Pronunciation: [ˈafɹɪkˌe͡ɪnə] (IPA) 
The word "Afrikaner" is spelled in English with the phonetic transcription /ˈæf.rɪ.kə.nər/. The 'a' is pronounced as a short 'a' sound like in 'cat'. The next syllable, 'fri', has a short 'i' sound like in 'bit'. The stress is on the second syllable 'kan'. The 'e' is pronounced as a schwa sound, also known as a neutral vowel, like in 'the'. Finally, the last syllable 'ner' has the same short 'e' sound as in 'bet'.
Afrikaner refers to a cultural and ethnic group primarily found in South Africa. The term specifically denotes a person of white descent who speaks Afrikaans as their first language and identifies with Afrikaner cultural heritage. Historically, Afrikaners trace their ancestry to the Dutch, French Huguenots, and German settlers who arrived in the Cape of Good Hope during the 17th and 18th centuries. Over time, their distinct cultural and linguistic identity developed, influenced by African, British, and indigenous Khoisan cultures.
The Afrikaner community played a significant role in shaping South African history and politics. They established the Dutch Cape Colony, which later became the foundation for modern South Africa. However, their dominance was challenged during the British colonial period and the 19th-century Anglo-Boer Wars, resulting in lasting debates and tensions.
Afrikaners were deeply involved in the apartheid system that was enforced in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s. The apartheid regime implemented strict racial segregation policies, with Afrikaners notably supporting and benefitting from these policies. However, since the post-apartheid era, talented Afrikaners have made efforts to reconcile with other South Africans and integrate into a more inclusive society, actively participating in various sectors, including politics, business, arts, and sports.
In summary, an Afrikaner is a member of the white, Afrikaans-speaking community in South Africa, who identifies with Afrikaner cultural heritage and plays a significant role in the country's history and politics.
The word "Afrikaner" derives from the Dutch word "Afrikaan", which means "African". It is formed by adding the suffix "-er" to "Afrikaan", which denotes a person associated with or from a particular place. Initially, the term was used to distinguish the Dutch, German, and French settlers in the Cape Colony of South Africa from the indigenous population and later specifically denoted the white descendants of these European settlers. Over time, "Afrikaner" developed into an ethnic and cultural identity for the descendants of these settlers, differentiating them from other white South Africans.
