Points of Divergence : South Africa

Points of divergence concerning alternate historical developments within the modern day territory of the Republic of South Africa.

Modern human beings have inhabited South Africa for more than 100,000 years. However, with the discovery of the Cape Sea Route, the Dutch East India Company founded a refreshment station at what would become Cape Town in 1652. Cape Town became a British colony in 1806. European settlement expanded during the 1820s as the Boers (original Dutch settlers) and the British 1820 Settlers claimed land in the north and east of the country. Conflicts arose between the original inhabitants of the land, the Xhosa and Zulu, and the new European settlers. However, the discovery of diamonds and later gold triggered the conflict known as the Anglo-Boer War as the Boers and the British fought for the control of South Africa's mineral wealth. Although the Boers were defeated, limited independence was given to South Africa in 1910 as a British dominion. Anti-British policies focused on ultimate independence which was achieved in 1961 when South Africa was declared a republic. The leading National Party legislated segregation known as apartheid despite opposition both in and outside of the country. In 1990 former president F.W. de Klerk began to dismantle this legislation, and in 1994 the first democratic election was held in South Africa. This election brought Nelson Mandela and the current ruling party, the African National Congress to power. (from Wikipedia)

South Africa : The Other Cradle of Civilization

Could South Africa, with its Mediterranean climate, have fostered the growth of native civilization ?

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South Africa : The Other Cradle of Civilization

Could South Africa, with its Mediterranean climate, have fostered the growth of native civilization ?

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Could South Africa, with its Mediterranean climate, have fostered the growth of native civilization ?

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Could South Africa, with its Mediterranean climate, have fostered the growth of native civilization ?

Netherlands keeps South Africa

Alternative names for South Africa

Alternate names for Cape Town

Dutch Cape Colony economy, politics, society, etc.

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The prospects of increased Northern European immigration to South Africa

WI South Africa was used as a penal colony ?

WI: No Great Trek & South Africa under a reactionary Britain ?

The Great Trek meets Shaka

A discussion about what South Africa would look like if there was no Act of Union, as well as the prospects for a federal model of South Africa

Transvaal sea access

Challenge: Prevent Afrikaans from diverging from Dutch

Challenge: Maximum number of surviving OTL Boer and Griqua Republics

Plausibility check: What difference would better armed Zulus have made ?

Plausibility check: Boer republics against Dutch Cape Colony ?

Alternate names for Cape Town

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Avoiding Apartheid

Likelihood of Southern Rhodesia joining the Union of South Africa (plus discussion on outcomes)

WI: Larger bantustans

How would YOU equip the SADF in the 1980s ?

KaNgwane annexed to Swaziland

South Africa's situation if the USSR survives ?

WI: South African white rump state ?

WI: No reconciliation in 1990s South Africa

Challenge: A larger population of white South Africans in the 20th century

This is Viriato's excellent analysis of the immigrant populations in Africa if World War One did not occur

In addition, is here is his methodology in coming up with these totals

This is Viriato's conservative analysis for the population of Southern Africa if Rhodesia joins the Union of South Africa, and the government of South Africa has a liberal policy in regards to white immigration (with methodology)

More "Economic Tigers" (with a POD between 1945 and 1975)

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Plausibility check: Swaziland and Lesotho joining South Africa ?

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OTL 1985 South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are ISOTed to the same year in the Draka timeline

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South Africa

South African Timelines and Scenarios

Useful Resources about South Africa

List of Countries by POD

Points of Divergence Main Directory