<P> The name `` South Africa '' is derived from the country 's geographic location at the southern tip of Africa . Upon formation the country was named the Union of South Africa in English , reflecting its origin from the unification of four formerly separate British colonies . Since 1961 the long form name in English has been the `` Republic of South Africa '' . In Dutch the country was named Republiek van Zuid - Afrika , replaced in 1983 by the Afrikaans Republiek van Suid - Afrika . Since 1994 the Republic has had an official name in each of its 11 official languages . </P>
<P> The name `` South Africa '' is derived from the country 's geographic location at the southern tip of Africa . Upon formation the country was named the Union of South Africa in English , reflecting its origin from the unification of four formerly separate British colonies . Since 1961 the long form name in English has been the `` Republic of South Africa '' . In Dutch the country was named Republiek van Zuid - Afrika , replaced in 1983 by the Afrikaans Republiek van Suid - Afrika . Since 1994 the Republic has had an official name in each of its 11 official languages . </P>
what is the original name of south africa
what is the original name of south africa
Union of South Africa
Union of South Africa