Why were Europeans interested in colonizing South Africa?

Answer 1

Europeans saw Africa as a rich source of raw materials to use in industry and as a market for European products of industry. Also, it was felt that having a colonial empire at this time was part of being a European power, in order to be able to compete. Furthermore, some Europeans felt that they were superior to Africans and were therefore justified in conquering what they thought were the "backward" peoples of Africa.

This position persisted as late as 1974 in Portugal, when the government was peacefully removed. This followed years of fighting to maintain its African territory.

Answer 2

South Africa was colonised for a number of reasons. Firstly, South Africa was located at the southernmost tip of the African continent and bordered on three sides by seas, which was an important location for the European sailors to restock their supplies of food and rest, so the Europeans wanted to control South Africa to enforce its grip on trade routes to India and Asia.

Secondly, Since South Africa was a territory large in size and rich in minerals including diamonds and gold, it attracted ambitious countries to rule this land to seize the Natural Resources.

Moreover, South Africa was not a powerful country. The native people had no advanced weapons, armies and ability to defend their territory, encouraging powerful nations to take over this land.

Answer 3

The Dutch colonised the Cape to establish a way-station on their route to the lucrative trade in India. The Suez Canal did not exist at that time so the only way to India by ship was around the Cape. It was a very long journey and there was a need for a re-supply point where fresh vegetables, meat and administration could be supplied. The United East India Company (VOC in Dutch) vegetable gardens are now a pleasant park in central Cape Town

The British later captured the Cape and colonised it to maintain supremacy over strategic shipping routes, including the India trade.

The Cape was not attractive as a trading station or point of economic exploitation of Africa unitl the discovery of diamonds around Hopetown and gold at the Witwatersrand in the 19th century.

Answer 4

Initially because they wanted a base to re-supply their ships to and from Far East. Later for all the mineral wealth that Africa had (and mostly didn't know about)