Some of the earliest forefathers of man resided in South Africa as some world renowned archeological excavations have shown. Much later the Khoi and San peoples created rock paintings in Southern Africa (as far back as twenty thousand years ago).

For the first 150 years of its contemporary history, from 1652, the country was a Dutch colony (± today's Western Cape) and then a British colony for another 150 years. In terms of its recent history the country is best known for its emergence from the oppressive system of Apartheid, which was based on white minority rule and institutionalised racism. Two central figures from that era of our history, although by now means the only important ones, are Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk.

For a much longer historical overview go here.