Who first lived in South Africa?
The Khoisan were the first inhabitants of southern Africa and one of the earliest distinct groups of Homo sapiens, enduring centuries of gradual dispossession at the hands of every new wave of settlers, including the Bantu, whose descendants make up most of South Africa’s black population today.
Who lived in South Africa before 1652?
Before the arrival of Europeans, the area was inhabited by San and Khoikhoi peoples. In 1652, Jan van Riebeeck established a small colony on the Cape of Good Hope as a refreshment station for the Dutch East India Company.
Who was the first white person in South Africa?
Jan van Riebeeck
The history of White settlement in South Africa started in 1652 with the settlement of the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) under Jan van Riebeeck.
What was the prehistory of South Africa like?
History. The prehistory and history of South Africa span nearly the entire known existence of human beings and their ancestors—some three million years or more—and include the wandering of small bands of hominins through the savanna, the inception of herding and farming as ways of life, and the construction of large urban centres.
What was the first civilisation in South Africa?
As a result, Mapungubwe was the first indigenous civilisation in southern Africa, predating even Great Zimbabwe. The famous gold rhinoceros from Mapungubwe is a national icon and the inspiration for South Africa’s highest civilian award.
What was the history of South Africa before apartheid?
Explore the fascinating and extraordinary history of South Africa, from its earliest inhabitants to the post apartheid era. Characterized by violence, racial differences and diversity, South Africa’s history is inseparably entwined with the history of the African continent. A history of Slavery, colonization and exploitation.
Who was the first person to land in South Africa?
The first Europeans to set foot on South African soil were Bartholomeu Dias, a Portuguese seafarer and his crew who sailed around the southern tip of Africa in 1486. He gave it the name “Cabo de Boa Esperanca”, Portuguese for Cape of Good Hope.