A timeline of critical events in the history of South Africa. (Originated from Orange County Register) From: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service | Date: December 1, 1993 | COPYRIGHT 1993 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

    A.D. 300: Bantu-speaking black farmers migrate to south Africa from the north. They later are joined by Khoikhoi and San, yellowish-skinned hunters and gatherers. European settlers refer to the Khoikhoi and San as Hottentots and Bushmen. 
    1488: Portuguese sailors round the Cape of Good Hope in their search for a water route to India. 
    1652: Jan Van Riebeeck establishes a supply base for the Dutch East India Co. at what is now Cape Town. The company imports slaves from tropical...