South Africa - An Overview
The most Southern tip of this ancient African continent, rich with natural 
beauty and diverse in culture. A rainbow nation just waiting to be explored -
and for us at www.go-cape.co.za its always been the gateway to Africa...our home.
Welcome to friendly South Africa

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"There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose."
Kin Hubbard

We are one country, but we come from a multitude of tribes and nations. South Africa’s population of 37.9 million people is made up of Africans (76.3 per cent), Whites (12.7 per cent), Coloured (8.5 per cent) and Indians (2.5 per cent). 

Population projection: (2000) 43,982,000; (2010) 47,503,000.

Form of government: multiparty republic with two legislative houses (National Council of Provinces [90]; National Assembly [400]).

Head of State: President

State Capitals: 

Pretoria (administrative)
Bloemfontein (judicial center)
Cape Town (legislative center)

Western Cape
Western Cape Administration
State Capital City: Cape Town

Eastern Cape (Transkei)
Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Capital City: Bisho

Northern Cape
Provincial Administration Northern Cape
Capital City: Kimberley

Free State ( Orange Free State )
Free State
Capital City: Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein Online

KwaZulu Natal
KwaZulu Natal

Capital City: Pietermaritzburg

North West
North West
The North West Province of South Africa
Capital City: Mafikeng

Gauteng
Gauteng Provincial Government
The Gauteng Provincial Government website
Capital City: Johannesburg

Northern Province
Northern Province
Capital City: Pietersburg ( Polokwane )

Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga
The Mpumalanga Provincial Government Website
Capital City: Nelspruit

Flag of South Africa

With the decline of apartheid, the new flag was first hoisted on April 27, 1994, and confirmed in 1996. Her colours shout with inspiration.

Textile colours
Green - CKS 42 c Spectrum green
Black - CKS 401 c Blue black
White - CKS 701 c National flag white
Gold - CKS 724 c Gold yellow
Red - CKS 750 c Chilli red
Blue - CKS 762 c National flag blue

Approximate Pantone equivalents
Green - 3415 c
Gold 1235 c
Red 179 c
Blue reflex blue c

Flag symbolism and colours:

The National Flag of the Republic of South Africa was designed by a former South African State Herald, Mr Fred Brownell. It was taken into use on 27 April 1994 and replaces the previous National Flag which flew over South Africa from 31 May 1928 to 26 April 1994. The design and colours of the National Flag are a synopsis of the principal elements of South Africa's flag history, from the earliest days to the present time.

The chili red (red/orange), white and blue date back to the earliest times of the country's flag history; while the green, black and gold first made their appearance in South African national flags during the 19th century. All six colours featured strongly in more recent South African flags. As far as the colours of the National flag are concerned, no universal symbolism should be attached to any of these colours. They should be interpreted freely. 

The unique central design of the flag, which begins as a 'V' at the flag post and joins together in the centre of the flag and extends further as a single horizontal band to the outer edge of the flag. This can be seen as representing the convergence of diverse elements in South African society, which then take the road ahead in unison.

Read more about our national symbols here:  http://www.gov.za/symbols/

Our National Anthem - An English Translation

Lord, bless Africa 
May her spirit rise high up 
Hear thou our prayers 
Lord bless us. 

Lord, bless Africa 
May her spirit rise high up 
Hear thou our prayers 
Lord bless us Your family. 

Chorus 
Descend, O Spirit 
Descend, O Holy Spirit 
Lord bless us Your family. 

Background - A bit of South African History (Our Glorious and not so Glorious moments) :

Many believe that humankind had its earliest origins in Africa. South Africa sure is rich in fossil evidence of the evolutionary history of the human family, going back several million years, but that's another camp fire story... 

Colonial Period

Let's latch on to our history during the 1500s.   

Portuguese seafarers, pioneered the sea route to India in the late 15th century. They regularly visited the South African coast during the early 1500s. Other Europeans followed from the late 16th century onward.

In 1652, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) set up a station in Table Bay (Cape Town) to supply passing ships. Trade with the Khoekhoe(n) for stock soon degenerated into raiding and warfare.  Since 1657, European settlers were allotted farms by the colonial authorities in the arable regions around Cape Town, where wine and wheat became the major produce. In response to the colonists' demand for labour, the VOC imported slaves from East Africa, Madagascar and its possessions in the East Indies.

By the early 1700s, the colonists had begun to spread into the hinterland beyond the nearest mountain ranges. These relatively independent and mobile farmers (trek boere), who lived as pastoralists and hunters. They were largely free from supervision by the Dutch authorities.

As they intruded further upon the land and water sources, and stepped up their demands for livestock and labour, more and more of the indigenous inhabitants were dispossessed and incorporated into the colonial economy as servants.

Diseases such as smallpox, which was introduced by the Europeans in 1713, decimated the Khoisan, contributing to the decline of their cultures. Unions across the colour line took place, and a new multiracial social order evolved, based on the supremacy of European colonists. The slave population steadily increased since more labour was needed.

After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many Dutch settlers (also referred to as Boers) trekked north to establish their own republics. In 1867 diamonds were discovered and in 1886 the discovery of gold spurred wealth and immigration. This also intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants.

The Dutch settlers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902), these battle fields have become historical places of interest and can be visited throughout the north and eastern parts of South Africa. 

Then during the 1800's minerals were discovered, this caused a huge scramble to Africa from Britain and Europe. One of the spin-offs was an extensive rail system for South Africa. But at the same time African tribes were being subjected and incorporated by British and European settlers.

During the Zulu War of 1879 the Zulu State was brought under imperial control by the British. 
In 1877 the South African Republic (Transvaal) fell to the British, but the Boer resistance led to
the withdraw of British in 1881.

Then came another war on South African soil. The Anglo-Boer War  mainly fought between whites in South Africa. The British occupying part of South Africa waged war against the Boer  republics. A prolonged guerilla war followed where Boers denied British forces gain over territory by disrupting supply and rail links. The British were in unfamiliar territory, both as military strategists in guerilla warfare and because they had little knowledge of the geography. The Boers were better horsemen and sharpshooters.

Frustrated, the British responded with a scorched-earth policy. This included farm burnings and looting and the setting-up of concentration camps, in which some 26 000 Boer women and children died from disease. The incarceration of black and coloured people in the path of the War has only recently been acknowledged. 

The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development on the basis of race. Not South Africa's finest hour in history.

Read more about what happened between 1890-1966 here...some interesting reading. http://www.gov.za/yearbook/2002/history.htm , more wars, more suffering during the 2 World Wars and industrial growth.

The Recovery of Southern African States (1966-1988)

Africa must be one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Sadly we as Africans (regardless of colour) have been subject to unconventional wars of warmongers for decades; all trying to claim something that belongs to God in the first place. The struggle for power and the greed of these people to possess Africa's natural resources have led to numerous wars. Ultimately leading to the suffering of millions of children who know little more than living in fear in Africa. In Africa everyone is a victim of war in some form or another.  

"No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear."
Edmund Burke

Three generations of South Africans were involved in some way in trying to bring peace and stability back to this beautiful region of Africa between 1966-1988. Some focused on the internal struggle for liberation from Apartheid, others were involved in trying to hold back the growing military involvement of US agencies and the USSR in what was essentially an internal matter for Africa to resolve. In hind sight the involvement of these super powers on military scale, merely escalated the issues Southern Africa had to resolve. 

The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule. In what I can only describe as a miracle. South Africa has set a new course, together we as a nation are doing our best to find solutions to our future problems peacefully in a atmosphere of forgiveness and grace. 

South Africa is becoming one of the most sought after holiday destinations in the world, we have nine provinces to explore, and each one of them offer a unique experience landscapes differ, there are cultural differences, traditions differ, cuisine differs, climates are unique...and so one can go on.

Read more about our history here: http://www.gov.za/yearbook/2002/history.htm

My Personal Note

I was born in Africa, this is my home, I was not imported here or sent here. Today I am well traveled and even a bit gray. I have crossed continents to explore new places and met people of many tribes and nations just to realize there is no place like Africa to me. In soul I am an African, I am not an African American or something else some foreigners like calling themselves to identify with Africa. I was born here, I grew up here and I will always come home here... 

I have stood barefoot in an African thunderstorm and smelt the raindrops falling onto African soil, I have smelt the sweet aromas of Africa's bushveld. I have shared camp fires in the wild, trailed over our mountains and seen the breathtaking beauty of Africa. I have woken to the crisp ocean air of our spectacular coastal region, I have experienced the power of our ocean surfing our waves. I have soared like an eagle over African skies. I have hunted and even been hunted in the wild. I have had the privilege to criss cross our country and have discovered places of great beauty I have found no comparison to overseas. I have shared in the hardship and the happier times of our people...This is Africa, the place I call home, and a place I hope you too will come to experience.      

We have started our journey again. This time, together as a nation, truly united for the first time I can remember, I pray, this time we get it right. There's a lot of healing to be done and a lot of rebuilding...

In 2004 we celebrate 10 years of a very young democracy...

Safety Issues for tourists in South Africa

In all fairness South Africa is generally a safe country to travel through. If you understand a bit of human sociology it makes sense not to dwell around at the late hours of night in underprivileged areas such as the townships or empty city areas. And please don't try to stand out of the crowd and wear clothes that shout: "I'm a tourist!"  

You probably won't even try that back home, so Africa is not the place to come and experiment. I simply advise travelers to use their savvy. There are evil minded people everywhere in the world my friend, here in Africa, in New York, Berlin, Sydney, Hong Kong you name it. Just use your common sense.  There are some things you do, and some things you don't do in a 3rd world developing country. Visit http://www.saps.gov.za/ for more information. Need more help? send me an e-mail.
 
We share the spirit of the Lion. 

For centuries Africans have been oppressed, but today we stand more vigil than ever without exclusion. Black, European, Coloured and Indian... 

African tribes have always been spiritual people. You can't live in Africa and not know that there has to be a God...you'll find this reality in God's creation everywhere in Africa. 

To my Metromen "Camel Man" friends, perhaps you can. If you are one of those city dwellers that never leave the fringes of the city with your unscratched 4x4.... I guess you don't have any clue what I am going on about anyway. Sorry chaps, but I could not resist the temptation. :) Get out there, a 4x4 was made to run wild...

Our South African anthem is a prayer for God to bless our country. Yes, perhaps for some South Africans it remains misunderstood simply because they don't understand this native language. Just one example of the complex issues my generation faces in SA today. 

I have been privileged to have grown up in a diverse South African family, some of us were liberal thinkers, some conservative but we were all free to make our own choices in life. Regard for respect and the dignity of all mankind came first and foremost, and brother are we a diverse bunch of people... 

Today you won't find many South Africans that don't value peace. I think we're a bit fed up with wars. So it's in God we trust and our collective ability to forgive and move forward. From our experience man will always fall short. Greedy warmongers and politicians have raped our African continent for far too long. 

There are still many in Africa who would rather rape this continent and its people instead of putting hands together to work toward peace and a better future for all. For them to subject their fellow man to fear is all they know, as sad as that sounds.

South Africa has a new spirit of entrepreneurship, in contrast to some 1st world countries our economy is growing, this is our time, there's been far too much war on our soil for centuries.  

Despite my country's history of conflict, her natural beauty shines as beautiful as ever, perhaps it is this very beauty that has caused so many men to try and claim what actually never belonged to them in the first instance, but to her alone. 

Here are some words from two people that have been a great inspiration to me over many, many years. One is singer and songwriter, Chris De Burgh the other is 17th century political critic Edmund Burke.

A song written specifically for South Africa, my home...

There is a place I love in Africa,
That they call the rainbow land,
It is a place to grow and live as one,
In a brotherhood of man,

There is light that comes from Africa,
And its shining round the world,
Let all the colours speak of pride and joy,
In a voice that must be heard

There is a heart I hear in Africa,
And it's beating like a drum,
Let everyone get up and to the stars,
We will go marching on...

By Chris De Burgh

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
By Edmund Burke

Welcome to my country, a country of natural beauty...a country of diversity in cultures, climate and geography. Take time to explore her wonders, lose yourself in her beauty. Absorb and share in the free spirit of South Africa. We invite you to come and visit...once you've been here, you'll come back again...take my word for it.

Werner Hendrikz
Webmaster
www.go-cape.co.za