Terra South Africa
Meets and Bounds
South Africa, is the southernmost country of Africa. It is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and north-east by Mozambique and Eswatini (Swaziland). It also completely enclaves the country Lesotho.
Total surface area: 1,221,037 square kilometres
Land area of 1,214,470 square kilometres
Water area of 4,620 square kilometres. The waterways are not used for moving large cargo vessels.
The water area is 0.38% of surface area
Latitude -30.559482 and longitude 22.937506.
The meets and bounds of South Africa, starting from the furthest western point of the landmass; being where the Orange River that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. From that point the landmass follows a south, south – west direction until the most Southern point of the African continent. This is not a straight line as it follows the coastline. From this point the coastline follows the general direction of north – west until we get to the southern border of Mozambique.
The South Africa – Namibia border:
Following the northern boundary of South Africa, one starts again at the Orange River mouth and follows the Orange River west until -28.428485, 19.999214. Then the Namibia boundary continues due north until -24.7623349 19.9993177. This is the tripoint with Botswana & Namibia, located where the Nossob River crosses the 20th meridian east.
The border now becomes the South Africa – Botswana border:
From this terminus the border runs south-east along the Nossab River to its confluence with the Molopo River. From the confluence the border runs generally eastwards along the Molopo River as far as the Ramatlabama Spruit, and then up the Spruit as far as the pool at Ramatlabama.
From Ramatlabama, the border turns northwards and is made up of a series of straight lines through beacons at Matlhase, Sebataole, Schaapkuil and Pytlanganyane to Sengoma on the Ngotwane River. It then follows the Ngotwane River past Ramotswa to its confluence with the Metsemaswaane Stream. The border turns eastwards along a series of straight lines joining beacons on the Moshweu Hills, Wildebeeskop and the Sikwane Hills to Derdepoort on the Marico River. It then follows the Marico River to its confluence with the Crocodile River. The Marico and the Crocodile join to form the Limpopo River, and the border runs along the Limpopo to its confluence with the Shashe River, which is the tripoint with Zimbabwe.
The border now becomes the South Africa – Zimbabwe border and continues in an easterly direction. The frontier follows the course of the Limpopo River for its entire length and was defined in the late nineteenth century. The location of the eastern tripoint with Mozambique is not entirely certain; it is situated either at the confluence of the Luvuvhu River, or at a point nearby in the Limpopo defined by beacons on the Mozambique–Zimbabwe border.
The border now becomes the South Africa – Mozambique border. The border runs in a straight line from this tripoint to the Shingwedi River, and then along a series of straight lines joining beacons generally along the top of the eastern slope of the Lebombo Mountains. It crosses the Olifants, Sabie and Komati rivers. This segment of the border terminates at the northern Eswatini tripoint at Mpundweni Beacon near Namaacha.
The border now becomes the South Africa – Eswatini border. This border is also a disputed border of 444 kilometers (276 miles) from the first, northern tripoint with Mozambique going in a near full circle – anticlockwise. The second tripoint is about 120 kilometers south of its 1st tripoint. And again Terra South Africa shares a border with Mozambique.
The border now again becomes the South Africa – Mozambique border. This tripoint is situated at Abercorn Drift in the Usutu River (Maputo River), where the Mozambique–Eswatini border along the Lebombo Mountains meets the river. From here the border follows the Usuthu River to its former confluence with the Pongola River; the location of the confluence has changed since the border was demarcated. The border then runs in an easterly direction along straight lines joining beacons generally at the same latitude as the Usutu-Pongola confluence (approximately 26° 52′ South). It meets the Indian Ocean below Monte Ouro peak, just to the south of Ponta do Ouro.
This brings us back to the 3rd paragraph, at the same point.
Extending for 1,115 km, the Lesotho–South Africa boundary mainly follows rivers and watersheds. Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa and does not share boundaries with any other countries. The border was first established during the colonial era, mostly by British powers, and has not changed since independence. Lesotho and South Africa do not appear to dispute the current course of the boundary, and there is little information available regarding any modern demarcation efforts.
Taking an approx centre point of Lesotho gives it as -29.4559644 28.2746050.
References: https://sovereignlimits.com and wikipedia.
South Africa has never had full independence as an entire landmass.
The Khoe-Sān ethnic group had full independence in the southern Cape until 1652 with the arrival of the Dutch East India Company and Jan van Riebeeck as administrator. This corporation ran the political affairs of the southern Cape. As men/women later fled the corporations control, they migrated north and north-east and met Bantu ethnic groups migrating south at different places.
Although there were various treaties made, it appears that Britain ignored these treaties and took over the political landscape, with South Africa being a vassal to Britain post the 2nd Boer war until 1910. By this stage there were already a few huge corporations running the political affairs. Independence in 1961 did not give full independence, as the country continued to be governed by corporations.