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South Africa

A - Z of places…

Pretoria

This quiet centre, known as the Jacaranda City thanks to its abundance of purple blossom-bedecked trees, hosts some notable museums. These include the Transvaal Museum, home to Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at Sterkfontein in the Cradle of Humankind.

Aggeneys

Situated in a semi-desert landscape, the mining town of Aggeneys’ name comes from the Nama language and is said to mean ‘Place of Water’. Established in 1976, the town was founded to house the workers from the Black Mountain Mine – a mine that currently employs over 600 people.

Agriculture & Famine

A quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished and famines can impact whole regions.

Land is available to grow more food locally, but investment is needed in  technologies such as irrigation for land to be used effectively. Farmers must also adapt to climate change if they are to feed the continent's rising population.

Karoo National Park

The Karoo National Park is home to many desert animals including the Black Eagle and many species of tortoise. Endangered species such as the Black Rhino have been successfully resettled here. The area is unique as many fossils have been uncovered, some of which are estimated at almost 300 million years old!

Poverty

Across the rest of the world, absolute poverty has halved over recent decades, but in Africa it has barely fallen.

About two-fifths of the population of sub-Saharan Africa survive week by week on what someone in the UK earns from just one hour's work on the minimum wage.

History

The first humans are thought to have lived in Africa and powerful African empires formed from the medieval age onwards.

However, today's African nations were shaped by the European powers who colonised this vast continent. Having gained their independence, many African countries are still coming to terms with the legacy left by their colonisers.

Morokweng crater

Formed about 145 million years ago by the impact of an asteroid, the Morokweng crater is buried underneath the Kalahari Desert in the Northwest of South Africa, close to Botswana. The crater is at least 160 km in diameter but cannot be seen from above ground – it lies beneath the surface of the ground.

Women

A woman’s status varies by country and region across Africa. In many parts, women struggle against inequality in laws, education, pay and domestic responsibilities.

Women’s health is also at risk from traditional practices such as early marriage. But with better education, girls can make more informed choices, leading to the greater development of African nations.

Foods

Africa has some of the most distinctive cuisines and flavours in the world. Food varies widely, but there are commonalities across regions. Depending on what's grown locally, dishes are also influenced by the traders, immigrants and rulers who settled across the continent. Arab, Asian and European elements blend in with traditional African cooking.

Botswana Map

Explore Botswana

Find out about some of Botswana’s key attractions, such as the Okavango Delta and other places of interest, such as the capital city, Gaborone.

Kruger National Park

Flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger stretches 352 kilometres along the Mozambique border and is home to a huge variety of wildlife. It is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, yet to be officially opened, that links it with game parks in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Find out more about Kruger National Park on Our Africa

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, is situated on the banks of the Eerste River. Known as 'Eikestad' ('Oak City') because of its oak tree lined streets, it features some fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture. Wines from the Stellenbosch region are ranked among the best in the world.

Health

Africa has a high number of communicable diseases, which place a huge burden on healthcare systems. The vast majority of malaria cases and HIV/AIDS-related deaths occur in Africa; these two diseases currently represent the greatest threats.

With low investment in healthcare and a severe shortage of medical staff, many countries struggle to meet the health needs of their people.

Games & Sport

Africa is home to arguably the oldest-recorded games and sports. While some are only known through archaeology, modern-day games and sports such as Mancala/Mankala and Nubian wrestling are very much alive today.

Of course, new sports have come along to claim the attention of Africans. You may have heard of one - it's called football.

Zimbabwe map

Explore Zimbabwe

Find some of the key cities, sites of interest and national parks on this map of Zimbabwe.

Kalahari

The Kalahari

Birds and animals employ various techniques to survive in the harsh conditions of the Kalahari desert.

Mozambique map

Explore Mozambique

Visitors to Mozambique often stay along the country’s coastline, which boasts some of the country’s key attractions. But you’ll see from the map there are also many places of interest inland.

Children

Around one in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa don't live to see their fifth birthday and life can be tough for those who do.

What are the common challenges facing African children and how do their lives compare with those of children in the UK?

Robben Island

People lived on Robben Island many thousands of years ago before the sea channel between the Island and the Cape mainland was covered with water. From the 17th to the 20th centuries, however, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island for 18 years in the late 20th century. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum.

Namibia map

Explore Namibia

Find out more about Namibia’s unique conservation areas and the history behind some of its towns and cities.

Johannesburg

The world’s richest gold fields were discovered in Johannesburg during the 1880s and it remains the wealthiest city in South Africa. The contrast between rich and poor, however, has led to its unenviable reputation as a city with one of the highest crime rates in the world.

Hogsback

Sited high up on the fertile slopes of the Amatole mountains, the village of Hogsback is a popular tourist attraction. Overlooking the rivers and plains of the Tyume Valley, its key attractions include indigenous forests – home to parrots and louries – spectacular waterfalls and exotic gardens.

Development

‘People are the real wealth of a nation.’ This is the belief of the United Nations, whose Millenium Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of millions.

It helps when nations are peaceful, stable and growing economically. But where even the poorest countries focus on health, education and creating fairer societies, more Africans have the chance of a better life.

Soweto

Soweto is the most heavily populated black urban area of the city of Johannesburg, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. In June 1976, the township was the scene of violent riots when schoolchildren took the struggle against apartheid into their own hands.

Find out more about the history and politics of South Africa on Our Africa

Cape Town

The City of Cape Town sits at the foot of the iconic 1086 metre Table Mountain, flanked by Devil's Peak, Lions Head and Signal Hill. Its rich history, stunning white beaches and colourful floral reserves make it a major cultural and creative draw for tourists.

Vaal River

At 1,120 km in length, the Vaal River flows westwards from its source in the Drakensberg Mountains east of Johannesburg into central South Africa. Water drawn from the Vaal helps support 12 million people living in the surrounding area, both industrially and as a source of water for irrigation.

Geography & Wildlife

With its varied geography and diverse habits, the African continent is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Though famous for its 'big game' animals, Africa has huge numbers of fish, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and insect species, as well as many tree, plant and flower species.

Durban

South Africa’s third largest city lies in the middle of a vast sugar-growing area that was originally worked by indentured labourers from India. Durban is the country’s busiest port and one of the major centres of tourism thanks to its warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches.

Climate

Africa is a massive continent, with a range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry, like the Sahara, Kalahari and Namib deserts. Other parts are wet or covered in tropical rainforest. Conditions also vary by altitude, from the dry salt pans of the Danakil Depression (one of the lowest points on earth) to the snowcaps (at certain times) of the highest mountains. Weather-wise, Africa has it all!