South Africa

THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, which occupies the southern tip of the African continent, has been of interest to Europeans for centuries, for both strategic and economic reasons. In the last century, the rightwing policies of successive governments in South Africa have been based on racial exclusion and were for many decades enshrined in the country's laws. South Africa before the 1990s is remembered for its policy of apartheid, its official policy of racial separation and inequality. Interestingly, South African government policies were implemented through the passage and rule of law, made by white minority legislatures.

Southern Africa has long been known as rich in natural resources, including food and later gold and diamonds. Militarily, southern Africa was important because it guarded the major sea routes ...