Historical Perspective of South Africa’s Culture

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Recommended: Impact of Apartheid on the lives of South Africans

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the country of South Africa. Through history background and detailed explanation of cultural aspects of the country, it will try to explain why South Africa is called the “Rainbow Nation” and why Apartheid was important. National and business influences are intertwined with cultural values and are a good example of how South Africa today is divided between its native embedded and espoused values, and those values that were inherited from British and Dutch dictators. With a brief overview of traditional foods and drinks, this paper also deals with socio-political perspective of South Africa and its business practices. Finally, the paper summarizes pluses and minuses of the country in order to provide a bigger picture of the nowadays situation in South Africa and its possible future prospects.

Keywords: South Africa, history, cultural aspects, Rainbow Nation, Apartheid, national influences, business influences, cultural values, native, embedded values, espoused values, British, Dutch, dictators, tradition, food, drink, socio-political perspective, business practices, pluses, minuses, future prospects.

South Africa

Historical Perspective of South Africa’s Culture

The history of South Africa as it is known today, began with the arrival of Dutch East India Company (VOC), which established a station for resupplying its fleets travelling from their homeland (Holland) to their Asian colonies. At first, their intentions were not to stay permanently, but given the fact that the territory was very rich in natural resources, they changed their mind. While they were exhausting natural resources like water and food, they were also very successful in threatening local people with wea...

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...rica’s best hope lies within mining industry’s ever-rising success.

South Africa food & drink report - Q1 2010. (2010). London: Business Monitor International. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.rit.edu/docview/189819279?accountid=108

This article provides a deep insight to food and drink markets in South Africa. With up-to-date information about macroeconomic indicators and SWOT analysis of food, drink and mass grocery retail segment of South Africa’s market, this article shares an in-depth analysis of sales history, future forecasts, industry development and overview of food and drink markets in South Africa. It also provides detailed information of competitive landscape and

demographic data of South Africa.

Trompenaars, A. (1994). Riding the waves of culture: Understanding diversity in global business. Burr Ridge, Ill: Irwin Professional Pub.

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