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9 Things You Didn’t Know About Table Mountain

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From its highest point to having a constellation named after it, here are 9 things you didn’t know about Table Mountain.

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Culinary History of Food Culture in Southern Africa - Simola Restaurant

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Culinary History of Food Culture in Southern Africa South Africa “the beginning” Southern Africa’s culinary history is characterized by traditional food practices such as maize and sorghum as staple crops, indigenous vegetables, hunting and consumption of game meats, the braai (barbecue) tradition, indigenous fruits, and cultural influences from Malay, Indian, and European cuisines. San (Buschleute)

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The South African national symbols include three animals and two plants, the Springbok, the Blue Crane, the Galjoen, the King Protea, and the Yellowwood Tree.
The most well known one is the jumping Springbok antelope, worldwide renown as the emblem of the South African national rugby team and many other South African sports, institutions, products etc...

The Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) gets its common name from its characteristic jumping display, "pronk" in Afrikaans. The animal stands 75cm high and weighs about 40kg.

Learn more about South Africa's "sacred" animals and plants:

The Blue Crane
National Symbols of South Africa

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South African National Symbols, National Symbols of South Africa

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The South African national symbols include three animals and two plants, the Springbok, the Blue Crane, the Galjoen, the King Protea, and the Yellowwood Tree. The most well known one is the jumping Springbok antelope, worldwide renown as the emblem of the South African national rugby team and many other South African sports, institutions, products etc...

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There are some most impressive South Africa animals!

Firstly, there are the ' Big Five ': elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and the rhino.

The term 'Big Five' is used to describe the power and strength of the animals. The term was coined last century as these five animals were the most difficult to be hunted on foot.

Wildlife in South Africa is abundant, with almost 300 mammal species.

There are several animal species that are among the world's tallest, fastest or even tiniest animals such as the majestic giraffe, the speedy cheetah or the tiny pygmy shrew.

Several animal species are endangered such as the African wild dogs, the oribi or the rhino which is hunted for its horn. Many wild animals are kept and protected in national parks or private game reserves. Conservation efforts in South Africa have been successful in growing populations of the mountain zebra and bontebok, an antelope species that only exists in South Africa.

Over 850 species of birds live in South Africa, some can only be found here. Among the typical African bird species that can be seen in South Africa are the ostrich, kingfishers, sunbirds and the crane. The B lue Crane is the South African national bird. Read more about the South African national symbols here.

15 Animals in South Africa you should know about

South Africa Animals:
Mammals

Springbok

The springbok is the national animal of South Africa. Springboks are very common in rural areas and on many farms.

This antelope is very common in the bush veld and in deserts. They can jump up to 2 metres or 6.5 feet high. Watch them jump here. Did you know that the South African rugby team is called "The Springboks"?

Lion

These big cats live in prides that are led by a male lion. Lions are only encountered in enclosures or private game reserves as well as some national parks. The Southern African lions are the largest of the lion species.

Elephants

The African elephant is the largest land-based mammal and can grow up to almost 4 m/13 ft tall. Elephants live in tight-knit families and are very protective of their young.

Elephants have an excellent memory. Sadly there are only few wild elephants left in South Africa, elephants are endangered and thus kept in national parks such as Kruger Park or Addo Park as they are hunted for their tusks.

Buffalo

These huge animals can be spotted near waterholes in many South African national parks. They usually move in herds and can be really aggressive!

Remember, buffalos belong to South Africa's "Big Five".

Rhinoceros

South Africa animals: There are white and black rhinos, both of which are massive and strong. They cannot see well, but smell their prey. These endangered species are poached for their precious horn.

Although the black and white rhino can hardly be distinguished by their skin colour, it's quite easy to recognise the rhinoceros species. The white rhinos have a broad lip and are called friendly, as they are not as aggressive as the black rhinos, which have a small lip and look more threatening.

Leopard

In South Africa, the leopard lives mainly in game reserves. Only a few of these big cats are left to roam freely in the remote bush veld. They hunt at night but during the day, they usually hide on or under trees.

Leopards can also be spotted occasionally on rocks or craggy hills.

Baboons

Baboons are cheeky monkeys that can often be seen along the roadside in South Africa.

They can be quite curious and are also known to approach people, but be careful and do not touch or feed them, they're quite strong and have very sharp teeth.

Hippopotamus

Hippopotamuses (also known as hippos) are the most dangerous mammals. Hippos cannot swim, they only walk or run underwater!

In St Lucia, a small town in the iSimangeliso wetlands, you can encounter hippos at night when they roam the streets in search for water or food. See our link in the resources below for more info and photos.

Pygmy shrew

S outh Africa animals: The pygmy shrew is the world's smallest mammal. The tiny shrew which looks like a mouse is only 8 cm/3 inches long and weighs less than 4 g/a teaspoon of sugar.

Whale

South Africa animals: There are eight species of whales in South African waters. Southern Right Whales can be seen along the entire western and southern coastline, where they can be seen from May to December.

The town of Hermanus, a three-hours drive from Cape Town, even has its own whale crier, who announces when whales are in the bay, this it is a major spectacle.

Animals in South Africa:
Birds

African penguin

There are three penguin colonies in South Africa. Two of the penguin sites are at Boulders Beach near Cape Town, where you can even swim with penguins!
Read more about African penguins here.

Ostrich

The largest of the bird species are flightless, but grow up to 2.7 m/8.8 ft tall. They roam the countryside freely but are kept also on large ostrich farms. The town of Oudtshoorn in south-western South Africa is known as the 'ostrich capital of the world'!

Ostriches have big eyes, but a very small brain! Their eggs are huge and weigh up to 1.9kg/4 pounds! One egg can be feed up to 19 people at a time!

Be aware that ostriches have a powerful kick, which can kill a person. So when you see an ostrich approach, lie flat on the ground, so they cannot kick you!

South Africa Animals: Fishes

Sharks

There are several shark species swimming in South African waters. Great white sharks are not the largest shark species in the world but certainly impressive! They can become massive, up to 7 m/23 ft in length - this is almost half the length of a basketball court!

Once a shark is fully fed, it can live without food for three months. Sharks follow vibrations in water when searching for prey. They also have a very good sense of smell and can also detect the scent of blood from about 5km/3 miles away.

South Africa Animals: Invertebrates and Reptiles

Scorpion

South Africa animals: There are 175 species of scorpions in South Africa!

Though most of them are harmless, look at the pinchers and tail to determine if a scorpion is venomous. In general, only scorpions with small pinchers and a short thick tail are venomous.

Cape Cobra

The Cape Cobra is one of the most deadly snakes in the world! Together with the puff adder, the boomslang and the green or black mamba, they are the most poisonous snakes in South Africa.

Cobras can be encountered throughout the country, so be careful when walking through dunes or bushland especially close to the sea, rivers or near a national park.

Crocodiles are found in South Africa as well, mostly in the eastern and northern provinces.

Did you know...?

The 'Big Five' are shown on the South African bank notes!

And this cute animal we just could not leave out - so here is our number 16 of South Africa animals. The cute green and orange striped Cape Dwarf Chameleons are home in many gardens around Cape Town.

The eyes of the tiny chameleon move independently from each other and can turn in all directions. The tongue is about twice the length of the chameleon's body so it can catch insects that are quite a distance away!

Resources: South Africa Animals

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South Africa Animals | Wildlife | Big Five | Animals in South Africa

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There are some most impressive South Africa animals! Firstly, there are the ' Big Five ': elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and the rhino. The term 'Big Five' is used to describe the power and strength of the animals. The term was coined last century as these five animals were the most difficult to be hunted on foot.

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Our oceans are our planet’s life support system.

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Johannesburg is South Africa's most populous city.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of South Africa

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic

CAPITALS: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)

POPULATION: 55,380,210

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga

MONEY: Rand

AREA: 470,693 square miles (1,219,089 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Drakensberg

MAJOR RIVERS: Limpopo, Orange

Most of South Africa's landscape is made up of high, flat areas called plateaus. These lands are covered with rolling grasslands, called highveld, and tree-dotted plains called bushveld.

To the east, south, and west of the plateau lands is a mountainous region called the Great Escarpment. The eastern range, called the Drakensberg, or Dragon's Mountain, is filled with jagged peaks, some more than 11,400 feet (3,475 meters) high.

Interestingly, South Africa has another country within its borders. Nestled in the Drakensberg is the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. Much of South Africa's water comes from the snowcapped peaks of this tiny, landlocked nation.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Many different peoples make up South Africa, each with their own language and history. The country has 11 official languages and many more unofficial ones. This colorful mix of cultures gives South Africa its nickname "rainbow nation."

South Africans are passionate about music, often using song and dance to express social and political ideas. They're also known worldwide for their skill in sports, including rugby, cricket, golf, and soccer. In 2010, South Africa became the first African nation to host the World Cup.

From aardvarks to zebras, South Africa is full of wildlife. The country takes up only about one percent of Earth's land surface, but is home to almost 10 percent of the world's known bird, fish, and plant species and about 6 percent of its mammal and reptile species.

The seas around South Africa are also crowded with wildlife. About 2,000 marine species visit South African waters at some point during the year. There's also a world-famous sardine run off the east coast each June that draws thousands of hungry sharks, dolphins, and birds.

South Africa works to preserve its wildlife with dozens of protected land and marine areas, including the famous Kruger National Park in the north, as well as nearly 9,000 privately-owned game reserves throughout the country.

Nevertheless, many of South Africa's animals are hurt by illegal hunting and loss of habitat, and dozens of species are in danger of extinction, including the black rhinoceros, the cheetah, and the African wild dog.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

South Africa has been a democratic republic since holding its first truly open election on April 27, 1994. Natural resources, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing have made South Africa the largest economy on the continent. But problems with unemployment, poverty, and AIDS present huge challenges for the government.

In northern South Africa near Johannesburg, there is a cave formation called the Sterkfontein. Within these caves, archaeologists have uncovered some of the earliest human fossils ever found. Some are more than two million years old. The find earned the region the nickname "Cradle of Humankind."

About 24,000 years ago, tribes of hunter-gatherers known as the San, or Bushmen, began moving into South Africa. Many San still live, much as their ancestors did, around the Kalahari Desert in the northwest.

In the 1400s, European ships heading to the Far East began stopping on the South African coast for supplies. In 1652, the Netherlands established the southern city of Cape Town, and Dutch farmers, called Boers, began settling in the areas around the city.

In 1806, wars in Europe left the British in control of the Cape Town colony. In 1910, the British united four colonies in the region and created South Africa. They established laws that separated whites from black South Africans, a practice of segregation called apartheid, which led to decades of conflict.

In 1963, Nelson Mandela, head of the anti-apartheid African National Congress, was given a life sentence in jail for "terrorist" activities. In 1990, after 27 years behind bars, he was freed by President F.W. de Klerk. In 1994, Mandela was elected president of South Africa and served until 1999.

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Most of South Africa's landscape is made up of high, flat areas called plateaus.

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While many different sports are played in South Africa, this post will focus on what is known as “The Big Three” – football, rugby, and cricket.

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Johannesburg is South Africa's most populous city.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of South Africa

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic

CAPITALS: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)

POPULATION: 55,380,210

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga

MONEY: Rand

AREA: 470,693 square miles (1,219,089 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Drakensberg

MAJOR RIVERS: Limpopo, Orange

Most of South Africa's landscape is made up of high, flat areas called plateaus. These lands are covered with rolling grasslands, called highveld, and tree-dotted plains called bushveld.

To the east, south, and west of the plateau lands is a mountainous region called the Great Escarpment. The eastern range, called the Drakensberg, or Dragon's Mountain, is filled with jagged peaks, some more than 11,400 feet (3,475 meters) high.

Interestingly, South Africa has another country within its borders. Nestled in the Drakensberg is the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. Much of South Africa's water comes from the snowcapped peaks of this tiny, landlocked nation.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Many different peoples make up South Africa, each with their own language and history. The country has 11 official languages and many more unofficial ones. This colorful mix of cultures gives South Africa its nickname "rainbow nation."

South Africans are passionate about music, often using song and dance to express social and political ideas. They're also known worldwide for their skill in sports, including rugby, cricket, golf, and soccer. In 2010, South Africa became the first African nation to host the World Cup.

From aardvarks to zebras, South Africa is full of wildlife. The country takes up only about one percent of Earth's land surface, but is home to almost 10 percent of the world's known bird, fish, and plant species and about 6 percent of its mammal and reptile species.

The seas around South Africa are also crowded with wildlife. About 2,000 marine species visit South African waters at some point during the year. There's also a world-famous sardine run off the east coast each June that draws thousands of hungry sharks, dolphins, and birds.

South Africa works to preserve its wildlife with dozens of protected land and marine areas, including the famous Kruger National Park in the north, as well as nearly 9,000 privately-owned game reserves throughout the country.

Nevertheless, many of South Africa's animals are hurt by illegal hunting and loss of habitat, and dozens of species are in danger of extinction, including the black rhinoceros, the cheetah, and the African wild dog.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

South Africa has been a democratic republic since holding its first truly open election on April 27, 1994. Natural resources, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing have made South Africa the largest economy on the continent. But problems with unemployment, poverty, and AIDS present huge challenges for the government.

In northern South Africa near Johannesburg, there is a cave formation called the Sterkfontein. Within these caves, archaeologists have uncovered some of the earliest human fossils ever found. Some are more than two million years old. The find earned the region the nickname "Cradle of Humankind."

About 24,000 years ago, tribes of hunter-gatherers known as the San, or Bushmen, began moving into South Africa. Many San still live, much as their ancestors did, around the Kalahari Desert in the northwest.

In the 1400s, European ships heading to the Far East began stopping on the South African coast for supplies. In 1652, the Netherlands established the southern city of Cape Town, and Dutch farmers, called Boers, began settling in the areas around the city.

In 1806, wars in Europe left the British in control of the Cape Town colony. In 1910, the British united four colonies in the region and created South Africa. They established laws that separated whites from black South Africans, a practice of segregation called apartheid, which led to decades of conflict.

In 1963, Nelson Mandela, head of the anti-apartheid African National Congress, was given a life sentence in jail for "terrorist" activities. In 1990, after 27 years behind bars, he was freed by President F.W. de Klerk. In 1994, Mandela was elected president of South Africa and served until 1999.

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Most of South Africa's landscape is made up of high, flat areas called plateaus.

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Johannesburg is South Africa's most populous city.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of South Africa

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic

CAPITALS: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)

POPULATION: 55,380,210

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga

MONEY: Rand

AREA: 470,693 square miles (1,219,089 square kilometers)

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Drakensberg

MAJOR RIVERS: Limpopo, Orange

Most of South Africa's landscape is made up of high, flat areas called plateaus. These lands are covered with rolling grasslands, called highveld, and tree-dotted plains called bushveld.

To the east, south, and west of the plateau lands is a mountainous region called the Great Escarpment. The eastern range, called the Drakensberg, or Dragon's Mountain, is filled with jagged peaks, some more than 11,400 feet (3,475 meters) high.

Interestingly, South Africa has another country within its borders. Nestled in the Drakensberg is the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. Much of South Africa's water comes from the snowcapped peaks of this tiny, landlocked nation.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Many different peoples make up South Africa, each with their own language and history. The country has 11 official languages and many more unofficial ones. This colorful mix of cultures gives South Africa its nickname "rainbow nation."

South Africans are passionate about music, often using song and dance to express social and political ideas. They're also known worldwide for their skill in sports, including rugby, cricket, golf, and soccer. In 2010, South Africa became the first African nation to host the World Cup.

From aardvarks to zebras, South Africa is full of wildlife. The country takes up only about one percent of Earth's land surface, but is home to almost 10 percent of the world's known bird, fish, and plant species and about 6 percent of its mammal and reptile species.

The seas around South Africa are also crowded with wildlife. About 2,000 marine species visit South African waters at some point during the year. There's also a world-famous sardine run off the east coast each June that draws thousands of hungry sharks, dolphins, and birds.

South Africa works to preserve its wildlife with dozens of protected land and marine areas, including the famous Kruger National Park in the north, as well as nearly 9,000 privately-owned game reserves throughout the country.

Nevertheless, many of South Africa's animals are hurt by illegal hunting and loss of habitat, and dozens of species are in danger of extinction, including the black rhinoceros, the cheetah, and the African wild dog.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

South Africa has been a democratic republic since holding its first truly open election on April 27, 1994. Natural resources, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing have made South Africa the largest economy on the continent. But problems with unemployment, poverty, and AIDS present huge challenges for the government.

In northern South Africa near Johannesburg, there is a cave formation called the Sterkfontein. Within these caves, archaeologists have uncovered some of the earliest human fossils ever found. Some are more than two million years old. The find earned the region the nickname "Cradle of Humankind."

About 24,000 years ago, tribes of hunter-gatherers known as the San, or Bushmen, began moving into South Africa. Many San still live, much as their ancestors did, around the Kalahari Desert in the northwest.

In the 1400s, European ships heading to the Far East began stopping on the South African coast for supplies. In 1652, the Netherlands established the southern city of Cape Town, and Dutch farmers, called Boers, began settling in the areas around the city.

In 1806, wars in Europe left the British in control of the Cape Town colony. In 1910, the British united four colonies in the region and created South Africa. They established laws that separated whites from black South Africans, a practice of segregation called apartheid, which led to decades of conflict.

In 1963, Nelson Mandela, head of the anti-apartheid African National Congress, was given a life sentence in jail for "terrorist" activities. In 1990, after 27 years behind bars, he was freed by President F.W. de Klerk. In 1994, Mandela was elected president of South Africa and served until 1999.

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Most of South Africa's landscape is made up of high, flat areas called plateaus.

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Here are some interesting facts about South Africa for kids which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

South Africa Facts | Country Facts

Population: 60 million people live in South Africa (2023)

Capital city: Pretoria has 3 million inhabitants. Pretoria's nickname is "The Jacaranda City" due to the many jacaranda trees. In South Africa, the city is referred to as 'Tshwane' as the municipality changed its name in 2007. However, South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein

Name: Republic of South Africa

Government: Democracy

Languages: 12 official languages: isiZulu, Afrikaans, English, isiXhosa, siSwati, Sesotho, Xitsonga, Sepedi, isiNdebele, Setswana, Tshivenda, sign language

Religion: mainly Christians and Muslims, but also Jews and other faiths.

Currency: 1 South African Rand (ZAR) = 100 Cents

History: South Africa was colonised by British, Dutch suffered from Apartheid. Nelson Mandela came free from prison and became the first democratically elected leader in South Africa in 1994.

South Africa for Kids
South Africa Geography

South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent.

South Africa shares borders with six countries: Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe in the North, and Mozambique in the East, as well as with Eswatini and Lesotho.

South Africa encloses two landlocked African countries which are Eswatini (formerly called Swaziland) and Lesotho. Both these countries are kingdoms.

South Africa is about as big as the land area of France and Spain combined or twice the size of the state of Texas/ USA.

It takes a 12-hour flight from London/England to fly to Johannesburg or a 12-hour flight from Singapore and it takes more than 17 hours from New York/USA.

In South Africa, the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet off the Southern Cape coast.

The southernmost point in South Africa is, however, at Cape Agulhas which is roughly 120 km/ 75 miles to the east of Cape Town.

In the image to the right, however, you see Cape Point, the southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula.

South Africa for Kids
Geography

South Africa has various mountain ranges such as the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, the Magaliesberg or the Cederberg mountains.

There is a narrow coastal stretch and in the interior of the country, you will find a high plateau.

The highest mountain in South Africa is Mafadi Peak, which is on the border to Lesotho. Mafadi Peak is 3,450 m/ 11,319 ft high.

In the north of the country, you will find the Kalahari Desert which borders neighbouring countries Namibia and Botswana. The Kalahari is part of the 'highveld', the highlands of the country.

Johannesburg is the largest city of South Africa and lies on this plateau at 1,700 m/ 5,577 ft above sea level. However, most of the bigger cities such as Cape Town and Durban are located near the coast in low-lying areas.

The longest river in South Africa is the Orange River which forms also part of the border between Namibia from South Africa.

In the mountain ranges of the Drakensberg region, there is snow in winter and you even could go skiing in South Africa. Tiffindell is the most popular winter resort town. Sometimes also the higher mountain tops in the Western Cape near Cape Town receive some snow in winter. But there is no snow in the city or in the towns along the coastline. Although the snow might be enough for a snowball fight, it certainly is not enough to go skiing.

Did you know, that the Tugela Falls in South Africa are the second-highest waterfalls in the world?

The country name is often displayed as ZA which means and is Afrikaans for South Africa.

South Africa for Kids:
South Africa Attractions

Cape Town: Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, beaches. More about Cape Town attractions here.

Kruger National Park for safaris and great wildlife viewing

Sun City near Pretoria for fun and games galore with amazing wave pool and lots of things to do for the whole family

Addo National Park near Port Elizabeth for elephant-spotting

Durban for surfing and great beaches and the KwaZulu-Natal midlands for some insights into South African history

iSimangeliso (formerly St Lucia Wetlands) for wildlife viewing and unspoilt nature

Drakensberg Mountains for hiking and nearby Lesotho for skiing in Africa

South Africa for Kids: Animals

Wildlife in South Africa is abundant. There are many species of antilope such as kudu, springbok, wildebeest, impala, oryx and gemsbok. When you go on safari you can see many other South African animals like lions, elephants, giraffes and monkeys.

South Africa is home to the African Penguins and the Great White Sharks live in the ocean waters here too. Sometimes beaches are closed for bathing due to the sharks in the bays. Many beaches have shark nets. Remember to only swim in the sea where there are lifeguards on duty.

Whale watching is very popular in South Africa too and you will encounter an enormous sea life in South Africa when you go on a boat trip.

South Africa for Kids
South Africa People

South Africa is often called the 'Rainbow Nation', because there are so many different languages are spoken and different cultural traditions are lived. Below you see people of the Ndebele tribe.

South Africa is often called "The Cradle of Humankind", because archaeological artefacts, tools and human remains proof that people lived in the area more than 100,000 years ago.

The ancient San and the Khoi were the early African civilizations settling the Cape. There are only few descendants of the local San people living in remote areas in the Karoo desert and near the Cape West Coast.

The biggest South African population group, the Zulu, mainly live in rural settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, they even have a king.

Portuguese, Dutch, British, French and German explorers have traveled and populated southern Africa in the 17 th and 18 th century and therefore you can find many European influences in South Africa too.
Read more about the 11 official languages in South Africa and learn some fun South African slang words here.
Nowadays most of the people in South Africa live in or near the big cities: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. The rural areas are still very poor and also in the cities many people live in shantytowns or townships.

Johannesburg is the largest city and the main industrial and economic hub, while Cape Town and Durban are also large cities with more than 1 million inhabitants.

Did you know that in South Africa, cars drive on the left side of the road as they do in the UK and Australia? However, all distance and speed signs are in metres and kilometres and km/ hour and not as in England in yards and miles and miles/ hour!

South Africa for Kids
Food in South Africa

The food the people eat in South Africa is very diverse. The South African staple food for the locals is 'mealies', which is corn, and seasonal vegetables, like potatoes, beans, carrots and peas.

South Africans love their meat and game meat such as kudu and springbok are common. However, most people eat beef, chicken, lamb and ostrich with their meals. The people in South Africa love a BBQ (here called 'braai') and almost every house has got a fireplace which is called 'braai-place'.

Typical South African food:

biltong: a cured and dried meat that is a typical South African snack and similar to beef jerky. Kids love to take this as snack to school.

boerewors: Afrikaans for 'farmers sausage', is often put on the grill, formed in a curl (see image)

Read more about South African traditional food here.
Did you know that...?

... most people speak at least two or three languages, one of them usually English or Afrikaans.

... South Africa has really three capital cities. The powers are distributed between Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. The parliament meets for six months in Pretoria and the other half of the year in Cape Town.

We hope you enjoyed our information on South Africa for Kids. Read also our top 15 South Africa facts even locals often do not know here.

Popular Pages

Resources: South Africa for Kids

Central Intelligence Agency. "South Africa". WorldFactBook. Last updated 8 March 2022. Last accessed 30 March 2022

Nelson Mandela Foundation. "Mandela Day." NelsonMandelaFoundation. Last accessed 30 March 2022

South African History Online. People and Culture of South Africa. SAHistory.org. Last accessed 30 March 2022.

South African Government. "Geography and Climate" Last accessed 30 March 2022.

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South Africa for Kids | South Africa Facts for Kids | Geography

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Read here our South Africa for Kids country facts: South Africa's landmarks and attractions, people and cultures, animals and food and so much more

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Category: Sports in South Africa Facts for Kids

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Content is available under CC BY-SA 3.0 unless otherwise noted. Kiddle encyclopedia articles are based on selected content and facts from Wikipedia, edited or rewritten for children. Powered by MediaWiki.

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South African sports are a vibrant mix of passion, history, and triumph. From the rugby fields to the cricket pitches, this nation has produced some of the worl

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The Springboks: 32 Interesting Facts you might not know

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The Springboks are the South African national Rugby Union team (for foreigners who do not watch rugby and are not aware of this).

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On this page you will find information on South African food for Kids. Often we are asked which food children will love to try when visiting South Africa or which traditional South African food is really popular also with kids.

So here we share our information on typical Food in South Africa. Food in South Africa is oh sooooo lekker. Enjoy!

Traditional South African Food

South Africans love to meet over a good braai or barbecue. So be prepared that South Africans will invite you to their homes. A typical braai is a relaxed meeting and guests usually bring some food and drink along but the hosts will start the fire so all can enjoy and share their favourite dishes. Kids also love to roast their braaibroodjie which is yeasty dough wrapped around wooden sticks over the hot coals.

South Africans often are big meat-eaters, so be prepared for meat-heavy meals. But there is something for every taste, and the many delicious sweet treats definitely should not be missed!

Biltong

This snack food is very popular in South Africa. Children take it to school for break time too. Biltong is dried and spiced cured meat, made mainly from beef and game and can be bought in supermarkets and biltong stalls.

Boerewors

South African boerewors is a farmer's sausage, mainly made with ground beef mixed with spices and herbs and is often served with mieliepap.

Mieliepap

Mieliepap is cooked cornmeal porridge made with sweetcorn flakes. Mieliepap often served with braai meats or stews. Mielie is the Afrikaans term for corn.

Chakalaka

Chakalaka is a spicy sauce made with bell peppers, onions and beans. It is often served with mieliepap.

Bobotie

Bobotie is a classic South African dish and made with layered ground lamb or beef, rice, raisins as well as a coconut milk and egg custard topping. Find our delicious recipe here.

Koeksisters

This syrupy sweet treat is made of twisted donut strips that look like girls braids. There are actually two types of koeksister desserts in South Africa. The one looking like braids as above is popular with the Afrikaans population while the Cape Malays prefer to form them as dumplings.

Cape Malay Koeksisters

Here is the Cape Malay version of the Koeksisters. They are more spiced and softer, but as delicious!

South African Food | Melktert

Melktert means milktart in English and is a sweet milk flavoured cake sprinkled with cinnamon - very similar to a custard tart on a thin pastry base.

Malva Pudding

This sweet apricot flavored sponge cake is often served warm and topped with custard and sticky sweet syrup.

Food in South Africa | Samosas

These stuffed fried pastry parcels are filled with meat and vegetables. Samosas are very popular and sold as snacks in most supermarkets and food stalls in town centres.

South African Food | Bunny Chow

Bunny chow is a typical Durban specialty. The hollowed-out bread loaf has a hot and spicy curry filling. Delicious and fun even if a challenge for eating neatly.

South African Food | Gatsby

A South African gatsby is a bread roll filled with Cape Malay curry or steak and lots of spicy sauce. The roll is usually served with slap chips, which are chips that are thick and crispy on the outside but soft inside.

Potjekos

Potjiekos is a meat stew cooked for several hours over open fire with a variety of vegetables and usually includes also mielies, corn. This traditional stew is cooked in a potjie, which is usually a black cast-iron pot with three legs.

South African Food | Resources

Find more information on South African food on these excellent websites:

Eat Out. "The ultimate guide to South Africa's most iconic food." eatout. Last updated 20 December 2018. Last accessed 2 June 2021

Pamela McOnie. "Cape Town Eats Food Directory" CapeTownEats. Last accessed 2 June 2021

More Popular Pages

Image Credits on South African Food: shutterstock.com and own images Back from South African Food to Kids World Travel Guide Homepage
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South African Food | Food in South Africa | South Africa for Kids

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Our South African food guide will tell you all about the most popular traditional food in South Africa

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About 10,000 years ago the San and the Khoekhoe peoples roamed southern Africa. About 2,000 years ago peoples who spoke Bantu languages settled in the region. The Bantu peoples were the ancestors of most of the blacks in South Africa today.

European Settlement

The Portuguese sailed around the southern tip of Africa in the late 1400s. In 1652 the Dutch set up a colony on the southwest coast. They slowly expanded their settlements, planted crops, and raised livestock. They became known as Boers, meaning "farmers." (Later they became known as Afrikaners.) As the Boers moved east, they fought with many African peoples, especially the Xhosa.

By 1806 the British had taken over the Dutch settlement. To escape British rule, many Boers moved north during the 1830s and 1840s. Their move is known as the Great Trek. In the 1850s the Boers set up two states in the northeast: the South African Republic (or Transvaal) and the Orange Free State.

British Rule

The British expanded their territory, called the Cape Colony, across the southern tip of Africa. They then tried to take over the Boer states. From 1899 to 1902 the British and the Boers fought the South African War. After winning the war, the British made the Boer states into British colonies.

In 1910 all the British colonies in southern Africa united. They formed a new, independent country called the Union of South Africa.

Apartheid

Whites controlled the new government of South Africa. They passed laws that separated the population by race. This system of separation became known as apartheid. The word means "separateness" in the Afrikaans language. The system also gave the white minority nearly all the political power, most of the land, and the best jobs.

In 1912 blacks and people of mixed ancestry formed a political group that became known as the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC held nonviolent protests against the white government. In 1960 police shot hundreds of protesters in Sharpeville, South Africa. In response, the ANC turned to bombings and other acts of violence to protest apartheid. Some ANC leaders, including Nelson Mandela, went to jail.

In 1990 a new South African president, F.W. de Klerk, announced that apartheid would end. The government released Mandela from prison and threw out the apartheid laws. South Africans of all races voted in elections in 1994. Mandela became the country's first black president.

A New South Africa

Mandela's government had to deal with the long-term effects of apartheid. The government was especially concerned with helping the people who had been mistreated under the old laws. Its priorities included improving education, housing, health care, and wages among the nonwhite population. The country adopted a new constitution in 1996. The government also created a body known as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission investigated human-rights abuses committed during the apartheid era by both the South African government and the resistance movement.

Thabo Mbeki of the ANC succeeded Mandela as president in 1999. Like other African countries, South Africa faced a serious health crisis when the deadly disease AIDS began to spread rapidly during the 1990s. In the early 2000s South Africa had more people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, than any other country in the world. Mbeki and later presidents faced other difficulties as well. These included high crime rates, tensions between ethnic groups, and continuing efforts to improve the lives of large parts of the population.

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The country of South Africa covers the southern tip of Africa. It has three capital cities: Pretoria (Tshwane), Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. Most of South Africa's people are...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About 10,000 years ago the San and the Khoekhoe peoples roamed southern Africa. About 2,000 years ago peoples who spoke Bantu languages settled in the region. The Bantu peoples were the ancestors of most of the blacks in South Africa today.

European Settlement

The Portuguese sailed around the southern tip of Africa in the late 1400s. In 1652 the Dutch set up a colony on the southwest coast. They slowly expanded their settlements, planted crops, and raised livestock. They became known as Boers, meaning "farmers." (Later they became known as Afrikaners.) As the Boers moved east, they fought with many African peoples, especially the Xhosa.

By 1806 the British had taken over the Dutch settlement. To escape British rule, many Boers moved north during the 1830s and 1840s. Their move is known as the Great Trek. In the 1850s the Boers set up two states in the northeast: the South African Republic (or Transvaal) and the Orange Free State.

British Rule

The British expanded their territory, called the Cape Colony, across the southern tip of Africa. They then tried to take over the Boer states. From 1899 to 1902 the British and the Boers fought the South African War. After winning the war, the British made the Boer states into British colonies.

In 1910 all the British colonies in southern Africa united. They formed a new, independent country called the Union of South Africa.

Apartheid

Whites controlled the new government of South Africa. They passed laws that separated the population by race. This system of separation became known as apartheid. The word means "separateness" in the Afrikaans language. The system also gave the white minority nearly all the political power, most of the land, and the best jobs.

In 1912 blacks and people of mixed ancestry formed a political group that became known as the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC held nonviolent protests against the white government. In 1960 police shot hundreds of protesters in Sharpeville, South Africa. In response, the ANC turned to bombings and other acts of violence to protest apartheid. Some ANC leaders, including Nelson Mandela, went to jail.

In 1990 a new South African president, F.W. de Klerk, announced that apartheid would end. The government released Mandela from prison and threw out the apartheid laws. South Africans of all races voted in elections in 1994. Mandela became the country's first black president.

A New South Africa

Mandela's government had to deal with the long-term effects of apartheid. The government was especially concerned with helping the people who had been mistreated under the old laws. Its priorities included improving education, housing, health care, and wages among the nonwhite population. The country adopted a new constitution in 1996. The government also created a body known as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission investigated human-rights abuses committed during the apartheid era by both the South African government and the resistance movement.

Thabo Mbeki of the ANC succeeded Mandela as president in 1999. Like other African countries, South Africa faced a serious health crisis when the deadly disease AIDS began to spread rapidly during the 1990s. In the early 2000s South Africa had more people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, than any other country in the world. Mbeki and later presidents faced other difficulties as well. These included high crime rates, tensions between ethnic groups, and continuing efforts to improve the lives of large parts of the population.

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The country of South Africa covers the southern tip of Africa. It has three capital cities: Pretoria (Tshwane), Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. Most of South Africa's people are...

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Learn South African cuisine facts for kids

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Learn South African cuisine facts for kids

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About 10,000 years ago the San and the Khoekhoe peoples roamed southern Africa. About 2,000 years ago peoples who spoke Bantu languages settled in the region. The Bantu peoples were the ancestors of most of the blacks in South Africa today.

European Settlement

The Portuguese sailed around the southern tip of Africa in the late 1400s. In 1652 the Dutch set up a colony on the southwest coast. They slowly expanded their settlements, planted crops, and raised livestock. They became known as Boers, meaning "farmers." (Later they became known as Afrikaners.) As the Boers moved east, they fought with many African peoples, especially the Xhosa.

By 1806 the British had taken over the Dutch settlement. To escape British rule, many Boers moved north during the 1830s and 1840s. Their move is known as the Great Trek. In the 1850s the Boers set up two states in the northeast: the South African Republic (or Transvaal) and the Orange Free State.

British Rule

The British expanded their territory, called the Cape Colony, across the southern tip of Africa. They then tried to take over the Boer states. From 1899 to 1902 the British and the Boers fought the South African War. After winning the war, the British made the Boer states into British colonies.

In 1910 all the British colonies in southern Africa united. They formed a new, independent country called the Union of South Africa.

Apartheid

Whites controlled the new government of South Africa. They passed laws that separated the population by race. This system of separation became known as apartheid. The word means "separateness" in the Afrikaans language. The system also gave the white minority nearly all the political power, most of the land, and the best jobs.

In 1912 blacks and people of mixed ancestry formed a political group that became known as the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC held nonviolent protests against the white government. In 1960 police shot hundreds of protesters in Sharpeville, South Africa. In response, the ANC turned to bombings and other acts of violence to protest apartheid. Some ANC leaders, including Nelson Mandela, went to jail.

In 1990 a new South African president, F.W. de Klerk, announced that apartheid would end. The government released Mandela from prison and threw out the apartheid laws. South Africans of all races voted in elections in 1994. Mandela became the country's first black president.

A New South Africa

Mandela's government had to deal with the long-term effects of apartheid. The government was especially concerned with helping the people who had been mistreated under the old laws. Its priorities included improving education, housing, health care, and wages among the nonwhite population. The country adopted a new constitution in 1996. The government also created a body known as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission investigated human-rights abuses committed during the apartheid era by both the South African government and the resistance movement.

Thabo Mbeki of the ANC succeeded Mandela as president in 1999. Like other African countries, South Africa faced a serious health crisis when the deadly disease AIDS began to spread rapidly during the 1990s. In the early 2000s South Africa had more people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, than any other country in the world. Mbeki and later presidents faced other difficulties as well. These included high crime rates, tensions between ethnic groups, and continuing efforts to improve the lives of large parts of the population.

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The country of South Africa covers the southern tip of Africa. It has three capital cities: Pretoria (Tshwane), Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. Most of South Africa's people are...

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Discover the remarkable life and work of Nelson Mandela - who helped change the lives of millions of South African people - in our Nelson Mandela facts...
Throughout history, lots of people around the world have faced discrimination - where they are treated differently because of their race, skin colour, gender, age and lots of other things, too.

Sadly, it still happens to this day! But there are some amazing people who have worked hard to make a change for the better, and helped us move towards a world where everyone is treated fairly and equally. One such person is Nelson Mandela ...

Nelson Mandela facts

Who was Nelson Mandela?

Full name: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Born: 18 July 1918
Hometown: Mvezo, South Africa
Occupation: President of South Africa and civil rights activist
Died: 5 December 2013
Best known for: Becoming the first black President of South Africa and a civil rights hero
Also known as: Madiba

Nelson Mandela's early life

Nelson Mandela was born on the 18th July 1918 in the village of Mvezo, which is located in an area of South Africa called Transkei. His father's name was Henry, and his mother was called Nosekeni Fanny.

As a youngster, little Nelson was actually called Rolihlahla - it wasn't until he was seven that a teacher at school gave him the name ' Nelson ', and it stuck!

And check this out... Nelson was born into royalty! His father, Henry, was chief of a tribe in South Africa called the Tembu, and his great grandfather was the tribe's king! But sadly, Nelson was just twelve years old when his father died.

Nelson studied hard at school and later attended the University of Fort Hare, the South African Native College. He then moved to the city of Johannesburg to study law at the University of the Witwatersrand, before qualifying as a lawyer in 1942, aged 24.

Inequality in South Africa

South Africa is home to many different peoples and cultures - so much so that it's been nicknamed the ' rainbow nation'. But, sadly, at the time that Nelson Mandela was growing up, there was a huge racial divide in the country.

White people ran the country, and they generally led privileged lives with good jobs, nice homes and access to good schools and healthcare. Most black people, however, worked in low-paid jobs, and lived in poor communities with poor facilities. They had far fewer rights, too - they weren't even allowed to vote in elections!

Like many others, Nelson Mandela felt that everyone deserved to be treated the same, regardless of their skin colour. So, in 1944, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) - a political group that strived for equal rights for whites and blacks.

In 1948 the South African government introduced a system called ' apartheid', which furthered the country's racial divide even more. Under new racist laws, black people and white people were forced to lead separate lives. They weren't allowed to live in the same areas, share a table in a restaurant, attend the same schools or even sit together on a train or bus!

What did Nelson Mandela do?

Nelson Mandela became an important figure in the ANC, and he helped set up and lead a section for young people called the ANC Youth League. He later travelled the country to gain support for non-violent protests against the National Party's racist laws, too.

This activism made him very unpopular with the authorities, and Nelson was arrested for treason - the crime of betraying your country's government - several times.

While Nelson was under arrest in the late 1950s, the government banned anti-apartheid groups such as the ANC. But that didn't stop Nelson and his fellow activists - in fact, they felt more had to be done to bring about change.

So, even though they preferred using peaceful protests in their struggle for equality, in 1961 Nelson and other ANC leaders formed a secret military group called Umkhonto we Sizwe, or Spear of the Nation.

Why did Nelson Mandela go to prison?

Nelson knew he would be in big trouble if the authorities found out about the secret army and their plans, and so he kept a very low profile. He lived in hiding - and even dressed in disguise! But in August 1962, he was arrested on his return from a trip to Algeria in Northern Africa, and sentenced to five years in prison. From there, things only got worse for Nelson...

In 1963, the police raided a farm near the city of Johannesburg and found documents belonging to the secret army, as well as weapons. The result? Nelson and seven other men were charged for plotting to overthrow the government and given life sentences. Nelson would spend the next 27 years behind bars ...

Nelson was first sent to a prison on Robben Island, seven miles off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa's capital city. He was moved to Pretoria Local Prison to appear in court, then returned to the Island prison for nearly ten years. In 1982, Nelson was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison, and later in 1988, he moved for a final time to Victor Verster Prison near a town called Paarl.

Throughout his time behind bars, Nelson Mandela didn't give up on what he believed in. He even refused freedom on two occasions, and instead chose to stand by his principles. He used his time to learn new things, including Afrikaans - a language of South Africa spoken mostly by white people - which earned him respect from the guards he spoke to.

When was Nelson Mandela freed from prison?

Over time, Nelson Mandela became a famous prisoner, and there were calls all around the world to ' Free Nelson Mandela! '. For decades, countries around the world had put pressure on South Africa to end apartheid, but now the anti-apartheid movement had more support than ever.

Change for the better finally came in 1989. The president of South Africa, FW de Klerk, met with Nelson Mandela and in 1990 set him free!

In 1991, Nelson became President of the ANC and worked with FW de Klerk to bring an end to apartheid in a harmonious way, and introduce equal rights for everyone. Their work towards making South Africa a more peaceful place won the pair the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Come the 1994 general election, all races in South Africa were allowed to vote. Nelson's hard work finally paid off - the ANC won, and Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president.

As President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela improved the living standards and facilities of South Africa's black population, who had suffered for decades under apartheid. He also worked hard to make South Africa a country of equality, where people of all race and colour could live together in peace.

In 1999, Nelson Mandela retired as President and his successor was called Mbeki. But whilst he left politics behind, he continued to be an important figure around the world as a symbol of peace and equality. The same year that he retired, he founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation, an organisation that works to this day to promote the principals of equality, freedom and peace.

When did Nelson Mandela die?

From 2004, he lived a quiet life with his wife Graça. Following a lung infection, Nelson Mandela sadly died in December 2013, aged 95 years old.

How is Nelson Mandela remembered?

Nelson Mandela's spirit and values are still very much alive to this day, and he will forever be remembered. He wrote a book called " Long Walk to Freedom", where people can read about the struggles he faced in his battle against discrimination and fight for equality. In 2009, Nelson's birthday, 18 July, was officially named ' Nelson Mandela Day '. Every year on this day, people around the world honour his legacy by helping their communities and making the world a better place.

Discover more inspirational figures who fought for equality by finding out all about Rosa Parks or reading our Martin Luther King facts.

What did you think of our Nelson Mandela facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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Nelson Mandela facts - National Geographic Kids

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Learn all about South Africa's first black president in our Nelson Mandela facts. His life story is extraordinary...

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Fun Facts about South Africa | South Africa Facts | Geography | Travel

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Our 35 Fun Facts about South Africa will provide fascinating insights into this wonderful African country... plus some interesting bonus facts!

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Fun Facts about South Africa | South Africa Facts | Geography | Travel

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Our 35 Fun Facts about South Africa will provide fascinating insights into this wonderful African country... plus some interesting bonus facts!

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Welcome to South Africa, a land of diversity, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes!

As part of our Fun Facts Series, we're exploring 10 fun facts about this vibrant country - from its multicultural heritage to its stunning natural wonders.

1. It's Multicultural

South Africa is often called the "Rainbow Nation" due to its multicultural diversity. It is home to many ethnicities, languages, and cultures that together create one beautiful country.

Celebrate diversity with our tissue paper Rainbow Nation craft, and learn how to say hello in South African languages.

2. It's Multilingual

In 2023, South Africa officially recognized South African Sign Language as one of its languages. Now, South Africa has 12 official languages. The other languages include Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. The most widely spoken language is Zulu.

But South Africa also has other common languages. They are Hindi, Swahili, Dutch, Portuguese, and Greek. With so many languages, it is understandable why most South Africans speak at least two languages!

3. Capital Cities

South Africa has three capital cities, one for each branch of government:

Cape Town is the legislative capital. This is where the Parliament is seated.

Pretoria is the executive (or administrative) capital. This is where the Cabinet and the President are seated.

Bloemfontein is the judicial capital. It's home to the Supreme Court of Appeal, the second-highest court in South Africa.

Find these places on the map!

Use the map below to locate:

the three capital cities - Cape Town, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein

Johannesburg - another city

Lesotho - a country surrounded by South Africa

4. Urban Forest

Johannesburg, the most populated city in South Africa, is home to one of the largest man-made urban forests in the world. Over 10 million trees help to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality for the city.

Jacaranda trees, in bloom from late September through mid-November, cover the city in purple.

CanY71 from Getty Images, via Canva | Furian, via Deposit Photos

5. Freedom Day
*Apartheid was a system for keeping white people and nonwhites separated in South Africa.
Freedom Day is celebrated every year on April 27. It honors the first democratic elections held in 1994 in South Africa. This was the first time that South Africans of all races could vote, and it marked the end of apartheid.* It was during this election that Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa.

6. Table Mountain

This flat-topped mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world. It is believed to be about 240 million years old. Table Mountain overlooks the city of Cape Town and is accessible by using the cableway or hiking to the top.

It is home to more than 2,200 species of plants. For this reason, Table Mountain is one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world. The formation of clouds over the plateau is known as the Tablecloth.

Binty from Getty Images, via Canva
Table Mountain is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Diverse Flavors

South African cuisine is a melting pot of flavors influenced by the country's diverse cultural heritage. Here's a taste of some traditional dishes:

Braai (barbecue) is popular at South African social gatherings. Boerewors (spiced sausage), lamb chops, chicken kebabs, and mielies (corn cob) are accompanied by side dishes like potato salad, chakalaka (spicy vegetable relish), and pap (maize porridge).

Bobotie is a savory minced meat dish (often beef or lamb) topped with an egg custard and served with yellow rice and chutney.

AJ Paulsen from Getty Images, via Canva
Biltong is a popular snack made from dried, cured meat (typically beef or game meat like venison).

8. Rooibos

Rooibos (ROY-BOSS) means "red bush." It is a shrub native to the rugged mountains of the Cederberg region of South Africa. This is the only place in the world where rooibos can grow wild or be cultivated.

The leaves from the flowering shrub make Rooibos tea. It is naturally caffeine-free, rich in antioxidants, and boasts many health benefits, including reducing inflammation and cholesterol.

yasuhiroamano from Getty Images, via Canva
The Khoisan people used Rooibos over 300 years ago. They are an indigenous tribe from the region. They used Rooibos as medicine for various ailments.

9. Amazing Animals

Giraffe (tallest land animal)

African elephant (largest land mammal)

Cheetah (fastest land mammal)

Elend (largest antelope)

Ostrich (largest bird) It also holds records for the fastest land speed of any bird and for laying the largest eggs of any living bird species.

Whale shark (largest fish)

Leatherback turtle (largest reptile)

South Africa is home to many amazing animals, including several record-breaking species:

South Africa has numerous national parks and game reserves where visitors can experience these animals in their natural habitats.

Identify each animal in the picture. Research to discover the details of their records.

10. African Art Car

In 1991 BMW invited Esther Mahlangu to create a unique "Art Car." Esther is a renowned South African artist. She was the first non-Western person and the first female to design a BMW Art Car. She transformed the BMW 525i sedan into a stunning work of art featuring colorful geometric patterns that are characteristic of her Ndebele heritage.

Olli1800, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The art of the Ndebele is distinctive. The colorful geometric patterns are rich in symbolism and serve as expressions of identity, status, and culture. They feature it on their homes, clothing, and beadwork. Take a peek Inside the Beautifully Graphic Painted Ndebele Homes in South Africa. -Vogue
10 Fun Little-Known Facts About Kenya Fun Facts for Kids About Djibouti 11 Fun Facts About Cameroon For Kids 14 Fun Facts About Nigeria for Kids 10 Fun Facts About Rwanda 8 Fun Facts about Ghana + Activities and Games to Learn More! 10 Fun Facts about Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) 10 Facts About Somalia
Get to know more African countries!

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10 Fun Facts About South Africa - Multicultural Kid Blogs

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From its vibrant multicultural heritage and diverse languages to its stunning natural wonders, South Africa is fun to explore!

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Discover the remarkable life and work of Nelson Mandela - who helped change the lives of millions of South African people - in our Nelson Mandela facts...
Throughout history, lots of people around the world have faced discrimination - where they are treated differently because of their race, skin colour, gender, age and lots of other things, too.

Sadly, it still happens to this day! But there are some amazing people who have worked hard to make a change for the better, and helped us move towards a world where everyone is treated fairly and equally. One such person is Nelson Mandela ...

Nelson Mandela facts

Who was Nelson Mandela?

Full name: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Born: 18 July 1918
Hometown: Mvezo, South Africa
Occupation: President of South Africa and civil rights activist
Died: 5 December 2013
Best known for: Becoming the first black President of South Africa and a civil rights hero
Also known as: Madiba

Nelson Mandela's early life

Nelson Mandela was born on the 18th July 1918 in the village of Mvezo, which is located in an area of South Africa called Transkei. His father's name was Henry, and his mother was called Nosekeni Fanny.

As a youngster, little Nelson was actually called Rolihlahla - it wasn't until he was seven that a teacher at school gave him the name ' Nelson ', and it stuck!

And check this out... Nelson was born into royalty! His father, Henry, was chief of a tribe in South Africa called the Tembu, and his great grandfather was the tribe's king! But sadly, Nelson was just twelve years old when his father died.

Nelson studied hard at school and later attended the University of Fort Hare, the South African Native College. He then moved to the city of Johannesburg to study law at the University of the Witwatersrand, before qualifying as a lawyer in 1942, aged 24.

Inequality in South Africa

South Africa is home to many different peoples and cultures - so much so that it's been nicknamed the ' rainbow nation'. But, sadly, at the time that Nelson Mandela was growing up, there was a huge racial divide in the country.

White people ran the country, and they generally led privileged lives with good jobs, nice homes and access to good schools and healthcare. Most black people, however, worked in low-paid jobs, and lived in poor communities with poor facilities. They had far fewer rights, too - they weren't even allowed to vote in elections!

Like many others, Nelson Mandela felt that everyone deserved to be treated the same, regardless of their skin colour. So, in 1944, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) - a political group that strived for equal rights for whites and blacks.

In 1948 the South African government introduced a system called ' apartheid', which furthered the country's racial divide even more. Under new racist laws, black people and white people were forced to lead separate lives. They weren't allowed to live in the same areas, share a table in a restaurant, attend the same schools or even sit together on a train or bus!

What did Nelson Mandela do?

Nelson Mandela became an important figure in the ANC, and he helped set up and lead a section for young people called the ANC Youth League. He later travelled the country to gain support for non-violent protests against the National Party's racist laws, too.

This activism made him very unpopular with the authorities, and Nelson was arrested for treason - the crime of betraying your country's government - several times.

While Nelson was under arrest in the late 1950s, the government banned anti-apartheid groups such as the ANC. But that didn't stop Nelson and his fellow activists - in fact, they felt more had to be done to bring about change.

So, even though they preferred using peaceful protests in their struggle for equality, in 1961 Nelson and other ANC leaders formed a secret military group called Umkhonto we Sizwe, or Spear of the Nation.

Why did Nelson Mandela go to prison?

Nelson knew he would be in big trouble if the authorities found out about the secret army and their plans, and so he kept a very low profile. He lived in hiding - and even dressed in disguise! But in August 1962, he was arrested on his return from a trip to Algeria in Northern Africa, and sentenced to five years in prison. From there, things only got worse for Nelson...

In 1963, the police raided a farm near the city of Johannesburg and found documents belonging to the secret army, as well as weapons. The result? Nelson and seven other men were charged for plotting to overthrow the government and given life sentences. Nelson would spend the next 27 years behind bars ...

Nelson was first sent to a prison on Robben Island, seven miles off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa's capital city. He was moved to Pretoria Local Prison to appear in court, then returned to the Island prison for nearly ten years. In 1982, Nelson was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison, and later in 1988, he moved for a final time to Victor Verster Prison near a town called Paarl.

Throughout his time behind bars, Nelson Mandela didn't give up on what he believed in. He even refused freedom on two occasions, and instead chose to stand by his principles. He used his time to learn new things, including Afrikaans - a language of South Africa spoken mostly by white people - which earned him respect from the guards he spoke to.

When was Nelson Mandela freed from prison?

Over time, Nelson Mandela became a famous prisoner, and there were calls all around the world to ' Free Nelson Mandela! '. For decades, countries around the world had put pressure on South Africa to end apartheid, but now the anti-apartheid movement had more support than ever.

Change for the better finally came in 1989. The president of South Africa, FW de Klerk, met with Nelson Mandela and in 1990 set him free!

In 1991, Nelson became President of the ANC and worked with FW de Klerk to bring an end to apartheid in a harmonious way, and introduce equal rights for everyone. Their work towards making South Africa a more peaceful place won the pair the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Come the 1994 general election, all races in South Africa were allowed to vote. Nelson's hard work finally paid off - the ANC won, and Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president.

As President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela improved the living standards and facilities of South Africa's black population, who had suffered for decades under apartheid. He also worked hard to make South Africa a country of equality, where people of all race and colour could live together in peace.

In 1999, Nelson Mandela retired as President and his successor was called Mbeki. But whilst he left politics behind, he continued to be an important figure around the world as a symbol of peace and equality. The same year that he retired, he founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation, an organisation that works to this day to promote the principals of equality, freedom and peace.

When did Nelson Mandela die?

From 2004, he lived a quiet life with his wife Graça. Following a lung infection, Nelson Mandela sadly died in December 2013, aged 95 years old.

How is Nelson Mandela remembered?

Nelson Mandela's spirit and values are still very much alive to this day, and he will forever be remembered. He wrote a book called " Long Walk to Freedom", where people can read about the struggles he faced in his battle against discrimination and fight for equality. In 2009, Nelson's birthday, 18 July, was officially named ' Nelson Mandela Day '. Every year on this day, people around the world honour his legacy by helping their communities and making the world a better place.

Discover more inspirational figures who fought for equality by finding out all about Rosa Parks or reading our Martin Luther King facts.

What did you think of our Nelson Mandela facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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Nelson Mandela facts - National Geographic Kids

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Learn all about South Africa's first black president in our Nelson Mandela facts. His life story is extraordinary...

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All About South Africa Fun Earth Science Facts for Kids. Learn more about South Africa with our Geography for kids website. Fun Easy Science for Kids.