Covering a huge swathe of land, washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans, South Africa has enormouswealth above and below ground, making it one of the richest natural storehouses on the planet.
In 1869, diamonds (and, later, gold) were discovered, attracting huge numbers of fortune hunters. President Paul Kruger of the Transvaal (now Gauteng) invoked strict franchise requirements. Britain’s attempts at intervention resulted in the Anglo-Boer War; the British victory in 1902 established the Union of South Africa in 1910.
In 1948, the National Party came to power and cemented the policy of apartheid – officially, the separate development of all racial groups but, effectively, the creation of semi-autonomous ‘homelands’ for non-whites and the preservation of white supremacy.
In 1989, FW De Klerk became national party president, removed the ban of anti-apartheid groups, and released the jailed ANC leadership including, after 27 years of imprisonment, its leader, Nelson Mandela.
By 1993, all three main parties (ANC, Inkatha and the National Party) had laid out a blueprint for a new constitutional future for South Africa, the centrepiece of which was the first genuinely inclusive national election in South Africa, held in 1994. Nelson Mandela became the country’s president.
As the attention shifted away from politics, the focus once again landed on South Africa’s magnificent landscape; its desert dunes, savannah, subtropical forests and white-sand coast. Its game viewing equals the best in Africa: where else can you find both penguins and elephants? There are over 1,000 bird species, and the Western Cape alone has one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world.
The country’s fascinating human and cultural history does not just start in apartheid, but stretches back to the aboriginal San (Bushmen) and Khoikhoi, through the black African peoples to the latest arrivals, the Afrikaans and British. Archbishop Desmond Tutu named the newly integrated South Africa ‘the rainbow nation’. It is a fitting name for a country with 11 official languages and people of all colours, race and creed, living in a vividly coloured and sculpted landscape. No wonder its cities are so cosmopolitan.
The South Africans are charming hosts; most speak English, and all have a fascinating story to tell.
Author
Melissa Shales
eneral Information
Area
1,219,192 sq km (470,693 sq miles).
Population
46 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density
36.8 per sq km.
Capital
Pretoria (administrative). Population: 1.98 million (2001). Cape Town (legislative) population:2.89 million (2001). Bloemfontein (judicial) population:119,698 (2001).
Government
Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1910.
Language
The official languages are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.
Religion
Most inhabitants profess Christianity of some form and belong to either Catholic, Anglican and other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Calvinist churches or African independent churches. There are also significant Hindu, Muslim and Jewish communities, and traditional beliefs are still practised widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity.
Time
GMT + 2.
Social Conventions
Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting someone’s home. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Formal social functions often call for a dinner jacket and black tie for men and full-length dresses for women; this will be specified on the invitation. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings and on public transport.
Electricity
220/240 volts AC; 250 volts AC (Pretoria), 50Hz. Three-pin round plugs are in use.
Head of State
President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki since 1999.
(rondavels) in game reserves. ’Time-sharing condominiums’ are developing in popular resorts. Comprehensive accommodation guides are available at all SATOUR offices and from regional tourist offices. Rates should always be confirmed at time of booking. It is forbidden by law to levy service charges, although phone calls may be charged for. All hotels are registered with the South African Tourism Board, which controls standards. Around 800 hotels are members of The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA).
Grading: Hotels are graded 1 to 5 stars according to the range of facilities on offer, plus an optional classification band grading the level of services and hospitality: Burgundy: Acceptable standard of services and hospitality in addition to the required facilities. Silver: Superior services, hospitality, quality and ambience.
Bed and Breakfast
There are very few towns that do not offer this type of accommodation. Advance bookings during the summer season (October to April) are becoming essential, especially in the Western Cape region.
Self Catering
Holiday flats, resorts and health spas are available along main routes, notably the Natal/Cape coasts and in Mpumalanga, limpopo and the Drakenberg. Self-catering accommodation is graded 1 to 5 stars according to the facilities available and the level of services and hospitality.
Camping/Caravanning
There are over 800 camp and caravan sites in the country; camping is not allowed outside of them. Caravan parks are found along all the tourist routes in South Africa. The standard is usually high. Many caravan parks have campsites. A number of companies can arrange camper van hire, with a range of fully-equipped vehicles. Camp and caravan sites are classed as self-catering accommodation (see above).
Rural/Farmstay Accommodation
There is a wide range of guest farms open to tourists offering stays in various ecological regions. Opportunities exist for adventure activities such as horse riding, mountain biking and fishing, as well as agricultural activities like bee-keeping and cattle-ranching. Full details can be obtained from SATOUR (see Contact Addresses).
Youth Hostels
Located all over the country, hostels are cheap, clean and well-run places to stay. Buses often offer door-to-door services between hostels. Rooms are dorms with a shared shower. Self catering facilities are provided.
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