Ethnic groups in South Africa

Ethnic groups in South Africa are made up of several different communities. The biggest group is Black, followed by Coloured, White, and Indian or Asian people. These groups have roots in many different places and histories.

These racial groups were defined during a time called apartheid, when the government treated people unfairly based on their race. Today, the government uses these groups to help make sure everyone has equal opportunities.

The first big survey of these groups happened in 1996, after South Africa became a democracy. People were asked to choose how they identified from the groups set by the government.

Black African South Africans

Main article: Bantu peoples of South Africa

Most people in South Africa are Bantu Africans. They belong to many groups, such as the Zulu, Xhosa, BaPedi, BaTswana, BaSotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda, and South Ndebele. These groups speak many languages, including isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sepedi, Setswana, Sesotho, Xitsonga, siSwati, Tshivenda, and isiNdebele.

These groups live not only in South Africa but also in countries like Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, and Mozambique.

Coloured South Africans

Main articles: Cape Coloureds and Coloureds

The 'Coloured' population includes people of mixed heritage, mainly living in the Cape region. They have many different ethnic backgrounds in their family history.

During a difficult time called apartheid, the government made rules about how people should identify. Today, people can choose their own identity. Many in this group speak Afrikaans. They share a common history but have different languages and traditions.

The Cape 'Coloureds' have roots in connections between European settlers and people from Africa, Asia, and other places. For example, the Cape Malay group includes people with mixed heritage who follow Islam. There are also many Chinese South Africans who were once classified in the same way. Some of these people now receive support from the government.

Other Asian groups, like Hong Kongers, Taiwanese, and Japanese South Africans, were treated differently during apartheid.

In recent times, the Coloured community has also included people from other countries, such as Zimbabwe and Namibia, as well as people of mixed descent from places like India.

White South Africans

Main article: White South Africans

White South Africans are mostly descendants of people from Europe, such as the Dutch, German, French, British, and Portuguese. They are split into two main groups based on language: those who speak Afrikaans and those who speak English.

Over time, the number of White South Africans has changed. In 1911, they made up 22% of the population, but by 2022, this dropped to just 7%. Many chose to leave the country for various reasons. Some also came to South Africa from other places, like Angola, Mozambique, and Rhodesia, especially after those countries became independent. Others arrived from countries such as Poland, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.

Indian South Africans

Main article: Indian South Africans

Many people in South Africa have ancestors from British India. They arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. About 1.2 million people in South Africa today are descendants of these migrants. Most came to work on sugar farms along the eastern coast of Natal. Others came to find work and start businesses. These groups spoke different languages and had various religions.

Other cultural groups

Main article: Khoisan

The Khoikhoi and San people in South Africa are a small group of people who lived there long before others arrived. The Khoikhoi took care of animals and many joined the ways of the people who came later. The San people hunted and gathered food to live.

There are also a few people known as the Lemba people living in the north eastern parts of South Africa. They come from both Bantu and Semitic backgrounds.

Some Kalderash Roma people have also made South Africa their home.

In the last twenty years, many people have moved to South Africa from other countries. The largest groups coming from Zimbabwe, Somalia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nigeria. There are also people from Vietnam, Korea and the Philippines living there.

Population growth

From 2009 to 2016, the number of people in South Africa grew by 11.6%. It started at about 49.9 million and reached about 55.7 million.