It is largely accepted that humans originated on the African continent and spread from there to Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas. The topography and climate of the continent—ranging from deserts in the north and south to tropical forests around the equator—have generated diverse cultures and traditions, which is unsurprising as Africa is roughly the same area as the USA and Europe combined. South Africa alone has nine indigenous cultural groups with their particular languages and customs. The two largest cultural groups are the Nguni (i.e. Xhosa, Zulu, Swati, Ndebele and Tsonga) and the Tswana-Sotho-peoples. Although the colonial masters imposed their religion and European worldviews on the Indigenous people, many of the traditional lifestyles have survived. They are evident through the customs of local communities, particularly those who live in the former ‘Bantustans’ that are now termed ‘areas under traditional authority’. This chapter considers the planning traditions and cultural beliefs of the Xhosa and Tswana-Sotho ethnic groups. The chapter traces the impacts of colonialism and apartheid on their settlements, both rural and urban. It also outlines the challenges of undoing the fragmentation and inequalities that South Africa faces.