1891 Map of South Africa by JC Juta & Co

The 1891 Juta’s Map of South Africa, from the Cape to the Zambesi, published by J.C. Juta & Co. in Cape Town, presents a detailed political and physical picture of southern Africa at the height of the Scramble for Africa. Extending from the Cape of Good Hope to the Zambezi River, it delineates the Cape Colony, Natal, British Bechuanaland, Basutoland, and Swaziland, alongside the independent Boer republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State, and neighbouring colonial possessions such as German South-West Africa and Portuguese East Africa. The map highlights African kingdoms like Matabeleland under Lobengula, while tracing emerging railways, wagon roads, and trade routes, symbolising economic expansion driven by diamond and gold discoveries. Issued amid the rapid advance of British, German, and Portuguese imperial interests, it reflects the political fragmentation and industrial transformation of the subcontinent. As both an educational and commercial reference, Juta’s map helped contemporaries visualise a region in flux — a crossroads of indigenous sovereignty, colonial ambition, and modern infrastructure — just before the wars and consolidations that would forge a unified South Africa in the early 20th century.

The reference to Selous’ “Journals and Sketches” in the title of Juta’s 1891 map signals the use of his first-hand exploratory knowledge to fill in unsurveyed regions of the Zambezi and interior. It shows how the personal records of hunters and explorers became key ingredients in the cartographic construction of empire in southern Africa.

This map is a reproduction of a historical map that is now in the public domain. It has been selected for its aesthetic appeal and historical interest and carefully restored and reproduced to preserve its original detail and character.  There may be marks and fold lines visible which add to the authentic look.  The map is printed on 230gsm heavyweight coated paper with a matte finish.  Most old maps were printed on uncoated rag or wood pulp papers and therefore a matte finish best represents the original map.