I would like to learn an African language, Swahili or Afrikaans; is one easier than the other?

If you're in Southern Africa then you will be able to use English everywhere. Apart from Namibia, all those countries used to be British protectorates so English is wide spread. People in Namibia DO speak English too, they normally speak Afrikaans as a mother tongue though. Between Afrikaans and Swahili, Swahili is only good if you're speaking to specific tribes in (and ONLY in) parts of Kenya. Afrikaans on the other hand is spoken throughout the rest and personally I would say your best bet. BUT, there's no need to learn either. Your English will take you everywhere you need to go. Enjoy your stay.

I would imagine that Afrikaans is far easier for an english speaker to learn because the grammer is similar.

Afrikaans is not a "bad dutch" and has no negative connections. Except for those that keep on insisting to be racists. But, unless you want to learn another language for the fun of it, stick to English. It will get you everywhere in this beautiful country of ours. Come and enjoy the diversity of one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Try Zulu. Zulu is spoken in South Africa & Zimbabwean Ndebele is more like Zulu.

Unless you speak English like Yoda (Starwars), i don't think that you will find the the Afrikaans grammar similar. In South Africa, you will find that a number of people speak or at least understand Afrikaans, given that it was a compulsory second language for a long time. I think now kids have the option of Afrikaans or Zulu as a second language. I am not sure if this was the same in the rural schools. South Africa alone has 11 official languages. I think English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa are the most popular. Bear in mind though, that if you choose to learn Afrikaans in this day and age, especially if you are white, there are a number of negative connotations associated with the language, given that it most affiliated with Apartheid. Oh! what do i know...i've just lived in SA all my life. Whatever you choose, have fun with it. When you are there, spending time with locals is the best way to learn.

I speak Afrikaans and is married to a Briton, he quickly learned to speak Afrikaans, it is very easy to learn to speak. I would say go for Afrikaans.

You will find English the most useful if you are travelling to all those countries.

learn Zulu or Ndebele coz they cover both Zim and South Africa Zulu is like Ndebele so a zulu speakingperson can understand a ndebele speaking person and vice versa and pliz, never mention sumone as Rhodesian coz rhodesia doesnt exist nomore, its either they r Zimbabwean or not (no rhodesia, thats kinda racist to ppl who fought for Zim and live in Zim, they deserve respect as well) but really u dont have to learn the native language coz most of the ppl understand english coz its the official language in Zim and i think in SA too, its not like China

Swahili is spoken in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania), not in ZA or Zim of Namibia. Afrikaans is like a bad dutch and is spoken by whites and colored people in the Cape. English is still you best bet, will help everywhere.