile and Elands River in the South. The land covered areas settled by the Pedi, Ndzundza Ndebele and several Sotho speaking groups. 1847 The British colonial administration displaces the Korana and /Xam from their lands to increase grazing pastures for sheep. This results in the raid of the settler farmer’s livestock by the Korana and other San groups whose lives had been disrupted. 1848 10 February, A Land Government Commission established during the year states that the extent of land recommended by the 1846 - 47 Commission is excessive. The commission apportions land to white settlers. 1850 Sir George Grey confiscates land from black African people leaving them to search for work in farms. 1852 The British under Sir George Cathcart attack the BaSotho under king Moshoeshoe. 1853 November, A resolution taken by the Volksraad enables District Commandants to grant land for occupation by Africans on condition of ‘good behaviour’. However, the under the resolution there was no individual title, Africans had to use the land communally, chiefs were regarded as trustees of the tribe. However, power over the land still remained the hands of the white government. 1855 18 June, Resolution 159 is adopted by the Transvaal government. It prohibits anybody who was not a burgher from owning land and also prohibits Africans from having burger rights. 1856 Voortrekkersdeclare an independent Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) and lay claim to the Transvaal and the land up to the Limpopo River. 1857 29 April, Lieutenant General Scott issues a Proclamation offering vacant crown lands which are between 300 and 3000 acres. This increases land speculation by white settlers who in turn after purchasing the land lease it to Africans at yearly rental of five shillings. 1858 The First Basotho Boer War breaks out as avoortrekkercommando attacks Thaba Bosiu. In response, the Sotho mobilise an army of 10 000 warriors who raid unprotected settler farms and defeat the voortrekkersand force them to retreat. The Tlhaping /Kora of the Tswana ethnic group raid outlaying Boer farms sparking retaliation by the voortrekkers, who in turn seize thousands of cattle, behead a Chief and carry away women and children as apprentices. 1864 April, The Natal Native Trust is created enabling the British colonial government to place under its control all the unalienated location land in Natal. This land was to be held in trust for the African population with the Executive Council of Natal acted as trustees. 1865 J.H Brand launches an attack on Thaba Bosiu but the voortrekkers are repulsed. They then besiege the Mountain and resort to a ‘scorched earth’ policy burning crops, villages and seizing livestock. King Moshoeshoe refuses to surrender and appeals for British protection. 1866 The voortrekkers go to war with the BaSotho in order to seize the fertile Caledon Valley, and defeat the BaSotho. They force them to ‘sign’ the Treaty of Thaba Bosiu under which the BaSotho lost all of their land north of the Caledon River, and a large area in the northwest. June, Thirteen beacons are erected to fix a boundary between Swaziland and the South African Republic taking some of the kingdom’s land, and despite objections by the Swazi, the beacons become a recognized boundary which was accepted by both the voortrekkers and the British. 1867 Village raids of the Venda conducted by voortrekkerarmies in the Transvaal spark a rebellion led by king Makhado. The voortrekkersare defeated and pushed out of lands which they had occupied. Makhado also destroys the settlers’ settlement at Schoemansdal. War breaks out between BaSotho and voortrekkersafter king Moshoeshoe refuses to give up land to them. 1868-9 The first Korana rebellion breaks out after /Xam speaking San groups joined forces with the Korana to halt the advance of the white settler famers who were increasingly taking over their land and grazing pastures. 1870 February, Ruiters and 25 followers are captured bringing to an end active operations against the Korana. All three captured chiefs, Kivido, Rooy and Ruiters are tried, convicted and imprisoned on Robben Island. 1876 July, The South African Republic declares war on the Pedi which ends in defeat for the Afrikaner owing to combination of Pedi ingenuity and division within the combined Afrikaner force. 1877 The British occupy the South African Republic and in terms of the Article 21 of the Pretoria Convention appoint a Commission to investigate land ownership by Africans. Amongst its members are S.J.P. Kruger, Vice-President of the Transvaal State, George Hudson, British Resident, and H.J. Schoeman Native Commissioner for Pretoria and Heidelberg. The Committee recommends that Africans can purchase or acquire land in any manner; however the transfer of that land should be registered on their behalf in the name of a Native Location Commission. The Second Korana War which lasts until the following year breaks out around the Orange River after the Korana and San launch livestock raids on settler farms. Subsequently, more Korana chiefs are arrested and imprisoned on Robben Island, and the British propose to enlist the landless communities as servants. 1878 Xhosa people who had settled in the Prieska region south of the Orange River, ally with the Kora and San to launch an attack on white farms in the southern districts of Griqualand. As the attacks spread they are joined by the Griqua and Tlhaping. Loss of land to white settlement and loss of authority by chiefs over their own people were primary causes of the rebellion. July, The colonial forces launch an attack and quell the rebellion Xhosa, Kora and San rebellion. 1879 Zulu warriors defeated the British in 1879 at the Battle of Isandlwana 22 January, The British forces are defeated by the Zulu impis at the Battle of Isandlwana. 28 November, The Pedi under the leadership of Sekhukhune are defeated by British forces leaving about 1000 Pedi warriors dead. Sekhukhune is captured and imprisoned in Pretoria. The Cape government annexes Fingoland (Mfenguland) and Griqualand west which constitutes two thirds of the territory between the Cape and Natal. 1882-3 White farmers lay a siege of Ndzundza-Ndebele for nine months who when faced with starvation are forced to surrender. Their fertile lands are seized and divided among the voortrekkers. Each war participant is given five families to use as servants who work for little or no pay on the farms. 1885 Gcalekaland and Thembuland are incorporated into the Cape Colony. 1887 After defeating the Zulu warriors at the Battle of Ulundi, the British formally annex Zululand to pre-empt simmering threat of the Zulu people fighting back to recover the loss of their territory. The kingdom is broken up into 13 chiefdoms by Garnet Wolseleyand placed under different chiefs each with a British resident. 1891 Squatting on crown lands by black people was prohibited by Volksraad Resolution No. 359. 1894 The Glen Grey Act (No. 25 of 1894) is passed. Under the Act, the alienation and transfer of land was to be approved by the governor. Subletting or subdivision of the land was prohibited and the principle of ‘one man one plot’ was to be applied, thus the rest of the people who were not allocated land were forced to go and find work out elsewhere. Although declared in the Glen grey District, itis immediately extended to the Transkeian districts of Butterworth, Idutywa, Ngqamakwe and Tsomo by Proclamation No. 352 of 1894. The Cape government incorporates Pondoland along the east coast. 1895 British Bechuanaland passes into the hands of the Cape Colony. The Act of Annexation makes special provision that no lands reserved for the use of Africans in the territory were to be alienated. Law No. 21 of 1895 prohibits farmers from employing more than 5 African householders on one farm without government permission. However, this proves to be ineffective as Land Companies repeatedly break the law. 1898 Voortrekker commandos underJoubert isolate the Venda chiefdoms and attack them one by one resulting in their defeat. Some of the Venda people are driven across the Limpopo River and their territory is incorporated into the Transvaal. Colonial conquest and resistance, Pre 1900 Several factors seemed to pave the way to apartheid, among them a colonial conquest, land dispossession, economic impoverishment, and exclusion from citizenship of Africans. Part one examines the historical roots of apartheid, from the colonial occupation of the Cape in 1652 through the creation of the Union of South Africa and the period between the formation of the Union and the Nationalist Party coming into power - (1910-1948). Jan van Riebeeck and his expedition of Dutch Calvinist settlers landed at the Cape on 6 April 1652. van Riebeeck had received a commission from the Dutch East India Trading Company (VOC) to establish a refreshment station for passing ships. The station was to supply the ships travelling East, to obtain spices and other goods, with fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. The settlers grew the vegetables and fruit themselves, but meat was obtained through trade with the indigenous population (mainly Khoikhoi) derogatorily referred to as “natives”. From the beginning their relationship with the Khoikhoi was antagonistic and trade with them for slaughter stock soon degenerated into raiding and warfare. In 1657, the colonial authorities started a process of allotting farms to European settlers (“free burghers”) in the arable regions around Cape Town, where wine and wheat became the major products. As the port developed the need for labour increased. In response to the colonists’ growing demand for labour, the VOC imported slaves from Angola, Mozambique, Madagascar, and South East Asia. Soon more Dutch settlers arrived followed by settlers from all over Europe. The colony gradually expanded along a frontier at the expense of the Khoikhoi, Xhosa, and other indigenous peoples, a process similar to the one that unfolded in North America, Australia and New Zealand. Slavery and early colonisation in South Africa In South Africa, destruction of Khoi societies produced an underclass of domestic and farm workers, but their ability to earn a decent wage was severely curtailed by the Dutch East India Company's use of slaves. Little is known of the lives of ordinary people at this time, but archival evidence reveals glimpses of slaves’ struggles against harsh conditions imposed by their white oppressors. Eventually, Great Britain pronounced the emancipation of slaves in the Cape Colony in 1833, but the draconian Master and Servant laws replaced slavery that preserved a social hierarchy in which race closely corresponded to class. Colonial conquest by the Netherlands until 1795, before it fell to the British Crown, before reverting to Dutch Rule in 1803 and again to British occupation in 1806, stimulated limited if uneven capitalist growth. Expansion from the Cape, the Trek Boers and the Great Trek The Great Trek. By the beginning of the eighteenth century, the Cape settlers were expanding their territory northeast. The Trek Boers seeking fresh grazing for their cattle, primarily, led this expansion. These cattle farmers had no fixed dwelling places and many led a semi-nomadic existence, moving ceaselessly between summer and winter pastures. As most trek farmers had large families, the system encouraged swift expansion. The Cape Government had done nothing to hinder expansion inland since it provided a source of cheap meat. As the trekkers’ expansion increased, they inevitably came into conflict with, first, the Khoikhoi and later the Xhosa people into whose land they were encroaching. This marked the beginning of the subjugation of the Tembu, Pondo, Fingo and Xhosa in the Transkei. The Xhosa in particular fought nine wars spanning a century, which gradually deprived them of their independence and subjugated them to British colonial rule. In the towns, tension was also increasing between settlers and the Dutch authorities, with the former becoming increasingly resentful at what they perceived as administrative interference. Soon the districts of Swellendam and Graaff-Reinette pronounced themselves independent Republics, though this was short-lived - in 1795 Britain annexed the Cape Colony. This development and, in particular, the emancipation of slaves in 1834, had dramatic effects on the colony, precipitating the Great Trek, an emigration North and Northeast of about 12 000 discontented Afrikaner farmers, or Boers. These people were determined to live independently of colonial rule and what they saw as unacceptable racial egalitarianism. The early decades of the century had seen another event of huge significance - the rise to power of the great Zulu King, Shaka . His wars of conquest and those of Mzilikazi - a general who broke away from Shaka on a northern path of conquest - caused a calamitous disruption of the interior known to Sotho-speakers as the difaqane (forced migration); while Zulu-speakers call it the mfecane (crushing). Shaka set out on a massive programme of expansion, killing or enslaving those who resisted in the territories he conquered. Peoples in the path of Shaka's armies moved out of his way, becoming in their turn aggressors against their neighbours. This wave of displacement spread throughout Southern Africa and beyond. It also accelerated the formation of several states, notably those of the Sotho (present-day Lesotho) and of the Swazi (now Swaziland). This denuded much of the area into which the Trekkers now moved, enabling them to settle there in the belief that they were occupying vacant territory. Of these Voortrekkers, about five thousand settled in the area that later became known as the Orange Free State (present day Free State). The rest headed for Natal (present day KwaZulu-Natal) where they appointed a delegation, under the leadership of Piet Retief to negotiate with the Zulu King, Dingaan (Shaka's successor), for land. Initially, Dingaan granted them a large area of land in the central and southern part of his territory but Retief and his party were later murdered at the kraal of Dingane. The newly elected Voortrekker leader, Andries Pretorius, prepared the group for a retaliatory attack and the Zulu were subsequently defeated at the famous Battle of Blood River , 16 December 1838, leading to the founding of the first Boer Republic in Natal. The discovery of Gold and Diamonds The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) transformed South African from an agrarian society at the edge of world trade into a globally integrated industrial economy, which spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the indigenous inhabitants as well as the conflicts between the Dutch and the British. The mineral revolution led to the quick spread of European colonization into the interior. The period saw the making of magnates and migrants, of millionaires and bankrupts, shopkeepers and entrepreneurs. It also saw the emergence of a new working class, one that was deeply divided along both colour and social lines. Racist laws enabled the white-owned mining companies to control workers, keep wages very low and gain immense profits from the diamonds and gold that black miners extracted from the earth. Most African miners became migrant labourers, spending nine to eleven months of the year in the mines while their wives and children remained in the countryside. The Anglo-Boer War Anglo-Boer War, The Mafeking Siege, Boers surrounded Mafeking, with a Long Tom. 1899-1900. © WITS ArchiveThe Anglo-Boer war. The Voortrekkers in Natal moved northeast after the British defeated them in 1842. They settled north and south of the Vaal River and founded the independent Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek or Transvaal Republic. In 1854, the Contract of Bloemfontein was signed and the Boers founded the Republic of Orange Free State. British sentiment was strongly in favour of uniting their colonies with the Boer Republics into one union and thereby gaining control of the gold mines of Transvaal. The Boers not only opposed this proposal, they resented and resisted British encroachments. On 11 February 1899, war broke out between the two Boer Republics and the two British Colonies (the Anglo-Boer War). On 13 March 1900, the British occupied Bloemfontein, then Johannesburg and Pretoria on 1 September. The Boers continued a guerrilla war, which was countered by the British devastating Boer farms and placing their women and children in concentration camps where some 28 000 died. Although attempts at peace were made as early as March 1900, nothing significant was achieved until 1902. It was only on 31 May that a truce (the Peace Treaty of Vereeniging ) was signed between the Boers and the British. The former eventually accepted the peace conditions, including the loss of their independence. As far as the British were concerned, their victory seemed to pave the way for the establishment of the Union of South Africa. Most rural and urban Black people tried to stay neutral during the war. At the same time, the nature of hostilities made it difficult to avoid getting mixed up in the war, directly or indirectly. As warfare spilled across the countryside, many Black people found themselves in harm’s way. Some were pulled into participating in military operations by the warring sides; others chose to serve in the war effort to escape extreme rural poverty or in the hope of gain or reward. In addition, some became involved in hostilities against the Boers on their own account, defending themselves against invading commandos, seizing opportunities to settle old scores over land losses or harsh treatment, and seizing opportunities to plunder. According to Gilliomee and Mbenga (2007), the Anglo-Boer War (or South African War) remains the most terrible and destructive modern armed conflict in South Africa’s history. It was an event that in many ways shaped the history of 20th Century South Africa. The end of the war marked the end of the long process of British conquest of South African societies, both Black and White. King Dingane ka Senzangakhona Synopsis King of the Zulus (1828 – 1840) First name Dingane Last name ka Senzangakhona Date of birth 1795 Date of death February 1840 Location of death Lebombo Mountains Gender male Dingane ka Senzangakhona was born in 1795 to father Chief Senzangakhona and mother Mpikase kaMlilela Ngobese who was Senzangakhona's sixth and ‘great wife'. [i] Chief Senzangakhona married sixteen women in total and had fourteen known sons, daughters however were not recorded. Very little is known or recorded about Dingane’s childhood or early career. Instead, Dingane enters the record when on the 22 of September 1828 he, with the assistance of his half-brother Mhlangana and servant Mbopha, assassinated his brother and the then Chief of the Zulu – Shaka Zulu . Shaka, the son of Chief Senzangakhona’s third wife, had seized the Zulu chieftainship in 1816, and had thereafter extended the Zulu kingdom. Soon after the murder of Shaka, Dingane had his half-brother Mhlangana murdered and thus rose to the position of Chief of the Zulu. Dingane moved the royal homestead from Nobamba in the emaKhosini valley to a new inland location which he called Mgungundlovu from which he reigned until 1840. Following the death of both Shaka and Mhlangana and Dingane’s subsequent rise to power messages were relayed to neighbouring dependencies, such as the Europeans of Port Natal, to notify them of the change and assure them that the Zulu’s newest Chief was inclined towards peace and would not harm them. [ii] Shaka’s ‘grand army’ at the time was in the north and was due to return shortly to receive the news of their leaders death. Dingane thus recognised the need to assemble his own military support. Since the majority of Zulu men of military age were up north serving in the ‘grand army’ he had little option but to utilize the menials and herdboys who eventually formed the basis of his home guard regiment which he called uHlomendlini, meaning ‘this which is armed at home’. [iii] The regiment comprised of two companies, the younger men being in the Mnyama (black) section and the older men in the Mhlophe (white) section. Dingane was thus well prepared for the eventual return of the Zulu army who received the news in stunned silence. The warriors were promised peace, a life of ease and the enjoyment of their booty. Furthermore, they were promised the right to marry. The majority of the troops accepted these conditions and bowed to Dingane. The marshal of the army, Mdlaka, however objected. Mdlaka was subsequently strangled in his hut and succeeded by Ndlela as army general. ‘Dingane orders the killing of Piet Retief's party of Voortrekkers’ by Richard Caton Woodville, Jr. Source: Suid-Afrikaanse Geskiedenis in Beeld (1989) by Anthony Preston. Bion Books: Printed in South Africa. In 1829, shortly after consolidating his power, Dingane oversaw the relocation of the Zulu capital from the hut-city of Dukuza to the traditional Zulu valley near the Mkhumbane stream. This new capital he renamed Mgungundlovu, meaning ‘the secret plot of the elephant’, which referred to his own plot to assassinate Shaka. William Wood, interpreter to Zululand missionary Reverend Francis Owen, described Mgungundlovu as it was then: “The form of Dingane’s kraal was a circle, it was strongly fenced with bushes and had two entrances. The principal one faced the king’s huts, which were placed at the furthest extremity of the kraal, behind which were his wives’ huts. These extended beyond the circle which formed the kraal, but were also strongly fenced in. On the right-hand side of the principal entrance were placed the huts of Ndlela (Dingane’s captain) and his warriors; and on the left, those of Dambuza (another of his captains) with his men. The kraal contained four cattle kraals which were also strongly fenced and four huts erected on poles which contained the arms of the troops.” [iv] It is recorded that with Dingane in power, increased prosperity actually came to Zululand. The warriors of the Zulu army, who were now able to marry and set up their own homesteads, were gifted cattle and were thus able to settle down and enjoy the fruits of their victories – ‘a country bulging with looted cattle and captured women, who were set to work to till the fields and produce military reinforcements.’ [v] During his reign, Dingane was increasingly involved in trading activities with many of the Portuguese traders from early Port Natal. When on 18 February 1829, Dr Alexander Cowie, a former surgeon from the Cape, and Benjamin Green, a Grahamstown merchant, arrived at Dingane’s Nobamba kraal, they were met by a party of about forty Portuguese traders. The Portuguese traders had reportedly been visiting Dingane in an attempt to re-open trading relations and pay their respects to the Chief of the Zulus. Dingane was known to have on many instances traded heads of cattle and hides in exchange for rifles and gunpowder. On a trading expedition to the Zulus a trader by the name of Isaacs noted Dingane’s respect for both firearms and Europeans: ‘He at once acknowledged it to be his opinion that no power he had could combat with another that used firearms; but added, he did not believe any people could conquer the Zulus excepting Europeans.’ [vi] "Dingane in Ordinary and Dancing Dresses", by Captain Allen Francis Gardiner. Source: Allen Francis Gardiner - "Stamme & Ryke", deur J.S. Bergh, in samewerking met A.P. Bergh. Don Nelson: Kaapstad. 1984. Fearing the devastation that could follow a potential military clash with Europeans, as early as 1830, Dingane sent an expedition to the Cape in an attempt to establish good relations with the British. On 21 November 1830 the group reached Grahamstown and presented four tusks to the Civil Commissioner. John Cane, Dingane’s ambassador, relayed the message that Dingane wanted to live in peace with his neighbours, that he wished to encourage trade and would protect traders, and that he desired a missionary. In January 1832, the government at the Cape finally showed an interest in the affairs of Zululand and sent a well-known explorer Doctor Andrew Smith to investigate more. Smith was well received by Dingane and entertained him with his beautifully dressed women and dancing warriors. Upon his return to the Cape, Smith was reportedly very enthusiastic about Natal and boasted about the greenness and fertility of the region. Thus, in early 1834, the farmers of the Grahamstown and Uitenage region organized a so-called ‘commission trek’ to visit Natal and consider settlement. Twenty-one men and one women, using fourteen wagons, traversed the Natal midlands led by a certain Petrus Lafras Uys. [vii] Nearing the region of Dingane’s capital, the group sent a man named Richard King to meet with Dingane in person and request land. Dingane received the request with interest but demanded that the commission members themselves visit him. There seemed to be countless different obstacles which hindered the commission members from visiting Dingane personally. Uys himself was down with a fever and subsequently sent his younger brother, Johannes Uys, to meet with Dingane. Johannes soon returned with a report that Dingane had allegedly indicated that Natal was vacant and available for European settlement. Dingane and the Voortrekkers An illustration of Dingane’s Kraal by Margaret Cary Image source It was only in 1837 however, with the arrival of the Voortrekkers into the Natal region, that these negotiations would come to fruition. In October 1837 the group of Voortrekkers led by Piet Retief reached Port Natal where they were welcomed by the British ivory traders who occupied the area. On 19 October Retief sent a letter to Dingane as a sign of peace and to inform him that he’d be coming up to Mgungundlovu to discuss the question of land. Retief and the Voortrekkers described Dingane as a: 'robust, fat man, but well proportioned and with the regular features of a well-bred Zulu. There was nothing at all forbidding in his appearance. He was always smiling and was scrupulously clean, being well scrubbed every morning by some of his women in the royal bath, a depression in the ground near his hut. He was shaved every day as well. He hated hair on his head, and one of his women kept him as bald and clean-shaven as a new-born babe, by means of an exceedingly sharp axe. After his toilet, and being well rubbed with fat, he generally spent his day sitting in an armchair attending to business, drinking beer and playing with any new gew-gaws some European visitor might have given him, such as a telescope to watch his people around the kraal, or a magnifying glass to burn holes in the arms of his servants.’ [viii] Upon his arrival, Dingane entertained Retief and his men with dances, feasts and sham fights and discussions regarding the allocation of land commenced. From this point on sources differ greatly. Dingane supposedly declared that he was prepared to grant Retief an extensive area between the Tugela and the Umzimvubu as well as the Drakensberg, on condition that Retief restored to Dingane the cattle stolen from him by Sikonyela (the Tlokwa chief). Dingane felt that this would prove to him that Sikonyela and not the Voortrekkers had in fact stolen the cattle. Some sources claim that Dingane also demanded rifles. With the wisdom of hindsight, it seems that Retief was incredibly naive in his dealings with Dingane. What is also evident is that Dingane had experienced more than enough trouble from the handful of whites at Port Natal and probably never had any intention of allowing a large amount of heavily armed farmers to settle permanently in his immediate neighbourhood. The Voortrekkers obtained the cattle from the Sikonyela as per the deal with Dingane. Retief surrendered the cattle but refused to hand over the horses and the guns he had taken from the Tlokwa. In the meantime, however, Dingane’s agents, who had accompanied Retief to supervise the return of the cattle, reported that even before the land claim had been signed, Voortrekkers were streaming down the Drakensburg passes in large numbers. These allegations allegedly fueled a mistrust between Retief and Dingane. On the 6 February Dingane requested that Retief and his men visit his royal kraal without their guns to drink beer as a farewell gesture. This request was strictly in accordance with Zulu protocol - that nobody appeared armed before the King. Retief suspected no foul play and accepted the invitation. As soon as the Voortrekker party was inside the royal kraal, Dingane gave the order and his regiments overpowered Retief and his men, and took them up to a hill to be executed. Dingane subsequently sent out his warriors to kill the rest of the Voortrekkers awaiting Retief's return from Mgungundlovu. Hundreds of Voortrekkers were consequently killed at Bloukrans and Moordspruit which set off months of bloody conflict between the Voortrekkers and Dingane's Zulus. In response, Voortrekker leaders Hendrik Potgieter and Piet Uys sent out an expedition against Dingane, but were defeated at Italeni. The conflict culminated in the battle at the Ngome River on 16 December 1838, in which the Zulus suffered a severe defeat. The Ngome River was subsequently renamed Bloedriver or Blood River, referring to the deep red colour of the river filled with Zulu blood. The incident became known as the Battle of Blood River . Led by new Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius , a Voortrekker commando went to Mgungundlovu to confront Dingane. But Dingane had burned down his whole kraal and the Zulus launched an attack on the command at the White Umfolozi River. In the meantime, the British occupied Port Natal (now Durban ). From there, they advanced on Dingane, but were defeated at the Tugela River. Dingane's warriors also attacked the settlement at Port Natal. In September 1839, another half-brother of Dingane, Mpande , defected with many followers to Natal. There, the Voortrekkers recognised his as the ‘Prince of the Emigrant Zulus'. On Christmas Eve 1839, the British garrison withdrew from Port Natal. Almost at once, the Voortrekkers hoisted the flag of the Republic of Natalia and made an alliance with Mpande's supporters to make a joint attack on Dingane. In February 1840, Mpande's forces finally decisively defeated Dingane on the Maqongqo hills. He fled north across the Phongolo River, where it is believed he met his death in the Lebombo Mountains at the hands of the Nyawo and his old enemy, the Swazi. Document 52 - LA. Jordaan, “A Critique of Mr. W. P. van Schoor’s.The Origin and Development of Segregation in South Africa” Discussion, It was during the course of a Memorial Lecture held under the auspices of a Cape Province Coloured teachers' organisation in October, 1950, to honour the memory of one of its members, that Mr. W.P. van Schoor propounded his ideas on a subject which was finally published in booklet form [....] Except for the acclamation of the author as a new historian" by the sponsors of the book, and a brief report on it in the local press, Mr. van Schoor's work passed without comment, discussion or analysis. This cannot surely be the end of a historical work which represents a radical and decisive departure from all the histories hitherto written on South Africa. For here is an author who has boldly undertaken the task of writing a short history from the point of view and in the interest of a general evolution of South African humanity to higher social and political forms. The author himself epitomises the function of historiography in the first and last sentence of his booklet: "A people desiring to emancipate itself must understand the process of its enslavement." [...] the author attempts to explain not only how the present South Africa evolved out of the past, but how the genesis of this country has created the complex and intricate problems, the solution of which falls four-square on the people of South Africa themselves. The book is therefore not merely a matter of academic interest, of historical draughtsman ship and accuracy in the presentation of our historical past. No. The author clearly sees in history the key to the understanding of the present which in turn is the indispensable guide to the future. That is why Mr. van Schoor's work is an entirely new approach to South African history. That is why it demands the attention of all those who are interested in the continued evolution of South Africa. It is indeed a reflection on the inspirers of the Memorial Lecture that, for reasons best known to them, they have remained silent on a work which they merely dismissed by an unwarrantable and meaningless eulogy. Mr. van Schoor has entered a field of study which has up to now been completely monopolised by the official historians in the service of the ruling classes and in the interests of the status quo. [....] In the appraisal of Mr. van Schoor's work I will use the author's own dictum [....] as the yardstick for the critique. Having read the book one must therefore ask oneself the following questions: Do we now understand the process of our enslavement? Do we understand the evolution of modem South Africa and the present national set-up in the light of this work? Do we have a better understanding and appreciation of the manifold problems which face the peoples of South Africa in their democratic strivings? What theoretical and political lessons can one draw from the author's analysis of the process of our enslavement? Does Mr. van Schoor indicate the course of South Africa's future evolution? [....] THE BANEFUL EFFECT OF THE AUTHOR'S ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACH TO OUR PROBLEMS 1.The Need for a Social Approach to History Political theory influences our political orientation, poses our practical tasks and clarifies our aims. It is the indispensable guide to political struggle. On the correctness of our theory depends the whole future of the liberatory movement. But what determines our political theory? The most painstaking historical and sociological analysis. Every political in the emancipatory movement, engaged in the interpretation of historical evidence and the assessment of the forces at work in society, must realise the cardinal importance of this work. Documentary evidence is the raw material out of which the historian reconstructs e past to explain the present. But it is impossible to understand the present if one merely regards history as a series of events. [....] it is the fundamental task of the historian to discover the laws and the forces which generate events and which lead to the rise and fall of special institutions. It is on this basis that history becomes a science, id the indispensable aid in the interpretation of the present. And it is on the basis of determining the general laws underlying the social changes that the future becomes predictable. [....] If politics is therefore the expression of fundamental class interests which have their basis in economy, then it is clear that economics is in the final reckoning the determining factor in social change. The question of race and colour, racialism and colour prejudice, while they often tend to have logic of their own, are finally merely the superstructure of basic class conflicts. The temptation every student of South African history should therefore learn to resist is the temptation to conceive of South Africa's evolution and the process of our enslavement in terms of anthropological entities. [....] in South Africa, beset as it is with multi-racial problems, it is a great inducement - incidently the easiest way -to explain the nature of our historical and political problems in terms of race, racialism and colour. For it is precisely in this country that social or class conflicts tend to coincide vim the lines of the race and colour. 2. The Author's Preoccupation with Racial Categories. The greatest weakness of Mr. van Schoor's book from which all its other weaknesses naturally flow is the author's inability to resist the temptation. The result is the other side of the coin of Herrenvolkism from which political poison can and must follow. While the official historians have hitherto attempted - and attempted with some degree of success - to paint the white whiter and the blacks blacker, Mr. van Schoor tries to paint the white black and blacks white. The result is the same. Not only does he not find any difference between the Dutch and the British policies in South Africa, not only does he regard the white workers, the white labour aristocrats and the mining magnates is a homogeneous white mass, but he proceeds on the basis of his racial approach to identify slaves with Hottentots, Hottentots with Bushman and the Bantu with the Cape coloured people. And how does he attempt to effect this? By approaching history in reverse. I am referring to his naive attempt to explain the past in the light of the present national set-up, rather than the present in the light of the past. [....] In his attempt to project preconceived political notions on to the historical past, the author forces historical facts into a political straightjacket and proceeds to write some questionable history. Let me illustrate. As a consistent democrat, the author rightly sees the political need for Non-European unity as the indispensable pre-requisite for the launching of a mass democratic movement. The only honest way of approaching such a question is to dwell on the indivisibility of Non-European oppression which has placed all the racial groups, Coloured, Indians, Malay and African in the camp of the oppressed. But the author seeks to "justify" the idea of Non-European unity by obliterating the lines of distinction between the Non-European racial groups and by transferring this idea into the historical past. Thus he writes that the institution of slavery "has had an extremely bad effect in retarding the Non-European struggle for liberation and is beginning to die out only now among the oppressed Non-European people of South Africa." It would therefore seem that the Non-European as a whole at one time existed in the state of slavery. History, however, has it that neither the Bantu, the Hottentots, the Bushman nor the Cape Coloureds were legally chattel slaves. Only a small percentage of the present black population, namely the Malays and a few Coloureds, has slave anteceÂdents. It was the policy of the Dutch not to enslave the indigenous people of South Africa. How this institution of slavery therefore hampered the struggle for liberation is difficult to understand. A number of anachronisms creep into the book in the author's attempt to explain the slow development of Non-European unity. Thus we hear that it was because of "their relatively privileged position as artisan slaves that the Malay slaves "developed an I attitude of aloofness." As if they had then as slaves to unite with the tribal Bantu groups! As if the need for Non-European unity arose not in recent years but in 1652! Then we are asked to accept the idea that the "bad heritage of subservience and inferiority to the ruling class is due to the "intermediate position of the Hottentots as household servants...together with an isolation from the black workers"! Why the Hottentots should have united with other blacks, and who were tribalists, not workers, then is difficult to understand. [....] 3, The Author's Tribal "Heroes": an Example to Democracy? The black chauvinist is as determined as the white chauvinist to create his stock of national heroes. [....] Thus at a time when the Non-Europeans cannot speak of any national heroes, Mr. van Schoor, in his attempt to give his racial approach to history a sort of moral sanction, turns the wheel of history back to fish out "national heroes" for the Non-Europeans. And from where? From the primitive Bantu and Hottentot tribes! It is difficult to understand why a consistent democrat like Mr. van Schoor should elevate a number of tribal chiefs to the position of "national heroes" and by implication deprecate the dissolution of the primitive tribal societies and the development of industrialism - the indispensable pre-requisite for a democratic society in South Africa. [....] The study of the movements of various Bantu tribes clearly reveals that each tribe was bent on territorial expansion which it tried to realise at the expense of the extermination of another. The Zulu king, Chaka, had during the early nineteenth century extended his domains by a rigorous military system and a terrible discipline. The neighbouring tribes, particularly the Xhosa, were forced to flee in the face of Chaka's expansionist policy and rule of terror. [....] Mr. van Schoor [...] eulogises the work of Chaka who had terrorised Gaika and Ndlambi. [....] One must certainly defend the tribes against the land robbery of the Dutch and the British, but to eulogise and hold up as an example the primitive chiefs is not the work of a modem democratic movement. To the black chauvinist van Riebeeck occupies the same place in South African history as the doctrine of "Original Sin" in theology. It is to this humble servant of a commercial company that all the ills of society are attributable. [....] And what is the upshot of it all? Every evil is laid at the door of the white man. [ ....] SOUTH AFRICA HAD NO FEUDAL PHASE IN ITS HISTORY. 1. The Author Leaves the Door Open for the "Feudal Theory" [...] having developed at a slow tempo under commercial capitalism from a half-way house to a commercial colony, the Africans were rudely torn away from their tribal mode of life and geared to a modem industrial machine as wage earners. The depend-ice of the mines on cheap labour made the task of expropriating the Africans from their tribal lands the unpostponable demand of the incipient capitalists. The disintegration of African tribal life was accordingly effected by taxation and wars and the subsequent need for European coinage and goods. In the course of a few decades after 1870, the Africans were violently hurled into the streams of capitalism by sword and fire. The Industrial Revolution in South Africa gave them no opportunity, no breathing space to settle down with the dissolution of tribal life as private landholders. Under the tremendous impact of capitalism, they were forced and absorbed into the economic veins of capitalism, bearing heavily the scars of tribalism. The Africans knew of no age between tribalism and the cash nexus. It must not, however, be taken to mean that industrial capitalism destroyed every vestige of the pre-1870 institutions. [....] In South Africa the industrialists have judiciously preserved the outer forms of chieftainship, tribal categories and combine and integrated these with modem industrial forms. But this preservation of the shells, ' the relics of the past are not the fundamental characteristics, the essence of the social order. They are mere incidentals, mere reminders of the past. The whole argument in Mr. van Schoor's book, as a few good passages indicate, rids to bear out the above argument. This is the author's best contribution. However, the author's characterisation of the Voortrekker republics, the African labourer and the migratory labour system, he draws certain unwarrantable conclusions which point the existence of feudalism at a certain stage in South Africa's development as well the existence of feudal elements today. One therefore gains the impression that he is living the door wide open for the theory that South Africa is feudal now seeking shelter from the intellectual storms. This makes it necessary to deal with some of his remarks on this subject. For from the theory South Africa was and is feudal, definite political conclusions must flow. On the political plane this theory wears the ballroom dress of the "agrarian" slogan, Thus according to the advocates of this theory, the fundamental political task is to rid society of the feudal stalactites and stalagmites and achieve for the people the full and legal ownership of their land, like the August 4th decrees of the French Revolution. The fundamental demand of the people, according to them, is therefore for land. [....] 2 What is Feudalism? [”¦] Feudalism is a state of society in which the political, economic and legal status of every individual came to be inextricably bound up with a contractual relationship based the tenure of land. [....] In the Boer pastoral communities no feudal system could emerge, because the pastoralists lived in a semi-nomadic state. For feudalism, to quote Franck-Brentano, is agriculture without movement. They held land from the Company on a system of rent, not military, clerical or labour services. The Hottentot and Bantu servants rendered labour services in return for food, not for grants of land. In point of fact, until 1828, the Hottentots could not own land or work a plot of land. Under feudalism, personal services to one's master had to be territorialized, that is, they had to be accompanied by a grant of land. The Hottentots were, in short, not medieval serfs. Politically, feudalism means the decentralisation of political power and its delegation to a number of strong feudal lords by the king. [....] The Voortrekker states were, on the other hand, centralized in the People's Council or Volksraad which made laws for all the Boers. Everyone came under the jurisdiction of the central authority. The local authorities - the Landdrost and field comets - merely carried out the instructions of the central authorities to whom they were responsible. The tendency was always in the nature of centralization, which is inimical to feudal political theory. A few liberal historians, notably De Kiewiet and Agar-Hamilton, are quick to draw comparisons between Voortrekker-Bantu relations and feudalism to show that the Boers established a stable system in which their relations with the blacks were based on reciprocity of rights and services. It is a pity that our "new historians" should fall into the same error, which is tantamount to the whitewashing of white-black relations. The liberal historians have subtly tried to see in the practice of a number of chiefs to place themselves under the protection of white farmers a resemblance to the feudal practice of "commendation". But this is precisely why it is not feudalism. "CommenÂdation" or "recommendation" was merely the means whereby the feudal system was built up in the course of centuries during which the weak and helpless placed themselves under the protection of the strong. It is not a feature of feudal society itself. The practice of "commendation" must, in a word, be discontinued to end chaos and anarchy and stabilise the feudal structure. The Voortrekkers could not carry the practice of "commendation" to a logical conclusion by integrating the Bantu into their pastoral economy. The very similarity of the Boer and the Bantu economies, based as they were on land and cattle, was hostile to such assimilation. Their interests were indeed so similar that they both constituted themselves into two armed camps. The result was territorial segregation. To be sure, Bantu children and adults were, through their chiefs, recruited as farm hands and domestic servants. But such services were not accompanied by grants of land. They were not feudalized. Some petty chiefs, on the other hand, seeking refuge from other tribal "heroes", were given temporary residence within the borders of the Transvaal Republic. But even the liberal historians have to admit that such protection as was offered them was a very insecure and hazardous one. At any time they could be expelled. Their temporary residence was therefore not part of perpetual feudal contracts, of feudal tenure and territorialisation. Feudalism offered three main obstacles to the free development of capitalist commodity production. The abrogation of these barriers constituted the historic mission of the capitalist class. Firstly, the capitalist entrepreneur was faced with the task of creating a proletariat [....] The solution of the first problem was the solution of the second: the creation of a home market for the mass-produced goods of the industrialists. [....] The third problem was political: how to absorb the scattered political power that existed under feudalism into the hands of a central authority which could legislate in the interests of the capitalist class. The creation of the centralized political state was finally achieved. In South Africa the mining magnates were faced with the same problems which were, however, complicated by the presence of a compact tribal system. They could not effectively achieve the expropriation of the Africans by an enclosure system. The indivisibility of primitive tribal communalism called for more bloody measures. Wars and taxation had to accomplish the dissolution of tribal life. The call for Confederation of the various provinces was not a mere move for white unity to crush the Africans, as Mr. van Schoor alleges it to be. It was a political move by the mining magnates to create a centralized authority which could protect and legislate in the interests of the capitalist economy. The South Africa Act, 1909, created the central state power. THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA 1. Modern South Africa is Rooted in the Industrialisation of 1870 The foundations of modem South Africa were laid neither by the Dutch East India Company in 1652 nor by the British liberal Cape in 1806. The present-day society of this country has its roots in the Industrial Revolution which began with the opening up of the diamond mines in Kimberley and the gold mines on the Witwatersrand towards the end of the third quarter of the nineteenth century. [....] If twentieth century South Africa is not the product of either early Dutch society or the old liberal Cape, then neither is it the product of the patriarchal Voortrekker pastoral society. Moreover, neither is it a synthesis of the Voortrekker north and the liberal south. It is the creation of an entirely new economic system which, by its new techniques in the process of production, radically altered the old social relationships; evolved new classes rooted in the new process of production and produced a modem political structure to give expression to this change. Up to 1870 South African history is characterised by the slow tempo of her development; after 1870, this country took a tremendous leap which brought her within the course of a few decades into line with modem industrial forms. The introduction of new techniques for the exploitation of the mines is the driving force of this social revolution. The Cape Colony, the basis of whose subsistence was agriculture, commerce and pastoralism, had no policy of residential, social and political segregation within the orbit of commercial capitalism. Neither did it have a colour bar. It finally and legally recognised the equality of all races. And although social differentiation in practice tool: the form of colour, this is because class and colour lines coincided. The Hottentots and early Cape Coloureds, in addition to the detribalised Bantu on the eastern frontier, came to be the exploited class within the framework of political and legal equality. When therefore, one compares the present national set-up with the British Cape, then it is clear that British liberalism was a force before 1870. The Industrial Revolution reversed this trend of political and economic assimilation, and gradually abrogated the time-halÂlowed liberal policy of political and legal equality. The Voortrekker pastoral society, on the other hand, was economically and socially incapable of integrating the black into its subsistence economy lest it be consumed in the process. The very similarities of their respective modes of life, based as they were on land and cattle, precluded the possibility of such a development. The Boers therefore pursued a policy of what one can call territorial segregation. This segregation was based on the complete separation, socially and economically, of the Boers and the Bantu. Thus it has not connection with the modem system of social, residential and political segregation which flows from the integration and interdependence of black and white. [....] The essential basis for South Africa's rapid industrialisation since 1870 was the presence of a large permanently settled white population in this country at the inception of mining. British Imperialism had to consider this white element when it embarked upon the intensive exploitation of the country, before as well as after the discovery of gold and diamonds. Without this population in 1870, Great Britain would have occupied this country on military lines and administered it on the same lines as the South American states or West African colonies. There would have been no such constitutional progress of the various colonies to responsible government which formed the basis for Union and complete political autonomy. There would have been no industrial progress in the form of manufacturing industries. For without the whites, South Africa would still perhaps have been a large mining camp. The presence of a large white population is intimately bound up with the rapid industrialisation of modem South Africa. Let it be understood that Britain never really had it all her own way in South Africa. She was forced to grant the whites certain political and economic rights which would never have come, or at least come very much later, had they not been here in 1870. The Boers fought hard for and forced Britain after the Anglo-Boer War to give them those privileges which they today enjoy in the form of a colour bar, industrial and social, a labour aristocracy and a full democracy. Without them it is difficult to conceive the present-day South Africa with these social institutions. In an analysis of the modem colour bar, it is necessary to pose and answer the following questions clearly: What is the colour bar? How and where did it originate? How was it consolidated? What are the conditions for its elimination? All these questions are of vital importance to the democratic movement. Yet our author fails to answer any one of these questions. [....] 2, The Foundations of the Modern Colour Bar [....] The industrial colour bar and all its concomitants - social and political segregation -are the products of capitalist commodity production which began in Kimberley and on the Witwatersrand. The dependence of modern techniques of capital on labour called for the concentration of labour in the industrial centres. The Bantu had, in short, to be swung into the new industrial system. Skilled labour had to be imported from overseas. In this process of economic integration, economic circumstances, practice, white public opinion which were finally sustained by law, made a strict separation in the two types of labour employed; skilled work at high rates of pay was from the outset the monopoly of the whites; unskilled work at low rates of pay came to be associated with black labour. In the mining industry this practice finally received the sanction of the law by the Mines and Works Act of 1911. It was subsequently extended to other industries. This is the industrial colour bar. . . Mr. van Schoor merely sees the hand of Herrenvolkism in this arrangement. "In Kimberley," he says, "Rhodes and his associates developed a 'civilised' labour policy for imported Europeans and maintained African wages at the lowest level. Out of this arose the high ratio between skilled and unskilled rates of pay, unique in the world." We do not know in what respects this high ratio between skilled and unskilled rates of pay is unique in the world. What is unique is the fact that in South Africa a large group of people is excluded from occupying skilled jobs in a modem industry. There is no parallel anywhere else. To see in this arrangement merely race and colour is meaning-less. One must take into consideration the class interests of the mining capitalists who are mainly concerned with quick profits. According to our author it seems that the industrialists were bent from the outset on raising the wage rates of the whites and correspondingly lowering the wage rates of the Africans. This then raises the question whether this arrangement was the cause or result of prejudice or whether the two interacted to cement both. Let us understand that the Africans who appeared on the industrial field had no knowledge and skill in the use of modem instruments of labour. Unskilled work naturally fell to their lot in the formative stages of mining. Moreover, at the time of the opening of the diamond mines, the vast majority of the Africans came of their own accord in search of European goods and guns. The task of destroying African tribal life was not yet under way. Under such circumstances, the Africans worked for low wages. On the other hand. South Africa had no skilled whites to operate the complex machinery. Skilled artisans had to be imported. To induce them to come high wage rates were offered. This division between white labour and black labour was therefore made more emphatic because skilled labour from Europe had to work alongside black workers who had just appeared on the scene of civilisation. Thus the wages the African workers received in the early days of mining were about ten shillings per week with rations, while the white workers received from £4 to £5 per peek in the case of overseers and from £6 to £8 in the case of mechanics and engine drivers. When African labour was scarce their wage rates rose to even thirty shillings per week. Coloured artisans were also employed in skilled occupations. It is therefore clear that this division between black and white labours is attributable to the Objective, economic circumstances of the time, and not to racialism and colour prejudice. "The white workers," writes De Kiewiet, "stood out more sharply because they were for the most part not of South African birth." With the rapid dissolution of African tribal life after 1870 starving Africans appeared on the mines, eager to work at the lowest rates. This partly and temporarily solved the labour problem and depressed African wages still more. The gulf separating black from white wages consequently widened. 3. The Economic Interpretation of Colour Prejudice ...] While Mr. van Schoor finally says that the modem colour bar system "is essentially a British product", he wrongly attributes colour prejudice to the Voortrekkers. [....] The colour prejudice we know today is not the product of the Boers but of the peculiar conditions and circumstances under which the Industrial Revolution developed in this country. The pastoral semi-nomadic Boers had a military hostility and fear of a similar economic group which they could only distinguish from themselves by religion and colour. The two groups could not be integrated into one society because their economic habits were so similar. The colour prejudice we know today flows from the integration of black and white in an industrial society in which the preferential treatment of the whites by the British has revolutionised the whole psychology of the Boers. The Anglo-Boer War was a sharp lesson to the British that without granting concessions, privileges and rights to the Boers, her rule over South Africa with its teeming millions would be unstable. [....] Objective conditions themselves first inculcated the idea of colour prejudice into the white. The particular disposition of black labour, on the one hand, and white labour, on the other hand, produced the idea that the division between skilled and unskilled labour and high and low rates of pay was a natural, permanent and immutable one. They came to regard this division as a legitimate institution imposed from above, and not the product of the peculiar circumstances from below. Shortly after the inception of a diamond mining, the whites of this country developed a strong feeling of colour in relation to the productive process. De Kiewiet says that before "the diggers were themselves reduced by the capitalist mining companies to the state of employees, they had decided that no other place was open to the native than that of low-paid and unskilled labour". This colour prejudice rapidly become more intense when two important social forces arose out of the new techniques of production: a South African born white artisan class and a black proletariat. The Industrial Revolution in South Africa not only led to the dissolution of tribal life, it also dealt a death blow to the isolation, the particularize of the Boer subsistence economy. For when the demand for agriculture and pastoral products to feed the industrial population became great, the white farmer began to exploit their farms as fully as possible to produce for a large market. The demand for agricultural produce had even led the mining companies to speculate in land and buy large areas which they began to exploit to feed the industrial population. Land prices rose rapidly; many farmers could not adjust themselves to this revolution in agriculture and sold out. The new capitalist farmers, in order to exploit every available stretch of land, were less and Mess inclined to give the ruined whites refuge on their estates. The white bywoners, who had, because of land hunger, taken refuge on the estates of the big farmers, were evicted. Black labour was preferred to white labour on the farms. And so the exodus to the industrial areas began. There they were confronted by a mass of cheap black labour with whom they could not compete in unskilled work. Neither were they trained for skilled work. The Industrial Revolution had produced the "Poor White Problem". What does Mr. van Schoor say about the "Poor White Problem"? He writes: "...the inability to compete with Non-European labour in country and town was not simply due to the lack of training; it was due to an attitude of contempt for labour which was regarded as Kaffir work." This is a misunderstanding. The white employers of labour preferred the Bantu labourers to white labour. Economics overruled consideration of race and colour prejudice. With the inability of the impoverished whites to compete with the blacks in industry, with the gradual acquisition of technical skill by the black workers and their utilisation to a small extent as semi-skilled and skilled workers, and with the preference of the mining companies for cheap black workers, there was a loud public outcry against this stage of affairs. The impoverished whites began to place the blame for their economic ruination on the shoulders of the blacks. This fed colour prejudice. Public and political opinion grew for the protection of the whites in industry. The position was aggravated by the cleavage of interests between white employer and white worker whose high wage demands the former would not meet. For the higher the wage rates demanded by the white workers became, the more limited became their opportunities to find employment and the more blacks were conscripted. To be sure, the encroachment of the blacks on skilled occupations was very slight indeed. But so sensitive were the white workers to the idea of associating white labour with skilled jobs and high wages that they began political agitation for the preservation and consolidation of the status quo. [....] Their racialism, their colour prejudice, had an economic content - their demand for a place, a protected place, in industry. Their colour prejudice was not the cause for the separation if black and white in industry but the product and consolidator of it. [....] 4. The Consolidation of the Industrial Colour Bar Such is the genesis of the modem colour bar. Since its conception almost fifty years have elapsed during which it has shown no obvious signs of collapsing. On the contrary. it has permeated every industry which has developed in South Africa. It is being maintained despite the fact that the rationalisation in production which largely elimiÂnates the need for "skilled" operatives has developed at a rapid rate in South Africa. It is being maintained despite the fact that the African workers are becoming more and more acquainted with the production methods of modem industry and are capable of doing most of the so-called skilled work, or could do so with very little training. It is being maintained despite the fact that it is the chief source of annoyance and financial loss to the Chamber of Mines. Today, political expediency which had forced upon the Chamber of Mines the colour bar, is being mercilessly pounded by the laws of economic necessity which no longer sees the justification of the indefinite continuation of a while labour aristocracy. Profits are dwindling; cuts shall have to be made somewhere. This top-heavy social institution is being strained to the utmost. The economic base is now pounding the superstructure of political expediency, race and colour prejudice. After the Great War of 1914-18, however, the colour bar has become more rigid. Not only did the extension of the statutory colour bar to other industrial field-consolidate the labour status quo, but the increase in power and co-ordination of the white trade unions and the corresponding lack of organisation, lack of rights and docility of the black workers led to increased rates of pay and better working conditions for the white workers. "Segregation is more rigorous in the factory than in the mines," writes Mr. van Schoor. Is this really so? In the factory, to be sure, there is not the same rigorous enforcement of the statutory provisions of the colour bar. Non-European factory workers are more intimate with the technical processes of production and receive rates-of pay which are superior to those of the Chamber of Mines. The author, however, says that the "ratio of white to non-white wages in secondary industry" is evidently not decreasing. But a careful study of the wage rates of the two groups shows that there has been a definite narrowing of the gap. In 1915 the ratio was 4,85; in 1919 it was 4,84, and in 1924 it was 4,5. Then there was an increase to 4,27 in 1927, but in 1929 it fell to 4,08. In 1938 the ratio was 4,36 and it fell to 3,5 in 1944, rising to 3,47 in 1945. This decrease, slight though it is, proved that the economic demands of the Non-European workers are increasing. It vaguely foreshadows the future of the Industrial Colour Bar. In the gold mining industry the colour bar is rigidly being maintained. From 1911 to 1915 European wages amounted to an average of £330 annually. In 1920 European wages averaged £501 and then declined to £372 in 1923. In 1938 it was £404, and in 1947 it was £579. As regards Non-European wages, the average cash wages for 1911 was £28 5s.; for 1923 it-was £34 1s., and in 1938 £36 6s. "In 1938 both average cash wages of Natives and average European wages were almost 21,3% above the 1911 level." The gap is being maintained. For example, the average increase of European wages in the diamond industry was 23% from 1911 to 1938, and for Non-Europeans for the same period it was 11,7%. In the coal mining industry the average increase of European wages from 1911 to 1938 was 39,4%, and for Non-Europeans 37,3%.' In July 1918, the Chamber of Mines recognised the Status Quo Agreement, which reaffirmed the colour bar system in the mining industry. [....] In an attempt to modify this agreement, the Chamber of Mines precipitated the 1922 strike. [....] In 1926 the Mines and Works Act was amended to exclude Africans and Asiatics from acquiring certificates of competency to do skilled work. For already, in 1925, the Mining Regulations Commission had spoken of the competition of the African labourer which would lead to the elimination of the European worker "from the entire range of mining operations". There can be no doubt that the Chamber of Mines views the white worker with an ambivalence of emotions. For the conditions and circumstances under which the colour bar arose have vanished. Political considerations are, however, still stronger than the need to cut down on the heavy cost structure, either by reducing European wages or by replacing the whites in skilled jobs by black labour. But so great is the strength of the organised white working class, so strong their political voice, and so docile and rightless the unorganised workers that legislative and administrative measures are still the main props for the support of the colour bar in industry. 5. The Conditions for the Elimination of the Colour Bar What then are the conditions necessary for the elimination of the colour bar? For this is the fundamental task of the political movement for democracy: to bring the wage rates of the black worker to the level of Europeans and to eliminate the artificial barriers separating "skilled from unskilled" in industry. Two factors combine to this end: in the automatic process outside human agency and in the political struggle through human agency to bring about its abrogation. Mr. van Schoor only sees the former [....] The problem of raising the standards of life of the black workers does not enter the mind of the writer. Moreover, he ignores the rapid increase in the number of proletarians settled permanently in the towns where, it is clear, they will one day organise into a mighty social force and play the decisive part in the struggle of the abolition of the colour bar. [....] -The elimination of the industrial colour bar is inextricably bound up with the increase in the number of permanent black workers. For such a development will indubitably lead to the organiÂsation of the black proletariat and their participation as a force in the industrial struggles that lie ahead. Yet Mr. van Schoor only sees the objective factor of economic necessity. Such an automatic abolition of the colour bar is the dream of opportunism and the product of political abstentionism. The Non-Europeans have up to now been putty in the hands of the employers, not only because they are voiceless and voteless, but because they are not an organised force that can struggle for higher wages and better working conditions. But Mr. van Schoor must not consider that they will remain a permanent, docile mass, incapable of any struggle. Such an attitude of mind is already the beginning of capitulation to the status quo. This striking omission of the role of the liberatory movement to wrench away the props that support the colour bar is the beginning of defeatism, of lack of faith and optimism in the democratic struggle. History is made by people under definite conditions. That history will only be made when the proletariat steps into the political arena as an organised industrial force. 6 The Economics of Black Chauvinism Mr. van Schoor's anthropological approach once more reveals its baneful influence on author's assessment of black and white wages and the productive output of the respective labour groups. [....] He argues that "the European worker in secondary industry is deadweight." [....] We are therefore given to understand that the South African capitalists are not really interested whether the white workers produce new social values. It seems that racialism and colour prejudice overrule all economic considerations. According to Mr. van Schoor, the black workers alone contribute towards the productive output. In other words, technical skill, the economic planning commissions, the skilled overseers and engineers play no part in the productive output. All production is dependent - on whom? On the semi- and unskilled black workers who are not allowed to handle modern machinery freely. Thus we finally have the formulae: Skilled workers = unproductive; unskilled work = productive; white = unproductive; black = productive. Two statements on production prove that the author is not at all serious about the above statement: "When 80% of the population is forbidden to handle machinery, technical progress must necessarily slow." So? The Non-Europeans are not very productive after all! Technical skill is, after all, necessary to industry! The whites, after all, produce new values! [....] Even in a democratic society, skilled workers will have to be paid more than workers who are less skilled. For without this technical skill production will be slow, poverty will continue to haunt democracy and elementary needs will not be satisfied. Does the writer imagine that unskilled workers and manual workers can build a democratic society? The reason for the low productivity of this country lies in the fact that the Non-Europeans are not allowed to participate fully in the process of production. The abolition of the colour bar, therefore, also means a tremendous increase in production. 7. The Proletariat as the Greatest Force in the Country. [....] Since the opening of the mines, the establishment of factories and the beginning if capitalist agriculture, the areas allotted to the Africans have continually shrunk. The result is continued proletarianisation. Africans are forced by land hunger, the need for money to buy European goods and pay their taxes to seek work in the urban areas. The reserves were never set aside to sustain the Africans. Thus, before the depression of 1929-36, the income from production of African families in the reserves was £4 0s. Id. per annum. Today the reserves are a large creche for old woman and children and a short place of rest for the migratory workers. Since Union the African population has continued to flow from areas of predomiÂnantly African population to the urban centres and European farms. They go yearly from the reserves to the towns; from the towns back to the reserves; from the reserves to European farms and back to the reserves and from farms to the towns and back to the farms. This perennial movement is a unique characteristic of the black proletariat. It is our task to understand how conditions, administrative measures and economic forces dictate this complex migratory labour system. Once again Mr. van Schoor is unable to see the migratory labour system as a process of development. He simply says: "The Kimberley diamond mines gave rise directly to the vast system of migratory labour flowing between reserves and locations..." How and why this came about he is unable to tell us. Later we hear that, having been rendered homeless, the African was prevented from becoming a settled worker in the towns by the migratory labour system. Then he writes that this labour system also "prevents the settling down of a propertied (!) peasantry." The author here confuses cause and effect. The migratory labour system, contrary to the author, is not the cause of the inability of the Africans to become either a peasantry or a settled urban proletariat, but precisely the result of it. By various administrative measures the Africans are forbidden to settle permanently in urban centres. This is the meaning of the pass laws. After the expiration of his labour contract the pass laws forced him to return to the areas specially set aside for Africans. But here he cannot stay for long because the reserves were never meant to be self-sufficient areas. Poverty and land hunger compel him to seek work in the towns or on the white farms. The result is that he oscillates between reserves and urban areas for European farmers. [....] Yet, in spite of these administrative measures which prevent the emergence of a permanent urban African proletariat, the very poverty of live in the reserve, the increasing economic demands of the Africans, and the consequent desperate need to augment their frugal incomes, are leading to more and more Africans into the ranks of permanent urban dwellers. Their labour contracts and their stay in the industrial centres are becoming larger. The extension of the urban localities themselves bears testimony to this fact. [....] Mr. van Schoor: "...if the migratory labour system were to break down, it would at once polarise into a landed (!) peasantry in the country and an organised (!) working-class in the town. . ."[....] The author does not give us the conditions under which the migratory labour system would break down. He cannot see that the labour and economic needs of the industriÂalists would finally force them to abolish the migratory labour system and allow the migratory African workers to become an integral part of urban life. This is an inescapable development in our social evolution. The wheel of history cannot be turned back either to the revival of tribalism or the settling of the Africans on the land as small producers. Such a development is repugnant not only to the historic process and the development of industry but also to the democratic movement, which can only triumph on the basis of increased industrialisation. The African worker is not a proletarian in the true sense of the word. Firstly, he is not a permanent urban dweller and therefore does not form an integral part of industrial life, socially and culturally. Secondly, he is debarred by industrial legislation from participating in all the technical processes as a skilled and efficient worker. The development of capitalism will indubitable also lead to the development of a fully-fledged proletariat. Of the great importance to the liberatory movement is a strict understanding of the forces which are driving more and more Africans irresistibly forward into the capitalist economy as proletarians. The great task of the liberatory movement is to facilitate this development by its struggle for the abrogation of all the administrative measures which prevent the Africans from becoming a settled proletariat; by calling for the abolition of the Industrial Colour Bar to raise the living standards of the African and develop his technical skill; and by demanding political and civil rights to make him a full citizen of this country. [....] CONCLUSION [....] This analysis has attempted to show that the weakness in the book flow from a wrong orientation and approach to our social and political problems, an approach which, taking racial categories as its point of departure, has the tendency, though not always, to go to the other extreme of Herrenvolkism - black racialism. It is a tendency that is all too prevalent in Colonial countries where class oppression and exploitation assume the form of and coincide with race and colour. But it is precisely the task of the democratic movement to strip this Colonial oppression of its racial garb and reveal its class content. All the differences which this critique has with this book are consequential upon the author's anthropological approach. In many respects they are indeed slight, being a matter of emphasis, of underlying principles, of seeing the wood for the trees and objectivity. And although we have reached an important stage in Mr. van Schoor's work on the road to sociological clarification on our political problems, I still consider that our main task in the field of history at present is to deal with and refute the arguments of the official historians writing South Africa's past. They still reign supreme. We are grateful to Mr. van Schoor for having taken another step in this direction. For the clarification of our past is the condition for the clarification of our present, and the clarification of our present the condition for the clarification of political theory and our future. The leadership of the enslaved masses must first understand the process of enslavement before they can lead them on the road to emancipation.

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Brief history of the Eastern Cape The Eastern Cape was carved up into black and white territories under apartheid in a more consolidated way than anywhere else in the country. The stark contrasts between wealth and poverty were forged in the nineteenth century when the British drew the Cape colonial frontier along the Great Fish River, a thousand kilometres east of Cape Town, and fought over half a dozen campaigns (known as the Frontier Wars) to keep the Xhosa at bay on its east bank. In the 1820s, the British shipped in thousands of settlers to bolster white numbers and reinforce the line. Even for a country where everything is suffused with politics, the Eastern Cape’s identity is excessively political. South Africa’s black trade unions have deep roots in its soil, which also produced many anti-apartheid African leaders, including former president Nelson Mandela, his successor Thabo Mbeki, and Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko, who died in 1977 at the hands of Port Elizabeth security police. The Transkei or Wild Coast region, wedged between the Kei and KwaZulu-Natal, was the testing ground for grand apartheid when it became the prototype in 1963 for the Bantustan system of racial segregation. In 1976 the South African government gave it notional “independence”, in the hope that several million Xhosa-speaking South Africans, surplus to industry’s needs, could be dumped in the territory and thereby become foreigners in “white South Africa”. When the Transkei was reincorporated into South Africa in 1994 it became part of the new Eastern Cape, a province struggling for economic survival under the weight of its apartheid-era legacy and the added burden of widespread corruption. Port Elizabeth and the western region Port Elizabeth is the industrial centre of the Eastern Cape. In 1820 it was the arrival point for four thousand British settlers, who doubled the English-speaking population of South Africa and have left their trace on the architecture in the town centre. The port’s industrial feel is mitigated by some outstanding city beaches and, should you end up killing time here, you’ll find diversion in beautiful coastal walks a few kilometres from town and in the small historical centre. However, the main reason most people wash up here is to start or finish a tour of the Garden Route – or head further up the highway to Addo Elephant National Park , the most significant game reserve in the southern half of the country. Also within easy striking distance are several other smaller, and utterly luxurious, private game reserves. East of Port Elizabeth , a handful of resorts punctuate the R72 East London coast road, where the roaring surf meets enormously wide sandy beaches, backed by mountainous dunes. The inland route to East London deviates away from the coast to pass through Grahamstown , a handsome university town, worth at least a night, and several during the National Arts Festival every July. A couple of hundred kilometres north from Port Elizabeth , an area of flat-topped hills and treeless plains opens out to the Karoo, the semi-desert that extends across a third of South Africa. The oldest and best known of the settlements here is the picture-postcard town of Graaff-Reinet, a solid fixture on bus tours. Just a few kilometres away is the awesome Valley of Desolation, and the village of Nieu Bethesda, best known for its eccentric Owl House museum. Nearly as pretty as Graaff-Reinet, though not as architecturally rich, the town of Cradock, to its east, has the added attraction of the rugged Mountain Zebra National Park. Jeffrey's Bay Some 75km west of Port Elizabeth , off the N2, JEFFREY’S BAY (known locally as J Bay) is jammed during the holiday seasons, when thousands of visitors throng the beaches, surfing shops and fast-food outlets, giving the place a really tacky seaside resort feel. For surfing aficionados, however, this is a trifling detail; J Bay is said by some to be one of the world’s top three surfing spots. If you’ve come to surf, head for the break at Super Tubes, east of the main bathing beach, which produces an impressive and consistent swirling tube of whitewater, attracting surfers from all over the world throughout the year. Riding inside the vortex of a wave is considered the ultimate experience by surf buffs, but should only be attempted if you’re an expert. Other key spots are at Kitchen Windows, Magna Tubes, the Point and Albatross. Surfing gear, including wet suits, can be rented from the multitude of surfing shops along Da Gama Road. Dolphins regularly surf the waves here, and whales can sometimes be seen between June and October. The main bathing areas are Main Beach (in town) and Kabeljous-on-Sea (a few kilometres north), with some wonderful seashells to be found between Main and Surfer’s Point. The Eastern Cape Karoo Travelling between Grahamstown and the towns of Cradock and Graaff-Reinet (the Eastern Cape’s two most-visited Karoo towns), you’ll be heading into sheep-farming country, with the occasional dorp rising against the horizon, offering the experience of an archetypal Eastern Cape one-horse outpost. The roads through this vast emptiness are quiet, and lined with rhythmically spaced telephone poles. Dun-coloured sheep, angora goats and the occasional springbok graze on brown stubble, and you’ll often see groups of charcoal-and-grey ostriches in the veld. Staying on a farm in this region is a highlight. Cradock, 240km north of Port Elizabeth , lies in the Karoo proper, and makes a great stopover on the Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg run, because of its excellent accommodation and its proximity to the beautiful Mountain Zebra National Park. Some 100km due west of Cradock, Graaff-Reinet is one of the oldest towns in South Africa, and much of its historical centre is intact. Surrounding the town is the Camdeboo National Park. For more of a sense of the Karoo’s dry timelessness, head to Nieu Bethesda, 50km to the north of town. Mountain Zebra National Park When the Mountain Zebra National Park was created in 1937, there were only five Cape mountain zebras left on its 65 square kilometres – and four were male. Miraculously, conservationists managed to cobble together a breeding herd from the few survivors on surrounding farms, and the park now supports several hundred. For game viewing, the park has a couple of good part-tar, part-gravel loop roads forming a rough figure of eight. As well as zebra, keep an eye out for springbok, blesbok and black wildebeest. The introduction of buffalo in 1998 and plans to bring in cheetahs and rhinos add to the wildlife interest, but mean that hiking across the park isn’t possible, since buffalo have a reputation for extreme aggression. There are, however, two waymarked walks near the camp. Graaff-Reinet It’s little wonder that tour buses pull in to GRAAFF-REINET in their numbers; this is a beautiful town and one of the few places in the Eastern Cape where you’d want to wander freely day and night, taking in historical buildings and the occasional little museum, and having a meal or a drink before strolling back to your accommodation. Graaff-Reinet has a large population of Afrikaans-speaking coloured people, mostly living on the south side of town, some of slave origin, others the descendants of indigenous Khoi and San who were forced to work on frontier farms. The dry mountains surrounding the town are part of the Camdeboo National Park whose main attraction is the Valley of Desolation, a B-movie name for an impressive site. The rocky canyon, echoing bird calls and expansive skies of the valley shouldn’t be missed. Robert Sobukwe and the Africanists One of Graaff-Reinet’s most brilliant but often-forgotten sons is Robert Managaliso Sobukwe, founder of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Born in 1923, Sobukwe went to Healdtown, a boarding school, then Fort Hare University, where he joined the African National Congress Youth League. After graduating in 1947, he became a schoolteacher and then a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand. A charismatic member of the Africanist wing of the ANC – even the ultra-apartheid prime minister B.J. Vorster acknowledged him as "a man of magnetic personality" – Sobukwe questioned the organization’s strategy of cooperating with whites, and formed the breakaway PAC in 1959. The following year he launched the nationwide anti-pass protests, which ended in the Sharpeville massacre and his imprisonment on Robben Island for nine years. In 1969, Sobukwe was released under a banning order to Kimberley, where he died in 1978. Five thousand people attended his funeral in Graaff-Reinet. EASTERN CAPE Sandwiched between the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s two most popular coastal provinces, the Eastern Cape tends to be bypassed by visitors – and for all the wrong reasons. The relative neglect it has suffered as a tourist destination and at the hands of the government is precisely where its charm lies. You can still find traditional African villages here, and the region’s 1000km of undeveloped coastline alone justifies a visit, sweeping back inland in immense undulations of vegetated dunefields. For anyone wanting to get off the beaten track, the province is, in fact, one of the most rewarding regions in South Africa. Brief history of the Eastern Cape Port Elizabeth and the western region The Central Eastern Cape and East London The Eastern Cape Drakensberg The Wild Coast region Addo Elephant National Park East London Grahamstown The Grahamstown Festival Port Elizabeth Port St Johns Qunu and the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre Nelson Mandela and the Qunu connection Eastern Cape The Eastern Cape Province is the second-largest province in South Africa at 168,966 km2. The languages spoken here include Xhosa, Afrikaans and English. Addo Elephant National Park – an Eastern Cape Tourist Attraction The Eastern Cape Province borders the Western Cape , Northern Cape , KwaZulu-Natal and Free State Provinces of South Africa. Read more about the 9 provinces of South Africa . Eastern Cape Towns and Cities Sealpoint Lighthouse in St Francis Bay The capital city of the Eastern Cape Province is Bisho, but the largest cities in this province are Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and East London. Towns in this province are: Aliwal North Barkly East Burgersdorp Coffee Bay Cradock Graaff-Reinet is one of the oldest towns in South Africa . Grahamstown Hogsback Jeffrey’s Bay King Williams Town Maclear & Ugie Mazeppa Bay Middelburg Mthatha Nieu Bethesda Rhodes Somerset East St Francis Bay Graaff-Reinet Graaff-Reinet The VOC, or Dutch East India Company, established Graaff-Reinet in 1786. The town’s name is named after the then-governor of the Cape, Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff, and his wife, Reinet. The VOC established the town to encourage trade between the Cape and the rural areas. Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park Graaff-Reinet is South Africa’s 6th oldest town and the oldest town in the Eastern Cape Province Graaff-Reinet is known as the “Gem of the Karoo.” It is the town with the most national monuments in South Africa. It features over 200 historic buildings and pre-Victorian homes. Furthermore, it is an agricultural town with mohair, sheep and ostrich farms. If you love history, find out more about the historical sites in Cape Town, including the Castle of Good Hope. Where is Graaff-Reinet? Getting to Graaff-Reinet takes a long time but is worth doing as part of a road trip through South Africa. The town is almost 3 hours by car from Port Elizabeth or Gqeberha (262 km). Another road trip that is worth doing is driving from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Find out about the best halfway stops on this route. Things to do in Graaff-Reinet Dutch Reformed Church Groot Kerk on Graaff-Reinet Because of its age, Graaff-Reinet has a lot to offer to visitors. Some of the best sights include: The Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park Dutch Reformed Church, Groot Kerk The Reinet House, also known as the Graaff-Reinet Museum GRT Brewery Hester Rupert Art Museum Graaff-Reinet The War Memorial Old Residency St James the Great Anglican Church Urquhart House Museum The Recollection Village and Museum Anglo-Boer War Memorial Gideon Scheepers Memorial Old Library Museum Andries Pretorius Monument Monument to the Independent Colony of Graaff-Reinet The Monument to Jewish Pedlars Krugersdorp Monument The Union Monument John Rupert Theatre The Huguenot Monument Karoo Ballooning The Camdeboo National Park is one of South Africa’s many national parks – read more about them here. The Eastern Cape offers many other attractions. Learn About 15 Old Towns in South Africa This post contains affiliate links. If you click on any of these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. South Africa’s colonial history started in 1652 when the Dutch arrived at the Cape of Good Hope to establish a trade station for ships sailing to the Far East. If you love history, you may want to know more about the oldest towns in South Africa. In this article, we consider the towns established after the colonisation of South Africa only. We explore the oldest towns of South Africa by considering their date of establishment and a brief history of each. Map of The Oldest Towns in South Africa Click on the map to zoom in and see more detail. You can find most of these towns in the coastal provinces of South Africa, especially in the Western Cape Province and the Eastern Cape Province. List of The Oldest Towns in South Africa Here is an ordered list of the 15 oldest towns in South Africa with their date of establishment, starting with the oldest town. NumberCity or TownDate of establishment 1Cape Town1652 2Stellenbosch1679 3Simon’s Town1680 4Paarl1687 5Swellendam1746 6Graaff Reinet1786 7Tulbagh1795 8Uitenhage1804 9George1811 10Caledon1811 11Griquatown1812 12Grahamstown1812 13Cradock1816 14Port Elizabeth1820 15Fort Beaufort1822 List of the 15 oldest towns in South Africa Now, let’s explore the 15 oldest towns in South Africa! The Oldest Town in South Africa: Cape Town (1652) Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest city and hosts many of the country’s oldest buildings and places. Lions Head in Cape Town – one of the oldest towns in South Africa While working for the Dutch East India Company (VOC), Jan van Riebeeck arrived in the Cape of Storms in 1652 to set up a halfway station for travellers from the Netherlands to the East. There was a shortage of labour resulting in the slow growth of the settlement. The Dutch imported slaves from Indonesia and Madagascar. Van Riebeeck and his successors introduced many valuable plants to the Cape, completely changing the natural environment. These plants included grapes, ground nuts, cereals, potatoes, citrus, and apples. Since then, Cape Town has become the second-largest city in South Africa. Locals and foreigners love the city as it offers many exciting sights, old buildings and beautiful natural scenery. The top sights in Cape Town include: Table Mountain aerial cableway The V&A Waterfront Lion’s Head The Castle of Good Hope Cape Town also has the oldest township in South Africa, Langa. The second-oldest town in South Africa: Stellenbosch (1679) Governor Simon van der Stel established Stellenbosh in 1679 to decentralise the administration in South Africa. He appointed a Landdrost and a drostdy established. This was followed by a local court and a local government. Locals know Stellenbosch as the City of Oaks because of the many oak trees planted by Governor van der Stel to beautify the homesteads and streets. The residents started stock farming instead of cultivation, resulting in the rapid expansion of the colony and even further decentralisation. Stellenbosch – the second oldest town in South Africa During the 1690s, Huguenot refugees settled in Stellenbosch and planted grapes. Soon, Stellenbosch became the midpoint of the South African wine industry, which it still is today. Some of the best-known sights in Stellenbosch include: Waterford Estate Spier Wine Farm Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens Simon’s Town (1680) Penguins at Boulders Beach in Simons Town Simonstown was established as a naval station and harbour. The town is named after Simon van der Stel, a governor of the Cape Colony. Simon’s town was established as the second harbour for Cape Town, the other being Table Bay. Many ships were wrecked when travelling to Table Bay, but the location of Simon’s Town is protected from the violent northwest gales that caused the shipwrecks. Some of the best-known sights in Simon’s Town include: Boulders Beach Penguin Colony The Naval Museum Jubilee Square Paarl (1687) The VOC had meat-trading relationships with the Khoikhoi people on the Table Bay coastline. In 1657, they searched for new trade relationships inland and found a giant glistening granite rock called “de Diamondt en de Peerlberg” (the Diamond and Pearl Mountain). This is where the name is from. Paarl means “pearl” in Dutch. In 1687, Governor van der Stel gave the title to the first farms in the area. The following year the French Huguenots arrived and settled on farms here. Paarl’s soil and climate are perfect for farming. The settlers planted vegetable gardens, vineyards and orchards to start Paarl’s history as a wine- and fruit-producing region. Paarl is the largest town in the Cape’s infamous Wineland region. Paarl received a lot of international media attention when Nelson Mandela, on 11 February 1990, walked out of the Drakenstein Correctional Centre in Paarl to end his 27 years of imprisonment. Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl This was the beginning of post-apartheid in South Africa. Mandela spent three years in the correctional centre in a private house. There is a bronze statue of Mandela outside of the prison. The well-known sites in Paarl are: Nederburg Wines Afrikaans Language Monument Ashia Swellendam (1746) The next town in South Africa was Swellendam in October 1746. The establishment of Cape Town resulted in inland trade to where Swellendam is. Swellendam was named after Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel, the first South African-born Governor, and his wife, Helena Ten Damme. NG Kerk Swellendam Swellendam became the gateway to the interior of South Africa. Many well-known explorers visited the town, including François Le Vaillant (1781), Lady Anne Barnard (1798), William John Burchell (1815), and Thomas William Bowler (1860). Swellendam became the last outpost of the Dutch civilisation, and the services offered by its residents were critical. Well-known sites and attractions in Swellendam include: Drostdy Museum NG Kerk Swellendam Marloth Nature Reserve Graaff-Reinet (1786) The VOC established Graaff-Reinet in 1786. The town’s name is from the then-governor of the Cape Colony, Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff, and his wife. The town’s establishment was meant to facilitate the expansion of inland trade from the Cape Colony. Graaff-Reinet has more national monuments than any other South African city or town. You can find over 200 historic buildings and restored pre-Victorian homes in Graaff-Reinet. The town produces agricultural products, such as mohair, and has many sheep and ostrich farms. Camdeboo National Park in Graaff-Reinet For the best view of Graaff-Reinet, visit the Camdeboo National Park, where you can see how the town is tucked into a curve of the river. Some of the must-sees in Graaff-Reinet include: The Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park Dutch Reformed Church, Groot Kerk The Reinet House Tulbagh (1795) Tulbagh was established in 179 when the Dutch government gifted the area to Dutch and Huguenot settlers. The name is from Governor Ryk Tulbagh. The town still has many examples of Cape Dutch architecture and Victorian and Edwardian houses. Some of the sites to see in Tulbagh include: Saronsberg Cellar Old Town Tulbagh Earthquake Museum Uitenhage (1804) During the time of Governor Janssens, Captain Alberti had to select a site for a new town. He selected the Zwartkops River. They laid the town out in 1804. The town was called Uitenhage, and Captain Alberti became its first Landdrost. Uitenhage’s name changed in 2021 to Kariega. Uitenhage is known for the Volkswagen factory located there. This factory is the largest car factory on the African continent. Some of the best places to visit in Uitenhage include: Volkswagen Autopavillian The Railway Museum The Cuyler Manor Museum George (1811) The growing demand for wood and timber for transport, buildings and furniture caused George‘s establishment. The government chose George because of its access to water. The government declared George a separate district in 1811. Adrian van Kervel became the first Landdrost. The Earl of Caledon claimed the town on St George’s Day, 23 April 1811. He names the town after the reigning British monarch, King George III. The Transport Museum in George, South Africa George is the second-largest city in the Western Cape after Cape Town. It is the gateway to South Africa’s Garden Route. It is the halfway point between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The town offers many sights, such as the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train, the Slave Tree and the King Edward VII Library. These are the best attractions you can visit in George: Redberry Farm Outeniqua Transport Museum Victoria Bay Caledon (1811) Caledon was established as a church town in 1811. It is about 113 kilometres east of Cape Town, near a mineral-rich hot spring. The Caledon region focuses on agriculture, such as grain production. Some stock farming also takes place in Caledon. Old towns in South Africa- Caledon You can visit these places in Caledon: The Holy Trinity Museum Caledon Museum Boschriver Griquatown (1812) Griquatown began as a mission station in 1812. You can find the town in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. It was the first town in the country north of the Orange River. The town is now known for its semi-precious stones, including the tiger’s eye and jasper. There are some sheep farming with dorpers, a South African breed. Grahamstown (1812) Grahamstown was established as a military town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The town was renamed in 2018 to Makhanda in memory of the Xhosa prophet and warrior Makhanda ka Nxele. These are some of the exciting sites to see in Grahamstown: Cathedral of St Michael and St George Kwantu Elephant Sanctuary 1820 Settlers Museum Cradock (1816) Cradock was another town, initially established as a military town. The town can be found in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The name came from John Cradock, the Governor of the Cape Colony and commander of the forces. These are some of the best sites to see in Cradock: Mount Zebra National Park Schreiner Museum Cat Conservation Trust Port Elizabeth (1820) Port Elizabeth was started as a small trading and port centre in 1812. Its official name is Gqeberha, but locals also know it as PE, the friendly or windy city. It is the biggest city in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The government of the Cape Colony founded the city in 1820 when 4,000 British colonists settled in Algoa Bay to strengthen the border between the Cape Colony and the Xhosa. The city has a warm oceanic climate and is considered one of the top cities in the world for pleasant year-round weather. The city offers several blue-flag beaches along its urban coastline. Old towns in South Africa – Port Elizabeth Port Elizabeth has many offerings, including: Kragga Kamma Game Park Shamwari Private Game Reserve Sardinia Bay Beach The Addo Elephant National Park Fort Beaufort (1822) Fort Beaufort is another town that started for military reasons. It is located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. The town was named after the Duke of Beaufort, father of Lord Charles Henry Somerset, the first British Governor of the Cape Colony. These are some of the exciting sites in Fort Beaufort: Fort Beaufort Town Hall Martello Tower Katberg Eco Golf Resort Sources: What are the oldest towns in South Africa What are the oldest towns in South Africa WikiPedia * The Eastern Cape Travel Guide Port Elizabeth is the province’s commercial centre, principally used to start or end a trip along the Garden Route, though it’s a useful springboard for launching out into the rest of South Africa – the city is the transport hub of the Eastern Cape. Jeffrey’s Bay, 75km to the west, has a fabled reputation among surfers for its perfect waves. Around an hour’s drive inland are some of the province’s most significant game reserves, among them Addo Elephant National Park , a Big Five reserve where sightings of elephants are virtually guaranteed. Addo and the private reserves nearby are among the few game reserves in South Africa that are malaria-free throughout the year. The hinterland to the north takes in areas appropriated by English immigrants shipped out in the 1820s as ballast for a new British colony. Here, Grahamstown glories in its twin roles as the spiritual home of English-speaking South Africa and host to Africa’s biggest arts festival. The northwest is dominated by the sparse beauty of the Karoo, the thorny semi-desert stretching across much of central South Africa. The rugged Mountain Zebra National Park, 200km north of Port Elizabeth , is a stirring landscape of flat-topped mountains and arid plains stretching for hundreds of kilometres. A short step to the west, Graaff-Reinet is the quintessential eighteenth-century Cape Dutch Karoo town. The eastern part of the province, largely the former Transkei, is by far the least developed, with rural Xhosa villages predominating. East London , the province’s only other centre of any size, serves well as a springboard for heading into the Transkei, where the principal interest derives from political and cultural connections. Steve Biko was born here, and you can visit his grave in King William’s Town to the west. Further west is Fort Hare University, which educated many contemporary African leaders. The only established resorts in this section are in the Amatola Mountains, notably Hogsback, where indigenous forests and mossy coolness provide relief from the dry scrublands below. Tucked into the northeastern corner of the province, the Drakensberg range, more commonly associated with KwaZulu-Natal, makes a steep ascent out of the Karoo and offers trout-fishing and ancient San rock art. The focus of the area is the remote, lovely village of Rhodes. Further east, the Wild Coast region remains one of the least developed and most exciting regions in the country. The poorest part of the poorest province, the region is blessed with fabulously beautiful subtropical coast. From here, all the way to the KwaZulu-Natal border, dirt roads trundle down to the coast from the N2 to dozens of remote and indolent hillside resorts, of which Port St Johns is the biggest and best known. In the rugged, goat-chewed landscape inland, Xhosa-speakers live in mud-and-tin homesteads, scraping a living herding stock and growing crops. Most visitors pass as quickly as possible through Mthatha (formerly Umtata), the ugly former capital of the Transkei – but if you’re following in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, the Nelson Mandela Museum in the centre of Mthatha, and Qunu, his birthplace southwest of the town, are obvious ports of call. The Central Eastern Cape and East London Eastern cape Between Port Alfred and East London lies some of the Eastern Cape’s least-developed coastline, although it has now fallen into the hands of developers as more and more people discover the beauty of the region. East London , wedged uncomfortably between two ex-Bantustans, is the largest city in the central region of the province, with excellent beaches for surfing and swimming and good transport links to Johannesburg and along the coast. Inland, Fort Hare University near Alice has educated political leaders across the subcontinent, including Nelson Mandela, and has the country’s finest collection of contemporary black South African art. Sweeping up from Fort Hare’s valley, the gentle, wooded Amatola Mountains yield to the dramatic landscapes of the Eastern Cape Drakensberg, which offer hiking, horseriding and even skiing opportunities. Before white settlers (or even the Xhosa) arrived, these towering formations were dominated by San hunter-gatherers, who decorated the rock faces with thousands of ritual paintings, many of which remain surprisingly vivid. The Amatola Mountains Most visitors drive quickly through the scrubby, dry, impoverished area between East London and the Amatola Mountains proper, to reach the cool forests and holiday lands at Hogsback. However, it’s worth deviating en route, to see the fine collection of African art at Fort Hare University, close to the little town of Alice, and to take in some peeling, but intact, colonial streetscapes in King William’s Town. Steve Biko and Black Consciousness Steve Biko’s brutal interrogation and death while in police custody triggered international outrage and turned opinion further against the apartheid regime. Steven Bantu Biko was born in 1946 in King William’s Town. His political ascent was swift, due to his eloquence, charisma and focused vision. While still a medical student at Natal University during the late 1960s, he was elected president of the exclusively black South African Students’ Organization (SASO) and started publishing articles in their journal, fiercely attacking white liberalism, which they saw as patronizing and counter-revolutionary. In an atmosphere of repression, Biko’s brand of Black Consciousness immediately caught on. He called for blacks to take destiny into their own hands, to unify and rid themselves of the "shackles that bind them to perpetual servitude". From 1973 onwards, Biko suffered banning, detention and other harassment at the hands of the state. In 1974, he defended himself in court, presenting his case so brilliantly that his international profile soared. Barred from leaving King William’s Town, Biko continued working and writing, frequently escaping his confinement. In August 1977 he was detained and taken to Port Elizabeth where he was interrogated and tortured. A month later he died from a brain haemorrhage, after a beating by security police. No one was held accountable. He is buried in King William’s Town. The polished, charcoal-coloured tombstone sits midway through the graveyard, among the large patch of paupers’ graves. To get there, take Cathcart Street south out of town (towards Grahamstown ), turning left onto a road signposted to the cemetery, after the bridge (just before the Alice turn-off to the right). Fort Hare University Despite decades of deliberate neglect, and its relegation after 1959 to a "tribal" university under apartheid, Fort Hare, 2km east of Alice on the R63, is assured a place in South African history. Established in 1916 as a multiracial college by missionaries, it became the first institution in South Africa to deliver tertiary education to blacks, and was attended by many prominent African leaders, including Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe and Tanzania’s former president, Julius Nyerere. The most famous former student is Nelson Mandela, making this an essential port of call if you’re following his footsteps. If you have even the slightest interest in African art, Fort Hare’s De Beers Art Gallery is well worth a visit. A treasury of contemporary black Southern African art, it’s one of the most significant and least publicized collections anywhere. The gallery also houses Fort Hare’s ethnographic collection – a major museum of traditional crafts and artefacts, with many rare and valuable pieces. The Eastern Cape Drakensberg The Eastern Cape Drakensberg is the most southerly section of Southern Africa’s highest and most extensive mountain chain, stretching east across Lesotho and up the west flank of KwaZulu-Natal into Mpumalanga. The obvious goal of this world of San rock paintings, sandstone caves and craggy sheep farms is Rhodes, one of the country’s best-preserved and prettiest Victorian villages. Since there is no national park in the Eastern Cape Drakensberg, activities are all arranged through private farms. Very remote, Rhodes is reached from Barkly East, which itself is 130km from Aliwal North on the N6. The 60km dirt road to Rhodes from Barkly East is tortuous and rough, taking a good ninety minutes, with sheer, unfenced drops. Rhodes RHODES is almost too good to be true – a remote and beautiful village girdled by the Eastern Cape Drakensberg. Few people actually live here: like other villages in this region, Rhodes was progressively deserted as residents gravitated to the cities to make a living, leaving its Victorian tin-roofed architecture stuck in a very pleasing time warp. Today, its raison d’être is as a low-key holiday place for people who appreciate its isolation, wood stoves and restored cottages. Although electricity reached the village a few years ago, very few establishments have it, and paraffin lamps and candles are the norm. Given that Rhodes is not on the way to anywhere (on some maps it doesn’t even appear), it is a place to dwell for a few days, rather than for an overnight stop. While nights are cool even in summer, in winter they are freezing, and there’s no central heating, so pack warm clothes. The village itself is not much more than a few crisscrossing gravel roads lined with pine trees. At the heart of the village is the Rhodes Hotel, a general shop and a garage; there’s also a post office and payphone, but no banking facilities and no public transport in or out of the village. Rhodes used to be busy in the winter, when skiers used it as a base for the artificial snowed Tiffendell slopes, but this activity has ceased due to mysterious legalities. The village is an hour’s 4WD drive into the highest peaks of the Eastern Cape Drakensberg. December to May are the best months for swimming and hiking. The Wild Coast region The Wild Coast region is aptly named: this is one of South Africa’s most unspoilt areas, a vast stretch of undulating hills, lush forest and spectacular beaches skirting a section of the Indian Ocean. Its undeveloped sandy beaches stretch for hundreds of kilometres, punctuated by rivers and several wonderful, reasonably priced hotels geared to family seaside holidays. The wildness goes beyond the landscape, for this is the former Transkei homeland, a desperately poor region that was disenfranchised during apartheid and turned into a dumping ground for Africans too old or too young for South African industry to make use of. The Wild Coast region’s inhabitants are predominantly Xhosa, and those in rural areas live mostly in traditional rondavels dotting the landscape for as far as the eye can see. The N2 highway runs through the middle of the region, passing through the old Transkei capital of Mthatha and a host of scruffy, busy little towns along the way. To the south of the highway, the coastal region stretches from just north of East London to the mouth of the Mtamvuna River. With its succession of great beaches, hidden reefs, patches of subtropical forest, rural Xhosa settlements and the attractive little towns of Coffee Bay and Port St Johns (both popular with backpackers), this region offers the most deserted and undeveloped beaches in the country. The Wild Coast, unlike the Western Cape Garden Route, is not a stretch that you can easily tour by car. There’s no coastal road, and no direct route between one seaside resort and the next. Yet in this remoteness lies the region’s charm. Resorts are isolated down long, winding gravel roads off the N2, which sticks to the high inland plateau. Choose one or two places to stay, and stay put for a relaxing few days. Most places along this stretch of coast are known simply by the name of the hotel that nominates the settlement, though you will also see the Xhosa name of the river mouth, on which each hotel is situated, on many maps. Mthatha Straddling the Mthatha River and the N2 highway 235km from East London , the fractious, shambolic town of MTHATHA (formerly Umtata) is the erstwhile capital of the Transkei and the Wild Coast region’s largest town. Unfortunately, it’s a pretty ugly place, its crowded and litter-strewn streets lined with nondescript 1970s office buildings, with the odd older architectural gem, albeit dilapidated. However, the town is useful for stocking up and drawing money, all of which can be done at the Spar Centre or Shell Ultra City on the edge of town. The only reason to venture into the town centre is to visit the Nelson Mandela Museum, housed in the old parliament, or bungha, built in 1927. The most interesting display in the museum traces the great man’s life with photos and other visual material. The museum co-ordinates guided trips to Qunu and Mveso, Mandela’s birthplace, from its sister museum, the Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu . Some Xhosa traditions The Wild Coast region is largely populated by rural Xhosa, who still practise traditions and customs that have faded in more urban areas. Many people, for example, still believe that the sea is inhabited by strange people who do not always welcome visitors, which explains the relative scarcity of the activities you would normally find thriving among seashore-dwelling people, such as fishing and diving. Initiation for teenage boys and young men is still common. Young men usually leave their homes to stay in "circumcision lodges", dress in distinctive white paint and costumes and learn the customs of their clan. At the circumcision ceremony the young men are expected to make no sound while their foreskin is cut off (with no anaesthetic). After the ceremony, they wash off the paint and wrap themselves in new blankets, and all their possessions are thrown into a hut and set alight – they must turn away from this and not look back. There follows a feast to celebrate the beginning of manhood and the start of a year-long intermediary period during which they wear ochre-coloured clay on their faces. After this, they are counted as men. Like other African peoples, although they believe in one God, uThixo, or uNhkulukhulu (the great one), many Xhosa also believe that their ancestors play an active role in their lives. However, the ancestors’ messages are often too obscure to be understood without the aid of specialists, or amagqira. The Xhosa are patriarchal by tradition, with women’s subordinate status symbolized by lobola, the dowry payment in cattle and cash that a prospective husband must make to her parents before he can marry her. If the woman is not a virgin, the man pays less. Married Xhosa women have the same right as men to smoke tobacco in pipes, and can often be seen doing so, the pipes’ long stems designed to prevent ash falling on babies suckling at their breasts. Pipes are shared, but each person must have their own stem, not just for matters of hygiene but also to prevent witchcraft: bits of the body make the most effective poisonous medicines against people, and that includes hair, skin and spittle. The Xhosa did not wear cloth until it was introduced by Europeans, when it was quickly adopted. Today, what is now seen as traditional Xhosa cloth is almost always worn by women, mostly in the form of long skirts, beautifully embroidered with horizontal black stripes placed at varying intervals. The breasts of unmarried women were traditionally uncovered, while those of married women were usually covered with beads or matching cloth. These days, most women wear T-shirts, though almost all still cover their heads with scarves intricately tied to form two peaks above the forehead. The great cattle killing The 1850s were a low point for the Xhosa nation: most of their land had been seized by the British, drought had withered their crops, and cattle-sickness had decimated their precious herds. In 1856, a young woman called Nongqawuse, whose uncle Mhlakaza was a prophet, claimed to have seen and heard ancestral spirits in a pool on the Gxara River. The spirits told her the Xhosa must kill all their remaining cattle and destroy their remaining crops; if they did this, new cattle and crops would arise, along with new people who would drive the whites into the sea. As news of her prophecy spread, opinion was sharply divided among the Xhosa – those whose herds had been badly affected by cattle-sickness were most inclined to believe her. A turning point came when the Gcaleka paramount chief Sarili became convinced she was telling the truth and ordered his subjects to start the cull. Thousands of cattle were killed, but when the "new people" failed to materialize, the unbelievers who had not killed their herds were blamed. By February 1857, the next date for the appearance of the new people, over 200,000 cattle had been slaughtered. When the new people failed once more to materialize, it was too late for many Xhosa. By July there was widespread starvation; 30,000 of an estimated population of 90,000 died of hunger. The British administration saw the famine as a perfect way to force the destitute Xhosa into working on white settlers’ farms. To speed up the process, the Cape governor Sir George Grey closed down the feeding stations established by missionaries and laid the blame for the disaster on the Xhosa chiefs, imprisoning many of them on Robben Island. The Eastern Cape’s coastal nature reserves The Eastern Cape has some undeveloped and beautiful coastal reserves that are reached on difficult dirt roads and suitable for a stay of a few days, rather than for the day. All accommodation is self-catering, and there are no shops or facilities in the reserve, so you need to be fully self-sufficient and stock up before you leave the N2. Dwesa Reserve Situated between Kob Inn and Coffee Bay, Dwesa Nature Reserve has well-sited wooden chalets (R200), equipped with gas fridges and stoves, and is one of the best places to stay on the coast, boasting rare animals such as tree dassies and samango monkeys, as well as red hartebeest, blesbok, blue wildebeest and buffalo. To get to the reserve, turn east off the N2 at Idutywa towards the coast and continue for 73km or so; the road forks right to Kob Inn and left to Dwesa. Hluleka Nature Reserve One of the loveliest of the Wild Coast reserves, Hluleka Nature Reserve consists of coastal forest whose coral trees flower scarlet in July and August, a strip of grassland and outstanding sandy beaches interspersed with rocky outcrops tattooed with extraordinary wind-shaped rock formations. In the grassland strip, you’re likely to see wildebeest, zebra and blesbok. Accommodation is in seven spacious self-catering chalets, on stilts overlooking the sea, sleeping up to four people (R600). You can reach Hluleka along the difficult coastal road from Coffee Bay. Heading towards the N2 from Coffee Bay for a short distance, take the Mdumbi turn on the right, and continue for some 30km, when signs to Hluleka appear. Alternatively – and more easily – take the Hluleka turning 30km along the R61 from Mthatha to Port St Johns , and continue for another 57km to the coast. Mkhambathi Nature Reserve Largest of the Eastern Cape reserves, Mkhambathi consists almost entirely of grassland, flanked by the forested ravines of two rivers, and a ravishing coastline of rocky promontories and deserted beaches. There’s plenty of game: you’re likely to see eland, hartebeest, wildebeest and blesbok, as well as Cape vultures. The highlight, though, is the Mkhambathi River itself, which cuts through the middle of the reserve down a series of striking waterfalls, of which the Horseshoe Falls near the sea are the most spectacular. To get to Mkhambathi, turn towards the coast at the Mkhambathi signpost at Flagstaff on the tarred R61. From Flagstaff, the reserve is 70km away on a dirt road, which is very variable in quality. Although the road to the reserve restcamp is fine, driving anywhere in the park except to the beach requires a high-clearance vehicle. Addo Elephant National Park A Big Five reserve, Addo Elephant National Park is just 73km north of Port Elizabeth, and should be your first choice for an excursion – for just one day or for several. You can also stay at one of the nearby private reserves – especially if you just want to be pampered. On the N2 highway between PE and Grahamstown alone, there are three: Shamwari, Amakhala and Lalibela, while Schotia, 1km off the N10/N2 interchange, has exciting night drives and is the least upmarket. One big attraction of Addo and these private reserves is that, unlike the country’s other major game parks, they benefit from the fact that the Eastern Cape is malaria-free. Addo is currently undergoing an expansion programme that will see it become one of South Africa’s three largest game reserves, and the only one including coastline. Elephants remain the park’s most obvious drawcard, but with the reintroduction in 2003 of a small number of lions, in two prides (big cats last roamed here over a century ago), as well as the presence of the rest of the Big Five – buffalo, hippos and leopards – it has become a game reserve to be reckoned with. Spotted hyenas were also introduced in 2003 as part of a programme to re-establish predators in the local ecosystem. Other species to look out for include cheetah, black rhino, eland, kudu, warthog, ostrich and red hartebeest. East London EAST LONDON, the second-largest city in the Eastern Cape, is the obvious jumping-off point for exploring the Transkei. But without fine, warm weather, the city is dreary. What does happen takes place along the beachfront, where there’s a plethora of places to stay, eat and drink. Nahoon Beach is a great surfing spot, and the town has a dedicated and lively surfing scene. It’s also gradually becoming a place for black holidaymakers – a post-apartheid phenomenon. The beaches to the east of town are very beautiful, with long stretches of sand, high dunes, estuaries and luxuriant vegetation, and good swimming. East London’s drab city centre is dominated by Oxford Street, parallel to Station Street and the train station. Although a major traffic thoroughfare, it is largely deserted at night, when you shouldn’t wander around alone. The newly upgraded Vincent Park Centre on Devereux Avenue is a popular shopping centre with cinemas and restaurants. It is 5km north of the city centre (leave the centre on Oxford St, and turn right into Devereux just beyond the museum), in the midst of the salubrious suburbs of Vincent and Stirling. This is the best place for shopping, or to find anything practical such as banks and the post office. Apart from a couple of handsome buildings, East London’s Victorian heart has progressively been demolished, though the city centre’s principal landmark, the splendid terracotta and lace-white City Hall, opened in 1899, remains. Over the road is a rather lifeless statue of martyred Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko. Away from the holiday strip, East London is dominated by an industrial centre served by Mdantsane, a huge African township 20km from the city towards King William’s Town. Grahamstown Just over 50km inland from Port Alfred, GRAHAMSTOWN projects an image of a cultured, historic town, quintessentially English, Protestant and refined, with reminders of its colonial past in evidence in the well-preserved architecture. Dominated by its cathedral, university and public schools, this is a thoroughly pleasant place to wander through, with well-maintained colonial Georgian and Victorian buildings lining the streets, and pretty suburban gardens. Every July, the town hosts an arts festival, the largest of its kind in Africa, and purportedly the second largest in the world. As elsewhere in South Africa, there are reminders of conquest and dispossession. Climb up Gunfire Hill, where the fortress-like 1820 Settlers Monument celebrates the achievement of South Africa’s English-speaking immigrants, and you’ll be able to see Makanaskop, the hill from which the Xhosa made their last stand against the British invaders. Their descendants live in desperately poor ghettos here, in a town almost devoid of industry. Despite all this, and the constant reminders of poverty, Grahamstown makes a good stopover, and is the perfect base for excursions: a number of historic villages are within easy reach, some game parks are convenient for a day or weekend visit and, best of all, kilometres of coast are just 45 minutes’ drive away. The Grahamstown Festival For ten days every July, Grahamstown bursts to overflowing as the town’s population doubles, with visitors descending for the annual National Arts Festival – usually called the Grahamstown Festival. At this time, seemingly every home is transformed into a B&B and the streets are alive with colourful food stalls. Church halls, parks and sports fields become flea markets and several hundred shows are staged, spanning every conceivable type of performance. This is the largest arts festival in Africa, and even has its own fringe festival. The hub of the event is the 1820 Settlers Monument, which hosts not only big drama, dance and operatic productions in its theatres, but also art exhibitions and free early-evening concerts. While work by African performers and artists is well represented, and is perhaps the more interesting aspect of the festival for tourists, the festival-goers and performers are still predominantly white. The published programme – spanning jazz, classical music, drama, dance, cabaret, opera, visual arts, crafts, films and a book fair – is bulky, but absolutely essential; it’s worth planning your time carefully to avoid walking the potentially cold July streets without seeing much of the festival proper. If you don’t feel like taking in a show, the free art exhibitions at the museums, Monument and other smaller venues are always worth a look. For more information and bookings, contact the Grahamstown Foundation (046 622 3082, www.nafest.co.za ). Port Elizabeth At the western end of Algoa (aka Nelson Mandela) Bay, PORT ELIZABETH, commonly known as PE, is normally visited for Addo Park, and not for its own beauty. The smokestacks along the N2 bear testimony to the fact that the Eastern Cape’s largest centre has thrived on heavy industry and cheap African labour, which accounts for its deep-rooted trade unionism and strong tradition of African nationalism. So it may come as a surprise that this has long been a popular holiday destination for white families – but then the town beachfront, stretching for several kilometres along Humewood Road, has some of the safest and cleanest city beaches in the country. As a city, PE is pretty functional, though it has some terrific accommodation and reasonable restaurants. Although the town has been ravaged by industrialization and thoughtless modernization, one or two buildings do stand out in an otherwise featureless city centre, and a couple of classically pretty rows of Victorian terraces still remain in the suburb of Central, sliding into a revamped street of trendy cafés and restaurants. Holidaymakers head for the beachfront suburbs of Humewood and Summerstrand where there are places to stay plus bars and restaurants. There is little to draw you away from the beachfront, but further afield in New Brighton, you’ll find Port Elizabeth’s most important museum, the Red Location Museum of the People’s Struggle, housed in an award-winning building, and there are also some excellent tours around PE and into the townships. Port St Johns The 90km drive on the R61 to PORT ST JOHNS from Mthatha is one of the best journeys on the Wild Coast. After passing tiny Libode, with its small hotel and restaurant, you start the dramatic descent to the coast, past craggy ravines and epic vistas of forest and rondavel-spotted grassland. The road runs alongside the Mzimvubu River for the last few kilometres, giving you a perfect view of the Gates of St John, before reaching the town square and taxi rank. The big surprise, coming from the sparse hillsides around Mthatha, is how dramatic, hilly, lush and steamy it all is. Initially the town is quite confusing – it meanders into three distinct localities, some kilometres apart. First Beach, where the river meets the sea, is along the main road from the post office and offers good fishing, but is unsafe for swimming. Close to First Beach is the rather run-down town centre, where you’ll find shops and minibus taxis. Second Beach, 5km west along a tarred road off a right turn past the post office, is a fabulous swimming beach with a lagoon; it has a couple of nice places to stay close by. The area along the river around the Pondoland Bridge has some accommodation popular with anglers. Port St Johns is a favoured destination for backpackers, drawn by its stunning location at the mouth of the Mzimvubu River, dominated by Mount Thesiger on the west bank and Mount Sullivan on the east. A further attraction for some visitors is the strong cannabis grown in the area, and the town’s famously laidback atmosphere may tempt you to stay for longer than you intended. Port St Johns also has good fishing and swimming beaches, a wider choice of accommodation than anywhere else on the Wild Coast, and a good tarred road all the way into town. If you are looking for a stop-off along the Wild Coast, Port St Johns is the place to choose, rather than Mthatha. For crafts, check out Pondo People on the east side of the Mzimvubu River across the Pondoland Bridge, easily the best craft shop on the Wild Coast. Qunu and the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre Some 30km from Mthatha, on the East London side, are the scattered dwellings of Qunu, where Mandela grew up. The N2 thunders through it, but his large and rather plain mansion, which you may photograph but not enter, is clearly visible on the roadside. Signs from the N2 direct you to the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Visitors’ Centre, where you can pick up a tour by arrangement, and look around the craft centre. You can visit the remains of Mandela’s primary school, the rock he used to slide down with friends, and the graveyard where his parents, son and daughter are buried. Qunu is a village where the women still wear traditional clothing and young boys herd the family cows, and you’ll get some sense of the background and roots of the great man. Nelson Mandela and the Qunu connection Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in the village of Mveso, close to Qunu, on July 18, 1918. His father was a member of the Xhosa royal house – he was also chief of Mveso, until he crossed swords with the local white magistrate over a minor dispute. After his sacking, the family moved to a small kraal in Qunu, which Mandela remembers as consisting of several hundred poor households. Mandela is often called Madiba – the name of his family’s subclan of the Thembu clan. The name Nelson was given to him by a schoolteacher, and Rolihlahla means colloquially, "troublemaker". Mandela has said that at home he was never allowed to ask any questions, but was expected to learn by observation. Later in life, he was shocked to visit the homes of whites and hear children firing questions at their parents and expecting replies. Shortly after his father died, Mandela was summoned from Qunu to the royal palace at Mqhakeweni, where he sat in on disputes in court and learned more about Xhosa culture. At 16 he was initiated into manhood before enrolling in Clarkebury, a college for the Thembu elite, then Healdtown at Fort Beaufort, and finally the celebrated Fort Hare in Alice, which has educated generations of African leaders. Mandela was expelled from Fort Hare after clashing with the authorities, and returned to Mqhakeweni. In 1941, faced with the prospect of an arranged marriage, he ran away to Johannesburg and there immersed himself in politics. It was only upon his release from prison in 1990 (at the age of 72) that Mandela was able to return to Qunu, visiting first the grave of his mother, who had died in his absence. He noted that the place seemed poorer than he remembered it, and that the children were now singing songs about AK47s and the armed struggle. However, he was relieved to find that none of the old spirit and warmth had left the community, and he arranged for a palace to be built there. This has become the venue for Mandela’s holidays and family reunions and has a floor plan identical to that of the house in Victor Verster prison where Mandela spent the last few years of his captivity. In his autobiography he writes: The Victor Verster house was the first spacious and comfortable home I ever stayed in, and I liked it very much. I was familiar with its dimensions, so at Qunu I would not have to wander at night looking for the kitchen. BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE

WILDLIFE PROJECTS Securing Community Land Tenure in Eastern Congo as a Means to Save the Critically Endangered Grauer’s Gorilla Since the 1990s, Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) have lost 52% of their suitable habitat, mainly in the eastern part of their home range. The population has decreased from an estimated 16,900 individuals to as few as 4,000. This project from the Dian Fossey Fund manages local communities’ land for conservation. It includes providing jobs, food security, livelihood programs, and supporting their children’s education, all while ensuring the health of the forest and protecting the Grauer’s gorillas. Revitalizing Lynx Management for the Western United State’s New Wildfire Reality Fewer than 100 Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) remain in the North Cascades Ecosystem. To sustain a viable population of lynx in the region into the future, up-to-date information is needed to help guide and coordinate land management decisions in ways that support their habitat and ecosystem connectivity over time. This project from RESOLVE will develop and deliver TerrAdapt. This spatial planning tool will revolutionize conservation by automating analysis data for habitat and connectivity modeling. Canada lynx and other at-risk species will benefit as they will be better protected in real-time and in the future. Empowering Indigenous Community-led Manatee Conservation in Quintana Roo, Mexico Manatees help keep water ecosystems thriving by pruning marine vegetation. However, Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus) found throughout the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico are threatened due to unregulated fishing and tourist sightseeing, leading to noise pollution and collisions with motorboats. This project from the International Foundation for Nature and Sustainability (FINS) seeks to build and implement a local participatory monitoring system for Antillean manatees to enhance the involvement of people in conservation efforts in the Mexican Caribbean. Its goal is to see the population of healthy manatee mothers and calves duplicate in the next decade. Protecting Habitat for Four Species of Endangered Pangolin in Uganda Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal on Earth. The white-bellied pangolin (Manis tricuspis), giant ground pangolin (Manis gigantea), black-bellied pangolin (Manis tetradactyla), and Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) are all classified as either endangered or vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This project from The Quick Response Fund for Nature protects 800 acres of pangolin habitat. Located in the Pakwach district of Uganda, it also positively impacts the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the region. A single pangolin consumes up to 70 million insects annually and helps aerate soils as they dig for ants and termites. Revitalizing Wetlands for Endangered Hammerhead Sharks in Costa Rica Due to human actions such as pollution, habitat degradation, and overfishing, the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) population has declined by 45%. Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica’s southern province of Puntarenas is a vital nursery for the species and must be protected. This project from Misión Tiburón aims to empower local women and youth to help revitalize the mangrove forests in Golfo Dulce. By doing so, both the sharks and the surrounding community can thrive together. Rebalancing the Snow Leopard Ecosystem in Eastern Eurasia Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are majestic apex predators that indicate the health and sustainability of Asia’s high mountain ecosystems. However, human-wildlife conflict arises when the big cats prey upon local agropastoralists' valued livestock. This project from the Wildlife Conservation Network will work with locals in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and two regions of Russia to promote peaceful coexistence with snow leopards. Using artificially intelligent camera traps to identify snow leopards and alert herders is one of the many techniques that can help protect the species. Protecting Wild Sumatran Rhinos in West Leuser, Indonesia Sumatran rhinos (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) are classified as critically endangered and are close to extinction, with only approximately 80 individuals remaining. This project from the Wildlife Conservation Network supports conservation work in the Leuser Ecosystem in the hope of increasing the Sumatran rhino population. It will recruit and train more rangers, monitor local biodiversity, plant seedlings, and create educational materials for surrounding communities. Protecting Imperiled Wolves in the Northern Rockies Region Through Compassionate Conservation Wolves (Canis lupus) in the US are scrambling to survive . States like Montana and Idaho have created legislation that paves the way for the near extermination of the packs living in the Northern Rockies. This project from Project Coyote focuses on immediate wolf protection efforts in strategic regions most threatened by proposed trophy hunting and political ill will. As apex predators that play vital ecological roles in promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health, wolves need federal protections and a national recovery plan. Each of these projects directly protects one particular species, but the benefits of doing so expand to all the plants, animals, and communities in their ecosystem. Even the smallest act of support can have an impact that helps the entire planet. Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund WWF’s Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund supports the testing of new ideas that have the potential to reduce the vulnerability of wildlife to changes in climate through on-the-ground projects. Successes and lessons learned from these pilot projects provide useful guidance that move conservation beyond business-as-usual approaches and successful efforts can be replicated or taken to scale to help wildlife endure under conditions of rapid change. Projects piloted through this fund must meet the following criteria: Address climate vulnerability of one or more target species through interventions that directly support those species or help communities adapt to change and therefore reduce pressure on target species. Be implemented in one year or less with plans to monitor results in following years. Focus on on-the-ground implementation of a project rather than research. Protecting Asian Elephants and Improving Sustainable Livelihoods in the Forests of Cambodia In Cambodia, Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) have been part of Khmer culture for millennia, yet fewer than 600 remain. They are endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict. This project led by Wild Earth Allies is working to protect 1.7 million acres of Asian elephant habitat across two of Cambodia’s globally significant forests — Prey Lang and the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in the Cardamom Mountains. In addition, at least five communities will benefit from human-elephant conflict mitigation strategies and improved agricultural practices. Preserving Cheetahs By Elevating Pastoral Women’s Livelihoods in Somaliland The world’s fastest land animal, the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), is losing its race for survival. Today, cheetahs inhabit just 9% of their historical range, and their population is drastically declining because of habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife conflict. This project from the Cheetah Conservation Fund will educate pastoral women in Somaliland on predator management so that humans, their livestock, and cheetahs can coexist peacefully.

Highlights of South Africa Tour Highlights Cape Town - Begin your adventure in South Africa's 'Mother City' with a township tour before departing for the Western Cape Fish River Canyon - Admire this colossal canyon, which scars the Earth for 160km, second only in size to the USA's Grand Canyon Namib-Naukluft National Park - Climb to the top of Dune 45 for tremendous views, discover barren Deadvlei and marvel at Sesriem Canyon Swakopmund - Relax in this coastal German colonial town with free time to sit by the pool, go skydiving, dolphin-watching or surfing Etosha National Park - Search for the wildlife which gathers around the limited watering holes in this barren salt pan Okavango Delta - Paddle traditional mokoro canoes through this biodiverse wetland and enjoy an optional scenic flight Chobe National Park - Cruise the Chobe River in search of hippos, elephants and crocodiles, then game drive in search of lions and leopards Livingstone - End your journey on the Zambian side of cascading Victoria Falls, with an included visit to this natural wonder It’s no secret that South Africa is one of the world’s top Big 5 safari destinations. You could come here only to go on safari and think South Africa was the best country ever. But wait – there’s so much more to this fascinating realm perched at Africa’s southernmost tip. South Africa’s ethnic and cultural diversity influences its cuisine and art in exciting, unexpected ways. Its scenery is stunning, from wave-crashed shorelines and wildflower-carpeted deserts to wildlife-filled bushveld and tropical forests. The country has cosmopolitan cities, charming wine towns and important cultural traditions. Apartheid’s struggles are faced head-on at several important sights. You can hike, surf, kayak, fish, whale watch, horseback ride, dive with sharks and crocodiles and stargaze under some of the planet’s darkest skies. The only problem is how to even begin planning a visit to this immensely blessed, multifaceted land. Start planning your trip with this list of the top things to do in South Africa. Namaqua in the Northern Cape is alive with blooms in July. Ilse Oberholzer/Getty Images 1. Walk among the wildflowers of Namaqua Most of the year, the remote region known as Little Namaqualand is parched, a seemingly sunbaked wasteland in South Africa’s Northern Cape. But for a short period in July, as winter rains begin to fall, the area bursts to life with billions of blooms. Endless carpets of flowers in every hue cover its diverse topography, from deserty plains to fertile valleys to towering mountains. But what truly sets this spectacle apart is the sheer variety of flowers; more than 3500 species grow here, more than half rare or endemic, meaning they live nowhere else on Earth. The most iconic is the Arctotis, commonly called the African daisy. Gazania glows with hot yellow and orange petals, and Carpobrotus, commonly known as pigface, creeps along the ground. The best places to take in the ephemeral flowery show are Richtersveld , with a backdrop of yawning canyons and jagged mountains; Skilpad Wildflower Preserve west of Kamieskroon, part of the bigger Namaqua National Park , a fabulous spot to gaze at the famed Nama daisies; and the 14,973-hectare (37,000-acre) Goegap Nature Reserve outside Springbok, with some 600 indigenous plant species. Planning tip: Accommodations in the park (primarily campsites and chalets) are in high demand during this short blooming season. Either book reservations as soon as they open (usually 11 months in advance), or find places to stay in the nearby towns of Kamieskroon and Garies. 2. Spot the Big 5 and other wildlife in South Africa’s parks As the early morning sun rises over the bushveld, a herd of elephants thunders past, a leopard enjoys a snack up in a tree, and a lion stalks its prey. These are the joys of going on safari in South Africa, where you have an excellent chance of spotting the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant) in national parks and wildlife preserves across the country. Kruger National Park is the prime game park, with 19,485 sq km (7523 sq mi) of bushveld, tropical forests, savannah and mountains teeming with more than 140 mammal species. Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape is the world’s first “Big 7” Conservation Area, home to the traditional Big 5, plus the unique marine additions of the great white shark and southern right whale. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa’s oldest game reserve. It was founded to conserve and repopulate Africa’s rhinos , so this park is hands down the best place in South Africa to see these one-horned, short-legged megafauna. In all, South Africa has 19 national parks and countless private game reserves, each offering an unforgettable wildlife experience where no two days are ever the same. Planning tip: Plan your trip from June to September for optimal wildlife viewing. Animals tend to gather at watering holes during these drier, cooler months. The views from the top of Table Mountain are unmissable. Justin Paget/Getty Images 3. Hike or ride up Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain The flat-topped Table Mountain stands watch over Cape Town , a 1085m (3560ft) natural landmark of sandstone and granite adored for its breathtaking views from the top: glittering Table Bay, historic Robben Island and all of Cape Town’s City Bowl sprawl at your feet. Dozens of trails wind up Table Mountain’s flanks, opening up valleys of fynbos (the local floral kingdom), shady forests and waterfalls. The most popular (and heavily trafficked) is Platteklip Gorge Trail, a 2.8km (1.8 miles) uphill push that is nature’s answer to the StairMaster, offering view after breathtaking view the higher you go. Avoid the crowds with 1.5km (0.9-mile) Kloof Corner, a dramatic and somewhat hair-raising trek that rewards with fabulous views of Lion’s Head, the 12 Apostles and the Cape Town City Bowl. The difficult 2.5km (1.5 miles) India Venster Trail follows the route beneath the aerial cable car, up the mountain’s frontal face. Of course, you can just take the cable car, a quick five-minute ride to the top. Planning tip: Many trails in South Africa limit how many hikers can be on them simultaneously, so book your spot ahead of time and hike with a group for safety (some longer trails actually require that you're not alone). 4. Learn from South Africa’s apartheid past in Johannesburg South Africa has made steps in atoning for its apartheid past through education at various sites. Johannesburg ’s Apartheid Museum is a sobering but enlightening place to start. Exhibits take you through the history of apartheid using videos, documents and photographs. At the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum in Soweto, spoken testimonies, videos and photographs detail the tragic story of a 12-year-old student who became the first victim of police fire in 1976 when students protested the imposition of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in schools. Nearby, Nelson Mandela lived in a humble, four-room house, which today is the Mandela House Museum , showcasing family photos and personal belongings and providing insight into the beloved anti-apartheid leader who, after 27 years in prison, became South Africa’s first democratically elected president. The Cape Winelands make up one of the world's most impressive wine regions. Roopam Dey/EyeEm / Getty Images 5. Taste Pinotage in the Cape Winelands When the Dutch colonized South Africa some 350 years ago, the Dutch East India Company established a provisioning station for its ships. Since these ships needed wine the Company partnered with the French, and soon vineyards draped the valleys in the fertile region now known as the Cape Winelands . Over the years, the art of wine-making has been fine-tuned, including the perfection of Pinotage, South Africa’s signature red wine that’s a rustic cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Today, in independent South Africa, the Cape Winelands reigns as one of the world’s finest wine regions. Within it is a patchwork of vineyards and hundreds of wine estates, farm markets, little museums, gastronomic restaurants and three main wine towns dating from the 17th century: Franschhoek , settled by French Huguenots; Stellenbosch , filled with Cape Dutch architecture; and Paarl, colonized by 23 families from Stellenbosch. Excellent places to sample Pinotage include Delheim, on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain outside Stellenbosch, and Lanzerac , established in 1692 near Stellenbosch with stunning views of mountains, vineyards and oak-shaded gardens. Detour: If you need a break from all the wine tastings, take a drive (or bike ride) outside Paarl on Bainskloof Pass. This scenic mountain pass features almost 30km (19 miles) of unforgettable vistas and a caravan park at its halfway point. 6. Get lost on the Wild Coast Sea breezes, crashing waterfalls, emerald valleys and footprint-free, cliff-fringed beaches define the untrammeled realm of the Wild Coast , a fittingly named 250km-long (155-mile) sweep of coastline fronting the Indian Ocean in the Eastern Cape . This is the place to get away from it all, soaking in the solitude of pristine nature, where you’ll see more cows than people. Be warned: the roads are full of potholes, and gas stations are far and few between, but that’s what keeps the less intrepid away. You can hike, swim, ride horseback, canoe, surf or just catch the rays on your own private beach. The hike to Hole in the Wall along the coast is a three-hour foray across undulating hills and through local villages, ending at the fabled rock arch with its swimming lagoon. The Xhosa River is a canoeing paradise with sparkling clear waters and bright Xhosa huts along its banks. Mirror-smooth Jbay Lagoon draws SUPers, kayakers and canoers. The Xhosa people have lived in this enchanted land for centuries, and you’ll see their turquoise rondavels dotting the lush green hills. This is also the birthplace of anti-apartheid revolutionary leader Nelson Mandela, and several small museums in Mthatha and Quno are open to visitors. Detour: Take a hike on one of Dwesa Nature Reserve 's walking trails through pristine forests, grasslands and coastline. It's a paradise for a wide variety of wildlife – including around 290 bird species. Southern right whales can be spotted on their migration from Antarctica. wildestanimal/Getty Images 7. Go whale watching by land or sea Some 37 species of whales and dolphins frequent South Africa’s shores, so it’s no wonder whale-watching is a popular activity. You can hop on a boat from plenty of places along the country’s three coastlines to view these behemoths in their watery haunts. But here’s a twist: in some places, you don’t even have to step on a boat to see a whale – you can see them up close from the shore. Watch whales from the shore in Lambert’s Bay, Yzerfontein and Plettenberg Bay , but the most celebrated land-based viewing spot is Hermanus , about 100km (62 miles) east of Cape Town. Between June and November, southern right whales stop by on their annual migration from Antarctica, and right off the coast, they splash, breach and lobtail (slap their flippers and tail against the water). The town even has a whale crier who blows a kelp horn when whales approach the shore. 8. Immerse yourself in Zulu history The Zulus reigned between 1816 and 1897 in much of present-day KwaZulu-Natal as one of Africa’s most prominent empires. Despite their fierce fighting abilities, the British defeated them in the 1870s, and their kingdom was integrated into the Union of South Africa. But their culture remains strong – they are South Africa’s largest ethnic group – and the Zulu royal family is still active, reigning (but not ruling) in KwaZulu-Natal. You can experience Zulu culture by visiting the Battlefields Region in the province’s northwest, where the Zulus fought 63 battles against a succession of invading forces. Monuments and museums such as Blood River and Isandlwana commemorate these clashes. You will be sure to find yourself a spot on Durban's lengthy coastline. Diriye Amey/500px 9. Bask in the sun on Durban's Golden Mile With more than 320 sunny days a year, Durban is a much-loved playground of golden-sand beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean’s azure waters. An expanse of sun-soaked paradise dubbed the Golden Mile (although it’s more like four miles) runs from uShaka Beach in the south to Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World in the north and offers beaches and beachy activities for everyone. Beginners can surf from South and Addington beaches, and fishers can drop a line at Bay of Plenty Beach . Other stretches of sand, such as Umhlanga Rocks just slightly north of the Golden Mile, have a lively vacation vibe. If you want to picnic or just hang out with your travel companions, Blue Lagoon is a fabulous choice. A promenade runs along much of the Golden Mile, with Zulu artisans selling their wares and runners, walkers, cyclists and skateboarders catching the rays. 10. Explore the evolution of humanity Deep beneath Gauteng ’s highveld (high plateau), 20th-century researchers discovered two distant relatives of all humankind in the region’s labyrinthine limestone caves: Mrs Ples, the 2.1-million-year-old skull of an Australopithecus Africanus (a precursor to the genus Homo) and Little Foot, a nearly complete, three-million-year-old Australopithecus skeleton. Then, in 2015, a new species of human relative was uncovered, Homo naledi, whose placement in the evolutionary chain is still unknown. You can explore this significant archaeology at the Cradle of Humankind, about an hour northwest of Pretoria. Entertaining, world-class exhibitions provide context at the Maropeng visitor center, and you can go beneath the earth to the excavation site at Sterkfontein Caves . Hark back to travel's golden age with a journey on South Africa's Blue Train. Michael Heffernan/Lonely Planet 11. Ride the Blue Train Sit back and soak in the golden age of travel aboard the Blue Train , a five-star hotel-on-wheels ranked as one of the world’s great rail journeys. Since this train came about during colonial times, when 19th-century British diamond and gold magnates demanded luxury, expect warm birch paneling, plush leather seating and full silver service at gourmet five-course meals. The Blue Train travels between Pretoria and Cape Town, with two nights onboard. While you’ll enjoy the best of service and decor, it’s the scenery outside the windows that will dazzle the most: cactus-dotted desert, rocky mountains, vineyard-dotted hills, lush valleys and a front-row seat for Africa’s famous sunsets. Meals, drinks, Monte Cristo cigars and even a personal butler come with the hefty price. Planning tip: Book your Blue Train ride during the low season (Nov–Aug) for significantly lower fares. 12. Follow the enchanting Garden Route Take a scenic road trip through seaside villages, glittering beaches and misty mountains along the Garden Route , which some call the Garden of Eden. You can drive the 200km (125 miles) straight through, from Mossel Bay to Storms River, but this is one to take your time dipping into. Scuba dive to see Knysna seahorses, surf crashing waves, hike shadowy forests, see elephants in the wild, bungee jump into a plunging gorge, or simply plunk down on an empty beach. Good bases are Plettenberg Bay and Knysna . A minimum of four days is recommended, though you could seriously spend weeks here. Detour: Make a Saturday morning pit stop at Wild Oats Community Farmers Market for fresh produce, baked goods, breakfast and more, just 1.5km (1 mile) east of Sedgefield. The market is a beloved Garden Route stop. Stop at Boulders Beach on your way to Cape Point to see African penguins. iStockphoto/Getty Images 13. Drive from Cape Town to Africa’s southwesternmost point The Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge at historic Cape Point – aka the Cape of Good Hope – about 65km (40 miles) south of Cape Town. It’s thrilling to stand on this wind-blown, jagged landmass jutting into the sea, the southwesternmost point in Africa, observing the roiling waves and indigo waters as far as the eye can see. These treacherous waves have been the bane of seafarers for centuries, causing hundreds of shipwrecks. For spectacular views, jump on the Flying Dutchman Funicular or walk the steps to the 86m (285ft) lighthouse-topped summit. Planning tip: Don’t rush your journey here. A drive from Cape Town reveals along the way dazzling beaches, cliffside vistas, fishing villages, and miles and miles of remote bushveld inhabited by zebras, ostriches and baboons. The African penguin colony at Boulders Beach is one of only two land-based penguin colonies in the world. 14. Sample Cape Town’s culinary heritage Throughout Cape Town’s long history of colonization and immigration, a parade of cultures has taken root, each contributing its unique traditions and customs. The most obvious – and cherished – result is the city’s diverse, innovative cuisine. Many call Cape Town the foodie capital of South Africa. You’ll find dishes influenced by the British, French, Indians, Dutch, Asians, Africans and more. The Cape Malay, for example, is a community influenced by southern African, Asian (especially Indonesian) and Dutch cultures; they’re known for their variety of spice-infused bredies (stews), curries, savory snacks and porrings (a warm pudding). Braai – derived from the Dutch word braden, meaning "to roast" – has become ubiquitous throughout the country. But braai is much more than barbecuing meat: it’s a social event where friends and family gather. Many township tours offer a traditional braai experience. Local chefs are taking note of this rich cultural heritage. Chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ three award-winning Cape Town restaurants – Test Kitchen, Pot Luck Club and Shortmarket Club – are prime examples, with their innovative twists on traditional fare. Planning tip: Making restaurant and hotel reservations will be much easier if you avoid traveling during the peak Christmas and Easter seasons. 15. Go on a sky safari in the Karoo The Karoo’s sparsely populated landscapes are immense by day, and its skies are just as vast by night. In this magical semi-desert realm – encompassing nearly 500,000 sq km (1.9 million sq miles) within Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and the Free State – the stars pierce some of the Earth’s darkest, cleanest skies, seemingly so close you can reach out and touch them. It’s no wonder that the South African Astronomical Observatory , the southern hemisphere’s largest, is found here. You can take a guided tour by day, but the nighttime stargazing safaris are the major draw. Planning tip: The charming, historic town of Prince Albert is a good stargazing base The highlights of South Africa South Africa is a multifaceted travel destination and is peppered with countless tourist highlights. This selection provides an overview of the country's most popular destinations. We will be happy to advise you on putting together your own individual tour. Cape Town and Cape Peninsula Cape Town, the "Mother City" and oldest city in South Africa, is the starting or ending point for most travelers to explore the Rainbow Nation. Cape Town is rightly considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world and offers many historic buildings, first-class restaurants, countless shopping opportunities, great beaches and varied landscapes. The main attraction is the city's landmark: Table Mountain. A cable car or various hiking trails take you up the 1000 meters to the top, from where you can get the best overview of the city with a breathtaking view. The last cable car only descends after sunset, making Table Mountain the perfect place for an unforgettable sundowner. However, the mountain is often closed due to bad weather. Visitors to Cape Town should therefore take the first opportunity they get and not wait until the last day. The tourist heart of the city beats on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Countless stores and restaurants invite you to linger and stroll around. The ferry to Robben Island, the former prison island during the apartheid era, also departs from here. The high-security camp, where Nelson Mandela also spent a long time, is now a museum and former prisoners bring visitors closer to the history of the struggle for freedom and independence. A stroll through the center of Cape Town is also worthwhile. Sights such as the flea market on Green Market Square, the Castle of Good Hope, Cityhall and Company's Garden are within easy walking distance of the Waterfront. Most of the museums are also located around Company's Garden. The colorful Bo-Kaap district is a popular photo motif. Trendy people swear by the trendy De Waterkant district. For sun-seekers, Cape Town offers a variety of beaches. The most famous Atlantic beaches can be found at Clifton, Camps Bay and in the suburbs of Bloubergstrand, Llandudno, Hout Bay and Noordhoek. However, the cold Atlantic current means that not everyone enjoys swimming. The water in the Indian Ocean at False Bay is somewhat warmer. There are beautiful beaches in Gordons Bay, Strand, Muizenberg, St. James, Fishhoek and Simons Town. The latter is also home to Boulders Beach, which has become famous for its penguin colony. Here you can watch the penguins on footbridges built through the dunes and even swim with them in one section. You should also definitely visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve south of Cape Town with Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. As well as being the most south-westerly point in Africa, the Cape Peninsula is home to interesting flora and fauna. Other highlights include Chapmans Peak Drive (one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, connecting Noordhoek and Hout Bay), the old wine region of Constantia, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and the creative Woodstock district with its Saturday Old Biscuit Mill Market and some of the city's best restaurants. You should allow at least three days for the "Mother City", but even in two weeks Cape Town and its surroundings will never be boring. Wine regions The most famous South African wine regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek are only around 50 km from Cape Town. While Paarl is only of interest to wine connoisseurs, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in particular offer plenty of sights for those who are not quite so interested in wine. Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa and has a beautiful historic center in the Cape Dutch architectural style. Thanks to the local university, the town is very lively and offers many boutiques and cafés. Countless wineries are lined up here. The regions have joined together in so-called wine routes. While the producers of fine wines tend to be small and cozy, other wineries offer a wide range of tourist attractions such as restaurants, parks and amusements. If you don't want to stay overnight in the wine regions, you can also experience the area on day trips from Cape Town. There are also more and more up-and-coming wine-growing areas in many other regions of the Western Cape, e.g. in Robertson or near Hermanus. However, all wine regions have one thing in common: they are home to by far the best restaurants in the country, some of which are world-renowned. Walküste and Overberg From June to November, there are good to very good whale watching opportunities along the entire coast of South Africa, even from land. In the area from Hermanus (around 100 km east of Cape Town) to De Hoop National Park, there are particularly large numbers of whales very close to the coast. This is why this section is often referred to as the Whale Coast. Hermanus is a very touristy place and offers countless hotels, guest houses, restaurants, cafés and stores. In the whale season, the town is bursting at the seams. Despite all the hustle and bustle, the whale sightings from the countless cliffs of the steep coast are breathtaking. Nowhere else in South Africa do the impressive marine mammals come so close to the coast. But Hermanus has much more to offer, so a visit outside the whale season makes perfect sense. The Hemel-En-Aarde Valley is the country's most up-and-coming wine region. The Fernkloof Nature Reserve offers beautiful walks through the fynbos vegetation with magnificent sea views. Grotto Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Things are much quieter in the small coastal town of Arniston, which is one of the visual highlights of the area and offers two unique attractions: the traditional fishing village of Kassiesbaai and the Waenhuiskrans Cave. The white sandy beaches are endless and whale watching (seasonal) from the dunes is wonderful. Highlights of the area are the De Hoop and De Mond nature reserves. Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point in Africa with its striking lighthouse, is also nearby. But the hinterland of the Whale Coast, the Overberg district, is also interesting. If you have some time, you should use the local regional roads instead of the N2 between Swellendam and Somerset West. There are endless farms, up-and-coming wineries, cozy little villages, secluded nature reserves, mighty mountain ranges and unique curiosities such as the last hand-operated floating pontoon over the Breede River near Malgas. Little Karoo and Karoo semi-desert Much more exciting than driving along the coast on the N2 is the route via the famous Route 62, the old connecting road between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, which exudes a Wild West atmosphere. The similarity in name to the American Route 66 is therefore not entirely coincidental. The most beautiful part of Route 62 is between Montagu and Oudtshoorn. The route is well developed and actually always empty. You won't get much faster on the busy N2, but Route 62 is significantly more beautiful. Oudtshoorn is the "ostrich capital" of South Africa and the jewel of the Little Karoo semi-desert. There are many ostrich farms here in the dry interior and, more recently, some interesting wineries. The Cango Caves, a huge stalactite cave landscape, are definitely worth a visit. Oudtshoorn itself offers plenty of restaurants and stores. The Karoo National Park is located near Beaufort West. This unique landscape is home to antelopes, mountain zebras, rhinos and around 200 different bird species. Graaff-Reinet is the heart of the Karoo. The fourth oldest town in South Africa is a living museum and architecturally more than interesting. Over 200 buildings are listed as historical monuments. The Valley Of Desolation in the nearby Camdeboo Nature Reserve is also famous for its bizarre rock formations - a paradise for hikers. The Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock is one of the most scenic parks in the region and is home to the rare Cape mountain zebra as well as lions, buffalo and various species of antelope. Garden Route The Garden Route is certainly one of South Africa's best-known attractions. However, nobody knows exactly where it actually starts or ends and who gave it its name. In any case, you will look in vain for flowering gardens or anything similar. Nevertheless, nature has clearly left its mark on this area. Fynbos vegetation alternates with dense pristine forests, river and lake landscapes and beautiful stretches of coastline. The most beautiful part of the Garden Route lies between Wilderness and the Tsitsikamma National Park. Wilderness, with the national park of the same name, does not really live up to its name. Even at the height of summer, it is unusually green here and seldom scorching hot. The beaches are endless and mostly deserted. The national park invites you to go hiking. The flora and fauna are unique. In short: the ideal place to relax and linger. Segdefield is the big unknown on the Garden Route for tourists from overseas. South Africans tend to spend their vacations here. The large Wild Oats Farmers Market is held on Saturday mornings, where many local products from the surrounding farms and galleries are sold. The beaches are unique. The hinterland is characterized by large lake landscapes and dense forests. Knysna, on the other hand, is much busier. The tourist town is inviting with many restaurants, cafes, boutiques and stores. Boat trips to the famous lagoon and the Featherbed Nature Reserve depart from the waterfront, and in the whale season also to the open sea. Knysna is the "Oyster Capital" of South Africa, famous for its excellent oysters. Nearby Buffalo Bay is ideal for a day at the beach. The dense forests of the hinterland are ideal for hiking. Plettenberg Bay is one of the wealthiest places in the country. Many wealthy Johannesburgers have built their vacation villas on the beach here. There are great swimming opportunities at the mouth of the Keurbooms River. The river also offers good leisure activities such as fishing, canoeing and more. The Crags is home to some very interesting animal sanctuaries. In Monkeyland you can walk through the jungle with various free-roaming primates. Birds Of Eden is the largest free-flight aviary in the southern hemisphere. Tenikwa and Jukani are breeding stations for big cats. Tsitsikamma National Park and Addo Elephant Park The Tsitsikamma National Park marks the beginning of the Eastern Cape province. In the western part of the park, Nature's Valley, there are many excellent hiking trails along the secluded beaches and through the pristine forests. To best enjoy the beauty of these surroundings, you should leave the N2 and drive through the valley on the old R102. The Natures Valley is one of the highlights of the region. The eastern part of Tsitsikamma is much more touristy. There are also many hiking trails in the Storms River Restcamp. The Suspension Bridge, a large suspension bridge over the Storms River, is a popular photo motif. Boat trips can be booked on the river into the pristine forests. The Tsitsikamma National Park is the largest contiguous primeval forest in South Africa. It is home to some of the so-called Big Trees, yellowwood trees that are over 800 years old and over 40 meters high. Addo Elephant Park is the westernmost of the state national parks and is home to the "Big Five", i.e. lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. However, the big cats are only found in small numbers. The entire Eastern Cape is malaria-free, which is particularly interesting for families with children. The park now extends to the coast, making it the only "Big Seven" national park in South Africa where you can also spot whales (seasonally) and great white sharks. There are some interesting private game reserves at Addo and further east, some of which are home to the Big Five. The accommodation prices here are expensive to very expensive, but you have a much more exclusive bush experience than in the state-run and rather overcrowded Addo. Some of the private reserves also offer day safaris at quite affordable rates. Sunshine Coast Jeffreys Bay and St. Francis Bay with its many thatched cottages are popular seaside resorts on the Sunshine Coast, which stretches from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to East London. Port Elizabeth is the fifth largest city in South Africa and oscillates between busy industrial city and sunny vacation paradise. It is said to have the most hours of sunshine per year in the whole country. PE, as the locals call their city, has some good shopping opportunities and beautiful city beaches along Algoa Bay. There are also some interesting historical buildings to visit. Grahamstown is a pretty town with many old buildings from the Victorian and Georgian era. Several interesting museums can be visited here. Hogsback in the Amatola Mountains is still an absolute insider tip. The mountain world and the pristine forests are breathtaking. Hiking trails lead to various waterfalls. You feel like you've been transported to Middle-earth, which is why it was long rumored that JRR Tolkien was born here. It is now known that he was born in Bloemfontein, but this does not detract from the beauty of the area. East London marks the end point of the Sunshine Coast, which is well developed for tourism. The harbor town on the Buffalo River has an interesting old town center and some beautiful city beaches. Nearby Cintsa, the gateway to the Wild Coast, offers pure beach life. Wild Coast On the "wild coast" between East London and Durban, you can experience an authentic South Africa. The security situation is much better than you might read in some older travel guides. The people are friendly, the landscape is unique and the secluded beaches are among the most beautiful in the whole of South Africa. This is why the Wild Coast is one of the highlights of the country, even though - or perhaps because - the tourist infrastructure here is still in its infancy. There are only a few and generally very basic accommodations and the coast is usually only accessible via cul-de-sacs. For this reason, the area of the Xhosa tribe, to which Nelson Mandela also belonged, was long reserved for adventurers. Nevertheless, the main traffic arteries of the Wild Coast, the N2 and R61, are now in relatively good condition. However, they wind their way over many hills and through many villages. You should allow considerably more time for this route than for overland journeys in other areas of South Africa. Coffee Bay is one of the most beautiful places on the coast, about 80 km from the N2 and can be reached via a paved road. The bay is well sheltered, so swimming is possible without any problems even in heavy seas (caution: no shark nets). Nearby is the natural stone bridge "Hole In The Wall", an attraction in the region, which you can also hike to from Coffee Bay. By car, there is a 20 km drive on a dirt road, but this can be managed with a normal car. Port St. Johns is the largest town on the coast and can be reached via the tarred R61. The harbor town in a spectacular location on the Mzimvubu River offers unique beaches as well as some restaurants and accommodation. An insider tip is the Mkambati Nature Reserve, which is home to wildebeest, bucks, antelopes and some rare bird species. The beaches of nearby Port Grosvenor are a paradise. Both attractions can only be reached via unpaved roads, which are difficult to drive on in a normal car. Durban and surroundings Durban is the lively metropolis of the province of KwaZulu-Natal and a melting pot of cultures. A particularly large number of South Africans of Indian origin live here alongside Zulus and whites. The city center and the Golden Mile beach promenade have unfortunately left their best days behind them. You should move around with caution, especially in the evening. The uShaka Marine World on South Beach is an entertainment center with an aquarium, water slide park, restaurants and stores. Things are quieter north and south of Durban on the coast. Here, one vacation resort follows another, some of which have grown enormously in recent years. Umhlanga Rocks is a safe and popular place for vacationers. There are many restaurants, a shopping center and accommodation here. The same applies to Ballito and Umdloti. Lesotho The Kingdom of Lesotho, which is completely surrounded by South Africa, is one of the highest countries in the world and is also known as the "Roof of Africa". The parts of the country lie at an altitude of between 1400 and 2000 meters, with some mountain peaks even exceeding 3000 meters. The high plateaus are criss-crossed by river valleys and inselbergs. Lesotho is a sovereign state with its own entry requirements. The infrastructure is quite rudimentary. Only a few roads can be used by normal cars. The tourist offer is also manageable. However, those who embark on the Lesotho adventure will be rewarded with magnificent nature and plenty of unspoiled nature. In the South African winter from June to August, it can sometimes snow heavily. Lesotho therefore has the only ski area in southern Africa with cross-country ski trails, pistes, lifts and ski huts. Drakensberg Mountains The Drakensberg is an impressive mountain range along the eastern border between South Africa and Lesotho. Great nature reserves invite you to go hiking. The highlight of the southern Drakensberg is the Sani Pass, the only southern connection between the two countries. The pass can only be accessed by four-wheel drive vehicles, but there are guided day tours from Himeville and Underberg. The northern Drakensberg Mountains are much more impressive and therefore preferable for a short stay. The Royal Natal National Park with its famous amphitheater is the highlight of this region, but Cathedral Peak and Champagne Castle are also worth a visit and offer many hiking trails. A good starting point for exploring the northern Drakensberg is the small town of Bergville. Zululand The region around the small towns of St. Lucia, Hluhluwe and Mkuze offers countless highlights. Zulu culture, Big Five game reserves, secluded beaches and endless lake landscapes offer a wealth of attractions. There is a slight risk of malaria here in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stretches from the cozy tourist town of St. Lucia to the Mozambican border. On boat trips, you can experience hippos, crocodiles and the unique birdlife at the confluence of salt and fresh water. The beaches are endless and deserted. The Eastern Shore Section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park offers a unique beach and bush experience. This unique evergreen sanctuary stretches from the small town of St. Lucia up to the unique beach of Cape Vidal and is home to hippos, elephants, rhinos, antelopes, leopards and impressive birdlife. The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is the oldest wildlife park in South Africa and perhaps the most beautiful of all. The park is divided into the northern Hluhluwe section and the southern Imfolozi section. Thanks to the subtropical climate, it is always lush and green here, even in the dry season. The population of white and black rhino is particularly noteworthy, but you can also marvel at the rest of the Big Five here. Sodwana Bay is South Africa's diver's paradise and is easy to reach thanks to the paved road. Nevertheless, this sun-drenched gem has so far been spared mass tourism. The beaches here just before the Mozambican border are unique and even in winter it can get really hot here. The other game reserves in the region are also worth a visit, e.g. the Mkuze or Ithala Game Reserve. The Ndumo Pan in the Mkuze Game Reserve is beautiful, a unique swamp and lake landscape with an abundance of birds. However, there is much less big game here. For a shorter stay, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park are preferable. In Zululand, you can also visit some reconstructed traditional Zulu villages, so-called kraals. However, these are mostly nothing more than fairground events. Eswatini The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) borders South Africa and Mozambique and offers an authentic African experience. To continue your journey between Zululand and the Kruger Park, you can also take the N2 south around Eswatini, but crossing the country offers an interesting facet to a trip to South Africa. The kingdom is a sovereign state with its own entry requirements. The center of the small country is the Ezulwini Valley with the two towns of Mbabane and Manzini. The valley offers many hiking and other activities. It is also home to the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to antelopes, zebras, giraffes, crocodiles and hippos. The locals are gifted artisans and souvenirs are usually cheaper here than in South Africa. While the mountainous part in the south-west of the country is considered malaria-free, the north-eastern lowlands bordering Mozambique have a slight risk of malaria. Kruger Park and Panorama Route One of the largest and most famous national parks in South Africa is, of course, Kruger Park. It lies on the borders with Mozambique and Zimbabwe and covers an area roughly the size of the Netherlands. For a short stay, the southern part of the park is preferable due to its abundance of animals. There are paved and unpaved roads for self-drivers. However, everyone should take at least one guided game drive in an open off-road vehicle with a local ranger - a first-class safari experience. The best time of year for safaris is the South African winter between May and October, as this is the dry season. The grass is low, the trees have few leaves and the animals are forced to come to the waterholes to drink. Ideal observation opportunities. During the day it is pleasantly warm at 20°C to 25°C and almost always sunny. During this time, the risk of malaria is low. In the period from November to March it rains more often (mostly at night) and it is very warm to hot. The risk of malaria is higher during this time. The Panorama Route leads through the most beautiful sections of the northern foothills of the Drakensberg and is one of the visual highlights of any visit to South Africa. The area around the Blyde River Canyon offers breathtaking views, countless waterfalls, bizarre rock formations and historic sites such as the former gold mining town of Pilgrim's Rest. Highlights such as God's Window, the Three Rondavels, Long Tom Pass, the Mac Mac Pools and no less than the end of the world (World's End) are very close to each other and can be admired on a round trip. Small towns such as Sabie or Hazyview invite you to linger. In the higher part of the Panorama Route (Highveld), where most of the sights are located, there is no risk of malaria. Other game reserves and national parks in the northeast On the western border of the Kruger Park are the so-called Private Game Reserves. In contrast to the state-run Kruger Park, only overnight guests have access here. You stay in luxurious lodges and experience the beautiful flora and fauna on guided game drives under expert guidance. In good weather, dinner is served in the open air around a campfire. The best known (and most expensive) private reserve in the Kruger Park is Sabi Sand, but there are also some cheaper alternatives of similar quality. Most reserves have the Big Five. The risk of malaria is similar to Kruger Park. Other interesting game reserves and national parks in the north-east can be found in the region around the Waterberge in the province of Limpopo. The best known are the state-owned Marakele National Park and the private reserves Welgevonden and Entabeni. The Pilanesberg National Park on the site of a former volcanic crater is very beautiful and only about an hour and a half's drive from Johannesburg. The Madikwe Game Reserve is located on the border with Botswana. All of these reserves and national parks are home to the Big Five, are malaria-free and therefore ideal for families. Johannesburg, Pretoria and Soweto Johannesburg is the country's business center and is usually the start or end point of a trip to South Africa for tourists. Unfortunately, the security situation in the city center and some suburbs is still not ideal, but there are some bright spots, such as the up-and-coming artists' district of Maboneng. The best way to experience the sights of the "City Of Gold" is on a guided tour. The northern suburbs around Rosebank and Sandton are quite quiet with many restaurants and shopping centers. There are several theme and amusement parks, such as Gold Reef City, a former gold mine with a funfair attached. Pretoria (Tshwane) is the capital of the country and is steeped in history. There are some interesting buildings and monuments to visit here, for example the Union Buildings, Church Square or the Voortrekker Monument. There are also some good museums to visit. A highlight of the city is the Jakaranda blossom in October, when entire streets are transformed into purple flowering avenues. About an hour from Johannesburg or Pretoria are the Sterkfontein Caves, known as the Cradle of Humankind. Fossils of the oldest human species that lived over two million years ago were discovered in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are among the oldest hominin finds in the world. Soweto is the largest township in South Africa with over one million inhabitants. Even though there are now some up-and-coming and more affluent districts here, corrugated iron huts without electricity or running water still predominate. Culturally, Soweto is very much on the up. There are pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, and even some hotels and guesthouses have now opened here. However, tourists should only visit Soweto in the company of locals who know the area or on a guided tour. Then, however, a visit to the township is a real cultural experience. Northern Cape The Northern Cape on the border with Namibia and Botswana is South Africa's largest province in terms of area and part of the vast Kalahari Desert ecosystem. The region's best-known national park is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which was created by merging the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. The protected area, which is twice the size of Kruger Park, is very pristine and should only be explored with a four-wheel drive vehicle. Kgalagadi means "land of thirst". The sparse flora and fauna have adapted to the prevailing conditions. In addition to smaller mammals, it is mainly big cats such as lions, leopards or the rare African wild cats and antelopes such as elands and oryxes that can be observed. The Augrabies Falls National Park, where the Orange River cascades over a width of 135 meters, is more easily accessible. In addition to a number of big cats and antelope species, the park is also home to giraffes and zebras. Another attraction is Moon Rock, a massive and impressive rock formation. With a length of almost 2200 km, the mighty Orange River is the second longest river in southern Africa and transforms parts of the otherwise dry surroundings into a green paradise, so that even wine-growing is possible in Upington, for example. The Namaqualand around the small town of Springbok is transformed into an endless sea of colorful flowers during the Wild Flower Season in the South African spring from August to September. For this travel time, the few accommodations should be booked as early as possible. West Coast About 300 km north of Cape Town lie the Cederberg Mountains, an area that is still relatively undeveloped for tourism. This natural paradise was named after an endemic species of cedar tree, which is now very rare. The small town of Clanwilliam is a good base from which to explore the region. However, there are also some remote luxury lodges in the middle of endless nature. The center is the Cederberg Wilderness Area with an area of over 70,000 hectares, a gem for hikers with a thirst for adventure. In the South African summer it is very hot, in winter snow can fall on the mountains, which are up to 2000m high. Incidentally, the famous rooibos tea, which only grows here, comes from the Cederberg. The almost northern European-looking west coast offers some interesting fishing villages, which have so far only played a role for the locals in terms of tourism. Good food, with lots of seafood of course, is the main attraction here, along with all kinds of water sports. Small and interesting places are Lamberts Bay, Elands Bay and Yzerfontein, while Langebaan and Paternoster are somewhat busier. The latter is the gourmet stronghold of this coastal region; the Wolfgat Restaurant, which seats just 20 people, was named the best restaurant in the world in 2019. One highlight is the easily accessible West Coast National Park, located around an hour and a half's drive northwest of Cape Town, which is one of the largest protected areas on South Africa's coasts with an area of over 30,000 hectares. White sandy beaches, crystal blue sea and lush fynbos vegetation are the visual eye-catcher, enhanced by the wildflower bloom in the months of August to September. In the South African winter months from June to November, whales are drawn to the shallow lagoons. Mammals such as various antelope species and zebras as well as impressive birdlife can also be observed. BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE