South Africa is a big country; five times the size of Britain, about as large as Holland, Belgium, Italy, France and West Germany put together. It is comprised of a rich territorial diversity. The variety, contrast and sometimes also conflict is vividly evident in the bewildering mixture of race, language, creed, colour and culture. There is also diversity in the nature of the land, in its geological formations and regional climates. A huge part of the South African history can be described as racial divisiveness. Today however it can be seen as a journey through massive obstacles towards the creation of a single nation whose dream of unity and common purpose is now capable of realisation.

• In 1488 the Portuguese Navigator Bartholomeu Diaz reaches the Cape, naming it “Cabo Tormentoso” (Cape of Storms)
• 6 April 1652 Jan Van Riebeeck, representing the Dutch East India Company (VOC), arrives in Table Bay. The VOC establishes a refreshment station at the Cape, naming it Goede Hoope.
• In 1657 the first slaves arrive from India, Asia and from other African countries at the Cape
• In 1814 the Cape Region becomes a British Colony after many years of war with the Dutch
• In 1869 the first diamonds are found near Kimberly. The British claim the diamond fields in 1871
• In 1886 the main gold reef on the Witwatersrand is discovered which gives birth to the city later to be called Johannesburg
• In 1910 the British and the Boer bring the colonies and republics together as the Union of South Africa
• In 1912 the South African National Congress is formed in Bloemfontein. John Langalibalele becomes the first President.
• Nelson Mandela is born in Mvezo, Eastern Cape on 18 July 1918
• In 1948 the National Party wins the general elections in coalition with the Afrikaner Party
• 1961 South Africa withdraws from the Commonwealth and becomes a republic
• In 1964 Nelson Mandela is sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia Trial
• 1967 – Professor Christiaan Barnard performs the world’s first successful heart transplantation at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town
• 1985 – In response to the rising tide of resistance, the international community strengthens its support for the Anti-Apartheid cause. Boycotts and sanctions are instituted by countries across the world and through the United Nations
• 11th February 1990 – Nelson Mandela is released from prison after 27 years
• 1994 – The first multi-racial elections in the history of South Africa are held on 27 April. Nelson Mandela is elected as the country’s first black President
• In 1997 Thabo Mbeki becomes the second President of South Africa
• 2008 – Thabo Mbeki announces his resignation. The ANC chose Kgalema Motlanthe to replace Thabo Mbeki as president
• On 6 May 2009 Jacob Zuma is elected as the country’s fourth black president.