South Africa is a country located on the southern tip of the African continent. It has a rich culture and diversity of landscapes, from stunning beaches, to mountain ranges, to savannas. South Africa has 11 official languages and people from many different backgrounds. In this article, we will explore 53 riddles from or about South Africa. Some riddles talk about popular places, historical events, cultural traditions, plants and animals, geography and more. The riddles provide an entertaining way to learn more about this fascinating country.
Riddles about places
South Africa has many famous landmarks and destinations. Here are some brainteasers related to the places you might visit:
Riddle: I am a flat-topped mountain that overlooks Cape Town. Table Mountain is my name. What am I?
Answer: Table Mountain
Riddle: I am a city in the Northern Cape province. I am famous for the Big Hole, which is the largest hand-dug hole on Earth. What city am I?
Answer: Kimberley
Riddle: Two oceans meet at my rocky cliffs. I am the southernmost point of Africa. Who am I?
Answer: Cape Agulhas
Riddle: You can walk with me in Kruger National Park. I am big and gray with horns on my snout. Who am I?
Answer: Rhinoceros
Riddle: I lived on Robben Island for 27 years with Nelson Mandela. I was a place that held political prisoners. What am I?
Answer: Robben Island prison
History riddles
South Africa has been inhabited for thousands of years. These riddles cover key events and people that shaped the country:
Riddle: I led the youth protest against Afrikaans being required in schools in 1976. Police opened fire and I was one of many killed on June 16. What is the name of the pivotal protest?
Answer: The Soweto Uprising
Riddle: Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and I founded the armed wing of the African National Congress to fight apartheid. Umkhonto we Sizwe translates as “Spear of the Nation.” Who am I?
Answer: Govan Mbeki
Riddle: I was the first president elected in South Africa after the end of apartheid. I formed the Rainbow Nation with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Who am I?
Answer: Nelson Mandela
Riddle: I was prime minister from 1958 to 1966 and again from 1976 to 1989. My policies and my political party enforced apartheid. Who am I?
Answer: Hendrik Verwoerd
Riddle: I was an activist, philosopher, theologian, and the first Secretary General of the South African Native National Congress, which later became the African National Congress (ANC). Who am I?
Answer: Pixley ka Isaka Seme
Culture and language riddles
South Africa’s culture draws influences from indigenous, European and Asian traditions introduced by settlers and immigrants. These riddles explore food, music, and linguistic diversity:
Riddle: I am a flatbread enjoyed by many South Africans. I am often cooked on a barbecue and stuffed with curry or stew. What am I?
Answer: Bunny chow
Riddle: Ladysmith and Mbube are two styles of me. I am a type of singing with strong harmonies that originated with Zulu communities. What type of music am I?
Answer: Isicathamiya
Riddle: My clicks and trilled rs set me apart from other languages. I have almost 8 million native speakers in South Africa, especially in the Eastern and Western Cape. What language am I?
Answer: Xhosa
Riddle: I am a coming of age ritual where Zulu boys live in isolation for several weeks, learning about responsibilities, community norms, secrets and moral codes. What am I called?
Answer: Ulwaluko
Riddle: This vegetable is carved and made into decorative lanterns during my celebration in early June. Children walk the streets singing songs and hoping for treats. What festival am I?
Answer: Cape Malay Coon Carnival
Wildlife riddles
Here are some brain teasers about signature animals found in South Africa:
Riddle: I am the largest land animal. You’ll find me wandering grassy plains and brush in Kruger National Park. Who am I?
Answer: The African elephant
Riddle: I am big and tall, the fastest runner in Africa. Vroooom! I have stripes and a very long neck. What am I?
Answer: The giraffe
Riddle: Careful when we swarm! Our knees point backward and we stomp our feet when threatened. Cape honey bees know to watch for signals from our sentry. What are we?
Answer: African Cape buffalo
Riddle: I may look like a big cat, but I am more closely related to the mongoose. Found near Kalahari desert, I can run 50 mph. What am I?
Answer: The meerkat
Riddle: My green head makes me easy to spot. I feast on fruits and nectar from South African fynbos plants. What tropical bird am I?
Answer: The knysna turaco
Plant riddles
South Africa has over 20,000 indigenous plant species. Below are clues to identify some unique flora:
Riddle: My leaves close up at night or when I’m touched. Charles Darwin called me “the most wonderful plant in the world.” What am I?
Answer: The sensitive plant
Riddle: In spring I produce vibrant red flowers atop my long stems. I am South Africa’s national flower. What am I?
Answer: King protea
Riddle: My nectar makes a delicious syrup enjoyed by the San people for thousands of years. My flowers can be used to make tea. What succulent am I?
Answer: The bushman’s hat hoodia gordonii
Riddle: Locals harvest my spiky seed capsules to flavor stews and chutneys with my tangy, lemony taste. What South African spice am I?
Answer: The buchu plant
Riddle: My long bean pods were carried by African Bantu farmers over 1,500 years ago as they migrated south. I’m now farmed across the continent and my seeds are rich in protein. What nutritious legume am I?
Answer: The cowpea bean
Geography riddles
Can you solve these puzzles about South African landforms, climate and environmental features?
Riddle: I’m an arid region spanning the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces. You’ll find golden dunes and unique species here that thrive on fog from the Atlantic. What desert am I?
Answer: The Namib desert
Riddle: Two oceans – the Indian and the Atlantic collide in my swirling currents. I am named for the Portuguese word for dangerous sailing. What major shipping lane am I?
Answer: The Agulhas current
Riddle: We flow over 1,800 miles from highlands of Lesotho winding through deep valleys and into the Indian Ocean. I am one of the longest rivers in Africa formed from multiple tributaries. What river system are we?
Answer: The Orange River
Riddle: I blow winds from South Africa’s interior plateau over the Cape regions during summer months often fanning wildfires. Locals gave me an Afrikaans name for this dry windstorm. What am I called?
Answer: The Cape Doctor
Riddle: You can glimpse this sea animal breaching the water during annual migration along our east coast. They return to mate and calve in these warm waters. What are they?
Answer: Humpback whales
General South Africa riddles
Test your knowledge of this country’s general facts and stats:
Riddle: Two capital cities house our national government with Bloemfontein as our judicial capital. Which two major cities serve as executive and legislative capitals?
Answer: Pretoria and Cape Town
Riddle: My shape inspired the country’s former flag under apartheid rule. What geometric design divided groups of people and denied rights?
Answer: The triangle
Riddle: After apartheid ended, this political party dominated with over 60% of votes in national elections led by Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid heroes. What organization ushered the new democratic era?
Answer: The African National Congress (ANC)
Riddle: Table Mountain and Drakensberg peaks draw adventure seekers and hikers. Still, only about 13% of my land is arable for farming. What continent am I?
Answer: Africa
Riddle: I border six countries and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans touch my shores. Three capital cities all have important government functions. What country has 9 provinces spanning over 470,000 square miles?
Answer: South Africa
Hard riddles about South Africa
Let’s end with some really testing brainteasers about this fascinating country! Can you solve all 5?
Riddle: During apartheid, organizers used my public funeral in 1957 to protest injustice. My writings argued for equal rights and I co-founded what later became the ANC. Who am I?
Answer: Sol Plaatje
Riddle: Founded in 1652 as a stopping point, I am the oldest European settlement in South Africa. Ships traveling from Europe would port in my protected bay nestled beneath Table Mountain en route to Asia. What city am I?
Answer: Cape Town
Riddle: I originated in the mines of South Africa during the 19th century as workers from Mozambique entered. Eventually I evolved from this language mixing indigenous and colonial words. What widely used dialect am I?
Answer: Fanakalo
Riddle: Before diamonds were discovered in 1867, the Boer republics and the British fought over my lands filled with gold deposits. What seminal war set the stage for South Africa’s mineral resources?
Answer: The First Boer War (Transvaal War of Independence)
Riddle: I created one of the largest prehistoric city settlements ever built around a cattle kraal and elaborate stone terracing. My civilization arose around 200 CE in what is now KwaZulu-Natal province. What mysterious early society was I?
Answer: Kingdom of Mapungubwe
Conclusion
We explored 53 interesting riddles spanning topics like landmarks, history, culture, cuisine, wildlife, plants, geography and more about South Africa. Solving these brainteasers is an entertaining way to build knowledge of this complex country through its different eras, landscapes and people. Learning more about South Africa helps you better understand histories and challenges across the African continent as well. What riddle was your favorite or most surprising? Exploring more puzzles like these continues the journey of discovery about humanity in all its diversity around the globe.
