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History of South Africa comprises of a detailed account of the country's development process, right from the days of the ancient period to its present booming economy. The country has a fascinating history of freedom struggle. The rise of this tribal state from a sleepy, unexplored land to one of the most visited tourist destination in the world is beautifully expressed in the History of South Africa.
The History of South Africa can be divided into different stages of evolution. Travelers interested in knowing the South African history should follow the early civilizations of the country to the present struggle of freedom. South Africa is a complex country offering various movements and conquests.
Given below is a summary of the History of South Africa:
Ancient Man:
The early inhabitants of the country were the proto-hominids like 'Mrs Ples' and 'Little Foot'. They were present some 3 million years. They are considered to the ancient ancestors of the human race.
Hunter Gatherers:
The desert part of the country was the home to the tribes like San Bushmen, Khoi or Hottentots. These hunter-gathering tribes used to move with their livestock.
The Asian Influence:
The country has strong cultural influence with the advent of the Arab settlers who mainly visited this country for trade. The remains show the influence of Arab, Persians and Chinese people.
The Europeans:
Some 300 years ago, the European traders made their entry in South Africa. They settled in various parts of the country. To struggle for food and hunger, there were fight between the Europeans and the local tribes that resulted in displacing and killing of large number of actual people from the country.
Apartheid:
One of the most important phases of the history of the South Africa is during the middle of 1900s. The leaders of South Africa revolted against the practice of Apartheid. This is said to the turning point of the history of the country. The social engineering of South Africa in those times was designed to protect the white minority. The local leaders fought against the racial segregation.
Tribal Legacy:
The past of South Africa also has strong tribal heritage. The present day inhabitants of the country are descendants from the tribes.
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