Generally speaking, africans are more colorful and play a little nicer with each other. Africans stay smaller than a lot of the sa/ca cichlids. Now, on the other hand, you can't put any other fish with africans (well, almost). There are several SA/CA fish that you can essentially have a community tank with (angels, discus, rams, apistos). Personal preference is really what it all boils down to IMO.