The black natives were forced into slavery by the white Dutch, and over time cultures began to mix, giving rise to the Afrikaans language, which was heavy on the Dutch. South Africa is an ancient country with ancient peoples like the Nguni which include the Zulu and Xhosa people, who had long-standing traditions and history, but everything changed when the Dutch arrived. So let’s start with a little history lesson. Don’t have the time to read Nelson Mandela’s A Long Walk to Freedom or take a class in South African history? Never fear! Demand Africa is here. The people are very aware of their own history, so the best way to stay respectful is to give yourself a bit of context so you don’t blunder into insulting a new friend. When traveling through a place like South Africa, generally keep one rule in mind: be respectful. Johannesburg wouldn’t be what it is today without Soweto, and the same goes for Cape Town and Khayelitsha. If you’re only visiting for the beaches and safaris, then you can stop here, but if you want to see South Africa in its fullest, then you’re going to need to know a thing or two about the townships. If anything, this fact makes your visit to South Africa even more important.

The result is that South Africa is ranked #2 on Business Insider’s list of the most unequal countries in the world, right behind Namibia. While desegregation occurred in the United States in the 1960s, the end of Apartheid in South Africa only happened in 1991 and the then ruling National Party didn’t even pretend to maintain ‘separate but equal’ policies. Like many African nations, it’s a country that is still feeling the effects of colonization efforts that began around 400 years ago. South Africa is a beautiful place with a history of racial strife.

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