I know it is still an impoverished country but compared to other african countries it seems much more civilized and developed.
But even more than that it seems like it is much more culturally prominent than other african countries. I never hear about Ghana in casual conversation but I feel like I hear about South Africa more regularly. It has had major historical figures, movies have been set there, people want to travel there. It just seems like it is more out there than the rest of Africa.
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South Africa is unique because :
1) We were not Colonised initially. We were a waystation for boats of the Dutch East India Co. Nothing more. That settlement became bigger and bigger as Europeans from various countries saw the opportunity to create a new lofe here in Africa.
2) The expansion or Colonization of South Africa was due to a breakdown between those who saw themselves as “Boere” or “Afrikaners” ( Meaning second or third generation immigrants) and the ruler of the what had by then become the Cape Colony. The Boers set out north to find fame and fortune but in the process creates many small wars with the indigenous peoples.
3) Eventually, After a series of small wars and a couple of big ones between everybody, The union of South Africa was created. A South African government under British rule.
4) South Africa is prominent because of our violence. The violence of Apartheid where people protesting for equal rights were shot in cold blood and the violence that stood up against it. Also, the violence of our current time which is extremely high because it mostly senseless unlike Nigeria which has Boko Haram etc.
5) We are extremely mineral rich. We have a shit ton of gold, platinum and diamonds along with amazing natural wonders and wild life. Where in other colonised countries such as DRC, the indigenous people were massacred for their resources, our people were strippes of their rights and often “forced” through circumstance to mine these resources.
6) We are prominent because we had nuclear weapons but dismantled them, we have won the Rugny world cup three times( suck it eddie jones), we have one unique biome that is only found here, we have Africa’s only Biosafety 4 lab, we have one of the strongest militaries in Africa along with a stable economy(in the past).
Source: I am A South African and I studied our history.
Feel free to ask questions.
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