WI no large scale European settlement in South Africa

[Marius]

WI there was no large-scale European settlement in South Africa? Maybe more along the lines of OTL's Mauritius or Kenya? I think this would have a serious effect on both Southern Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa's geopolitics? Would SA be in better or worse shape, and what would Southern Africa look like? There would have been no Namibian issue, Angola would probably have been at war, but it wouldn't have been at the scale of 1975-1990 when the Saffas and the Cubans were duking it out.

 

[Michael B]

The Zulus would be able to carve out a larger kingdom and the Matabele would not flee north which would be good for the Shona.

The Khoisan might even survive greater numbers and in the early twentieth century have their own state.

 

[Dave Howery]

one problem for blacks in settling the area is that SA has a Meditteranean climate, which doesn't suit the tropical crops they grow.... still, they should be able to graze cattle and sheep just fine....