Fun Facts About South Africa | Things You Didn't Know!

Are you looking for interesting facts about South Africa? During our trip, we soaked up a lot of culture and spoke with many locals. This led to a huge list of facts about South Africa.

Portuguese: The first Europeans to set foot in South Africa were the Portuguese. But they took a quick look around, shrugged, and decided it wasn’t worth colonizing.
Dutch East India Company: In 1652, the Dutch established a refreshment station at the Cape. It was a small start, but within five years, farmers were settling along the Liesbeek River. They took the first steps toward what would later become the Cape Colony.
Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu: Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, two icons of the fight against apartheid, once lived on the same street in Soweto. Imagine, two Nobel Prize winners as neighbors.
Power Outlets: The power outlets in South Africa are types C, D, M, and N. So you’ll need a good travel adapter for South Africa.
Apartheid Regime: The 20th century was marked by the rise and fall of the apartheid regime, a dark chapter that left deep scars but also led to the birth of a rainbow nation.
Mapungubwe Culture: Long before the Europeans arrived, there was the Mapungubwe culture. Around 1200 AD, they had already built an advanced society, a civilization that impressed with its art and architecture.
Cape Floral Kingdom: Did you know that South Africa is the only country in the world with an entirely contained botanical kingdom? The Cape Floral Kingdom is a treasure trove of unique plants and flowers.
King Protea: The King Protea, South Africa’s national flower, is a marvel of nature.

The King Protea South Africa's national flower

Cederberg Region: In the Cederberg region, you’ll find rock paintings that are over 6,000 years old, silent witnesses of a distant past and a lost world.
Kalahari Desert: The Kalahari Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world, is a place of extreme beauty and silence.
Knysna Seahorse: The Knysna Seahorse, a small, chubby lizard found only in South Africa. A fascinating creature you won’t find anywhere else.
Table Mountain: Table Mountain in Cape Town, one of the most photographed places in the world. An icon of the city and a must-see for every visitor.
Kruger National Park: The Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in the world. A paradise for nature lovers and a sanctuary for Africa’s wildlife.
Namaqualand: Namaqualand, a semi-desert that transforms into a sea of flowers every year. A natural wonder you have to see to believe.
Official Languages: South Africa has 11 official languages. Yes, eleven. Including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, and Xhosa.
Afrikaans: Afrikaans is one of the youngest languages in the world, only 103 years old. A language that emerged from Dutch and found its own unique path.
Zion Christian Church: The Zion Christian Church is the largest Christian denomination in South Africa.
English in Universities: All university classes in South Africa are taught in English. A pragmatic choice in a country with so many languages.
Braai: The ‘braai’, the South African version of the barbecue, is more than just a way of cooking. It’s a social ritual, a celebration of life.
Pap: Many South Africans start their day with ‘putupap’, a type of maize porridge. A simple but nutritious breakfast that’s part of the daily routine.
Rooibos Tea: Rooibos tea is a popular tea that only grows in South Africa.

rooibos tea plants growing in South Africa

Measuring Distances: Distances between villages are measured from post office to post office.
Swimming Skills: Despite the long coastline, many South Africans from the interior can’t swim. An intriguing contrast that has to do with the country’s history and geography.
Yummies: The ‘yummies’ are the new black rich class with ties to the ANC. A group that gives a new face to wealth and influence in South Africa.
Lobola Calculator: The ‘Lobola Calculator’ app calculates how much a woman is ‘worth’. A modern twist on an old tradition.
Sex and Marriage: Premarital sex is allowed, but then you have to get married afterward.
HIV Infections: South Africa has the highest percentage of HIV infections in the world. A serious challenge the country is trying to tackle.
Winnie Mandela: Herman van Veen gave Winnie Mandela a role in the cartoon series Alfred J. Kwak. A surprising fact that highlights the global influence of South African figures.

South Africa is a country full of surprises. From its rich history and cultural diversity to its breathtaking landscapes and unique flora and fauna, it’s a place that continues to fascinate.

If you know more interesting facts about South Africa, let us know so we can add them!