Is this the oldest south african invention

What a great question!

While it's difficult to pinpoint the oldest South African invention, I can give you some insight into the country's rich history of innovation.

One of the oldest known South African inventions is the "Click language" or "Khoisan language", which is believed to have originated around 20,000 years ago. The Click language is a unique form of communication that uses a series of clicks, chirps, and whistles to convey meaning. It's still spoken by some indigenous communities in South Africa today.

Another contender for the oldest South African invention is the "Stone Age" tools, which date back around 2.5 million years. The earliest known Stone Age tools were discovered in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These tools were used by early humans to hunt, gather, and process food.

In terms of more modern inventions, South Africa has a rich history of innovation, particularly in the fields of mining, engineering, and technology. Some notable examples include:

1. The first gold rush in the late 19th century, which led to the development of the gold mining industry in South Africa.
2. The invention of the "Rand process" for refining gold, which was developed in the late 19th century by South African mining engineer, Johannes Nicolaus Brøndsted.
3. The development of the "South African Railways" system, which was established in the late 19th century and played a crucial role in the country's economic development.
4. The invention of the "Boer War" rifle, which was developed in the late 19th century by South African engineer, Louis Botha.

So, while it's difficult to pinpoint the oldest South African invention, it's clear that the country has a rich history of innovation and has made significant contributions to various fields over the centuries.