South Africa
Introduction:
After the British seized the Cape
of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers)
trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds
(1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified
the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British
encroachments but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The
resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid -
the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to
apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule. |
Official name: |
Republic of South Africa |
Capital: |
name: Pretoria (administrative capital)
geographic coordinates: 25 42 S, 28 13 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial
capital) |
Government type: |
republic |
Population: |
43,997,828
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account
the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in
lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates,
lower population and growth rates, and changes in the
distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise
be expected (July 2007 est.) |
Languages: |
IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans
13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%,
Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census) |
Official Currency: |
South African Rand (ZAR) |
Currency code: |
ZAR |
Area: |
total: 1,219,912 sq km
land: 1,219,912 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince
Edward Island) |
Climate: |
mostly semiarid; subtropical along east
coast; sunny days, cool nights |
|
Geography
Location: |
Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the
continent of Africa |
Geographic coordinates: |
29 00 S, 24 00 E |
Map references: |
Africa |
Area: |
total: 1,219,912 sq km
land: 1,219,912 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince
Edward Island) |
Area - comparative: |
slightly less than twice the size of Texas |
Land boundaries: |
total: 4,862 km
border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique
491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km |
Coastline: |
2,798 km |
Maritime claims: |
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin |
Climate: |
mostly semiarid; subtropical along east
coast; sunny days, cool nights |
Terrain: |
vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills
and narrow coastal plain |
Elevation extremes: |
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m |
Natural resources: |
gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore,
manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds,
platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas |
Land use: |
arable land: 12.1%
permanent crops: 0.79%
other: 87.11% (2005) |
Irrigated land: |
14,980 sq km (2003) |
Natural hazards: |
prolonged droughts |
Environment - current
issues: |
lack of important arterial rivers or lakes
requires extensive water conservation and control measures;
growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from
agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting
in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification |
Environment - international
agreements: |
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Geography - note: |
South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho
and almost completely surrounds Swaziland |
|
Climate
PRETORIA 25 73 S, 28 18 E, 4337 feet (1322 meters) above sea level.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/avg.gif) |
Avg.
Temperature |
|
22 |
22 |
21 |
18 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
15 |
18 |
20 |
21 |
21 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/plus.gif) |
Avg.
Max Temperature |
|
29 |
29 |
28 |
26 |
23 |
21 |
21 |
24 |
27 |
29 |
28 |
29 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/minus.gif) |
Avg.
Min Temperature |
|
17 |
17 |
16 |
12 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
11 |
14 |
16 |
16 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/rain.gif) |
Avg.
Rain Days |
|
6 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/snow.gif) |
Avg.
Snow Days |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
CAPETOWN 33 98 S, 18 60 E, 137 feet (42 meters) above sea level.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/avg.gif) |
Avg.
Temperature |
|
20 |
21 |
19 |
16 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/plus.gif) |
Avg.
Max Temperature |
|
28 |
28 |
27 |
25 |
22 |
19 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
23 |
24 |
27 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/minus.gif) |
Avg.
Min Temperature |
|
15 |
15 |
14 |
11 |
9 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
15 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/rain.gif) |
Avg.
Rain Days |
|
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/snow.gif) |
Avg.
Snow Days |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DURBAN VIRGINIA 29 76 S, 31 5 E, 45 feet (14 meters) above sea level.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/avg.gif) |
Avg.
Temperature |
|
25 |
25 |
25 |
22 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
20 |
20 |
21 |
23 |
24 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/plus.gif) |
Avg.
Max Temperature |
|
27 |
27 |
27 |
25 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
25 |
26 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/minus.gif) |
Avg.
Min Temperature |
|
22 |
23 |
22 |
19 |
16 |
16 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
21 |
22 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/rain.gif) |
Avg.
Rain Days |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/snow.gif) |
Avg.
Snow Days |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
PORT ELIZABETH 33 98 S, 25 60 E, 196 feet (60 meters) above sea level.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/avg.gif) |
Avg.
Temperature |
|
20 |
21 |
19 |
17 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
18 |
19 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/plus.gif) |
Avg.
Max Temperature |
|
26 |
26 |
25 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
25 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/minus.gif) |
Avg.
Min Temperature |
|
16 |
17 |
15 |
13 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
13 |
15 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/rain.gif) |
Avg.
Rain Days |
|
7 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/snow.gif) |
Avg.
Snow Days |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
BLOEMFONTEIN 29 10 S, 26 30 E, 4422 feet (1348 meters) above sea level.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/avg.gif) |
Avg.
Temperature |
|
21 |
21 |
19 |
14 |
10 |
7 |
7 |
10 |
14 |
17 |
19 |
21 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/plus.gif) |
Avg.
Max Temperature |
|
30 |
30 |
28 |
24 |
21 |
18 |
18 |
21 |
25 |
27 |
29 |
30 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/minus.gif) |
Avg.
Min Temperature |
|
14 |
14 |
12 |
6 |
1 |
-2 |
-2 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
11 |
12 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/rain.gif) |
Avg.
Rain Days |
|
6 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
![](http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/snow.gif) |
Avg.
Snow Days |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
PEOPLE
Until 1991, South African law divided the population into four major racial
categories: Africans (black), whites, coloreds, and Asians. Although this law
has been abolished, many South Africans still view themselves and each other
according to these categories. Black Africans comprise about 79% of the
population and are divided into a number of different ethnic groups. Whites
comprise about 10% of the population. They are primarily descendants of Dutch,
French, English, and German settlers who began arriving at the Cape of Good Hope
in the late 17th century. Coloreds are mixed-race people primarily descending
from the earliest settlers and the indigenous peoples. They comprise about 9% of
the total population. Asians descend from Indian workers brought to South Africa
in the mid-19th century to work on the sugar estates in Natal. They constitute
about 2.5% of the population and are concentrated in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Education is in transition. Under the apartheid system schools were segregated,
and the quantity and quality of education varied significantly across racial
groups. The laws governing this segregation have been abolished. The long and
arduous process of restructuring the country's educational system has begun and
is ongoing. The challenge is to create a single, nondiscriminatory, nonracial
system that offers the same standards of education to all people.
Population: |
43,997,828
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account
the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in
lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates,
lower population and growth rates, and changes in the
distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise
be expected (July 2007 est.) |
Age structure: |
0-14 years: 29.1% (male 6,447,623/female
6,370,909)
15-64 years: 65.5% (male 14,040,210/female 14,761,179)
65 years and over: 5.4% (male 917,227/female 1,460,680) (2007
est.) |
Population growth rate: |
-0.46% (2007 est.) |
Birth rate: |
17.94 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
Death rate: |
22.45 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
Net migration rate: |
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South
Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities
(2007 est.) |
Sex ratio: |
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.012 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.951 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.628 male(s)/female
total population: 0.947 male(s)/female (2007 est.) |
Infant mortality rate: |
total: 59.44 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 62.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 55.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.) |
Life expectancy at birth: |
total population: 42.45 years
male: 43.21 years
female: 41.66 years (2007 est.) |
Total fertility rate: |
2.16 children born/woman (2007 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence
rate: |
21.5% (2003 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - people living
with HIV/AIDS: |
5.3 million (2003 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - deaths: |
370,000 (2003 est.) |
Nationality: |
noun: South African(s)
adjective: South African |
Ethnic groups: |
black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%,
Indian/Asian 2.5% (2001 census) |
Religions: |
Zion Christian 11.1%,
Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%,
Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian
36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census) |
Languages: |
IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans
13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%,
Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census) |
Literacy: |
definition: age 15 and over can read and
write
total population: 86.4%
male: 87%
female: 85.7% (2003 est.) |
|
HISTORY
People have inhabited southern Africa for thousands of years. Members of
the Khoisan language groups are the oldest surviving inhabitants of the
land, but only a few are left in South Africa today--and they are
located in the western sections. Most of today's black South Africans
belong to the Bantu language group, which migrated south from central
Africa, settling in the Transvaal region sometime before AD 100. The
Nguni, ancestors of the Zulu and Xhosa, occupied most of the eastern
coast by 1500.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach the Cape of Good Hope,
arriving in 1488. However, permanent white settlement did not begin
until 1652 when the Dutch East India Company established a provisioning
station on the Cape. In subsequent decades, French Huguenot refugees,
the Dutch, and Germans began to settle in the Cape. Collectively, they
form the Afrikaner segment of today's population. The establishment of
these settlements had far-reaching social and political effects on the
groups already settled in the area, leading to upheaval in these
societies and the subjugation of their people.
By 1779, European settlements extended throughout the southern part of
the Cape and east toward the Great Fish River. It was here that Dutch
authorities and the Xhosa fought the first frontier war. The British
gained control of the Cape of Good Hope at the end of the 18th century.
Subsequent British settlement and rule marked the beginning of a long
conflict between the Afrikaners and the English.
Beginning in 1836, partly to escape British rule and cultural hegemony
and partly out of resentment at the recent abolition of slavery, many
Afrikaner farmers (Boers) undertook a northern migration that became
known as the 'Great Trek.' This movement brought them into contact and
conflict with African groups in the area, the most formidable of which
were the Zulus. Under their powerful leader, Shaka (1787-1828), the
Zulus conquered most of the territory between the Drakensberg Mountains
and the sea (now KwaZulu-Natal).
In 1828, Shaka was assassinated and replaced by his half-brother
Dingane. In 1838, Dingane was defeated and deported by the Voortrekkers
(people of the Great Trek) at the battle of Blood River. The Zulus,
nonetheless, remained a potent force, defeating the British in the
historic battle of Isandhlwana before themselves being finally conquered
in 1879.
In 1852 and 1854, the independent Boer Republics of the Transvaal and
Orange Free State were created. Relations between the republics and the
British Government were strained. The discovery of diamonds at Kimberley
in 1870 and the discovery of large gold deposits in the Witwatersrand
region of the Transvaal in 1886 caused an influx of European (mainly
British) immigration and investment. In addition to resident black
Africans, many blacks from neighboring countries also moved into the
area to work in the mines. The construction by mine owners of hostels to
house and control their workers set patterns that later extended
throughout the region.
Boer reactions to this influx and British political intrigues led to the
Anglo-Boer Wars of 1880-81 and 1899-1902. British forces prevailed in
the conflict, and the republics were incorporated into the British
Empire. In May 1910, the two republics and the British colonies of the
Cape and Natal formed the Union of South Africa, a self-governing
dominion of the British Empire. The Union's constitution kept all
political power in the hands of whites.
In 1912, the South Africa Native National Congress was founded in
Bloemfontein and eventually became known as the African National
Congress (ANC). Its goals were the elimination of restrictions based on
color and the enfranchisement of and parliamentary representation for
blacks. Despite these efforts the government continued to pass laws
limiting the rights and freedoms of blacks.
In 1948, the National Party (NP) won the all-white elections and began
passing legislation codifying and enforcing an even stricter policy of
white domination and racial separation known as 'apartheid'
(separateness). In the early 1960s, following a protest in Sharpeville
in which 69 protesters were killed by police and 180 injured, the ANC
and Pan-African Congress (PAC) were banned. Nelson Mandela and many
other anti-apartheid leaders were convicted and imprisoned on charges of
treason.
The ANC and PAC were forced underground and fought apartheid through
guerrilla warfare and sabotage. In May 1961, South Africa relinquished
its dominion status and declared itself a republic. It withdrew from the
Commonwealth in part because of international protests against
apartheid. In 1984, a new constitution came into effect in which whites
allowed coloreds and Asians a limited role in the national government
and control over their own affairs in certain areas. Ultimately,
however, all power remained in white hands. Blacks remained effectively
disenfranchised.
Popular uprisings in black and colored townships in 1976 and 1985 helped
to convince some NP members of the need for change. Secret discussions
between those members and Nelson Mandela began in 1986. In February
1990, State President F.W. de Klerk, who had come to power in September
1989, announced the unbanning of the ANC, the PAC, and all other
anti-apartheid groups. Two weeks later, Nelson Mandela was released from
prison.
In 1991, the Group Areas Act, Land Acts, and the Population Registration
Act--the last of the so-called 'pillars of apartheid'--were abolished. A
long series of negotiations ensued, resulting in a new constitution
promulgated into law in December 1993. The country's first nonracial
elections were held on April 26-28, 1994, resulting in the installation
of Nelson Mandela as President on May 10, 1994.
Following the 1994 elections, South Africa was governed under an interim
constitution establishing a Government of National Unity (GNU). This
constitution required the Constitutional Assembly (CA) to draft and
approve a permanent constitution by May 9, 1996. After review by the
Constitutional Court and intensive negotiations within the CA, the
Constitutional Court certified a revised draft on December 2, 1996.
President Mandela signed the new constitution into law on December 10,
and it entered into force on February 3, 1997. The GNU ostensibly
remained in effect until the 1999 national elections. The parties
originally comprising the GNU--the ANC, the NP, and the Inkatha Freedom
Party (IFP)--shared executive power. On June 30, 1996, the NP withdrew
from the GNU to become part of the opposition.
During Nelson Mandela's 5-year term as President of South Africa, the
government committed itself to reforming the country. The ANC-led
government focused on social issues that were neglected during the
apartheid era such as unemployment, housing shortages, and crime.
Mandela's administration began to reintroduce South Africa into the
global economy by implementing a market-driven economic plan known as
Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR). In order to heal the
wounds created by apartheid, the government created the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission (TRC) under the leadership of Archbishop
Desmond Tutu. During the first term of the ANC's post-apartheid rule,
President Mandela concentrated on national reconciliation, seeking to
forge a single South African identity and sense of purpose among a
diverse and splintered populace, riven by years of conflict. The
diminution of political violence after 1994 and its virtual
disappearance by 1996 were testament to the abilities of Mandela to
achieve this difficult goal.
Nelson Mandela stepped down as President of the ANC at the party's
national congress in December 1997, when Thabo Mbeki assumed the mantle
of leadership. Mbeki won the presidency of South Africa after national
elections in 1999, when the ANC won just shy of a two-thirds majority in
Parliament. President Mbeki shifted the focus of government from
reconciliation to transformation, particularly on the economic front.
With political transformation and the foundation of a strong democratic
system in place after two free and fair national elections, the ANC
recognized the need to focus on bringing economic power to the black
majority in South Africa. In April 2004, the ANC won nearly 70% of the
national vote, and Mbeki was reelected for his second 5-year term. In
his 2004 State of the Nation address, Mbeki promised his government
would reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth, and fight crime. Mbeki
said that the government would play a more prominent role in economic
development. |
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
South Africa is a multiparty parliamentary democracy in which constitutional
power is shared between the president and the Parliament.
The Parliament consists of two houses, the National Assembly and the National
Council of Provinces, which are responsible for drafting the laws of the
republic. The National Assembly also has specific control over bills relating to
monetary matters. The current 400-member National Assembly was retained under
the 1997 constitution, although the constitution allows for a range of between
350 and 400 members. The Assembly is elected by a system of 'list proportional
representation.' Each of the parties appearing on the ballot submits a
rank-ordered list of candidates. The voters then cast their ballots for a party.
Seats in the Assembly are allocated based on the percentage of votes each party
receives. In the 2004 elections, the ANC won 279 seats in the Assembly, more
than a two-thirds majority and an increase of 13 seats from 1999; the Democratic
Alliance (DA) won 50, the IFP 28, the New National Party (NNP) 7, the United
Democratic Movement (UDM) 9, and other groups won the remaining 27. In the 2004
electoral campaign, the ANC aligned with the NNP, and the DA aligned with the
IFP. On August 6, the NNP announced that it would merge with the ANC. Elected
representatives of the party would, however, continue to hold their seats in the
national and provincial legislatures as NNP members until the next
floor-crossing period in September 2005.
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) consists of 90 members, 10 from each of
the nine provinces. The NCOP replaced the former Senate as the second chamber of
Parliament and was created to give a greater voice to provincial interests. It
must approve legislation that involves shared national and provincial
competencies as defined by an annex to the constitution. Each provincial
delegation consists of six permanent and four rotating delegates.
The president is the head of state. Following the April 14, 2004 elections, the
National Assembly reelected Thabo Mbeki as President. The president's
constitutional responsibilities include assigning cabinet portfolios, signing
bills into law, and serving as commander in chief of the military. The president
works closely with the deputy president and the cabinet. There are currently 28
posts in the cabinet. Of the 28 ministers, Mbeki appointed two from outside the
ANC--one from the former NNP and one from the Azanian Peoples Organization
(Azapo). On June 14, 2005, President Mbeki informed the South African Parliament
that then-Deputy President Jacob Zuma was being 'released' from his duties
following the conviction of a close associate on corruption charges relating to
monetary payments to Zuma. On June 22, Mbeki named former Minister for Minerals
and Energy Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to the position of Deputy President, the first
woman to hold this office.
The third arm of the central government is an independent judiciary. The
Constitutional Court is the highest court for interpreting and deciding
constitutional issues, while the Supreme Court of Appeal is the highest court
for nonconstitutional matters. Most cases are heard in the extensive system of
High Courts and Magistrates Courts. The constitution's bill of rights provides
for due process including the right to a fair, public trial within a reasonable
time of being charged and the right to appeal to a higher court. The bill of
rights also guarantees fundamental political and social rights of South Africa's
citizens.
Challenges Ahead
South Africa?s post-apartheid governments have made remarkable progress in
consolidating the nation's peaceful transition to democracy. Programs to improve
the delivery of essential social services to the majority of the population are
underway. Access to better opportunities in education and business is becoming
more widespread. Nevertheless, transforming South Africa's society to remove the
legacy of apartheid will be a long-term process requiring the sustained
commitment of the leaders and people of the nation's disparate groups.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), chaired by 1984 Nobel Peace Prize
winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, helped to advance the reconciliation process.
Constituted in 1996 and having completed its work by 2001, the TRC was empowered
to investigate apartheid-era human rights abuses committed between 1960 and May
10, 1994; to grant amnesty to those who committed politically motivated crimes;
and to recommend compensation to victims of abuses. In November 2003, the
Government began allocation of $4,600 (R30,000) reparations to individual
apartheid victims. The TRC's mandate was part of the larger process of
reconciling the often conflicting political, economic, and cultural interests
held by the many peoples that make up South Africa's diverse population. The
ability of the government and people to agree on many basic questions of how to
order the country's new society will remain a critical challenge.
One important issue continues to be the relationship of provincial and local
administrative structures to the national government. Prior to April 27, 1994,
South Africa was divided into four provinces and 10 black 'homelands,' four of
which were considered independent by the South African Government. Both the
interim constitution and the 1997 constitution abolished this system and
substituted nine provinces. Each province has an elected legislature and chief
executive--the provincial premier. Although in form a federal system, in
practice the nature of the relationship between the central and provincial
governments continues to be the subject of considerable debate, particularly
among groups desiring a greater measure of autonomy from the central government.
A key step in defining the relationship came in 1997 when provincial governments
were given more than half of central government funding and permitted to develop
and manage their own budgets. However, the national government exerts a measure
of control over provinces by appointing provincial premiers.
Although South Africa's economy is in many areas highly developed, the
exclusionary nature of apartheid and distortions caused in part by the country's
international isolation until the 1990s have left major weaknesses. The economy
is now in a process of transition as the government seeks to address the
inequities of apartheid, stimulate growth, and create jobs. Business, meanwhile,
is becoming more integrated into the international system, and foreign
investment has increased dramatically over the past several years. Still, the
economic disparities between population groups are expected to persist for many
years, remaining an area of priority attention for the government.
Human Rights
The 1997 constitution's bill of rights provides extensive guarantees, including
equality before the law and prohibitions against discrimination; the right to
life, privacy, property, and freedom and security of the person; prohibition
against slavery and forced labor; and freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and
association. The legal rights of criminal suspects also are enumerated, as are
citizens' entitlements to a safe environment, housing, education, and health
care. The constitution provides for an independent and impartial judiciary, and,
in practice, these provisions are respected.
Since the abolition of apartheid, levels of political violence in South Africa
have dropped dramatically. Violent crime and organized criminal activity are at
high levels and are a grave concern. Partly as a result, vigilante action and
mob justice sometimes occur.
Some members of the police commit abuses, and deaths in police custody as a
result of excessive force remain a problem. The government has taken action to
investigate and punish some of those who commit such abuses. In April 1997, the
government established an Independent Complaints Directorate to investigate
deaths in police custody and deaths resulting from police action.
Although South Africa's society is undergoing a rapid transformation, some
discrimination against women continues, and discrimination against those living
with HIV/AIDS remains. Violence against women and children also is a serious
problem.
Principal Government Officials
State President--Thabo Mbeki
Executive Deputy President--Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Ministers
Agriculture & Land Affairs--Ms. Lulana Xingwana
Arts & Culture--Mr. Pallo Jordan
Communications--Dr. Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri
Correctional Services--Mr. Ngconde Balfour
Defense--Mr. Mosiuoa Lekota
Education--Ms. Naledi Pandor
Environmental Affairs & Tourism--Mr. Marthinus van Schalkwyk
Finance--Mr. Trevor Manuel
Foreign Affairs--Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Health--Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang
Home Affairs--Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Housing--Ms. Lindiwe Sisulu
Intelligence--Mr. Ronnie Kasrils
Justice & Constitutional Development--Ms. Bridgette Mabandla
Labor--Mr. Membathisi Mdladlana
Minerals & Energy--Ms. Buyi Sonjica
Provincial & Local Government--Mr. Sydney Mufamadi
Public Enterprises--Mr. Alec Erwin
Public Service & Administration--Ms. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi
Public Works--Ms. Angela Thoko Didiza
Safety & Security--Mr. Charles Nqakula
Science & Technology--Mr. Mosibudi Mangena
Social Development--Dr. Zola Skweyiya
Sport & Recreation--Mr. Makhenkesi Stofile
The Presidency--Dr. Essop Pahad
Trade & Industry--Mr. Mandisi Mpahlwa
Transport--Mr. Jeff Radebe
Water Affairs & Forestry--Ms. Lindiwe Hendricks
Country name: |
conventional long form: Republic of South
Africa
conventional short form: South Africa
former: Union of South Africa
abbreviation: RSA |
Government type: |
republic |
Capital: |
name: Pretoria (administrative capital)
geographic coordinates: 25 42 S, 28 13 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
note: Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial
capital) |
Administrative divisions: |
9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State,
Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West,
Northern Cape, Western Cape |
Independence: |
31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed
from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and
Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared) |
National holiday: |
Freedom Day, 27 April (1994) |
Constitution: |
10 December 1996; this new constitution was
certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was
signed by then President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and
entered into effect on 4 February 1997; it is being implemented
in phases |
Legal system: |
based on Roman-Dutch law and English common
law |
Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal |
Executive branch: |
chief of state: President Thabo MBEKI (since
16 June 1999); Executive Deputy President Phumzile MLAMBO-NGCUKA
(since 23 June 2005); note - the president is both the chief of
state and head of government
head of government: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999);
Executive Deputy President Phumzile MLAMBO-NGCUKA (since 23 June
2005)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a
five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held
on 24 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2009)
election results: Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of
National Assembly vote - 100% (by acclamation) |
Legislative branch: |
bicameral Parliament consisting of the
National Assembly (400 seats; members are elected by popular
vote under a system of proportional representation to serve
five-year terms) and the National Council of Provinces (90
seats, 10 members elected by each of the nine provincial
legislatures for five-year terms; has special powers to protect
regional interests, including the safeguarding of cultural and
linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities); note - following
the implementation of the new constitution on 4 February 1997,
the former Senate was disbanded and replaced by the National
Council of Provinces with essentially no change in membership
and party affiliations, although the new institution's
responsibilities have been changed somewhat by the new
constitution
elections: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces -
last held on 14 April 2004 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -
ANC 69.7%, DA 12.4%, IFP 7%, UDM 2.3%, NNP 1.7%, ACDP 1.6%,
other 5.3%; seats by party - ANC 279, DA 50, IFP 28, UDM 9, NNP
7, ACDP 6, other 21; National Council of Provinces - percent of
vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA |
Judicial branch: |
Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of
Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate Courts |
Political parties and
leaders: |
African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP
[Kenneth MESHOE]; African National Congress or ANC [Thabo
MBEKI]; Democratic Alliance or DA [Helen ZILLE]; Freedom Front
Plus or FF+ [Pieter MULDER]; Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu
BUTHELEZI]; New National Party or NNP; Pan-Africanist Congress
or PAC [Motsoko PHEKO]; United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu
HOLOMISA] |
Political pressure groups
and leaders: |
Congress of South African Trade Unions or
COSATU [Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary]; South African
Communist Party or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary];
South African National Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi
HLONGWANE, national president]; note - COSATU and SACP are in a
formal alliance with the ANC |
International organization
participation: |
ACP, AfDB, AU, BIS, C, FAO, G-24, G-77,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, NSG, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNWTO, UPU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC |
Flag description: |
two equal width horizontal bands of red
(top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits
into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the
hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which
the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue
bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow
white stripes |
|
ECONOMY
South Africa has a two-tiered economy; one rivaling other developed countries
and the other with only the most basic infrastructure. It therefore is a
productive and industrialized economy that exhibits many characteristics
associated with developing countries, including a division of labor between
formal and informal sectors, and uneven distribution of wealth and income. The
formal sector, based on mining, manufacturing, services, and agriculture, is
well developed.
The transition to a democratic, nonracial government, begun in early 1990,
stimulated a debate on the direction of economic policies to achieve sustained
economic growth while at the same time redressing the socioeconomic disparities
created by apartheid. The Government of National Unity's initial blueprint to
address this problem was the Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP). The
RDP was designed to create programs to improve the standard of living for the
majority of the population by providing housing--a planned 1 million new homes
in 5 years--basic services, education, and health care. While a specific
'ministry' for the RDP no longer exists, a number of government ministries and
offices are charged with supporting RDP programs and goals.
The Government of South Africa demonstrated its commitment to open markets,
privatization, and a favorable investment climate with its release of the
crucial Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) strategy--the neoliberal
economic strategy to cover 1996-2000. The strategy had mixed success. It brought
greater financial discipline and macroeconomic stability but has failed to
deliver in key areas. Formal employment continued to decline, and despite the
ongoing efforts of black empowerment and signs of a fledgling black middle class
and social mobility, the country's wealth remains very unequally distributed
along racial lines. However, South Africa's budgetary reforms such as the
Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the Public Finance Management Act--which
aims at better reporting, auditing, and increased accountability--and the
structural changes to its monetary policy framework--including inflation
targeting--have created transparency and predictability and are widely
acclaimed. Trade liberalization also has progressed substantially since the
early 1990s. South Africa has reduced its import-weighted average tariff rate
from more than 20% in 1994 to 7% in 2002. These efforts, together with South
Africa's implementation of its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations and
its constructive role in launching the Doha Development Round, show South
Africa's acceptance of free market principles.
Financial Policy
South Africa has a sophisticated financial structure with a large and active
stock exchange that ranks 17th in the world in terms of total market
capitalization. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) performs all central
banking functions. The SARB is independent and operates in much the same way as
Western central banks, influencing interest rates and controlling liquidity
through its interest rates on funds provided to private sector banks.
Quantitative credit controls and administrative control of deposit and lending
rates have largely disappeared. South African banks adhere to the Bank of
International Standards core standards.
The South African Government has taken steps to gradually reduce remaining
foreign exchange controls, which apply only to South African residents. Private
citizens are now allowed a one-time investment of up to 750,000 rand (R) in
offshore accounts. Since 2001, South African companies may invest up to R750
million in Africa and R500 million elsewhere.
Trade and Investment
South Africa has rich mineral resources. It is the world's largest producer and
exporter of gold and platinum and also exports a significant amount of coal.
During 2000, platinum overtook gold as South Africa's largest foreign exchange
earner. The value-added processing of minerals to produce ferroalloys, stainless
steels, and similar products is a major industry and an important growth area.
The country's diverse manufacturing industry is a world leader in several
specialized sectors, including railway rolling stock, synthetic fuels, and
mining equipment and machinery.
Primary agriculture accounts for about 4% of the gross domestic product. Major
crops include citrus and deciduous fruits, corn, wheat, dairy products,
sugarcane, tobacco, wine, and wool. South Africa has many developed irrigation
schemes and is a net exporter of food.
South Africa's transportation infrastructure is well-developed, supporting both
domestic and regional needs. The Johannesburg International Airport serves as a
hub for flights to other southern African countries. The domestic
telecommunications infrastructure provides modern and efficient service to urban
areas, including cellular and Internet services. In 1997, Telkom, the South
African telecommunications parastatal, was partly privatized and entered into a
strategic equity partnership with a consortium of two companies, including SBC,
a U.S. telecommunications company. In exchange for exclusivity to provide
certain services for 5 years, Telkom assumed an obligation to facilitate network
modernization and expansion into unserved areas. The government is evaluating a
proposal to establish a second network operator to compete with Telkom across
its spectrum of services. Three cellular companies provide service to over 9
million subscribers.
South Africa's GDP is expected to increase gradually during the next few years,
and in 2005 the governmentrevised upward its 2005 estimated growth to 4.3%.
Annual GDP growth between 1994 and 2004 averaged 3.0%. In 2003, real GDP growth
slowed to a rate of 2.8%, but increased to 3.7% in 2004. The government
estimates that the economy must achieve growth at a minimum of 6% to offset
unemployment, which is estimated at 28%, although unofficial sources put it as
high as 41%. In an effort to boost economic growth and spur job creation, the
government has launched special investment corridors to promote development in
specific regions and also is working to encourage small, medium, and
microenterprise development. One of the great successes of the ANC government
has been to get consumer inflation, which had been running in the double digits
for over 20 years, under control. By 1998, inflation had fallen to 6.9%, and in
1999 and 2000 inflation was running at less than 6.0%. The rand's rapid
depreciation in late 2001, however, led to greater inflationary pressure,
causing 2002 inflation of 9.2%. The South African government cut the inflation
rate to 4% in 2004, and the rand appreciated 39% from 2002 to 2004. The South
African Reserve Bank increased interest rates and along with the 28% rand
appreciation in 2003 led a reduced consumer inflation of 5.8%. The government
also has made inroads into reducing the fiscal deficit and increasing foreign
currency reserves. The government deficit was 1.1% of GDP in 2002 and 2.6% in
2003. The government's 2005 budget called for a moderate increase in spending to
promote faster growth and poverty alleviation, while curbing budget deficits.
Exports reached 28.2% of GDP in 2003, up from 11.5% a decade ago. South Africa's
major trading partners include the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany,
Italy, Belgium, and Japan. South Africa's trade with other Sub-Saharan African
countries, particularly those in the southern Africa region, has increased
substantially. South Africa is a member of the Southern African Customs Union
(SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). In August 1996,
South Africa signed a regional trade protocol agreement with its SADC partners.
The agreement was ratified in December 1999, and implementation began in
September 2000. It intends to provide duty-free treatment for 85% of trade by
2008 and 100% by 2012.
South Africa has made great progress in dismantling its old economic system,
which was based on import substitution, high tariffs and subsidies,
anticompetitive behavior, and extensive government intervention in the economy.
The new leadership has moved to reduce the government's role in the economy and
to promote private sector investment and competition. It has significantly
reduced tariffs and export subsidies, loosened exchange controls, cut the
secondary tax on corporate dividends, and improved enforcement of intellectual
property laws. A new competition law was passed and became effective on
September 1, 1999. A U.S.-South Africa bilateral tax treaty went into effect on
January 1, 1998, and a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement was
signed in February 1999.
South Africa is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). U.S. products
qualify for South Africa's most-favored-nation tariff rates. South Africa also
is an eligible country for the benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity
Act (AGOA), and most of its products can enter the United States market duty
free. South Africa has done away with most import permits except on used
products and products regulated by international treaties. It also remains
committed to the simplification and continued reduction of tariffs within the
WTO framework and maintains active discussions with that body and its major
trading partners.
As a result of a November 1993 bilateral agreement, the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC) can assist U.S. investors in the South African
market with services such as political risk insurance and loans and loan
guarantees. In July 1996, the United States and South Africa signed an
investment fund protocol for a $120 million OPIC fund to make equity investments
in South Africa and southern Africa. OPIC is establishing an additional
fund--the Sub-Saharan Africa Infrastructure Fund, capitalized at $350
million--for investment in infrastructure projects. The Trade and Development
Agency also has been actively involved in funding feasibility studies and
identifying investment opportunities in South Africa for U.S. businesses.
HIV/AIDS
South Africa is one of the countries most affected by HIV, with 5 million HIV
infected individuals. Twenty percent of the 15-49 year old population is
infected, and in parts of the country more than 35% of women of childbearing age
are infected. Overall, 11-12% of the population is infected. About 1,700 new
infections occur each day, and approximately 40% of deaths are believed to be
AIDS-related. There are approximately 660,000 children who have lost one or both
parents, and by 2008 1.6 million children will have been orphaned by AIDS.
Without effective prevention and treatment 5-7 million cumulative AIDS deaths
are anticipated by 2010 (with 1.5 million deaths in 2010 alone), and there will
be over 1 million sick with AIDS. The epidemic could cost South Africa as much
as 17% in GDP growth by 2010. The extraction industries, education, and health
are among the sectors that will be severely affected. A 2003 national
operational plan provides the structure for a comprehensive response to HIV and
AIDS, including a national rollout of antiretroviral therapy.
Environment
South Africa's Government is committed to managing the country's rich and varied
natural resources in a responsible and sustainable manner. In addition, numerous
South African non-governmental organizations have emerged as a potent force in
the public policy debate on the environment. In international environmental
organizations, South Africa is seen as a key leader among developing countries
on issues such as climate change, conservation, and biodiversity. This leading
role was underscored by South Africa's selection to host the World Summit on
Sustainable Development in 2002.
Economy - overview: |
South Africa is a middle-income, emerging
market with an abundant supply of natural resources;
well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and
transport sectors; a stock exchange that ranks among the 10
largest in the world; and a modern infrastructure supporting an
efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers
throughout the region. However, growth has not been strong
enough to lower South Africa's high unemployment rate, and
daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid era -
especially poverty and lack of economic empowerment among the
disadvantaged groups. South African economic policy is fiscally
conservative but pragmatic focusing on targeting inflation and
liberalizing trade as means to increase job growth and household
income. |
GDP - real growth rate: |
5% (2006 est.) |
GDP (purchasing power
parity): |
$587.5 billion (2006 est.) |
GDP (official exchange
rate): |
$201.4 billion (2006 est.) |
GDP - per capita (PPP): |
$13,300 (2006 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector: |
agriculture: 2.6%
industry: 30.3%
services: 67.1% (2006 est.) |
Population below poverty
line: |
50% (2000 est.) |
Household income or
consumption by percentage share: |
lowest 10%: 1.1%
highest 10%: 45.9% (1994) |
Inflation rate (consumer
prices): |
5% (2006 est.) |
Labor force: |
16.09 million economically active (2006
est.) |
Labor force - by occupation: |
agriculture: 30%
industry: 25%
services: 45% (1999 est.) |
Unemployment rate: |
25.5% (2006 est.) |
Budget: |
revenues: $72.15 billion
expenditures: $75.93 billion; including capital expenditures of
NA (2006 est.) |
Industries: |
mining (world's largest producer of
platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking,
machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer,
foodstuffs, commercial ship repair |
Industrial production growth
rate: |
7.1% (2006 est.) |
Electricity - production: |
227.2 billion kWh (2004) |
Electricity - consumption: |
207 billion kWh (2004) |
Electricity - exports: |
12.4 billion kWh (2004) |
Electricity - imports: |
8.026 billion kWh (2004) |
Oil - production: |
229,900 bbl/day (2004 est.) |
Oil - consumption: |
502,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) |
Oil - exports: |
NA bbl/day |
Oil - imports: |
398,000 bbl/day (2006) |
Oil - proved reserves: |
15.68 million bbl (1 January 2005) |
Natural gas - production: |
2.23 billion cu m (2004 est.) |
Natural gas - exports: |
0 cu m (2004 est.) |
Natural gas - imports: |
0 cu m (2004 est.) |
Agriculture - products: |
corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables;
beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products |
Exports: |
$59.15 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) |
Exports - commodities: |
gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and
minerals, machinery and equipment |
Exports - partners: |
Japan 12.1%, US 11.8%, UK 9%, Germany 7.6%,
Netherlands 5.3%, China 4% (2006) |
Imports: |
$61.53 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) |
Imports - commodities: |
machinery and equipment, chemicals,
petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs |
Imports - partners: |
Germany 12.6%, China 10%, US 7.6%, Japan
6.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.3%, UK 5% (2006) |
Debt - external: |
$55.47 billion (30 June 2006 est.) |
Economic aid - recipient: |
$487.5 million (2000) |
Currency: |
South African Rand (ZAR) |
Currency code: |
ZAR |
Exchange rates: |
rand per US dollar - 6.7649 (2006), 6.3593
(2005), 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407 (2002) |
Fiscal year: |
1 April - 31 March |
|
Military
Military branches: |
South African National Defense Force
(SANDF): South African Army, South African Navy (SAN), South
African Air Force (SAAF), Joint Operations Command, Joint
Support Command, Military Intelligence, Military Health Service
(2007) |
Military service age and
obligation: |
18 years of age for voluntary military
service; women have a long history of military service in
noncombat roles dating back to World War I (2004) |
Manpower available for
military service: |
males age 18-49: 10,354,769
females age 18-49: 10,626,550 (2005 est.) |
Manpower fit for military
service: |
males age 18-49: 4,927,757
females age 18-49: 4,609,071 (2005 est.) |
Manpower reaching military
service age annually: |
males age 18-49: 512,407
females age 18-49: 506,078 (2005 est.) |
|