"Taking Back Our Heritage": New DNA Study Shows Khoe-San Ancestry in SA’s Coloured Communities

• A new DNA study published in Science Advances found that Khoe-San ancestry runs deep in South Africa's Coloured communities across the Cederberg, Great Karoo and Middle Orange River
• The research added 620 newly sampled people to an existing dataset and found Khoe-San ancestry rising from around 40% near Cape Town to as high as 80% in the southern Kalahari
• The findings also traced layers of European, Asian and other African ancestry introduced through colonial settlement and the forced movement of enslaved people

A landmark DNA study has confirmed that Khoe-San ancestry remains a significant and measurable part of the genetic makeup of South Africa's Coloured communities.

Published in Science Advances by Edington et al. in 2026, the study sampled communities across the Cederberg, Great Karoo and Middle Orange River, finding average Khoe-San ancestry of between 41% and 53%. A broader geographical comparison revealed figures climbing from roughly 40% in communities closer to Cape Town to approximately 80% in the southern Kalahari.

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World Genetics shared the findings on Facebook on 27 September 2026.

Layers of history written in DNA

The research drew on 620 newly sampled individuals, added to a regional dataset of 997 people. Their Khoe-San DNA showed genetic connections to both Nama and ≠Khomani San reference populations, tying these communities to a southern African population history that stretches back long before colonial rule.

Colonial-era migration added further complexity. European settlement and the forced movement of enslaved people introduced ancestry from Europe, other parts of Africa and Asia. The Southeast Asian component in sampled populations aligns closely with Indonesian references, particularly Java and Sulawesi, with some affinity toward Flores. South Asian ancestry appeared roughly twice as abundant, though its precise regional origins remain unresolved by the study.

European ancestry in the samples resembles French and British genetic references. Dutch genomes were not available for comparison, meaning the study could not rank each European country's actual contribution. Other African ancestry varied notably by region, from about 11% in the Cederberg to 22% in the Karoo and Middle Orange River.

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Researchers note that these are model-based estimates. They reflect population-level affinities rather than fixed percentages for every individual.

View the Facebook post below:

Mzansi reacts to the findings

South Africans engaged strongly with the post on the page, sharing perspectives on identity, heritage and what the data means on the ground:

Charle Leonardo Ronaldo Brandt wrote:

"Khoekhoena nation, the custodians and first peoples of South Africa, Southern Africa by extension! We're taking back our heritage, ancestry, cultural authority and the Khoekhoenagaob (our Language), amongst other significants."

Shamiel Soni said:

"All the northern suburbs coloureds and coloureds from Northern Cape and Garden Route and outside the cape are about 50% or more Khoi and San or indigenous. Coloureds in Southern Suburbs of Cape Town and Cape Flats up until Bonteheuwel are 10-40% Khoisan and indigenous and has more European and Asian input in their genes."

Dutchess noted:

"Xhosas, Batswana and some Coloured have Khoisan DNA but not all Colored People."

Gialtro San Giorgio pointed to related published research:

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"Published in Nature Communications (Nat. Commun.) in April 2021 — https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22207-y"

Those curious about their own ancestry can [explore DNA testing through World Genetics.

More Briefly News stories on heritage

• Joelene Haasbroek’s energetic Zulu dance at a Heritage Day event delighted her colleagues and touched South Africans with its celebration of unity and culture.
• The Logan family celebrated their newborn’s first Heritage Day in Cape Town with a colourful photoshoot featuring matching Xhosa-inspired outfits and beadwork.
• Japanese Embassy staff in South Africa marked Heritage Day with a proudly local braai while wearing red Happi coats, winning praise from Mzansi.

Source: Briefly News