South African History Online

Heritage Day is one of the newly created South African public holidays. It is a day in which all are encouraged to celebrate their cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs, and traditions that make up the nation of South Africa.

Fanakalo is a bridging language of communication in multilingual and multinational settings on South African mines [writers spell this pidgin as either Fanagalo or Fanakalo. Fanakalo is ‘the correct spelling in Zulu or Xhosa orthography’]

Afrikaans, the official language during South Africa’s Apartheid era, often occupies a politicised space as the ‘colonial’ language of the White Afrikaner oppressor.

Though first publicized as a respected medium for the liberation struggle in 1967, poetry and literary expression had been popularized throughout the 1950s and earlier 1960s.

Race and ethnicity have been and still is at the heart of South African history, politics, society and economy since the European colonisation. South Africa remains a complex mix of different races, cultural identities, languages and ethnic bonds.

Within 37 African countries, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has listed 135 World Heritage Sites within the continent. South Africa has eight designated official sites.

A national coat of arms, or State emblem, is the highest visual symbol of the State. Take a minute to consider the important events in your life – birth, marriage, death and school certificates, your passport – they are all endorsed by the Coat of Arms.

Most researchers who study rock art tend to focus on technical aspects, such as the material and techniques used. Their studies have revealed that ochre was used as paint and an albuminous binding media.