The Development and Context of Geography in South Africa

Abstract

The discipline of Geography in South African universities has a history of more than 100 years. Within that time span different themes have been at the forefront of research which has been produced about the country’s physical and human landscapes. Arguably, contemporary South African Geography is more inclusive, integrated and applied than in the past, and the discipline is being reconfigured to address more explicitly the challenges of the post-apartheid world. Contemporary South African Geography is investigating an array of topics which aligns it with international trends in geography. This said, local aspects of the discipline of geography as well as the contemporary South African human landscape continue to bear imprints of the apartheid past. Accordingly, the distinctive character of the development and contemporary directions of South African Geography must be recognised by the international academy.