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Subsistence farming dominated the economy and the wealthiest person was the one with the most cattle.
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The people in who lived in South Africa before the settlers arrived was traditional Bantu people.
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When Jan van Riebeeck arrived in the Cape, his main mission was to establish a refreshment station for passing ships.
The settlers bought cattle from the Khoikoi and local people to supply passing ships. -
Imported slaves from Malaysia acted as an important contributing factor in the South African Industry.They brought skills from their home-countries that contributed largely to the industrial development in South Africa, skills such as fishing, farming and working in sugar-cane plantations.
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Trading and commercial activities developed
between settlers and the tribes from Southern Africa. -
Vines were imported from Frans and French Huguenots developed a wine industry.
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Migrations from Europe to South Africa increased.
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German and British immigrants developed industrial farming strategies.
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Governor Van Plettenberg introduced the first South African papermoney, issued in rixdollar and stiver denominations
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The Khoi-San rose in a rebellion against the authorities in the eastern Cape. This failed rebellion marked the beginning of the tribe's transformation to become part of the world of "western" customs.
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The draught caused sosial problems in the midst of these tribes and also led to people fleeing to the cities.
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Media allowed people to know more about what was happening in the country. It also sped up commercialisation.
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The Orange Freestate was established and the borders derermined by the UK
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The South African Republic was established
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Diamonds were discovered in the Cape province
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Cecil John Rhodes arrives in South Africa and becomes an icon in diamond-dealings.
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Mining activities were halted mass deaths in concentration camps, destruction of towns and farmlands.
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Discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand. Inflow of foreign capital. Gold- and diamond rush – further migration of foreign nationals to South Africa.
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Glen Grey Act: Obligatory tax payments to force farmers into labour at the mines. Surplus of labour – mining companies formed a buying cartel: Chamber of Mines and developed a monopsony which suppressed wages.
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The war lasted until the 31st of May 1902. It ended with a British victory and the start of the British empire
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Freestate and ZAR united in the Union of South Africa.
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The land act stated that South Africans could only own land in certain areas.
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Rand Rebellion – Conflict over training blacks to work in gold mines instead of using white immigrants.
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Unemployment: People flooded to towns in a race to find employment.
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Large-scale industrialisation due to the mining industry and government investments. Emphasis shifted from agriculture to mining
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The government who introduced Apartheid was elected to enable different racial groups further development in their separate areas. This served to divide economic and political growth in an unfair manner. The result was illiterate blacks with low living standards, which had an impact long into the future.
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Income hierarchy dominated by race. Sanctions imposed due to the Apartheid legislation. In spite of the sanctions, South Africa was still able to buy oil and to develop technologies, which made the conversion of coal into oil possible. The USA implemented a boycott South African investments.
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Gold reached an all time price-high, that earned considerable profits for the mining companies. However due to currency restrictions they could not invest in foreign markets, they bought businesses in other economic activities instead. Steady increase in unemployment from 9.24% to 18.78%.
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Democratic elections: Nelson Mandela became president.
Foreign exchange controls relaxed. A black empowerment plan was initiated that favours black employment and led to the transfer of some companies to black ownership. -
High unemployment rates (25.61%) that increase to 27.96% in 2003. Low per capita income. A depreciation in the South African Rand to R6.1188 per USD 1.00. GDP (PPP) Share of world total was 0.7%
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Increased economic growth, with higher employment and capital formation rates with a Real GDP growth rate of 4.6%. The unemployment rate decrease from 26.73% to 22.23%.
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The Real GDP growth rate declined from the 2007 high of 5.5% to -1.5%.Inflation is 7.1%. Public Debt is 31.5% of GDP. Unemployment increases from 22.23% to 23.94%.
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South Africa hosts the 2010 Soccer World Cup:
- Upgraded infrastructure
- Increased expenses
- Foreign investment
GDP (PPP) Share of world total was 0.71%
Inflation = 4.3%. Public Debt = 35.3% of GDP. Unemployment rate = 24.91%. -
Inflation = 4%
Public Debt = 38.8% of GDP -
A violent event at Lonmin's Marikana mine sparked foreign interest. It caused nervousness in foreign investments and the settlement on higher minimum loans led to a series of strikes in other industries such as agriculture and logistics.
