South African history

South African history is marked by diverse cultures and conflicts. Indigenous groups, including the Khoisan and Bantu-speaking peoples, inhabited the region for millennia. In the 17th century, Dutch settlers established a colony, followed by British control. The discovery of diamonds and gold in the 19th century intensified colonial interests, leading to the Ango-Boer Wars. Apartheid, a system of racial segregation implemented in 1948, oppressed non-white citizens until its end in the early 1990s, largely due to resistance led by figures like Nelson Mandela. South Africa transitioned to democracy in 1994, becoming a symbol of reconciliation and the fight for human rights.