South Africa People and South Africa Traditions
Some of the earliest human existence evidence is found in Southern Africa, dating back to 3 million years ago. For the past 100,000 years, Bushmen have populated the area now known as South Africa. Some 2000 years ago Dutch people began to migrate to South Africa, and in the 1860's Indian people started to come into the country to work on the sugar plantations on the east coast. The white population grew substantially in the 1800's with British settlers and those coming to make their fortune in South Africa's gold mines.
Today Africans make up about 78% of the population, Whites 10%, coloured or mixed race 9% and 2.5% of the population are Asians. The English speaking community have been in the forefront of industry and commerce in South Africa.
South Africa is still far from the ideal of a multi-cultural society. There is still a deep trench going through the population. Black, coloured and white people lead largely separate lives with few points of contact. Nevertheless, the society's democratisation is steadily progressing. The future of the state largely depends upon its ability to create equal opportunities for all people. Thus, allowing the formally disadvantaged groups to have their share of the national wealth.
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