Retelling South Africa's freedom stories

Retelling South Africa's freedom stories

South Africa will launch three new museums this year - including one that retells the story of the Battle of Blood River - as well as the Steve Biko Heritage Centre, to honour the memory of those who fought for the country's freedom.

Sharpeville remembered

South Africa's Human Rights Day – declared International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by the UN – will always be synonymous with Sharpeville, the township where, on 21 March 1960, the police opened fire on unarmed people protesting against apartheid's pass laws, killing 69 and injuring 180 others.

A short history of South Africa

Take a brief tour through the rich, dramatic history of South Africa: from the earliest inhabitants through colonisation to the discovery of diamonds and gold – and the war that followed; from the formation and evolution of black resistance, through three decades of crisis to the eventual death of apartheid.

Liberation Route to honour heroes

South Africa has begun work on a series of museums and monuments, together forming a National Liberation Heritage Route, to honour the women and men who fought against apartheid.

Voortrekker Monument recognised

In a gesture towards nation-building and reconciliation, the South African government is to declare the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria a national heritage site, while unveiling a series of monuments to celebrate the heroes and heroines of the country's struggle for liberation.

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Go to South African History Online

SA History Online

New ways of teaching history, new insight into South Africa's past.

South Africa's national flag

National flag

Whatever shape our flag takes, it's instantly recognised by South Africans everywhere.

South Africa's national anthem

National anthem

Uniting two anthems, five languages and over 49-million people.

South Africa's national symbols

National symbols

What's that image on your
R5 coin? What does !ke e: /xarra //ke mean? (Whose language is that?) ...

Go to the Nelson Mandela page

Nelson Mandela

Find out more about one of the great moral and political leaders of our time.

South Africa's World Heritage sites

World heritage

Eight World Heritage sites: places of "outstanding value to humanity".

Cultural experiences in South Africa

Heritage adventures

From galleries to rock art centres, museums to cultural villages - discover our rich heritage for yourself.

72 days that 
shaped South Africa

72 days that shaped South Africa

Just how "miraculous" was our transition to democracy? How close did we really come to civil war? Check out some press clippings of the 72 days leading up to SA's first democratic elections - and see how heavily the odds were stacked against "the rainbow nation".

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