History of South Africa

The history of South Africa is viewed differently by various scholars and by its various population groups because South Africa is a multicultural country. The researchers' views heavily influence their perception of South African history (see the demographics of South Africa and culture of South Africa).

The Khoisan peoples are the aboriginal people of the region who have lived there for millennia. Black African South Africans are believed to originate from the Great Lakes region of Africa in prehistoric times. Whites in South Africa, descendants of later European migrations, regard themselves equally as products of South Africa, as do South Africa's Coloureds, Indians, Asians and Jews.