Great Zimbabwe, located in South-central Africa, was a thriving civilization built by successive Bantu-speaking peoples, notably the Shona, between 900-1500 A.D. Initially focused on cattle farming and basic stone enclosures, it evolved into a prosperous capital renowned for its imposing stone walls, palaces, and trade links extending across the Indian Ocean. Flourishing primarily in the 14th century, it tapped into nearby gold reserves and engaged in lucrative commerce with coastal cities. However, by 1500 A.D., the civilization declined, possibly due to factors like environmental degradation, internal conflicts, and shifting trade patterns. Portuguese incursions further contributed to its eventual decline, eventually yielding to the Monomotapa kingdom. Meanwhile, the Khoi Khoi and San peoples, part of the Khoisan linguistic group, inhabited Southern Africa, with the Khoi Khoi transitioning from hunting to cattle herding by the 15th century amidst pressures from European settlers and Bantu expansion, while the San maintained a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle, enduring territorial restrictions and cultural marginalization under colonial rule.