South africa history

In 1994, the country held its first democratic elections, in which Mandela became the first black president of South Africa.

Modern South Africa

After the end of apartheid, South Africa faced many challenges, including economic inequality, high crime rates, and corruption. It cost more than 200 million pounds and Britain lost more than 22 000 men.

In recent years, the government has been making efforts to tackle these challenges and strengthen democracy.

Conclusion

The history of the Republic of South Africa is full of challenges and triumphs. He was one of the key drivers of South Africa’s liberation and one of the founding fathers of the country’s constitutional democracy.

This period also saw increased tension between the British, who sought control over the lucrative diamond fields, and the Boers.

The gold rush

In 1886, the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand triggered another economic boom, transforming Johannesburg into a bustling metropolis. The NDP sets a growth target of at least 5% a year, and emphasises measures to ensure that the benefits of growth are equitably shared.

This victory was significant not only for its sporting achievement but also for its symbolic value in uniting a deeply divided nation. As stated in the NDP, by 2030, South Africa’s rural communities must have better opportunities to participate fully in the economic, social and political life of the country.

Government’s programme of radical economic transformation is about placing the economy on a qualitatively different path that ensures more rapid, sustainable growth, higher investment, increased employment, reduced inequality and deracialisation of the economy.

Apartheid laws segregated public facilities, restricted the movement of non-white populations, and disenfranchised black South Africans. In 2017, South Africa celebrated five years since the launch of the National Development Plan, which outlines the goals to achieve the vision of a prosperous South Africa by tackling the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality by 2030.

South Africa celebrated the Centenary of the late Oliver Reginald Tambo in 2017, under the theme: “Life and Legacy of OR Tambo”.

Meanwhile, Afrikaner nationalism, fuelled by job losses arising from a worldwide recession, was on the march.

The rise of apartheid

In 1948, the pro-Afrikaner National Party (NP) came to power with the ideology of apartheid, an even more rigorous and authoritarian approach than the previous segregationist policies. The first uprising occurred in 1880-1881, and the second in 1899-1902.

The ANC won 53,9% of the total vote, followed by the official opposition DA with 26,9% and the EFF with 8,2%. This event was an important step towards the establishment of a modern state; however, power remained in the hands of the white population.

Apartheid

From 1948, the country officially introduced apartheid, which legalized racial segregation.

The EFF obtained over 10% of the votes in Gauteng, Limpopo and North West, and beat the DA to second place in Limpopo and North West. The Khoikhoi Wars (1659-1660 and 1673-1677) exemplified the resistance of the local populations to the settlers’ encroachments. This caused tensions between Boer and British settlers, ultimately leading to the Boer Wars at the end of the 19th century.

October 2011 saw Statistics South Africa conducting a comprehensive national census. The census, which analysed the country’s demographics, population distribution and access to services, average household size, income, migration, and mortality, was the third national population and housing count in post-apartheid South Africa. 

The exercise saw 156 000 field staff employed to count more than 14,6 million households.

This historic event was the culmination of years of struggle and negotiations, bringing an end to decades of institutionalized racism and ushering in a new era of democracy and equality in the country. South Africa has continued to build on its international profile. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, led by then Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo (now Chief Justice), handed all its report to The Presidency in 2022.

Municipal elections were held on 18 May 2011, electing new councils for all municipalities in the country.