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The recorded economic history of South Africa began with the VOC period. The Dutch East India Company (in the Dutch of the day: Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, or VOC) decided to establish a permanent settlement at the Cape in 1652.
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa.Its nine provinces are bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 miles) of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean; [14] [15] [16] to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini ...
The Graaff Electric Lighting Works at the site of the Molteno Dam, becomes the first hydro-electric plant in South Africa, the first power plant in Cape Town, and the second electric power plant in South Africa. Groenkloof Nature Reserve is the first game sanctuary in Africa. The Jubilee Diamond is discovered. Arrest of Leander Starr Jameson
The Bantu migration reached the area now South Africa around the first decade of the 3rd century, over 1800 years ago. [2] Early Bantu kingdoms were established in the 11th century. First European contact dates to 1488, but European colonization began in the 17th century (see History of South Africa (1652–1815)).
In 1910 the Union of South Africa was created by the unification of four areas, by joining the two former independent Boer republics of the South African Republic (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) and the Orange Free State (Oranje Vrystaat)with the British dominated Cape Province and Natal.
Although the Portuguese basked in the nautical achievement of successfully navigating the cape, they showed little interest in colonization.The area's fierce weather and rocky shoreline posed a threat to their ships, and many of their attempts to trade with the local Khoikhoi ended in conflict.
The Union of South Africa was tied closely to the British Empire, and automatically joined with Great Britain and the allies against the German Empire.Both Prime Minister Louis Botha and Defence Minister Jan Smuts were former Second Boer War generals who had fought against the British, but then became active and respected members of the Imperial War Cabinet.
South Africa portal Wikimedia Commons has media related to History of South Africa . Pages in this category should be moved to subcategories where applicable.