Managing cultural diversity in South Africa

Résumé du document

Rainbow Nation- a term used to describe post-apartheid South Africa, when multicultural diversity emerged i.e, a country with a strong history and a rich diversified culture. Here you will find the important elements to be successful in doing business with South Africans. We will start with an historical overview that will allow us to understand today's South African society. It is important to be aware of the historical and cultural background of the country you want to work with.

Before the 17th century and the settlement of the Dutch at the Cape of Good Hope the Khoikhoi were living in this area and along the coast. The Boers (Dutch farmers) joined the colony and used them for slavery. They were joined by families of French Huguenots who settled in South Africa. In the early 18th century, Britain took control of the Cape Colony. In 1833, the English forbid and abolished slavery; the Boers lost therefore their labor. In 1834, the Boers migrated to Natal, north of the Vaal and Orange. England gave them their independence between 1852 and 1854. In 1877, British Prime Minister Disraeli caused an Anglo-Boer War. Despite a solution to this war, tension mounted between the two in 1896 to break out in 1899. The Treaty of Pretoria ended this war three years later. In 1910, the Union of South Africa was created.

In 1948, the United National Party founded by Daniel Malan, pastor of the reformed Dutch church, won the most seats in the Parliament of South Africa. As prime minister, he immediately set up the political system, the "apartheid", based on development through racial separation. The union of South Africa, which already had a long history in this area, entered a political system and mainly focused on racial segregation. Since 1960 the South Africa has been isolated from the Commonwealth.