Data on the distribution of the different genera of the stapeliads have been gathered for the main regions where they occur. A cladistic biogeographical analysis of the stapeliads is carried out and this suggests that the stapeliads radiated southwards and eastwards from a region of origin in the north-east of Africa. In terms of numbers of species and genera, maximal diversity is found in two areas of Africa: the north-eastern corner and in southern Africa. The highest diversity of genera and species is found in southern Africa. Four genera are common to both the north-east of Africa and southern Africa but no species is found in both these areas. For southern Africa the patterns of diversity within southern Africa are discussed in some detail. It is shown that the stapeliads achieve nowhere near the level of diversity found in other succulent groups such as the Crassulaceae and Mesembryanthemaceae but that the stapeliads are more evenly spread over the drier parts of the subcontinent. Keywords: Cladistic biogeography, stapeliads, southern Africa, north-east Africa, centres of diversity.