Absolutely.
I am going from Memory and I'm getting old, but read the historical fiction The Covenant, James Michener for a pretty complete, unacademic, but engaging history.
Yes, the recently most successful South African nations were totally uninhabited when the Europeans arrived.
A very few, nomadic hunter-gatherers obviously don't count.
**** “I am going from Memory and I’m getting old, but read the historical fiction The Covenant, James Michener for a pretty complete, unacademic, but engaging history” ****
I think the Covenant would make a great Movie (better Mini - Series because it is long)
Another book that should be a Movie or Mini-Series is “The Hodge” by Leon Uris
Been many years since I’ve read either and reading with my current eyesight is a pain ... Still might give “The Hodge” another shot