| The Republic of South Africa was once the home | | | | eventually was banned. One of its leaders, Nelson |
| to apartheid. A movement and a man, Nelson | | | | Mandela, was jailed and became a national symbol |
| Mandela, changed that. Here is an overview of the | | | | of the fight against apartheid. |
| country for travelers. | | | | In February of 1990, the ruling white party gave |
| An Overview of South Africa for Travelers | | | | up the ghost on apartheid. The ANC was |
| As recently as 1991, apartheid was the rule of | | | | recognized as a legal political group and Nelson |
| law in South Africa. The term means separate | | | | Mandela was freed after nearly 30 years in prison. |
| and effectively divided the country along racial | | | | He was eventually elected President in 1994. |
| lines in practically every element of society. | | | | The transition from white to black leadership has |
| The Portuguese were the first to land in South | | | | not been without its problems. Crime and |
| Africa in 1488, but didn't claim a colony. The | | | | economic problems crippled the country for years. |
| Dutch East India Company arrived in 1652, with | | | | Johannesburg was a wild, wild west city at night |
| Dutch and Germans moving to the country. | | | | with rape and other crimes being common. The |
| These whites became the Afrikaners and | | | | country has recently seen better times, but it is |
| eventual dominate class of South Africa. In 1779, | | | | still rough going for most people. |
| the British moved in on the proceedings and the | | | | Modern day South Africa covers an area of |
| Afrikaners moved north. Known as the Great | | | | roughly 470,462 square miles. The capital is |
| Trek, this shift put the Afrikaners in conflict with | | | | Johannesburg. The country has diverse geographic |
| Zulu tribes and warriors. The Zulus won most of | | | | elements, but a moderate climate. |
| the conflicts following their legendary leader, | | | | The people of South Africa are known as "South |
| Shaka. In 1828, Shaka was assassinated and | | | | Africans." Totally population is just over 46 million, |
| momentum turned. | | | | with 79 percent black, 9.6 percent white, 8.9 |
| Diamonds were discovered in 1870 and gold in | | | | percent colored and 2.5 percent Asian. The |
| 1886. Europeans immigrated like mad to the area. | | | | primary languages are English and Afrikaans. Life |
| The British eventually took the Afrikaners land, | | | | expectancy is a relatively low 50 years for men |
| but more or less gave it back to them when | | | | and 52 years for women. |
| they were put in charge of the newly created | | | | Following 80 years of apartheid, it is hardly |
| Union of South Africa in 1910. | | | | surprising that South Africa has had its problems. |
| Although native blacks had no power, apartheid | | | | That being said, the country is much more stable |
| didn't officially begin until 1948. In 1912, black | | | | than it was 10 years ago. It is also a beautiful land |
| groups formed the eventual African National | | | | as most guidebooks will show you. |
| Congress. The ANC became a problem and | | | | |