Facts About the Afrikaner (Afrikaans) People

Ethnic Group Profile

• Origins: Descendants of 17th-century Dutch settlers at the Cape Colony; also French Huguenots and Germans.
• Language: Afrikaans, a West Germanic language derived from Dutch.
• Demographics: Second-largest ethnic group in South Africa; significant populations in Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini.
• Religion: Majority Protestant (Dutch Reformed); also Catholic, Anglican, others.
• Culture: Strong community/family values; unique music, dance, folk arts; cuisine blending Dutch, French, African influences.
• Historical Role: Central to apartheid (1948–1994); Afrikaner nationalists enforced racial segregation.
• Post-Apartheid: Economic/political challenges; efforts to preserve culture and contribute to democratic South Africa.