More then three quarters of the population of South Africa is black, predominantly Xhosa’s and Zulu’s. Although this group isn’t a majority in the Western Cape, they still have a great influence on everyday life. Before you starting to think every black person is the same, we’ll break down some of the differences.

According to a survey held in 2001, 79% of the South African is of African descent. But this group is far from homogenous. Just to illustrate: nine of the eleven official languages in this country are ‘black African’. The two biggest groups are the Xhosa’s (six million) and the Zulu’s (seven million).

The Xhosa’s and Zulu’s are both part of a larger cultural group called the Nguni’s. Zulu’s, together with the Swazi’s, belong to the Northern Nguni’s. The practically live in between the Mzimukulu river (near Port Shepstone) and the border of South African and Swaziland. Nowadays most of the Zulu’s live in the province KwaZulu Natal. The Xhosa’s belong to the Southern Nguni’s. They used to live between the cities East-London and Umtata, around the Great Fish River. The Eastern Cape nowadays has the largest population of Xhosa’s.

Although Xhosa’s and Zulu’s both speak Nguni, there is some differences in their languages. For instance: Xhosa’s use the so called ‘click-sound’, Zulu’s don’t do that.

Both Xhosa’s and Zulu’s are quite spiritual by nature. Off course most blacks that live in the urban areas don’t live their traditional lives, but some in the rural areas still do. Xhosa’s are also known as ‘the red people’, because adults traditionally wear red clothes. Colour is generally important in Xhosa culture. Besides the fact that they dye their cloths, they also paint their houses (check out the green houses in the Transkei, around Kofi Bay). Traditional Zulu houses aren’t painted at all.

There’s a strong belief of witchcraft in Xhosa culture. Especially the evil spirits that live in the sea cause a lot of fear. Therefore Iggirha’s (traditional healers) hold a strong position in the Xhosa society. Some Xhosa’s even cut off the top of their left little finger, to prevent misfortune. And boys are being circumcised. All of that isn’t common in Zulu culture.

Zulu’s believe that Unkulunkulu (The Great One) is the creator of this world. His daughter Unkomkubuwana is more important in every day, because she stands closer to the people and controls the rain. Ancestors also are important in Zulu culture. The people think they control whether things go good or bad, depending on the sacrifices one person is willing to make.

There is a hierarchy of chiefs in Xhosa society, but it isn’t as strong as in Zulu culture.

The history of the Zulu’s is dominated by their leader Shaka. When he ruled the Zulu’s were a mighty, strong and large group. He was known as a strong leader, but he was killed by his half-brother Dingaan. The Zulu hegemony ended when 3000 Zulu’s were killed in the Battle of Blood River. Dingaan lost his respect and fled to Swaziland, where he was killed in 1840.

Nowadays chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi (minister of Home Affairs in Mbeki’s cabinet) is the best known Zulu in the country. His party, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) carries a lot of power in KwaZulu-Natal, but hardly any outside of that province.

The most famous Xhosa is former president Nelson Mandela, off course. An icon with a quite more peaceful reputation than Shaka. Almost all the ANC leaders come from the Transkei: Walter Sisulu, Govan and Thabo Mbeki, Olivier Tambo, to name but a few.