There is no single Culture of South Africa. As South Africa is so ethnically diverse, it is not surprising that there are vast cultural differences as well. Culture of South Africa - Main Cultural differences. Because of the legacy of Apartheid segregation, many cultural differences correspond closely to the racial groups defined by Apartheid (Blacks, Whites, Coloureds, Asians). This may change as assimilation progresses, although currently (2004) many cultural differences between Apartheid-defined racial g ...

Including:

Culture of South Africa - Main Cultural differences
Culture of South Africa - Black people Culture of South Africa - White people Culture of South Africa - Coloured Mixed-Race people Culture of South Africa - Asian people
Culture of South Africa - International cultural boycott Culture of South Africa - Famous South Africans Culture of South Africa - Sport — the national passion
Culture of South Africa - Major sports
Culture of South Africa - Food Culture of South Africa - TV and films

Read more here: » Culture of South Africa: Encyclopedia - Culture of South Africa

See also:

South Africa, South Africa - Languages, South Africa - History, South Africa - Pre-history, South Africa - Dutch settlement, South Africa - British annexation, South Africa - Boer wars, South Africa - Union of South Africa, South Africa - Apartheid era, South Africa - Transfer of power, South Africa - Current issues, South Africa - Government, South Africa - Politics, South Africa - Provinces, South Africa - Geography, South Africa - Flora and fauna, South Africa - Economy, South Africa - Agriculture, South Africa - Demographics, South Africa - Culture, South Africa - Crime, South Africa - Military, South Africa - Media, South Africa - International rankings

Read more here: » South Africa: Encyclopedia II - South Africa - Culture

The braai or barbecue is widely popular, especially with whites, and includes meat, especially boerewors or spicy sausages, and mielies (maize) or Mielie-meal, often as a porridge, or millet, a staple food of black South Africans. Pastries such like koeksusters and desserts like melktert (milk tart) are also universally popular. Vegetarianism is becoming widely accepted. Another favourite among most South Africans is biltong< ...

See also:

Culture of South Africa, Culture of South Africa - Main Cultural differences, Culture of South Africa - Black people, Culture of South Africa - White people, Culture of South Africa - Coloured Mixed-Race people, Culture of South Africa - Asian people, Culture of South Africa - International cultural boycott, Culture of South Africa - Famous South Africans, Culture of South Africa - Sport — the national passion, Culture of South Africa - Major sports, Culture of South Africa - Food, Culture of South Africa - TV and films

Read more here: » Culture of South Africa: Encyclopedia II - Culture of South Africa - Food

Because of the legacy of Apartheid segregation, many cultural differences correspond closely to the racial groups defined by Apartheid (Blacks, Whites, Coloureds, Asians). This may change as assimilation progresses, although currently (2004) many cultural differences between Apartheid-defined racial groups persist. Culture of South Africa - Black people. The country's black majority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants who lead largely impoverished and necessarily simple lives. However black ...

See also:

Culture of South Africa, Culture of South Africa - Main Cultural differences, Culture of South Africa - Black people, Culture of South Africa - White people, Culture of South Africa - Coloured Mixed-Race people, Culture of South Africa - Asian people, Culture of South Africa - International cultural boycott, Culture of South Africa - Famous South Africans, Culture of South Africa - Sport — the national passion, Culture of South Africa - Major sports, Culture of South Africa - Food, Culture of South Africa - TV and films

Read more here: » Culture of South Africa: Encyclopedia II - Culture of South Africa - Main Cultural differences

While it may be argued that there is no "single" culture in South Africa because of its ethnic diversity, South Africans of all races and backgrounds are united by a sincere desire to see to it that the horrors and injustices of Apartheid are never again repeated. Today, the diverse cultural foods are enjoyed by all and especially marketed to tourists who wish to sample the large variety of South African cuisine. In addition to food, music and dance are equally enjoyed and appreciated by all. South African cuisine is heavily meat-base ...

See also:

South Africa, South Africa - Languages, South Africa - History, South Africa - Pre-history, South Africa - Dutch settlement, South Africa - British annexation, South Africa - Boer wars, South Africa - Union of South Africa, South Africa - Apartheid era, South Africa - Transfer of power, South Africa - Current issues, South Africa - Government, South Africa - Politics, South Africa - Provinces, South Africa - Geography, South Africa - Flora and fauna, South Africa - Economy, South Africa - Agriculture, South Africa - Demographics, South Africa - Culture, South Africa - Crime, South Africa - Military, South Africa - Media, South Africa - International rankings

Read more here: » South Africa: Encyclopedia II - South Africa - Culture

It may be argued that there is no "single" culture in South Africa because of its ethnic diversity. Today, the diversity in foods from many cultures are enjoyed by all and especially marketed to tourists who wish to sample the large variety of South African cuisine. In addition to food, music and dance feature prominently. South African cuisine is heavily meat-based and has spawned the distinctively South African social gathering known as a braai. South Africa has also developed into a major wine producer, ...

See also:

South Africa, South Africa - Languages, South Africa - History, South Africa - Government, South Africa - Politics, South Africa - Provinces, South Africa - Geography, South Africa - Flora and fauna, South Africa - Economy, South Africa - Agriculture, South Africa - Demographics, South Africa - Culture, South Africa - Crime, South Africa - Military, South Africa - Media, South Africa - International rankings

Read more here: » South Africa: Encyclopedia II - South Africa - Culture

In the South African and Namibian context, the term Coloured (also known as Bruinmense, Kleurlinge or Bruine Afrikaners) refers to a rather heterogenous group of people of mixed Khoisan and white European descent. Many also have some degree of Malay, Malagasy, Black (Bantu) and South Indian ancestry, especially in the Western Cape. Some racially pure Khoisans with a European-rooted culture and identity are might also identify as and be considered as Coloureds. During the apartheid era, in orde ...

Including:

Coloured - The Coloureds Coloured - Apartheid and beyond Coloured - Southern Africa Coloured - Other usage

Read more here: » Coloured: Encyclopedia - Coloured

Asians in South Africa constitute two per cent of South Africa's population, and most are of Indian origin, although there is also a small Chinese community. The "Cape Malays", who are descended -- at least in part -- from Asians were classified as "Coloured" (mixed race) under apartheid. Asians in South Africa - Indians. Most Asians in South Africa are descended from indentured Indian labourers who were brought by the British from India in the 19th century, mostly to work in what is now the province of Kwa ...

Including:

Asians in South Africa - Indians Asians in South Africa - Chinese

Read more here: » Asians in South Africa: Encyclopedia - Asians in South Africa

Paul Kruger, a notable Afrikaner Western Cape Province: 0.55 million, North West Province: 0.2 million, Free State Province: 0.2 million (2001 est. 1) Afrikaners are South Africans of predominantly Dutch Calvinist, French Huguenot, German Protestant, Frisian, Flemish, and Walloon descent who speak Afrikaans. Afrikaners are also sometimes referred to as Boers (Afrikaans for farmer) as a significant percentage are descended from cultural Boers, but many Afrikaners now view this ...

Including:

Afrikaner - History Afrikaner - Today Afrikaner - Afrikaner versus Boer Afrikaner - Notable historic Afrikaners Afrikaner - Notable contemporary Afrikaners

Read more here: » Afrikaner: Encyclopedia - Afrikaner

The Bantu refer to over 400 different ethnic groups in Africa, from Cameroon to South Africa, united by a common language family, the Bantu languages, and in many cases common customs. Black South Africans were at times officially called "Bantus" by the apartheid regime. Nowadays in South Africa, the term "Bantu" is no longer used to refer to a people. The more common and polite term is "Black" and in fact legislation and documents from the South African government replaced "Bantu" with "Black". In South African contexts, the t ...

Including:

Bantu - History Bantu - Bantu in South Africa
Bantu - History Bantu - Social organization Bantu - Ethnic partitioning Bantu - Culture Bantu - Food acquisition Bantu - House types Bantu - Faith
Bantu - Literature

Read more here: » Bantu: Encyclopedia - Bantu

1 Dutch was the sole official language until 1806, when the British officially replaced Dutch with English. Dutch was reincluded as a second official language in 1882. The Cape Colony was a part of South Africa under British rule during the 19th century. It stretched from the Atlantic Ocean eastwards: the final eastern boundary, after several wars against the Xhosa, stood at the Fish River. In the north, the Orange River, also known as the Gariep River, served for a long time as the boundary, although ...

Including:

Cape Colony - History Cape Colony - Government Cape Colony - Provinces Cape Colony - Geography Cape Colony - Economy Cape Colony - Culture

Read more here: » Cape Colony: Encyclopedia - Cape Colony

Most Asians in South Africa are descended from indentured Indian labourers who were brought by the British from India in the 19th century, mostly to work in what is now the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The first batch came on board the Truro in 1860. The rest are descended from Indian traders who migrated to South Africa at around the same time, many from the Gujarat area. KZN's largest city, Durban, has the largest Asian population in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi ...

See also:

Asians in South Africa, Asians in South Africa - Indians, Asians in South Africa - Chinese

Read more here: » Asians in South Africa: Encyclopedia II - Asians in South Africa - Indians

South Africa - Pre-history. Main article: History of South Africa South Africa contains some of the oldest archaeological sites in Africa. Extensive fossil remains at the Sterkfontein, Kromdraai and Makapansgat caves suggest that various australopithecines existed in South Africa from about three million years ago. These were succeeded by various species of Homo, including Homo habilis, Homo erectus and modern man, Homo sapiens. Bantu iron-using agriculturist ...

See also:

South Africa, South Africa - Languages, South Africa - History, South Africa - Pre-history, South Africa - Dutch settlement, South Africa - British annexation, South Africa - Boer wars, South Africa - Union of South Africa, South Africa - Apartheid era, South Africa - Transfer of power, South Africa - Current issues, South Africa - Government, South Africa - Politics, South Africa - Provinces, South Africa - Geography, South Africa - Flora and fauna, South Africa - Economy, South Africa - Agriculture, South Africa - Demographics, South Africa - Culture, South Africa - Crime, South Africa - Military, South Africa - Media, South Africa - International rankings

Read more here: » South Africa: Encyclopedia II - South Africa - History

The Oxford Dictionary of South African English reveals that the word "Coloured" has been used since the 1840s to refer specifically to South Africans of mixed race, while the term Cape Coloureds came into use around the turn of the 19th/20th centuries. During the 19th century the people of Griqualand, who would now be known as Coloured, were known by the Afrikaans term Baastards. An offshoot of the Cape Coloureds now make up a separate ethnic group in south-central Namibia, known as the Rehoboth Basters, migrated to their current location in pre-German times. They have s ...

See also:

Coloured, Coloured - The Coloureds, Coloured - Apartheid and beyond, Coloured - Southern Africa, Coloured - Other usage

Read more here: » Coloured: Encyclopedia II - Coloured - The Coloureds

South Africa is located at the extreme south of Africa, with a long coastline that stretches more than 2,500 km and across two oceans (the Atlantic and the Indian). South Africa has a great variety of climate zones, from the extreme desert of the Kalahari near Namibia to lush subtropical climate along the border with Mozambique. It quickly rises over a mountainous escarpment towards the interior plateau known as the Highveld. Even thou ...

See also:

South Africa, South Africa - Languages, South Africa - History, South Africa - Pre-history, South Africa - Dutch settlement, South Africa - British annexation, South Africa - Boer wars, South Africa - Union of South Africa, South Africa - Apartheid era, South Africa - Transfer of power, South Africa - Current issues, South Africa - Government, South Africa - Politics, South Africa - Provinces, South Africa - Geography, South Africa - Flora and fauna, South Africa - Economy, South Africa - Agriculture, South Africa - Demographics, South Africa - Culture, South Africa - Crime, South Africa - Military, South Africa - Media, South Africa - International rankings

Read more here: » South Africa: Encyclopedia II - South Africa - Geography

South Africa has a large agricultural sector, and is a net exporter of farming products. There are almost a thousand agricultural cooperatives and agribusinesses throughout the country, and agricultural exports constitute eight per cent of South Africa's total exports for the past five years. The agricultural industry contributes to around 9% of formal employment, relatively low compared to other parts of Africa, as well as providing work for casual labourers and contributing towards arou ...

See also:

South Africa, South Africa - Languages, South Africa - History, South Africa - Pre-history, South Africa - Dutch settlement, South Africa - British annexation, South Africa - Boer wars, South Africa - Union of South Africa, South Africa - Apartheid era, South Africa - Transfer of power, South Africa - Current issues, South Africa - Government, South Africa - Politics, South Africa - Provinces, South Africa - Geography, South Africa - Flora and fauna, South Africa - Economy, South Africa - Agriculture, South Africa - Demographics, South Africa - Culture, South Africa - Crime, South Africa - Military, South Africa - Media, South Africa - International rankings

Read more here: » South Africa: Encyclopedia II - South Africa - Agriculture

Afrikaners are mainly descended from northwestern European settlers and religious refugees who lived in the Cape of Good Hope during the period of administration (1652-1795) by the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC) and the subsequent period of British rule. The original colony at the Cape, which was started as a refreshment station for the VOC, was first settled by the Dutch in 1652. The arrival in 1688 of a small group of French Huguenots who were fleeing religious persecution in France infused new b ...

See also:

Afrikaner, Afrikaner - History, Afrikaner - Today, Afrikaner - Afrikaner versus Boer, Afrikaner - Notable historic Afrikaners, Afrikaner - Notable contemporary Afrikaners

Read more here: » Afrikaner: Encyclopedia II - Afrikaner - History

When apartheid ended in 1994, the South African government had to integrate the formerly independent and semi-independent Bantustans into the political structure of South Africa. To this end, it abolished the four former provinces of South Africa (Cape Province, Natal, Orange Free State, and Transvaal) and replaced them with nine fully integrated provinces. The new provinces are usually much smaller than the former provinces, which theoretically is in order to ...

See also:

South Africa, South Africa - Languages, South Africa - History, South Africa - Pre-history, South Africa - Dutch settlement, South Africa - British annexation, South Africa - Boer wars, South Africa - Union of South Africa, South Africa - Apartheid era, South Africa - Transfer of power, South Africa - Current issues, South Africa - Government, South Africa - Politics, South Africa - Provinces, South Africa - Geography, South Africa - Flora and fauna, South Africa - Economy, South Africa - Agriculture, South Africa - Demographics, South Africa - Culture, South Africa - Crime, South Africa - Military, South Africa - Media, South Africa - International rankings

Read more here: » South Africa: Encyclopedia II - South Africa - Provinces

The Republic of South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tiered system of government and an independent judiciary, operating under a parliamentary system. However, unlike republics with Westminster-style parliamentary systems, the President is both Head of State and Head of Government. The minimum age for voting in South Africa is 18. In the first post-apartheid elections, permanent residents as well as citizens were allowed to vote. In all ...

See also:

South Africa, South Africa - Languages, South Africa - History, South Africa - Pre-history, South Africa - Dutch settlement, South Africa - British annexation, South Africa - Boer wars, South Africa - Union of South Africa, South Africa - Apartheid era, South Africa - Transfer of power, South Africa - Current issues, South Africa - Government, South Africa - Politics, South Africa - Provinces, South Africa - Geography, South Africa - Flora and fauna, South Africa - Economy, South Africa - Agriculture, South Africa - Demographics, South Africa - Culture, South Africa - Crime, South Africa - Military, South Africa - Media, South Africa - International rankings

Read more here: » South Africa: Encyclopedia II - South Africa - Government

South Africa also has a large, free, and active press that regularly challenges the government. Major scandals have erupted when the press reported charges of corruption that were proven to be true in cases such as that of Schabir Shaik, in which deputy president Jacob Zuma was implicated, and the corruption allegations that led to the dismissal of Winnie Mandela from parliament. The government's ...

See also:

South Africa, South Africa - Languages, South Africa - History, South Africa - Pre-history, South Africa - Dutch settlement, South Africa - British annexation, South Africa - Boer wars, South Africa - Union of South Africa, South Africa - Apartheid era, South Africa - Transfer of power, South Africa - Current issues, South Africa - Government, South Africa - Politics, South Africa - Provinces, South Africa - Geography, South Africa - Flora and fauna, South Africa - Economy, South Africa - Agriculture, South Africa - Demographics, South Africa - Culture, South Africa - Crime, South Africa - Military, South Africa - Media, South Africa - International rankings

Read more here: » South Africa: Encyclopedia II - South Africa - Media