South African history – The recorded history of South Africa only goes back from the time of the Explorers Vasco Da Gama and Bartholomew Diaz in the 15th century, and the eventual establishment of a trading station at the Cape of Good Hope when the Dutch East India Company sent Jan Van Riebeeck to build a settlement with the intention of growing vegetables and building a hospital in order to supply the ships travelling to the East and providing medical care to the sailors when needed.
For centuries before that, Southern Africa was inhabited by the San or Bushman and Koekhoe people, until for various reasons immigration began of tribes from eastern and central Africa into the area. Archaeology has shown that humans lived in what is now South Africa more than 100,000 years ago and it is regarded as being the Cradle of Humankind.
After 1652, settlement began with the arrival of Europeans to South Africa. Then began the arrival of Malays, Indians and Chinese. Immigration and ethnic conflict has always been a part of South African History until the establishment of the democratic New South Africa often referred to as the Rainbow Nation.
During the early part of the 19th century many of the Dutch settlers who had grown dissatisfied after British Rule took effect, started moving to the east and the north (The Great Trek). Battles took place with the Zulus and later on the Anglo-Boer War. Also the 19th century saw the discovery of vast amounts of Gold and Diamonds in South Africa resulting in a fast rate of immigration from Europe and Britain with many seeking the riches that were promised.
After the Anglo-Boer War which took place in the late 19th century a long period of peace reigned. In 1910 the Union of South Africa was formed and became part of the British commonwealth of Nations. In 1961 however, South Africa left the Commonwealth and became the Republic of South Africa. The National Party’s policy of Apartheid led to the unification of resistance groups consisting of Black, Indian, Coloured and White activists against this policy. The United Nations called on its members to register their disapproval of these policies by instituting economic sanctions against South Africa. Many activists were arrested, including Mandela, Sisulu and others, sentenced to long terms of imprisonment on Robben Island.
Increasing pressure on South Africa was brought about and in the late 1980’s the government began negotiating with Nelson Mandela who was freed in 1990. After much discussion and negotiation free democratic elections were held in 1994 and Nelson Mandela became President of South Africa.