The History of Change in South Africa

THE HISTORY OF CHANGE IN 

SOUTH AFRICA -

IT’S A GOOD THING

        South Africa is so full of history and is continuing to make headline type history today. It is amazing how much the country has changed over the years and how far it has come after certain trialing points of history. South Africa has been pushing forward with their society and still has a long way to go in learning how to do life a little better and more civilized. But that seems to be the case with many countries. When historically analyzing a few highlights of the various parts that makes up South Africa: geography, religion, natural resources and trade, and the change that has taken place among the borders, politics, and national identity, it can be determined that the nation has experienced a lot of change, has learned from the change, and is growing from the change. The next several paragraphs will identify each of the parts previously listed of South Africa to show how it has created history, has produced change, or has helped the nation to be more successful.

            When discovering the geography of South Africa, one will notice that the location of the nation is helpful when it comes to trade which will be discussed further later in this paper. South Africa is located at the southernmost part of the continent of Africa. It is approximately “1/8 the size of the U.S.” (N.a, under “SouthAfrica.info”). The diversity of the land is helpful for farming and practicing trades but also for enjoying both mountain and Mediterranean type climates.

            While analyzing the religion of South Africa, one can see a vast amount of change through the years among the nation and its people. Christianity was first brought to South Africa by Western missionaries, even before South Africa had gained its independence. Once independence was gained, it was thought that Christianity would die in the 1960’s. Instead of Christianity dying, it began to prosper even more, making the Sub-Saharan region hold more Christians than what could be found in most of Europe (Elphick 2013, 760-62).

            One indigenous religion in South Africa is that of the San People. They believe they can pray through a healer and that God is powerful. They partake in trance dances as the Spirit from the San goes into the shamans so that they can heal people (N.a, under “Different Religions of South Africa”).

            Other religions found in South Africa are: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. These religions made their way into the country by missionaries and travelers over the course of history. Currently, Christianity has been growing into a larger population of people in the South African region rather than Islam (N.a., under “Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa”).

            The natural resources and trade of South Africa have been very beneficial to the nation’s economy throughout the years. Natural resources are, “material in its native state that, when extracted, has economic value” (N.a., under “BioBriefs: What’s the Definition of Natural Resource?”). South Africa is home to a lot of livestock, metal, minerals, farming, and much more. The two natural resources most commonly found in South Africa are diamonds and gold (N.a., under “Africa: Resources”). The natural resources were used to create a variety of things: ornamental plants, food, handcrafts for decorating, bait for fishing, fuel, materials for weaving, ritual usage, medicine, grazing for cattle, timber, and so much more (van Wilgen, under “An Inventory of Natural Resources Harvested from National Parks in South Africa”).

            The natural resources helped promote trade in South Africa. Oil and natural gas are traded throughout Africa (N.a., under “Africa: Resources”). Diamonds and gold are largely traded from South Africa. All of these resources are very expensive and valuable among every nation’s society which leads to a profitable trade. With South Africa’s location on the water, they have an easy access for trade. The nation is connected to the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean which makes for easy trade to occur among many nations.

            The borders, politics, and national identity of South Africa have changed so much throughout the years, especially when concerning the South African Apartheid. The meaning of the word “apartheid” is: “racial segregation; specifically: a former policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in the Republic of South Africa” (N.a., under “Apartheid” Merriam-Webster).

            The Apartheid produced large political boundaries from the separation of whites from blacks socially and physically. The Britannica Encyclopedia gives a clear picture of the boundaries among the whites and the blacks during the Apartheid:

The Group Areas Act of 1950 established residential and business sections in urban areas for each race, and members of other races were barred from living, operating businesses, or owning land in them. In practice this act and two others (1954, 1955), which became known collectively as the Land Acts, completed a process that had begun with similar Land Acts adopted in 1913 and 1936; the end result was to set aside more than 80 percent of South Africa’s land for the white minority. (N.a., under “Apartheid” Britannica Encyclopedia)

This statement shows the defined political and national boundaries for all of South Africa. Thankfully, things began to slowly change after the Apartheid was over. The process is long, but the nation is trying the make things like they were before the Apartheid, concerning political, social, and physical boundaries. There is still tension among the whites and blacks at times and when visitors come, they are sometimes looked down upon by some of the natives, depending on their color (Dombroski 2006, 43-57). The majority of the nation is striving for continued change and peace.

 

           After historically analyzing these highlighted features of South Africa, one can notice the vast change, history, or successes of South Africa. It took a lot of time, hard work, and commitment in each area for these three results to occur in the analyzation of South Africa. There is still more yet to be done for continued change and success to occur, but that is what makes for a great, headline history of a beautiful nation.

 Bibliography

“Africa: Resources.” National Geographic. Accessed June 5, 2015. http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/africa-resources/?ar_a=1.

“Apartheid,” Britannica Encyclopedia, accessed June 26, 2015, http://academic.eb.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/EBchecked/topic/29332/apartheid.

“Apartheid,” Merriam-Webster, accessed June 26, 2015, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apartheid.

“BioBriefs: What's the Definition of Natural Resource?” Bioscience 45, no. 3 (03, 1995): 231, http://search.proquest.com/docview/216453912?accountid=12085.

“Different Religions of South Africa.” Different Religions of South Africa. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://prep.bishops.org.za/academics/classpages/gr4/social science/DIFFERENT RELGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA.htm.

Dombroski, Kenneth R., “South Africa After Apartheid,” Journal of Democracy, 17, no. 3 (2006): 43-57, accessed June 26, 2015, http://muse.jhu.edu.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/journals/journal_of_democracy/v017/17.3dombroski.html.

Elphick, Richard. 2013. "Making African Christianity: Africans reimagining their faith in colonial South Africa." Church History 82, no. 3: 760-762. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed May 29, 2015).

“SouthAfrica.info.” South Africa’s Geography. June 28, 2012. Accessed July 3, 2015. http://www.southafrica.info/about/geography/geography.htm#.VLmv-CvF8rU.

"Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. April 14, 2010. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://www.pewforum.org/2010/04/15/executive-summary-islam-and-christianity-in-sub-saharan-africa/.

van Wilgen, Nicola,J., Mbulelo Dopolo, Alexis Symonds, Wessel Vermeulen, Elzette Bester, Kyle Smith, and Melodie A. McGeoch. “An Inventory of Natural Resources Harvested from National Parks in South Africa.” Koedoe 55, no. 1 (2013): 1-5, http://search.proquest.com/docview/1370173439?accountid=12085.

Picture Sources

Image #1: "Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary,"Jukani, accessed July 3, 2015. http://www.jukani.co.za/userfiles/article/grp10/logo1765693.jpg.

Image #2: "About South Africa," African Presidential Roundtable, accessed July 3, 2015. http://www.bu.edu/aparcrt/about/about-south-africa/. 

            Image #3: Jayden, “South Africa,” PB Works, accessed June 19,                        2015. http://year52012.pbworks.com/f/1352363261/South%20African%20Religion.jpg.

Image #4: "Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. April 14, 2010. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://www.pewforum.org/2010/04/15/executive-summary-islam-and-christianity-in-sub-saharan-africa/. 

Image #5: “South Africa Top 5 Export Products.” Accessed June 5, 2015. https://afrolibertarian.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/screen-shot-2014-09-01-at-8-48-57-pm.png.

            Image #6: "Apartheid Laws - South African," accessed June 26, 2015.    http://southafricanapartheid14.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/0/8/31082565/3977893_orig.jpg

            Image #7: "Share Your Life With An AFS Exchange Student." AFS-USA Hosting. Accessed May    29, 2015. http://www.afsusa.org/host-family/our-students/countries/south-africa/.

Change in South Africa - The Apartheid

Change in South Africa - 

The Apartheid

There have been many changes through the years in South Africa. The biggest and probably the most impactful change that occurred was during and after the Apartheid. 

To start, the word apartheid means, “racial segregation; specifically: a former policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in the Republic of South Africa.” [1] 

The apartheid created significant political boundaries because it was separating whites from blacks socially and physically. The Britannica Encyclopedia clearly states the acts based on boundaries:

The Group Areas Act of 1950 established residential and business sections in urban areas for each race, and members of other races were barred from living, operating businesses, or owning land in them. In practice this act and two others (1954, 1955), which became known collectively as the Land Acts, completed a process that had begun with similar Land Acts adopted in 1913 and 1936; the end result was to set aside more than 80 percent of South Africa’s land for the white minority. [2]

This clearly created both political and national boundaries for all of South Africa. But things changed after the Apartheid.

After the Apartheid, racial tensions were still high among many of the people groups. The changes of the political and national boundaries have conformed to existing cultural boundaries by trying to make the boundaries back into what they were before the apartheid and before racial tensions and segregation really sparked. The changes affected national and cultural identity because after the Apartheid, the nation and its culture was known for the Apartheid segregation and its racial tension but also known to have some forgiveness and to move on into another generation of more acceptance of any race.

These changes have impacted the stability of South Africa in many ways. Many still fear each other because of racial tensions, but it also has affected the stability of the country’s safety. My friend who visited South Africa for six weeks said that it is known that in some areas the police will not even come to the scene of crime because they could easily get killed. The impact of the Apartheid in day-to-day life is seen in this security issue with police not always being there for the safety of the people. Another day-to-day impact is the occasional racial tension found between blacks and whites. [3]

End Notes

1.     “Apartheid,” Merriam-Webster, accessed June 26, 2015, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apartheid.

2.     “Apartheid,” Britannica Encyclopedia, accessed June 26, 2015, http://academic.eb.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/EBchecked/topic/29332/apartheid.

3.     Dombroski, Kenneth R., “South Africa After Apartheid,” Journal of Democracy, 17, no. 3 (2006): 43-57, accessed June 26, 2015, http://muse.jhu.edu.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/journals/journal_of_democracy/v017/17.3dombroski.html.

      Image #1: "Apartheid Laws - South African," accessed June 26, 2015, http://southafricanapartheid14.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/0/8/31082565/3977893_orig.jpg

      Image #2: "Coloured - Wikipedia," Wikipedia, accessed June 26, 2015, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/South_Africa_racial_map,_1979.gif.

Missionaries in South Africa

Missionaries in South Africa

Missionaries in South Africa started making more acknowledgeable appearances in the area during the nineteenth century. [1] Christian missionaries were creating schools in Natal for the Indian children who lived in the area. [2] They continued progressing and creating more schools in other cities as well. [3] When the Hindus and Muslims starting moving into these areas, they saw competition. [4] Among the Christian missionaries were protestants, Calvinists, and Roman Catholics. [5]

It did not take long for the Muslims and Hindus to overcome their competition of the Christians. [6] The neo-Hindu groups such as the Arya Samaj started traveling to spread their religion, making it difficult for the Christians to continue seeking lost souls in the areas of South Africa. [7] A few years after the Arya Samaj began spreading, another Hindu group called Maha Sabha who had a larger scale of identities in religious matters emerged and began spreading through South Africa. [8]

Just as the Christians and Hindus were spreading their religions throughout South Africa, so were the Muslims. The Sufi Sahib was the group of Muslims under Ghumlam Muhammad. [9] This man, along with his followers, was able to convert the Indian migrants of Natal and the area surrounding to fall under the Muslim religion and language. [10]

Each of the religions has progressed over time. They continue spreading and adding more people to their religious groups. Schools are still continuing to be created or maintained by the religious groups.

Each of these religious groups had and is continuing to have a significant impact on South Africa. Instead of just remaining as a mainly Christian area, other religious groups came in, giving the people “more options” to choose from. The Christian missionaries have helped translate Bibles into the South African language(s), as well as teaching them how to read. [11]

When looking at the people of South Africa, they may all look, act, and seem the same, but they are very diverse in religious affiliations.

QUICK FACT: “Islam is the religion of 1.5% of South Africans, Hinduism that of 1.2%, African traditional belief 0.3%, Judaism 0.2% and other beliefs 0.6%. In terms of population groups, Christianity is most common among white and coloured South Africans, being the faith of 86.8% of the people in both groups.” [12]

End Notes

1.    Green, Nile, “Islam for the Indentured Indian: A Muslim Missionary in Colonial South Africa,” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 71, no. 3 (2008): 530, accessed June 19, 2015, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40378804.

2.    Ibid.

3.    Ibid.

4.    Ibid.

5.    Daniel, Philip T. K., “Review: Early American Merchants and Missionaries in South Africa,” The United States Experience in South Africa: 1784-1870, 25, no. 2 (April 1978): 92-93, accessed June 19, 2015, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4185780.

6.    Green, Nile, “Islam for the Indentured Indian: A Muslim Missionary in Colonial South Africa,” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 71, no. 3 (2008): 530, accessed June 19, 2015, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40378804.

7.    Ibid.

8.    Green, Nile, “Islam for the Indentured Indian: A Muslim Missionary in Colonial South Africa,” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 71, no. 3 (2008): 531, accessed June 19, 2015, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40378804.

9.    Ibid

10.  Ibid.

11.  Gilmour, Rachael, “Missionaries, Colonialism and Language in Nineteenth-Century South Africa,” History Compass, 5, no. 6 (September 2007): 1, accessed June 19, 2015, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/doi/10.1111/j.1478-0542.2007.00472.x/abstract.

12.  “South Africa: fast facts,” Media Club South Africa, accessed June 19, 2015 http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/landstatic/82-fast-facts.

Image #1: Jayden, “South Africa,” PB Works, accessed June 19, 2015 http://year52012.pbworks.com/f/1352363261/South%20African%20Religion.jpg.

First Contacts - Europe and Asia

South Africa's First Contacts with Europe and Asia

South Africa has been full of immigration for years. The instigation for the Europeans meeting South Africa was while discovering a trade route to India. [1] In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias of Portugal was the first European to explore the coast of South Africa. [2] From the years 1780-1795, Colonel Robert Jacob Gordon was the first European to explore the land of South Africa. [3] Gordon wrote journals about his expeditions, creating a great primary resource. [4]

The Europeans expanded their territory by taking over what they called “Cape Colony” (see map above) where they lived along with several thousand slaves. [5] They were saving it from being taken by the French. [6] Ultimately, they wanted the location because of the beneficial port it offered for trade. [7]

The discovery of natural resources such as gold and diamonds led to trade and exploration in South Africa among many nations besides European and Asian ones. [8]

As mentioned in a previous blog, the Europeans brought the Christian religion to South Africa. It is not clearly stated anywhere as to if the Asians brought any type of religion to South Africa.

Asia does not have as large of a history in South Africa as the Europeans obtain. The Asian community meeting South Africa was instigated by political reasons in more recent years. [9] China has the second largest economy and saw South Africa as a great place to help since it is a part of the poorest continent. [10] China supported South Africa as they joined BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) which is an international organization that helps growing market and business places. [11]

Overall, the development for the sides of all three (South Africa, Europe, and Asia) turned out to be successful. It produced trade, stability, and growth. It brought political establishments and expansions. There were hardships throughout the years and arguments held but overall, the contact between the different nations helped strengthen each other in many ways.

Bibliography

[1] "History of South Africa." Wikipedia. Accessed June 11, 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_South_Africa#European_exploration.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] "History of South Africa." Wikipedia. Accessed June 11, 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_South_Africa#European_exploration.

[9] Park, Yoon. "Living In Between: The Chinese in South Africa." Migrationpolicy.org. January 4, 2012. Accessed June 12, 2015. http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/living-between-chinese-south-africa.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

Image #1: South Africa in the 19^th Century. Accessed June 12, 2015. http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his312/maps/safr1870.jpg. 

South Africa's Natural Resources

South Africa's Natural Resources

What is a natural resource?

One source says it is, “material in its native state that, when extracted, has economic value.” [1]

South Africa has many natural resources when considering the definition given above. The natural resources South Africa produces are influential in everyday life.

South Africa holds a lot of metal, livestock, minerals, farming, and much more that produce the natural resources. Two of the most commonly found national natural resources are diamonds and gold. [2] They were discovered all throughout history and are what contributed to many people settling down and creating towns. The mining business and trade brought people into different areas so they could "get rich quick. Overall, Africa leads in the world’s diamond market industry. [3] Because of the numerous amounts of diamonds and the profit they produce for the countries in Africa, there have been many civil wars. [4] They have named the diamonds that cause the strife “blood diamonds”. [5] The countries that do not fall under the KPCS (Kimberley Process Certification Scheme) are not allowed to trade among other countries. [6] This certification was created by the United Nations in 2008. [7] This act was seemingly created to help prevent civil wars from occurring.

Kimberley 'Big Hole' Mine

One of the largest gold mines in the world is located right outside of Johannesburg. [8] It is called The Driefontein Gold Mine and can be a very dangerous place to work. [9] This is so because the mining shafts are very large and deep, creating a very difficult and dangerous working area for miners. [10]

Oil and natural gas are both found all throughout Africa and used among trading with other countries. [11] The oil and natural gas are what promote the majority of trade among all of Africa. [12] These resources are what subsidize to buildings and the city-like living of Africa. [13]

The natural resources have been used to create many things throughout the years. Their overall use has increased among the African citizens as well as around the world over time, especially among oil. The value has shown an increase over time, for there seems to be a higher demand for the resources because of what they are used to create other useful materials. All of the products increase in value over time as they are being made into better qualities after more research or practice is used into making better objects. Some of the resources are used to create: fuel, food, grazing for cattle, bait for fishing, ornamental plants, handcrafting objects for decoration, timber, medicine, weaving materials, ritual usage, and much more. [14]

Bibliography 

[1] "BioBriefs: What's the Definition of Natural Resource?" Bioscience 45, no. 3 (03, 1995): 231, http://search.proquest.com/docview/216453912?accountid=12085.

[2] “Africa: Resources.” National Geographic. Accessed June 5, 2015. http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/africa-resources/?ar_a=1.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.

[14] van Wilgen, Nicola,J., Mbulelo Dopolo, Alexis Symonds, Wessel Vermeulen, Elzette Bester, Kyle Smith, and Melodie A. McGeoch. "An Inventory of Natural Resources Harvested from National Parks in South Africa." Koedoe 55, no. 1 (2013): 1-5, http://search.proquest.com/docview/1370173439?accountid=12085.

Image #1: “South Africa Top 5 Export Products.” Accessed June 5, 2015. https://afrolibertarian.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/screen-shot-2014-09-01-at-8-48-57-pm.png.

Image #2: "Kimberley 'Big Hole' Mine". Accessed June 5, 2015. http://www.allaboutgemstones.com/images/diamond_mining_so_africa_kimberley.jpg

The Religion and Origins of South Africa

The Religion and Origins of South Africa

South African religion and origins is such a fascinating topic. The history of the people and their beliefs attains to much of their everyday life. Christianity was introduced to the Africans by Western missionaries who clearly taught the foreign information even before the Africans received independence. [1] Christianity was expected to die out during the 1960's, after much of Africa gained its independence. [2] This was exactly opposite of what happened after the independence was acquired. [3] The people turned to Christianity by the number. [4] Sub-Saharan Africa holds more Christians than the majority of Europe. [5]

One indigenous religion is of the Religion of the San People. [6] They believe in a powerful God of whom they pray to but they also believe they can pray through a healer. [7] The trance dance is one of the most important rituals within their religion. [8] During the trance dances, the women sit in a circle while the men dance. [9] As the spirit enters the shamans from the San during this time, they believe they can heal people. [10]

The traditional indigenous religion of South Africa is simply stated in four practices. First, the people exercise Ubuntu which is basically being a kind and good citizen. [11] Secondly, the people believe in the concept of ancestor worship. [12] Thirdly, they sacrifice animals to honor ancestors or during special events. [13] Lastly, they focus on the significant aspects of each person’s life such as marriage, starting a family/birth, initiation, and death. [14]

Picture: Christianity in South Africa

Some of the other religions present in South Africa are: Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. [15] These religions were imported, brought into the country, by travelers or foreign settlers. [16] The two most common the world seems to want to know about are Islam and Christianity.

Islam came to South Africa by taking in people from Indonesia as slaves. [17] These people brought their religion over with them and it spread in the South African religious community. [18] As time passed the number of followers kept growing and Islamic schools began forming. [19] As Islam schools formed, missionaries were also teaching school and bringing in Christianity. [20] To date, Christianity has been rising more in South Africa rather than Islam. [21]

References

[1] Elphick, Richard. 2013. "Making African Christianity: Africans reimagining their faith in colonial South Africa." Church History 82, no. 3: 760-762. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed May 29, 2015).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.

[6] "Different Religions of South Africa." Different Religions of South Africa. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://prep.bishops.org.za/academics/classpages/gr4/social science/DIFFERENT RELGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA.htm.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid. 
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Ibid.
[20] Ibid.

[21] "Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. April 14, 2010. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://www.pewforum.org/2010/04/15/executive-summary-islam-and-christianity-in-sub-saharan-africa/.

Image #1: "Share Your Life With An AFS Exchange Student." AFS-USA Hosting. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://www.afsusa.org/host-family/our-students/countries/south-africa/.

                                                                                                       

Image #2: "Different Religions of South Africa." Different Religions of South Africa. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://prep.bishops.org.za/academics/classpages/gr4/social science/DIFFERENT RELGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA.htm.

Image #3: "Different Religions of South Africa." Different Religions of South Africa. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://prep.bishops.org.za/academics/classpages/gr4/social science/DIFFERENT RELGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA.htm.

Image #4: "Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. April 14, 2010. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://www.pewforum.org/2010/04/15/executive-summary-islam-and-christianity-in-sub-saharan-africa/.

South Africa - A Historical Record on Music

 

           

South Africa - A Historical Record on Music

            South African music dates back to many years, starting in the 1600's. The Dutch colonial era brought along slaves and tribes from the west into the eastern part that taught their culture of music. In the 1690's, a slave orchestra was formed and owned by the governor of the Cape. Throughout the years, many instruments were produced and introduced to the world of music. For example, the mamokhorong. This is a type of violin. [1]

In the 1800's, the South Africans started marching around much like the British military marching bands, similar to the minstrel shows. Every New Year’s Celebration to this day includes the marching band and a carnival. Hymns were being formed by John Knox Bokwe using Xhosa, a harmonic pattern. Through the years, folk music traveled and different regions and types of music met and blended, were shared, and traded as ears heard and learned to pass on the tunes. [2]

In 1912, the first recordings of South African music occurred. In the 1920's, the South African music style was much like the American swing style except they had their own little twist with the Marabi melodies. Jazz was becoming a big hit to the nation. Distinct, South African jazz was called mbaqanga.[3]

One piece to be specially featured of the music produced in the history of South Africa is their national anthem. Nkosi’ Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa) was written by a teacher named Enoch Sontonga in the early 1900's. It was considered the unofficial national anthem at the time. The official anthem contains two combined anthems and a total of five different languages. The official anthem contains: Nkosi’ Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa) and Die Stem (The Call of South Africa). Die Stem was originally a poem written in May of 1918 by CJ Langenhoven. Originally, it was considered the official anthem until the two anthems, the official and unofficial were combined to produce: The Call of South Africa, which became the official one in 1962. [4]

The national anthem is an important piece of history in South African music and is still used today because it declares the peoples’ pride and loyalty to their country. The national anthem is well known to so many because of the many languages it contains and the translations produced.

References

[1] "The Developement of Music in South Africa Timeline 1600-2004 | South African History Online." The Developement of Music in South Africa Timeline 1600-2004 | South African History Online. Accessed May 23, 2015. http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/developement-music-south-africa-timeline-1600-2004.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] "SouthAfrica.info." South Africa's National Anthem. June 4, 2012. Accessed May 23, 2015. http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/anthem.htm#.VV-_fflViko.

Image #1:  South African Jazz. Accessed May 22, 2015. https://soulsafari.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/african-jazz-pioneers-1987-pic-copy.jpg?w=300&h=183.
Image #2: South Africa's National Anthem. Accessed May 22, 2015. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/401172279282851146/&ei=XUNjVay9FYbTsAXA-YCIBA&bvm=bv.93990622,d.b2w&psig=AFQjCNHt7aosN2pN17MT8rjK10f84yQ8EQ&ust=143.

South African Geography

           

 South African Geography

      South Africa is located at the southern part of the continent of Africa. It is surrounded by water on its western, eastern, and southern borders. The western body of water is the Atlantic Ocean. The eastern body of water is the Indian Ocean. The southern body of water is the Atlantic Ocean as well. The geographic features of South Africa range from rivers (the largest is the Orange River), to deserts (Namib and Kalahari), to the coast, to plateaus, to rocky ridges, and to mountains (English Online). When looking at two major cities in South Africa, one can better understand the South African climate and terrain.

       One major city is Johannesburg. Johannesburg is located in South Africa and is one of the largest cities on the continent (Campbell). The latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of Johannesburg: 26.2044°S, 28.0456°E (Google). Located in the Gauteng province, Johannesburg is also known as “Joburg” or “Jozi” to the locals. It is one of the youngest cities in the world. Johannesburg sits on top of a grassy plateau that runs through the inside of South Africa. The rocky ridge of Witwatersrand Main Reef runs along the city and is a natural drainage for water into the bordering oceans. The elevation range of the city is 5,700-5,930 feet. There are not very many rivers, streams, or lakes in Johannesburg besides a few artificial lakes and small streams. The summer temperature usually averages 75°F and the winter temperature usually averages 55°F (Campbell).

       Another major city located in South Africa is Cape Town. The latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of Cape Town: 33.9253°S, 18.4239°E (Google). Cape Town is surrounded by mountains and is a highly visited city in South Africa. The mountains surrounding Cape Town are: Devil’s Peak, Twelve Apostles, Table Mountain, and Lion’s Head. The city is located on a plain called the Cape Flats. The plain of the Cape Flats joins the Cape peninsula. Table Mountain is said to have been an island at one point and time (Cape Town Geography).

       After studying the make of the land, one can now better understand how it has affected the society over the years. Depending on the area, there may not be enough rain to farm and is common for droughts. This area tends to be the desert or near the deserts. Most of the farming and ranches are located in the countryside, outside of the city. Since the western and northern part of the nation is so dry, it has the least amount of population (English Online). 
       Overall, the land and climate have been of help to the South African nation. It has country sides to farm, enough areas of rainfall, the view of mountains and of the coast, and all that is in between. The only hindrances that can be found are the areas that obtain droughts all the time. During the course of history, the coast is what brought many of the settlers to the nation from the beginning. The diseases in South Africa are at an intermediate risk meaning they are not high risk but are not at low risk. The diseases that are obtained are usually from food and water (South Africa Major Infectious Diseases).

References

Campbell, James. "Johannesburg | South Africa." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Accessed May 15, 2015. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/304472/Johannesburg. 

"Cape Town Geography." Cape Town Geography. Accessed May 15, 2015. http://www.mapsofworld.com/south-africa/cities/cape-town/geography.html.

"English Online." South Africa. Accessed May 15, 2015. http://www.english-online.at/geography/south-africa/geography-south-africa.htm.

"South Africa Major Infectious Diseases." - Demographics. August 23, 2013. Accessed May 15, 2015. http://www.indexmundi.com/south_africa/major_infectious_diseases.html.

Image:  "Flag of South Africa." Wikipedia. Accessed May 14, 2015. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Flag_of_South_Africa.svg/1280px-Flag_of_South_Africa.svg.png.