Difference between revisions of "South Africa" - New World Encyclopedia

Republic of South Africa
Republic of South Africa
	Motto: !ke e: ǀxarra ǁke (ǀXam); "Unity In Diversity"
	Anthem: National anthem of South Africa;
Capital	Pretoria (executive); Bloemfontein (judicial); Cape Town (legislative)
Largest	Johannesburg
Official language(s)	11
Ethnic groups (2019)	80.7% Black ; 8.8% Coloured ; 7.9% White; 2.6% Asian
Demonym	South African
Government	Constitutional parliamentary republic
Legislature	Parliament
Independence	from the United Kingdom
Area
Population
GDP (PPP)	2020 estimate
GDP (nominal)	2020 estimate
Gini (2014)	63.0
HDI (2018)	0.705 (113th)
Currency	Rand (ZAR)
Time zone	SAST (UTC+2)
Drives on the	left
Internet TLD	.za
Calling code	+27

Latest revision as of 15:13, 27 April 2023

The Republic of South Africa, most commonly referred to as South Africa, occupies the southern tip of the African continent and borders the nations of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho. Its long coastline stretches more than 2,500 km (over 1,550 miles) from the desert border with Namibia on the Atlantic coast southwards around the tip of Africa and then north to the border with subtropical Mozambique on the Indian Ocean. It is the most modern nation on the continent, with its protected wildlife and ecosystem, balanced by its modern infrastructure, unmatched in Africa.

South Africa experienced a significantly different evolution from other nations on the continent as a result of two factors: higher European immigration rates and the strategic importance of the Cape sea route. Its mineral wealth made the country extremely important to Western interests, particularly during the Cold War. As a result of immigration, South Africa is a racially diverse nation, with black South Africans accounting for slightly less than 80 percent of the population.

Racial strife between the white minority and the black majority has played a large part in the country's recent history and politics, culminating in apartheid, which was instituted in 1948 by the National Party, though segregation existed prior to that date. The laws that defined apartheid began to be repealed or abolished by the National Party in 1990 after a long and sometimes violent struggle by the black majority as well as many white, coloured, and Indian South Africans. Its legacy of apartheid etched the country into the conscience of the world, especially in the 1980s, and resulted in economic sanctions from the international community.

The country is one of the few in Africa never to have had a coup d'état, and regular elections have been held for almost a century; however, the vast majority of black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994. The economy of South Africa is the largest and best developed on the continent, with modern infrastructure common throughout the country.

South Africa is often referred to as "The Rainbow Nation," a term coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and later adopted by then-President Nelson Mandela as a metaphor to describe the country's newly developing multicultural diversity in the wake of segregationist apartheid ideology.

History

Kruger National Park, South Africa

South Africa contains some of the oldest archaeological sites in Africa. Extensive fossil remains in Makapans Cave and other locations suggest that various australopithecines existed in South Africa from about three million years ago. These were succeeded by various species of Homo, including Homo habilis, Homo erectus and modern man, Homo sapiens, at the Klasies River Caves.^[9] Bantu-speaking peoples (here, Bantu is a linguistic term, not an ethnic one), iron-using agriculturists and herdsmen had moved south of the Limpopo River into modern-day South Africa by the fourth or fifth century. They slowly moved south, displacing earlier hunter-gatherer peoples as they migrated.

Colonial period

Romanticized painting of an account of the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck.

The first circumnavigation of the Cape of Good Hope by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias occurred in 1488. Along with the accounts of early navigators, the accounts of shipwreck survivors provide the earliest written accounts of Southern Africa. In the two centuries following 1488, a number of small fishing settlements were made along the coast by Portuguese sailors. In 1652 a victualling station was established at the Cape of Good Hope by Jan van Riebeeck on behalf of the Dutch East India Company. For most of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the slowly expanding settlement was a Dutch possession. The Dutch settlers eventually met the southwesterly expanding Xhosa people in the region of the Fish River. A series of wars ensued, mainly caused by conflicting land and livestock interests.

Great Britain seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1797 seeking to use Cape Town in particular as a stop on the route to Australia and India. The Dutch East India Company declared bankruptcy, and the British annexed the Cape Colony in 1805. The British continued the frontier wars against the Xhosa, pushing the eastern frontier eastward through a line of forts established along the Fish River and consolidating it by encouraging British settlement. Due to pressure from abolitionist societies in Britain, the British Parliament first stopped its global slave trade in 1806, then abolished slavery in all its colonies in 1833.

Boer women and children in British concentration camps.

The discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1886 encouraged economic growth and immigration, intensifying the subjugation of the natives. The Boers successfully resisted British encroachments during the First Boer War (1880–1881) using guerrilla warfare tactics, much better suited to local conditions. However, the British returned in greater numbers in the Second Boer War (1899–1902). The Boers resisted fiercely, but the British eventually overwhelmed the Boer forces, using their superior numbers, improved tactics, and external supply chains. Also during this war, the British used controversial concentration camps and scorched earth tactics.

Union of South Africa

The Union of South Africa was created from the Cape and Natal colonies, as well as the republics of Orange Free State and Transvaal, on May 31, 1910. The newly created Union of South Africa was a dominion. In 1948, the right-wing National Party was elected to power and began implementing a series of harsh segregationist laws that would become known collectively as apartheid. While the white minority enjoyed the highest standard of living in all of Africa, often comparable to Western nations, the black majority remained disadvantaged by almost every standard, including income, education, housing, and life expectancy. However, the average income and life expectancy of a black, Indian, or colored South African compared favorably to many other African states.

Prison buildings on Robben Island, the holding place of several anti-apartheid fighters including Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned there for 18 years. Robben Island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Apartheid became increasingly controversial, leading to widespread sanctions and divestment abroad and growing unrest and oppression within South Africa. A long period of harsh suppression by the government, and resistance, strikes, marches, protests, and sabotage, by various anti-apartheid movements, most notably the African National Congress (ANC), followed. In 1990, the National Party government, under acting President F. W. de Klerk and Foreign Minister Roelof ("Pik") Botha took the first steps, making a five-year plan, toward negotiating itself out of power. After consultation with Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, the National Party lifted the ban on the ANC and other left-wing political organizations and released Nelson Mandela from prison after 27 years of incarceration.

Post-apartheid

Apartheid legislation was gradually removed from the statute books, and the first multi-racial elections were held in 1994. The ANC won by an overwhelming majority and has been in power ever since.

Despite the end of apartheid, millions of South Africans, mostly black, continue to live in poverty. This is attributed to the legacy of the apartheid regime and, increasingly, what many see as the failure of the current government to tackle social issues, coupled with the monetary and fiscal discipline of the current government to ensure both redistribution of wealth and economic growth. However, the ANC's social housing policy has produced some improvement in living conditions in many areas by redirecting fiscal spending and improving the efficiency of the tax collection system.

Politics

The central area of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa.

South Africa has a bicameral parliament: the 90 members of the National Council of Provinces (the upper house); and the four hundred members of the National Assembly (the lower house). Members of the lower house are elected on a population basis by proportional representation: half of the members are elected from national lists and half are elected from provincial lists. Ten members are elected to represent each province in the National Council of Provinces, regardless of the population of the province. Elections for both chambers are held every five years. The government is formed in the lower house, and the leader of the majority party in the National Assembly is the president.

Current South African politics are dominated by the African National Congress (ANC), which received 69.7 percent of the vote during the 2004 general election and 66.3 percent of the vote in the 2006 municipal election. The main challenger to the ANC's rule is the Democratic Alliance party, which received 12.4 percent of the vote in the 2004 election and 14.8 percent in the 2006 election. The leader of this party is Tony Leon. The formerly dominant New National Party, which introduced apartheid through its predecessor, the National Party, has suffered increasing humiliation at election polls since 1994, and finally voted to disband. It chose to merge with the ANC on April 9, 2005. Other major political parties represented in Parliament are the Inkatha Freedom Party, which mainly represents Zulu voters, and the Independent Democrats, who took 6.97 percent and 1.7 percent of the vote, respectively, in the 2004 election.

Administrative divisions

When apartheid ended in 1994, the South African government had to integrate the formerly independent and semi-independent Bantustans into the political structure. To this end, it abolished the four former provinces of South Africa (Cape Province, Natal, Orange Free State, and Transvaal) and replaced them with nine fully integrated provinces. The new provinces are typically much smaller than the former provinces, and theoretically were established in order to give local governments more resources to distribute over smaller areas.

The nine provinces are further subdivided into 52 districts, six of which are metropolitan, and 46 district municipalities. The 46 district municipalities are further subdivided into 231 local municipalities. The district municipalities also contain 20 district management areas (mostly game parks) which are directly governed by the district municipalities. The six metropolitan municipalities perform the functions of both district and local municipalities.

Military

South Africa's armed forces, known as the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), were created in 1994. In recent years, it has become a major peacekeeping force in Africa and been involved in operations in Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Burundi, among others. It has also participated as a part of multinational U.N. peacekeeping forces.

South Africa undertook a nuclear weapons program in the 1970s and may have conducted a nuclear test over the Atlantic Ocean in 1979. It has since renounced its nuclear program and, after destroying its small nuclear arsenal, signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1991. It is the only African country to have successfully developed nuclear weapons and, to date, the only country in the world to have voluntarily dismantled its entire nuclear weapons arsenal.

Geography

Map of South Africa.

South Africa is located at the southernmost region of Africa, with a long coastline that stretches more than 1,550 mi (2,500 km) and across two oceans, (the Atlantic and the Indian). It borders the countries of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. South Africa is the world's 25th-largest country and is nearly twice the size of the U.S. state of Texas. Njesuthi in the Drakensberg at 3,408 m is the highest peak in South Africa.

South Africa has a great variety of climate zones, from the extreme desert of the southern Namib in the farthest northwest to the lush subtropical climate in the east along the border with Mozambique and the Indian Ocean. From the east, the land quickly rises over a mountainous escarpment toward the interior plateau known as the Highveld. Even though South Africa is classified as semi-arid, there is considerable variation in climate as well as topography.

South Africa has one possession, the small sub-Antarctic archipelago of the Prince Edward Islands, consisting of Marion Island and Prince Edward Island (not to be confused with the Canadian province of the same name).

Flora and fauna

Fynbos, a floral kingdom unique to South Africa, is found near Cape Town.

South Africa has more than 20,000 different plants, or about 10 percent of all the known species of plants on Earth, making it particularly rich in plant biodiversity. But while it has a great wealth of flowering plants, it has few forests. Only one percent of South Africa is forest, almost exclusively in the humid coastal plain along the Indian Ocean. South Africa has lost extensive acreage of natural habitat in the last four decades, primarily due to overpopulation, sprawling development patterns, and deforestation during the nineteenth century. South Africa is one of the worst affected countries in the world when it comes to invasion by alien species, with many posing a significant threat to the native biodiversity and the already scarce water resources. Pine trees are being removed from all of South Africa, to allow indigenous fynbos and Afromontane forests to be re-established.

Numerous mammals are found in the bushveld habitats, which is mainly in the northeast, including Kruger National Park and the Mala Mala Reserve, as well as in the far north in the Waterberg Biosphere.

Economy

By U.N. classification South Africa is a middle-income country with an abundant supply of resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that ranks among the ten largest in the world; and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region. South Africa's per capita GDP positions the country as one of the 50 wealthiest in the world. It is estimated that South Africa accounts for up to 30 percent of the gross domestic product of the entire African continent. South Africa is also the continent's largest energy producer and consumer.

In many respects, South Africa is developed; however, this development is primarily centered in four areas, namely Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Pretoria/Johannesburg. Beyond these four economic centers, development is marginal and poverty still reigns despite government strategies. Large income gaps and a dual economy designate South Africa as developing; South Africa has one of the highest rates of income inequality in the world. Growth rates in the last ten years are helping lower unemployment, but daunting economic problems remain. Other problems are crime, corruption, and HIV/AIDS.

Refugees from poorer neighboring countries abound, with immigrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and many others representing a large portion of the informal sector. With high unemployment levels, many poorer South Africans resent immigrants, who are seen to be depriving them of jobs, a feeling given credibility by the fact that many South African employers have employed migrants from other countries for lower pay than South African citizens, especially in the construction, tourism, agriculture, and domestic service industries.

Agriculture

Workers planting on a farm in the central area of Mpumalanga.

Farm workers

South Africa has a large agricultural sector and is a net exporter of farm products. The agricultural industry contributes a relatively low amount of formal employment compared to other parts of Africa, as well as providing work for casual laborers.^[10] Due to the aridity of the land, only 13.5 percent can be used for crop production, and only 3 percent is considered high-potential land.^[11]

Although the commercial farming sector is relatively well-developed, people in some rural areas still survive on subsistence agriculture. It is one of the largest producers of wine and sunflower seeds. South Africa is a net exporter of agricultural products and foodstuffs, the largest number of exported items being sugar, grapes, citrus, nectarines, wine and deciduous fruit. The largest locally produced crop is maize (corn). Livestock are also popular on South African farms, with the country producing 85 percent of all meat consumed. There is also a substantial dairy industry.

The agricultural sector has introduced several reforms, some of which are controversial, such as land reform and the deregulation of the market for agricultural products. Land reform has been criticized by both farmers' groups and landless workers, the latter alleging that the pace of change has not been fast enough, and the former alleging racist treatment and expressing concerns that a similar situation to Zimbabwe's land reform policy may develop.^[12] The sector continues to face problems, with increased foreign competition and crime being two of the major challenges for the industry.

Demographics

South Africa is a nation of people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and beliefs. Though the major part of the population classified itself as African or black, those people are not culturally or linguistically homogeneous. Major ethnic groups include the Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho (South Sotho), Bapedi (North Sotho), Venda, Tswana, Tsonga, Swazi, and Ndebele, all of which speak Bantu languages.

Some, such as the Zulu, Xhosa, Bapedi, and Venda groups, are unique to South Africa. Other groups are distributed across the borders with South Africa's neighbors: The Basotho group is also the major ethnic group in Lesotho. The Tswana ethnic group constitute the majority of the population of Botswana. The Swazi ethnic group is the major ethnic group in Swaziland. The Ndebele ethnic group is also found in Matabeleland in Zimbabwe, where they are known as the Matabele. These Ndebele people are, however, in effect Zulu people because the language they speak is Zulu and they are the descendants of a faction under the warrior Mzilikazi (ca. 1790 - 1868) that escaped persecution from Shaka by migrating to their current territory. The Tsonga ethnic group is also found in southern Mozambique, where they are known as the Shangaan.

The white population descends largely from colonial immigrants: Dutch, German, French Huguenot, and British. Culturally and linguistically, they are divided into the Afrikaners, who speak Afrikaans, and English-speaking groups, many of whom originated from British immigrants. Small communities that immigrated over the last century retain the use of other languages. The white population is on the decrease due to a low birthrate and emigration; as a factor in their decision to emigrate, many cite the high crime rate and the government's affirmative action policies.

The term "coloured" is still largely used for the people of mixed race descended from slaves brought in from East and Central Africa, the indigenous Khoisan who lived in the Cape at the time, indigenous African blacks, whites (mostly the Dutch/Afrikaner and British settlers) as well as an admixture of Javanese, Malay, Indian, Malagasy, and other Europeans (such as Portuguese) and Asian blood (such as Burmese). The majority speak Afrikaans. Khoisan is a term used to describe two separate groups, physically similar in that they were light-skinned and small in stature. The Khoikhoi, who were called Hottentots by the Europeans, were pastoralists and were effectively annihilated; the San, called Bushmen by the Europeans, were hunter-gatherers. Within what is known as the Coloured community, more recent immigrants will also be found: Coloureds from the former Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Namibia and immigrants of mixed descent from India and Burma who were welcomed to the Cape when the latter countries received their independence.

The major part of the Asian population of the country is Indian in origin, many of them descended from indentured workers brought in the nineteenth century to work on the sugar plantations of the eastern coastal area then known as Natal. There is also a significant group of Chinese South Africans.

HIV/AIDS

As in many sub-Saharan African countries, the spread of AIDS is a serious problem in South Africa.^[13] The link between HIV, a virus spread primarily by sexual contact, and AIDS was long denied by the president and the health minister, who insisted that the many deaths in the country were due to malnutrition, and hence poverty, not HIV.^[14]

Most deaths from AIDS are of people who are economically active, resulting in many families losing their primary wage earners. This results in many orphans who frequently depend on the state for care and financial support. It is estimated that there are 63 percent of orphans in South Africa are orphaned due to AIDS.^[15] Elderly people, traditionally supported by younger members of the family, are also becoming more and more dependent on the state for financial support.

Culture

Decorated houses, Drakensberg Mountains.

It may be argued that there is no "single" culture in South Africa because of its ethnic diversity. Today, the diversity in foods from many cultures is enjoyed by all and especially marketed to tourists who wish to sample the large variety of South African cuisine. In addition to food, music and dance feature prominently.

There is great diversity in music from South Africa. Many black musicians who sang in Afrikaans or English during apartheid have since begun to sing in traditional African languages and have developed a unique style called Kwaito. Of note is Brenda Fassie, who launched to fame with her song "Weekend Special," which was sung in English. More famous traditional musicians include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, while the Soweto String Quartet performs classic music with an African flavor. White and colored South African singers are historically influenced by European musical styles, including such Western metal bands such as Seether. Afrikaans music covers multiple genres, such as the contemporary Steve Hofmeyr and the punk rock band Fokofpolisiekar. Crossover artists such as Johnny Clegg and his bands Juluka and Savuka have enjoyed success underground, publicly, and abroad.

The country's black majority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants who lead largely impoverished lives. It is among these people, however, that traditional dance and music survive; as blacks have become increasingly urbanized and westernized, aspects of traditional culture are declining.

Asians, predominantly of Indian origin, preserve their own cultural heritage, languages, and religious beliefs, being either Christian, Hindu, or Sunni Muslim.

South Africa has also had a large influence in the Scouting movement, with many Scouting traditions and ceremonies coming from the experiences of Robert Baden-Powell (the founder of Scouting) during his time in South Africa as a military officer in the 1890s. The South African Scout Association was one of the first youth organizations to open its doors to youth and adults of all races in South Africa.

Notes

↑ Major Agglomerations of the World. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
↑ The Khoi, Nama and San languages; sign language; German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Portuguese, Tamil, Telegu and Urdu; and Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit and "other languages used for religious purposes in South Africa" have a special status. See The 11 languages of South Africa South Africa Gateway. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
↑ Mid-year population estimates Statistics South Africa, July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
↑ [url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022020.pdf Mid-year population estimates] Statistics South Africa, July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
↑ Census in brief Statistics South Africa. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 World Economic Outlook Database, October 2019 International Monetary Fund.
↑ Gini Index South Africa World Bank. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
↑ 2019 Human Development Report United Nations Development Programme, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
↑ Sarah Manners, Africa - The Cradle of Humankind Article Geek. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
↑ Human Rights Watch, Unequal protection: The state response to violent crime on South African farms (Human Rights Watch, 2001, ISBN 978-1564322630).
↑ Najma Mohamed, "Greening Land and Agrarian Reform: A Case for Sustainable Agriculture." In At the Crossroads: Land and Agrarian Reform in South Africa into the 21st Century, Edited by Ben Cousins. (Bellville, School of Government, University of the Western Cape, 2000, ISBN 1868084671).
↑ William Rees-Mogg, South Africa's Bitter Harvest Times Online, September 11, 2006.
↑ HIV & Aids in South Africa Avert. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
↑ "Sack SA Health Minister" – world's AIDS experts. afrol News. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
↑ Children, HIV and AIDS, Avert. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Beinart, William. Twentieth-Century South Africa. Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0192893181
Christopher, A. J. The Atlas of Changing South Africa. Taylor and Francis, 2000. ISBN 0415211786
Cousins, Ben (ed.). At the Crossroads: Land and Agrarian Reform in South Africa into the 21st Century. Bellville, School of Government, University of the Western Cape, 2000. ISBN 1868084671
Deegan, Heather. The Politics of the New South Africa: Apartheid and After. Longman, 2000. ISBN 0582382270
Hein, David. "Religion and Politics in South Africa." Modern Age 31 (1987): 21-30.
Human Rights Watch. Unequal protection: The state response to violent crime on South African farms. Human Rights Watch, 2001. ISBN 978-1564322630
Tomlinson, Richard, et al., Emerging Johannesburg: Perspectives on the Postapartheid City. Routledge, 2003. ISBN 0415935598
Thompson, Leonard. A History of South Africa, 3rd ed., Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0300087764
Welsh, Frank. South Africa: A Narrative History. Kodansha America, 1999. ISBN 1568362587
Worden, Nigel. Making of Modern South Africa: Conquest, Segregation and Apartheid. Blackwell Publishers, 2000. ISBN 0631216618

External links

All links retrieved February 4, 2023.

South African Government Online
Statistics South Africa
South African Police Service
Independent Online
Mail&Guardian Online
News 24
South African Weather Service
South Africa, The Economist
South Africa Profile, British Broadcasting Corporation
South African Tourism, South Africa

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

South Africa ^history

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

History of "South Africa"

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[1] Major Agglomerations of the World. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[2] The Khoi, Nama and San languages; sign language; German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Portuguese, Tamil, Telegu and Urdu; and Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit and "other languages used for religious purposes in South Africa" have a special status. See The 11 languages of South Africa South Africa Gateway. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[3] Mid-year population estimates Statistics South Africa, July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[4] [url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022020.pdf Mid-year population estimates] Statistics South Africa, July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[5] Census in brief Statistics South Africa. Retrieved July 13, 2020.

[IMFWEOZA-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 World Economic Outlook Database, October 2019 International Monetary Fund.

[wb-gini-7] Gini Index South Africa World Bank. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[HDI-8] 2019 Human Development Report United Nations Development Programme, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[9] Sarah Manners, Africa - The Cradle of Humankind Article Geek. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[10] Human Rights Watch, Unequal protection: The state response to violent crime on South African farms (Human Rights Watch, 2001, ISBN 978-1564322630).

[11] Najma Mohamed, "Greening Land and Agrarian Reform: A Case for Sustainable Agriculture." In At the Crossroads: Land and Agrarian Reform in South Africa into the 21st Century, Edited by Ben Cousins. (Bellville, School of Government, University of the Western Cape, 2000, ISBN 1868084671).

[12] William Rees-Mogg, South Africa's Bitter Harvest Times Online, September 11, 2006.

[13] HIV & Aids in South Africa Avert. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[14] "Sack SA Health Minister" – world's AIDS experts. afrol News. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[15] Children, HIV and AIDS, Avert. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
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-|native_name             = ''Republic of South Africa''
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-|national_motto           = ''!ke e: {{IPA|ǀ}}xarra {{IPA|ǁ}}ke''&nbsp;&nbsp;<small>(ǀǀXam)<br />“Unity In Diversity”<br />(literally “Diverse People Unite”)</small>
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-|population_density_rank  = 163rd
+|largest_settlement_type    =
-|GDP_PPP_year            = 2005
+|official_languages         = 11<ref>The [[Khoi languages|Khoi]], [[Nama language|Nama]] and [[San languages]]; [[South African Sign Language|sign language]]; German, Greek, [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], Portuguese, [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telegu language|Telegu]] and [[Urdu language|Urdu]]; and Arabic, [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] and "other languages used for religious purposes in South Africa" have a special status. See [https://southafrica-info.com/arts-culture/11-languages-south-africa/ The 11 languages of South Africa] ''South Africa Gateway''. Retrieved July 14, 2020.</ref>
-|GDP_PPP                 = $570.2 billion <!--IMF—>
+|national_languages          =
-|GDP_PPP_rank             = 18th
+|regional_languages          =
-|GDP_PPP_per_capita       = $12 161
+|languages_type              =
-|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank  = 55th
+|languages                  =
-|sovereignty_type        = Independence
+|ethnic_groups              = 80.7% [[Black people|Black]] <br/>8.8% [[Coloured]] <br/>7.9% [[White South African|White]]<br/>2.6% [[Asian South African|Asian]]<ref>[http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022019.pdf Mid-year population estimates] ''Statistics South Africa'', July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2020.</ref>
-|sovereignty_note        = from the United Kingdom
+|ethnic_groups_year          = 2019
-|established_event1      = Union
+|demonym                    = South African
-|established_event2      = Statute of<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Westminster
+|government_type             = [[Constitutional democracy|Constitutional]] [[parliamentary republic]]
-|established_event3      = Republic
+|leader_title1               = [[President of South Africa|President]]
-|established_date1        = May 31, 1910
+|leader_name1               = [[Cyril Ramaphosa]]
-|established_date2        = December 11, 1931
+|leader_title2              = [[Deputy President of South Africa|Deputy President]]
-|established_date3        = May 31, 1961
+|leader_name2               = [[David Mabuza]]
-|HDI_year                 = 2004
+|legislature                = [[Parliament of South Africa|Parliament]]
-|HDI                      = {{loss}}0.653
+|upper_house                = [[National Council of Provinces]]
-|HDI_rank                = 121st
+|lower_house                = [[National Assembly of South Africa|National Assembly]]
-|HDI_category            = <font style="color:#fc0">medium</font>
+|sovereignty_type            = [[Independence]]
-|currency                 = South African rand
+|sovereignty_note            = {{nowrap|from the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]]}}
-|currency_code           = ZAR
+|established_event1          = [[Union of South Africa|Union]]
-|country_code            = RSA
+|established_date1          = 31 May 1910
-|time_zone                = SAST
+|established_event2          = [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Statute of Westminster]]
-|utc_offset               = +2
+|established_date2           = 11 December 1931
-|cctld                   = .za
+|established_event3          = [[South African referendum, 1960|Republic]]
-|calling_code             = 27
+|established_date3          = 31 May 1961
-|footnotes               = <sup>1</sup>Pretoria is the seat of the executive branch of the goverment, Bloemfontein is where the judicial branch sits and Cape Town is the home of the legislative branch.
+|established_event4          =
+|established_date4          =
+|established_event5          =
+|established_date5          =
+<!-- ... —>
+|established_event9          =
+|established_date9          =
+|area_rank                  = 25<sup>th</sup>
+|area_magnitude              = 1 E12
+|area_km2                    = 1,221,037
+|area_sq_mi                  = 471,443
+|area_footnote              =
+|percent_water              = Negligible
+| population_estimate        = 59,622,350<ref>[url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022020.pdf Mid-year population estimates] ''Statistics South Africa'', July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.</ref>
+| population_census          = 51,770,560<ref>[http://www.statssa.gov.za/census/census_2011/census_products/Census_2011_Census_in_brief.pdf Census in brief] ''Statistics South Africa''. Retrieved July 13, 2020.</ref>
+| population_estimate_year    = 2019
+| population_estimate_rank    = 24th
+| population_census_year      = 2011
+| population_density_km2      = 42.4
+| population_density_sq_mi =
+| population_density_rank    = 169th
+| GDP_PPP                     = {{increase}} $833.996 billion<ref name="IMFWEOZA"> World Economic Outlook Database, October 2019 ''International Monetary Fund''. </ref>
+| GDP_PPP_year                = 2020
+| GDP_PPP_rank               = 32nd
+| GDP_PPP_per_capita         = {{increase}} $13,965<ref name="IMFWEOZA"/>
+| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank     = 96th
+| GDP_nominal                = {{increase}} $369.854 billion<ref name="IMFWEOZA"/>
+| GDP_nominal_year            = 2020
+| GDP_nominal_rank            = 35th
+| GDP_nominal_per_capita      = {{increase}} $6,193<ref name="IMFWEOZA"/>
+| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 89th
+| Gini                        = 63.0<ref name="wb-gini">[https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=ZA Gini Index  South Africa] ''World Bank''. Retrieved July 14, 2020. </ref> <!--number only—>
+| Gini_year                  = 2014
+| Gini_change                 = decrease <!--increase/decrease/steady—>
+| Gini_ref                    =
+| Gini_rank                  = <!-- 2nd —><!-- hid rank as source not clear —>
+| HDI                        = 0.705<ref name="HDI">[http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr2019.pdf 2019 Human Development Report] ''United Nations Development Programme'', 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2020.</ref> <!--number only—>
+| HDI_year                    = 2018<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year—>
+| HDI_change                  = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady—>
+| HDI_ref                    =
+| HDI_rank                    = 113th
+|currency                   = [[South African Rand|Rand]]
+|currency_code               = ZAR
+|time_zone                  = [[South African Standard Time|SAST]]
+|utc_offset                 = +2
+|time_zone_DST              =
+|anti-podes                  =
+|date_format                =
+|DST_note                    =
+|utc_offset_DST              =
+|drives_on                  = left
+|cctld                       = [[.za]]
+|iso3166code                =
+|calling_code               = [[+27]]
+|image_map3                  =
+|alt_map3                    =
+|footnotes                   =
+|footnote1                  =
+|footnote2                  =
+|footnote7                  =
 }}
-'''South Africa''', officially the '''Republic of South Africa''', is a country located at the southern tip of the [[Africa|African]] [[continent]]. It borders the countries of [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Mozambique]], and [[Swaziland]]. [[Lesotho]] is an independent enclave entirely surrounded by South African territory.
-South Africa has experienced a significantly different evolution from other nations in Africa as a result of two facts. First, [[immigration]] from [[Europe]] reached levels not experienced in other African communities. Second, the strategic importance of the Cape sea route, as emphasised by the closure of the [[Suez Canal]] during the [[Six Day War]], and mineral wealth made the country extremely important to Western interests, particularly during the [[Cold War]]. As a result of immigration, South Africa is a very racially diverse nation. It has the largest population of people of [[Coloured]] (i.e., mixed racial background), whites, and Indian communities in Africa.  Black South Africans account for slightly less than 80 percent of the population.
+The '''Republic of South Africa''', most commonly referred to as '''South Africa''', occupies the southern tip of the [[Africa]]n continent and borders the nations of [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Mozambique]], [[Swaziland]], and [[Lesotho]]. Its long coastline stretches more than 2,500 km (over 1,550 miles) from the desert border with Namibia on the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] coast southwards around the tip of Africa and then north to the border with subtropical Mozambique on the [[Indian Ocean]]. It is the most modern nation on the continent, with its protected wildlife and ecosystem, balanced by its modern infrastructure, unmatched in Africa.
-Racial strife between the white minority and the black majority has played a large part in the country's history and politics, culminating in [[apartheid]], which was instituted in 1948 by the National Party (although [[Racial segregation|segregation]] existed prior to that date). The laws that defined apartheid began to be repealed or abolished by the National Party in 1990 after a long and sometimes violent struggle (including [[economic sanctions]] from the international community) by the Black majority as well as many White, Coloured, and Indian South Africans.
+South Africa experienced a significantly different evolution from other nations on the continent as a result of two factors: higher European immigration rates and the strategic importance of the Cape sea route. Its mineral wealth made the country extremely important to Western interests, particularly during the [[Cold War]]. As a result of immigration, South Africa is a racially diverse nation, with black South Africans accounting for slightly less than 80 percent of the population.
-Two philosophies originated in South Africa: ''ubuntu'' (the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity); and [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s notion of “passive resistance” (''satyagraha''), developed while he lived in South Africa.<ref> [http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/newsletter/previous_newsletters/295581.htm Compassion: the South African way]</ref>
+Racial strife between the white minority and the black majority has played a large part in the country's recent history and politics, culminating in [[apartheid]], which was instituted in 1948 by the National Party, though segregation existed prior to that date. The laws that defined apartheid began to be repealed or abolished by the National Party in 1990 after a long and sometimes violent struggle by the black majority as well as many white, coloured, and Indian South Africans. Its legacy of apartheid etched the country into the conscience of the world, especially in the 1980s, and resulted in economic sanctions from the international community.
+{{toc}}
+The country is one of the few in Africa never to have had a [[coup d'état]], and regular elections have been held for almost a century; however, the vast majority of black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994. The economy of South Africa is the largest and best developed on the continent, with modern infrastructure common throughout the country.
-The country is one of the few in Africa never to have had a coup d'état, and regular elections have been held for almost a century; however, the vast majority of black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994.  The economy of South Africa is the largest and best developed on the continent, with modern infrastructure common throughout the country.
+South Africa is often referred to as "The Rainbow Nation," a term coined by Archbishop [[Desmond Tutu]] and later adopted by then-President [[Nelson Mandela]] as a metaphor to describe the country's newly developing multicultural diversity in the wake of segregationist apartheid ideology.
-South Africa is often referred to as "The Rainbow Nation", a term coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and later adopted by then-President Nelson Mandela as a metaphor to describe the country's newly developing multicultural diversity in the wake of segregationist apartheid ideology.
-South Africa will be the host nation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It will be the first time the tournament is held in Africa.
 ==History==
-South Africa contains some of the oldest archaeological sites in Africa. Extensive [[fossil]] remains at the Sterkfontein, Kromdraai, and Makapansgat caves suggest that various [[australopithecus|australopithecines]] existed in South Africa from about three million years ago. These were succeeded by various species of ''Homo'', including ''[[Homo habilis]]'', ''[[Homo erectus]]'' and modern man, ''[[Homo sapiens]]''. Bantu-speaking peoples (here, Bantu is a linguistic term, not an ethnic one), [[iron]]-using agriculturists and herdsmen, moved south of the Limpopo River into modern-day South Africa by the fourth or fifth century (the Bantu expansion) displacing the original Khoi and San speakers. They slowly moved south and the earliest ironworks in modern-day KwaZulu-Natal Province are believed to date from around 1050. The southernmost group was the Xhosa people, whose language incorporates certain linguistic traits from the earlier Khoi and San people, reaching the Fish River, in today's Eastern Cape Province. These [[Iron Age]] populations displaced earlier [[hunter-gatherer]] peoples as they migrated.
+[[Image:Kruger panorama3.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Kruger National Park]], South Africa]]
+South Africa contains some of the oldest [[Archeology|archaeological]] sites in [[Africa]]. Extensive [[fossil]] remains in [[Makapans Cave]] and other locations suggest that various [[australopithecus|australopithecines]] existed in South Africa from about three million years ago. These were succeeded by various species of ''Homo,'' including ''[[Homo habilis]],'' ''[[Homo erectus]]'' and modern man, ''[[Homo sapiens]],'' at the [[Klasies River Caves]].<ref>Sarah Manners, [http://www.articlegeek.com/recreation/travel_articles/africa_cradle_of_humankind.htm Africa - The Cradle of Humankind] ''Article Geek''. Retrieved July 14, 2020.</ref> Bantu-speaking peoples (here, [[Bantu]] is a linguistic term, not an ethnic one), [[iron]]-using agriculturists and herdsmen had moved south of the [[Limpopo River]] into modern-day South Africa by the fourth or fifth century. They slowly moved south, displacing earlier [[hunter-gatherer]] peoples as they migrated.
-[[Image:JanVanRiebeckArrival.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Romanticised painting of an account of the arrival of [[Jan van Riebeeck]].]]
-The written history of South Africa begins with the accounts of European navigators passing South Africa on the [[East Indies]] trade routes.  Subsequent to the first circumnavigation of the Cape in 1488 by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] explorer [[Bartolomeu Dias]] a number of shipwrecks occurred along the Southern African coast.  Along with the accounts of the early navigators, the accounts of shipwreck survivors provide the earliest written accounts of Southern Africa.  In the two centuries following 1488, a number of small fishing settlements were made along the coast by Portuguese sailors, but no written account of these settlements survives.  In 1652 a victualling station was established at the [[Cape of Good Hope]] by Jan van Riebeeck on behalf of the Dutch East India Company. For most of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the slowly expanding settlement was a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] possession. The Dutch settlers eventually met the southwesterly expanding Xhosa people in the region of the Fish River. A series of wars, called Cape Frontier Wars, ensued, mainly caused by conflicting land and livestock interests.
-To ease Cape labour shortages [[slaves]] were brought from [[Indonesia]], [[Madagascar]], and [[India]]. Furthermore, troublesome leaders, often of royal descent, were banished from Dutch colonies to South Africa. This group of slaves eventually gave rise to a population that now identifies themselves as "[[Cape Malays]]". [[Cape Malays]] have traditionally been accorded a higher social status by the European colonists - many became wealthy landowners, but became increasingly dispossessed as [[Apartheid]] developed. Cape Malay mosques in [[District Six]] were spared, and now serve as monuments for the destruction that occurred around them.
-Most of the descendants of these slaves, who often married with Dutch settlers, were later classified together with the remnants of the Khoikhoi as [[Cape Coloureds]]. Further intermingling within the [[Cape Coloureds|Cape Coloured]] population itself, as well as with [[Xhosa]] and other South African people, now means that they constitute roughly 50% of the population in the [[Western Cape Province]].
+=== Colonial period ===
+[[Image:JanVanRiebeckArrival.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Romanticized painting of an account of the arrival of [[Jan van Riebeeck]].]]
+The first circumnavigation of the [[Cape of Good Hope]] by [[Portugal|Portuguese]] explorer [[Bartolomeu Dias]] occurred in 1488. Along with the accounts of early navigators, the accounts of shipwreck survivors provide the earliest written accounts of Southern Africa. In the two centuries following 1488, a number of small [[fishing]] settlements were made along the coast by Portuguese sailors. In 1652 a victualling station was established at the Cape of Good Hope by [[Jan van Riebeeck]] on behalf of the [[Dutch East India Company]]. For most of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the slowly expanding settlement was a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] possession. The Dutch settlers eventually met the southwesterly expanding [[Xhosa]] people in the region of the Fish River. A series of wars ensued, mainly caused by conflicting land and livestock interests.
-[[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] seized the [[Cape of Good Hope]] area in 1797 seeking to use Cape Town in particular as a stop on the route to Australia and India. The [[Dutch East India Company]] declared bankruptcy, and the British annexed the Cape Colony in 1805. The British continued the frontier wars against the AmaXhosa, pushing the eastern frontier eastward through a line of forts established along the Fish River and consolidating it by encouraging [[1820 Settlers|British settlement]]. Due to pressure of [[abolitionist]] societies in Britain, the British parliament first stopped its global [[slave trade]] in 1806, then abolished slavery in all its colonies in 1833.
+[[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1797 seeking to use Cape Town in particular as a stop on the route to [[Australia]] and [[India]]. The [[Dutch East India Company]] declared [[bankruptcy]], and the British annexed the Cape Colony in 1805. The British continued the frontier wars against the [[Xhosa]], pushing the eastern frontier eastward through a line of forts established along the Fish River and consolidating it by encouraging British settlement. Due to pressure from [[abolition|abolitionist]] societies in Britain, the British Parliament first stopped its global [[slave trade]] in 1806, then abolished slavery in all its colonies in 1833.
+[[Image:Boercamp1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Boer women and children in British concentration camps.]]
+The discovery of [[diamond]]s in 1867 and [[gold]] in 1886 encouraged economic growth and immigration, intensifying the subjugation of the natives. The [[Boers]] successfully resisted British encroachments during the [[First Boer War]] (1880&ndash;1881) using [[guerrilla warfare]] tactics, much better suited to local conditions. However, the British returned in greater numbers in the [[Second Boer War]] (1899&ndash;1902). The Boers resisted fiercely, but the British eventually overwhelmed the Boer forces, using their superior numbers, improved tactics, and external supply chains. Also during this war, the British used controversial [[concentration camps]] and scorched earth tactics.
-The discovery of [[diamond]]s in 1867 and [[gold]] in 1886 encouraged economic growth and immigration, intensifying the subjugation of the natives. The [[Boers]] successfully resisted British encroachments during the First Boer War (1880&ndash;1881) using [[guerrilla warfare]] tactics, much better suited to local conditions. However, the British returned in greater numbers without their red jackets in the Second Boer War (1899&ndash;1902). The Boers' attempt to ally themselves with German South West Africa provided the British with yet another excuse to take control of the Boer Republics.
+=== Union of South Africa ===
-[[Image:Boercamp1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Boer]] women and children in British [[concentration camp]]s.]]
+The Union of South Africa was created from the Cape and Natal colonies, as well as the republics of Orange Free State and [[Transvaal]], on May 31, 1910. The newly created Union of South Africa was a dominion. In 1948, the right-wing National Party was elected to power and began implementing a series of harsh segregationist laws that would become known collectively as [[apartheid]]. While the white minority enjoyed the highest standard of living in all of Africa, often comparable to Western nations, the black majority remained disadvantaged by almost every standard, including income, education, housing, and life expectancy. However, the average income and life expectancy of a black, Indian, or colored South African compared favorably to many other African states.
-The Boers resisted fiercely, but the British eventually overwhelmed the Boer forces, using their superior numbers, improved tactics and external supply chains. Also during this war, the British used controversial [[Concentration Camps]] and scorched earth tactics. The Treaty of Vereeniging specified full British sovereignty over the South African republics, and the British government agreed to assume the £3&nbsp;000&nbsp;000 war debt owed by the Afrikaner governments. One of the main provisions of the treaty ending the war was that 'Blacks' would not be allowed to vote, except in the Cape Colony.
+[[Image:SafrikaIMG 8414.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Prison buildings on [[Robben Island]], the holding place of several anti-[[apartheid]] fighters including [[Nelson Mandela]], who was imprisoned there for 18 years. Robben Island is now a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].]]
-After four years of negotiations, the Union of South Africa was created from the Cape and Natal colonies, as well as the republics of Orange Free State and Transvaal, on May 31, 1910, exactly eight years after the end of the Second Boer War. The newly created Union of South Africa was a dominion. In 1934, the South African Party and National Party merged to form the United Party, seeking reconciliation between Afrikaners and English-speaking 'Whites', but split in 1939 over the Union's entry into [[World War II]] as an ally of the [[United Kingdom]]. The right-wing National Party sympathised with [[Nazi Germany]] during the war, and sought greater racial segregation, or apartheid, after it.
+[[Apartheid]] became increasingly controversial, leading to widespread [[sanctions]] and [[divestment]] abroad and growing unrest and oppression within South Africa. A long period of harsh suppression by the government, and resistance, strikes, marches, protests, and sabotage, by various anti-apartheid movements, most notably the [[African National Congress]] (ANC), followed. In 1990, the National Party government, under acting President [[F. W. de Klerk]] and Foreign Minister [[Roelof ("Pik") Botha]] took the first steps, making a five-year plan, toward negotiating itself out of power. After consultation with [[Kenneth Kaunda]] of [[Zambia]], the National Party lifted the ban on the ANC and other left-wing political organizations and released [[Nelson Mandela]] from prison after 27 years of incarceration.
-In 1948, the National Party was elected to power, and began implementing a series of harsh segregationist laws that would become known collectively as [[apartheid]]. Not surprisingly, this [[segregation]] also applied to the wealth acquired during rapid industrialization of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. While the White minority enjoyed the highest standard of living in all of Africa, often comparable to Western nations, the Black majority remained disadvantaged by almost every standard, including income, education, housing, and life expectancy.  However, the average income and life expectancy of a black, 'Indian' or 'coloured' South African compared favorably to many other African states, such as [[Ghana]] and [[Tanzania]].
+=== Post-apartheid ===
+[[Apartheid]] legislation was gradually removed from the statute books, and the first multi-racial elections were held in 1994. The ANC won by an overwhelming majority and has been in power ever since.
-Apartheid became increasingly controversial, leading to widespread [[International sanctions|sanctions]] and [[divestment]] abroad and growing unrest and oppression within South Africa. A long period of harsh suppression by the government, and resistance, strikes, marches, protests, and sabotage, by various anti-apartheid movements, most notably the African National Congress (ANC), followed. In 1990, the National Party government took the first step towards negotiating itself out of power when it lifted the ban on the ANC and other left-wing political organizations, and released Nelson Mandela from prison after twenty-seven years' incarceration. Apartheid legislation was gradually removed from the statute books, and the first multi-racial elections were held in 1994. The ANC won by an overwhelming majority and has been in power ever since.
+Despite the end of apartheid, millions of South Africans, mostly black, continue to live in [[poverty]]. This is attributed to the legacy of the apartheid regime and, increasingly, what many see as the failure of the current government to tackle social issues, coupled with the monetary and fiscal discipline of the current government to ensure both redistribution of wealth and economic growth. However, the ANC's social housing policy has produced some improvement in living conditions in many areas by redirecting fiscal spending and improving the efficiency of the tax collection system.
-Despite the end of apartheid, millions of South Africans, mostly black, continue to live in poverty. This is attributed to the legacy of the apartheid regime and, increasingly, what many see as the failure of the current government to tackle social issues, coupled with the monetary and fiscal discipline of the current government to ensure both redistribution of wealth and economic growth. However, the ANC's social housing policy has produced some improvement in living conditions in many areas by redirecting fiscal spending and improving the efficiency of the tax collection system.
 ==Politics==
 [[Image:CentralPretoria.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The central area of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa.]]
-South Africa has a bicameral parliament: the ninety members of the National Council of Provinces (the upper house); and the four hundred members of the National Assembly (the lower house). Members of the lower house are elected on a population basis by proportional representation: half of the members are elected from national lists and half are elected from provincial lists. Ten members are elected to represent each province in the National Council of Provinces, regardless of the population of the province. Elections for both chambers are held every five years. The government is formed in the lower house, and the leader of the majority party in the National Assembly is the president.
+South Africa has a bicameral parliament: the 90 members of the National Council of Provinces (the upper house); and the four hundred members of the National Assembly (the lower house). Members of the lower house are elected on a population basis by proportional representation: half of the members are elected from national lists and half are elected from provincial lists. Ten members are elected to represent each province in the National Council of Provinces, regardless of the population of the province. Elections for both chambers are held every five years. The government is formed in the lower house, and the leader of the majority party in the National Assembly is the president.
-Current South African politics are dominated by the African National Congress (ANC), which received 69.7 percent of the vote during the 2004 general election and 66.3 percent of the vote in the 2006 municipal election. The main challenger to the ANC's rule is the Democratic Alliance party, which received 12.4 percent of the vote in the 2004 election and 14.8 percent in the 2006 election. The leader of this party is Tony Leon. The formerly dominant New National Party, which introduced apartheid through its predecessor, the National Party, has suffered increasing humiliation at election polls since 1994, and finally voted to disband. It chose to merge with the ANC on April 9, 2005. Other major political parties represented in Parliament are the Inkatha Freedom Party, which mainly represents Zulu voters, and the Independent Democrats, who took 6.97 percent and 1.7 percent of the vote, respectively, in the 2004 election.
+Current South African politics are dominated by the African National Congress (ANC), which received 69.7 percent of the vote during the 2004 general election and 66.3 percent of the vote in the 2006 municipal election. The main challenger to the ANC's rule is the Democratic Alliance party, which received 12.4 percent of the vote in the 2004 election and 14.8 percent in the 2006 election. The leader of this party is Tony Leon. The formerly dominant New National Party, which introduced apartheid through its predecessor, the National Party, has suffered increasing humiliation at election polls since 1994, and finally voted to disband. It chose to merge with the ANC on April 9, 2005. Other major political parties represented in Parliament are the Inkatha Freedom Party, which mainly represents [[Zulu]] voters, and the Independent Democrats, who took 6.97 percent and 1.7 percent of the vote, respectively, in the 2004 election.
 === Administrative divisions ===
-When apartheid ended in 1994, the South African government had to integrate the formerly independent and semi-independent Bantustans into the political structure. To this end, it abolished the four former provinces of South Africa (Cape Province, Natal, Orange Free State, and Transvaal) and replaced them with nine fully integrated provinces. The new provinces are usually much smaller than the former provinces, which theoretically is in order to give local governments more resources to distribute over smaller areas.
+When apartheid ended in 1994, the South African government had to integrate the formerly independent and semi-independent Bantustans into the political structure. To this end, it abolished the four former provinces of South Africa ([[Cape Province]], [[Natal]], [[Orange Free State]], and [[Transvaal]]) and replaced them with nine fully integrated provinces. The new provinces are typically much smaller than the former provinces, and theoretically were established in order to give local governments more resources to distribute over smaller areas.
-The nine provinces are further subdivided into fifty-two districts, six of which are metropolitan, and forty-six district municipalities. The forty-six district municipalities are further subdivided into 231 local municipalities. The district municipalities also contain twenty district management areas (mostly game parks) which are directly governed by the district municipalities. The six metropolitan municipalities perform the functions of both district and local municipalities.
+The nine provinces are further subdivided into 52 districts, six of which are metropolitan, and 46 district municipalities. The 46 district municipalities are further subdivided into 231 local municipalities. The district municipalities also contain 20 district management areas (mostly game parks) which are directly governed by the district municipalities. The six metropolitan municipalities perform the functions of both district and local municipalities.
-== Geography ==
+== Military ==
-[[Image:Sf-map.png|framed|thumb|Map of South Africa.]]
+South Africa's armed forces, known as the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), were created in 1994. In recent years, it has become a major peacekeeping force in Africa and been involved in operations in [[Lesotho]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and [[Burundi]], among others. It has also participated as a part of multinational [[United Nations|U.N.]] peacekeeping forces.
-[[Image:South Africa sat.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Satellite picture of South Africa.]]
-South Africa is located at the southernmost region of Africa, with a long coastline that stretches more than 1,550 mi (2,500&nbsp;km) and across two [[ocean]]s, (the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]]). At 470 979&nbsp;mi² (1 219 912&nbsp;km²[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html]), South Africa is the world's 25th-largest country (after [[Mali]]). It is comparable in size to [[Colombia]] and is nearly twice the size of the U.S. state of Texas. Njesuthi in the Drakensberg at 3,408&nbsp;m is the highest peak in South Africa.
-South Africa has a great variety of climate zones, from the extreme [[desert]] of the southern Namib in the farthest northwest to the lush subtropical climate in the east along the border with [[Mozambique]] and the Indian Ocean. From the east, the land quickly rises over a mountainous escarpment toward the interior [[plateau]] known as the Highveld. Even though South Africa is classified as semi-arid, there is considerable variation in [[climate]] as well as [[topography]].
+South Africa undertook a nuclear weapons program in the 1970s and may have conducted a nuclear test over the [[Atlantic Ocean]] in 1979. It has since renounced its nuclear program and, after destroying its small nuclear arsenal, signed the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] in 1991. It is the only African country to have successfully developed nuclear weapons and, to date, the only country in the world to have voluntarily dismantled its entire [[nuclear weapons]] arsenal.
-The interior of South Africa is a giant, rather flat, and sparsely populated scrubland Karoo, which is drier towards the northwest along the Namib desert. In contrast, the eastern coastline is lush and well-watered, which produces a climate similar to the tropics. The extreme southwest has a climate remarkably similar to that of the [[Mediterranean]] with wet winters and hot, dry summers, hosting the famous Fynbos [[Biome]]. This area also produces much of South Africa's [[wine]]. This region is also particularly known for its wind, which blows intermittently almost all year. The severity of this wind made passing around the Cape of Good Hope particularly treacherous for sailors, causing many shipwrecks. Farther east on the country's south coast, rainfall is distributed more evenly throughout the year, producing a green landscape.
+== Geography ==
+[[Image:Sf-map.png||thumb|250px|Map of South Africa.]]
-The Free State is particularly flat due to the fact that it lies centrally on the high plateau. North of the Vaal River, the Highveld becomes better watered and does not experience subtropical extremes of heat. Johannesburg, in the center of the Highveld, is at 1 740&nbsp;meters (5 709&nbsp;ft) and receives an annual rainfall of 760&nbsp;millimetres (30&nbsp;in). Winters in this region are cold, although [[snow]] is rare.
+South Africa is located at the southernmost region of Africa, with a long coastline that stretches more than 1,550 mi (2,500&nbsp;km) and across two [[ocean]]s, (the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]]). It borders the countries of [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Mozambique]], and [[Swaziland]]. South Africa is the world's 25th-largest country and is nearly twice the size of the [[United States|U.S.]] state of Texas. Njesuthi in the Drakensberg at 3,408&nbsp;m is the highest peak in South Africa.
-To the north of Johannesburg, the altitude drops beyond the Highveld's escarpment, and turns into the lower lying Bushveld, an area of mixed dry forest and an abundance of wildlife. East of the Highveld, beyond the eastern escarpment, the Lowveld stretches towards the [[Indian Ocean]]. It has particularly high temperatures, and is also the location of extended subtropical agriculture. The high Drakensberg mountains, which form the southeastern escarpment of the Highveld, offer limited skiing opportunities in winter. Many people think that the coldest place in South Africa is Sutherland in the western Roggeveld Mountains, where midwinter temperatures can reach as low as &minus;15 degrees [[Celsius]] (5&nbsp;°[[Fahrenheit|F]]). In fact, the coldest place is actually Buffelsfontein, which is in the Molteno district of the Eastern Cape. Buffelsfontein [http://www.weathersa.co.za/Pressroom/2005/2005Jun30ColdestPlaceInSA.jsp recorded] a low of &minus;18.6 degrees [[Celsius]]. The deep interior has the hottest temperatures: A temperature of 51.7&nbsp;°C (125&nbsp;°F) was recorded in 1948.<ref> [http://www.safrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/geography/geography.htm SouthAfrica.info: South Africa's geography] </ref>
+South Africa has a great variety of climate zones, from the extreme [[desert]] of the southern [[Namib Desert|Namib]] in the farthest northwest to the lush subtropical climate in the east along the border with [[Mozambique]] and the [[Indian Ocean]]. From the east, the land quickly rises over a mountainous escarpment toward the interior [[plateau]] known as the Highveld. Even though South Africa is classified as semi-arid, there is considerable variation in [[climate]] as well as [[topography]].
-South Africa also has one possession, the small sub-Antarctic archipelago of the Prince Edward Islands, consisting of Marion Island (290&nbsp;km²/112&nbsp;mi²) and Prince Edward Island (45&nbsp;km²/17.3&nbsp;mi²) (not to be confused with the Canadian province of the same name).
+South Africa has one possession, the small sub-Antarctic archipelago of the [[Prince Edward Islands]], consisting of Marion Island and Prince Edward Island (not to be confused with the Canadian province of the same name).
 == Flora and fauna ==
 [[Image:Fynbos.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Fynbos, a floral kingdom unique to South Africa, is found near Cape Town.]]
-South Africa has more than 20,000 different [[plant]]s, or about 10 percent of all the known [[species]] of plants on [[Earth]], making it particularly rich in plant [[biodiversity]].
+South Africa has more than 20,000 different [[plant]]s, or about 10 percent of all the known [[species]] of plants on [[Earth]], making it particularly rich in plant [[biodiversity]]. But while it has a great wealth of flowering plants, it has few [[forest]]s. Only one percent of South Africa is forest, almost exclusively in the humid [[coastal plain]] along the [[Indian Ocean]]. South Africa has lost extensive acreage of natural habitat in the last four decades, primarily due to [[overpopulation]], sprawling development patterns, and [[deforestation]] during the nineteenth century. South Africa is one of the worst affected countries in the world when it comes to invasion by [[invasive species|alien species]], with many posing a significant threat to the native biodiversity and the already scarce water resources. [[Pine]] trees are being removed from all of South Africa, to allow indigenous [[fynbos]] and [[Afromontane]] forests to be re-established.
-South Africa's most prevalent biome is [[grassland]], particularly on the Highveld, where the plant cover is dominated by different [[grasses]], low [[shrub]]s, and acacia trees, mainly camel-thorn and whitethorn. Vegetation becomes even more sparse toward the northwest due to low [[precipitation|rainfall]]. There are several species of water-storing [[succulent]]s like aloes and euphorbias in the very hot and dry Namaqualand area. The grass and thorn [[Savanna|savannah]] turns slowly into a bush savannah toward the northeast of the country, with more dense growth. There are significant numbers of baobab trees in this area, near the northern end of Kruger National Park.<ref> [http://www.southafrica-travel.net/pages/e_plants.htm South Africa Online Travel Guide: Plants and Vegetation in South Africa]</ref>
-The Fynbos [[Biome]], one of the six floral kingdoms, is located in a small region of the Western Cape and contains more than 9,000 of those species, making it among the richest regions on earth in terms of floral biodiversity. The majority of the plants are [[evergreen]] hard-leaf plants with fine, needle-like [[leaf|leaves]], such as the sclerophyllous plants. Another uniquely South African plant is the protea genus of flowering plants. There are around 130 different species of protea in South Africa.
+Numerous [[mammal]]s are found in the bushveld habitats, which is mainly in the northeast, including [[Kruger National Park]] and the Mala Mala Reserve, as well as in the far north in the Waterberg Biosphere.
-While South Africa has a great wealth of flowering plants, it has few [[forest]]s. Only 1 percent of South Africa is forest, almost exclusively in the humid [[coastal plain]] along the [[Indian Ocean]] in KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa has lost extensive acreage of natural habitat in the last four decades, primarily due to [[overpopulation]], sprawling development patterns, and [[deforestation]] during the nineteenth century. South Africa is one of the worst affected countries in the world when it comes to invasion by alien species, with many posing a significant threat to the native biodiversity and the already scarce water resources. The original [[temperate forest]] that met the first European settlers to South Africa was exploited ruthlessly until only small patches remained. Currently, South African [[hardwood]] trees are under government protection.
-Numerous [[mammal]]s are found in the bushveld habitats including lion, leopard, White Rhino, Blue Wildebeest, kudu, impala, hyena, hippopotamus, and giraffe. There is a significant extent of the bushveld habitat in the northeast including Kruger National Park and the Mala Mala Reserve, as well as in the far north in the Waterberg Biosphere.
 == Economy ==
-[[Image:CentralDurban.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Durban, well-known resort city on the Indian Ocean coast and site of Africa's largest commercial port.]]
+By [[United Nations|U.N.]] classification South Africa is a middle-income country with an abundant supply of resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a [[stock exchange]] that ranks among the ten largest in the world; and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region. South Africa's per capita GDP positions the country as one of the 50 wealthiest in the world. It is estimated that South Africa accounts for up to 30 percent of the [[gross domestic product]] of the entire African continent. South Africa is also the continent's largest energy producer and consumer.
-By UN classification South Africa is a middle-income country with an abundant supply of resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors, a [[stock exchange]] (the JSE Securities Exchange), that ranks among the ten largest in the world, and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region. South Africa's per capita GDP, corrected for purchasing power parity, positions the country as one of the fifty wealthiest in the world.
-In many respects, South Africa is developed; however, this development is significantly localised around four areas, namely Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Pretoria/Johannesburg. Beyond these four economic centres, development is marginal and poverty still reigns despite Government strategies. However, key marginal areas are experiencing rapid growth recently. Such areas include:  Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay; Rustenburg area; Nelspruit area; Bloemfontein; Cape West Coast; KZN North Coast among others.
+In many respects, South Africa is developed; however, this development is primarily centered in four areas, namely Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Pretoria/Johannesburg. Beyond these four economic centers, development is marginal and [[poverty]] still reigns despite government strategies. Large income gaps and a dual economy designate South Africa as developing; South Africa has one of the highest rates of income inequality in the world. Growth rates in the last ten years are helping lower unemployment, but daunting economic problems remain. Other problems are crime, corruption, and [[HIV]]/[[AIDS]].
-Large income gaps and a dual economy designate South Africa as developing; South Africa has one of the highest rates of income inequality in the world. Consecutive growth rates in the last ten years are helping lower unemployment; however, daunting economic problems remain. Other problems are crime, corruption, and [[HIV]]/[[AIDS]].
+[[Refugee]]s from poorer neighboring countries abound, with immigrants from the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Mozambique]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Malawi]], and many others representing a large portion of the informal sector. With high unemployment levels, many poorer South Africans resent immigrants, who are seen to be depriving them of jobs, a feeling given credibility by the fact that many South African employers have employed migrants from other countries for lower pay than South African citizens, especially in the [[construction]], [[tourism]], [[agriculture]], and [[domestic service]] industries.
-At the start of 2000, President Thabo Mbeki vowed to promote economic growth and foreign investment by relaxing restrictive labour laws, stepping up the pace of [[privatization]], and cutting unneeded governmental spending. His policies face strong opposition from organised labor. It is estimated that South Africa accounts for up to 30 percent of the [[gross domestic product]] of the entire African continent. South Africa is also the continent's largest energy producer and consumer.
+=== Agriculture ===
-The rand, the world's most actively traded emerging market currency, has joined an elite club of fifteen currencies, the Continuous linked settlement (CLS), where forex transactions are settled immediately, lowering the risks of transacting across time zones. The South African rand (ZAR) was the best performing currency against the US dollar between 2002 and 2005, according to the Bloomberg Currency Scorecard.
-The volatility of the rand has affected economic activity, with the rand falling sharply during 2001, hitting an historic low of R13.85 to the U.S. dollar, raising fears of inflation, and causing the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates. The rand has since recovered, trading at R6.99 to the dollar as of January 2007 while the South African Reserve Bank's policy of inflation targeting has brought inflation under control. The stronger rand has however put exporters under considerable pressure, with many calling for government to intervene in the exchange rate to help soften the rand, and many others dismissing staff.
-In 2003, 21.5 percent of the adult South African population was estimated to be HIV positive .<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sf.html CIA World Factbook, "South Africa"]</ref> The government has recently, after much delay, devoted substantial resources to fighting this pandemic. A study from the ''African Journal of AIDS Research'' showed the infection rate starting to level off, from a 4.2 percent to a 1.7 percent infection rate for 15–49 year olds, and AIDS deaths peaking at 487,320 in 2008.
-In 2000, President Mbeki publicly questioned the importance of HIV in causing AIDS, controversially suggesting that the main cause was "poverty".<ref> [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/826742.stm BBC News: Controversy dogs Aids forum] </ref> In 2001 the government appointed a panel of scientists, including a number of AIDS dissidents (who question the mainstream view on HIV), to report back on the issue. Following their report, the government stated that it continues to base its policy on the premise that the cause of AIDS is indeed HIV.<ref> [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1260941.stm BBC News: South African split over Aids] </ref> The controversy has not abated, and organizations such as the Treatment Action Campaign continue to mount political and legal challenges to what they claim is the government's slow response to the epidemic.
-Refugees from poorer neighboring countries abound with immigrants from the DRC, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and many others representing a large portion of the informal sector. With high unemployment levels among poorer South Africans, xenophobia is a very real fear and many people born in South Africa feel resentful of immigrants who are seen to be depriving the native population of jobs, a feeling given credibility by the fact that many South African employers have employed migrants from other countries for lower pay than South African citizens, especially in the [[construction]], [[tourism]], [[agriculture]] and [[domestic service]] industries. Illegal immigrants are also heavily involved in informal trading.<ref> [http://www.iss.co.za/pubs/ASR/5No4/StrategigPerspectives.html African Security Review Vol&nbsp;5 No&nbsp;4, 1996: Strategic Perspectives on Illegal Immigration into South Africa]</ref> However, many immigrants to South Africa continue to live in poor conditions, and the South African immigration policy has become increasingly restrictive since 1994.<ref> [http://www.queensu.ca/samp/sampresources/samppublications/policyseries/policy20.htm Queens College: The Brain Gain: Skilled Migrants and Immigration Policy in Post-Apartheid South Africa]</ref>
-== Agriculture ==
 [[Image:Farm in Mpumalanga.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Workers planting on a farm in the central area of Mpumalanga.]]
 [[Image:SouthAfricaFieldwork21989.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Farm workers]]
-South Africa has a large agricultural sector and is a net exporter of [[farming]] products. There are almost a thousand agricultural cooperatives and agribusinesses throughout the country, and agricultural exports have constituted 8 percent of South Africa's total exports for the past five years. The agricultural industry contributes around 10 percent of formal employment, relatively low compared to other parts of Africa, as well as providing work for casual laborers and contributing around 2.6 percent of GDP for the nation.<ref>Human Rights Watch, 2001. <u>Unequal Protection: The State Response to Violent Crime on South African Farms</u> ISBN 1-56432-263-7 http://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/safrica2/</ref>  However, due to the aridity of the land, only 13.5 percent can be used for crop production, and only 3 percent is considered high-potential land.<ref> Mohamed, Najma. 2000. ''Greening Land and Agrarian Reform: A Case for Sustainable Agriculture''.  In <u>At the Crossroads: Land and Agrarian Reform in South Africa into the 21st Century</u>. Ed. Cousins, Ben.  Bellville, School of Government, University of the Western Cape. ISBN 1-86808-467-1.</ref>
+South Africa has a large [[Agriculture|agricultural]] sector and is a net exporter of farm products. The agricultural industry contributes a relatively low amount of formal employment compared to other parts of Africa, as well as providing work for casual laborers.<ref>Human Rights Watch, ''Unequal protection: The state response to violent crime on South African farms'' (Human Rights Watch, 2001, ISBN 978-1564322630). </ref> Due to the aridity of the land, only 13.5 percent can be used for crop production, and only 3 percent is considered high-potential land.<ref>Najma Mohamed, "Greening Land and Agrarian Reform: A Case for Sustainable Agriculture." In ''At the Crossroads: Land and Agrarian Reform in South Africa into the 21st Century,'' Edited by Ben Cousins. (Bellville, School of Government, University of the Western Cape, 2000, ISBN 1868084671).</ref>
-Although the commercial farming sector is relatively well developed, people in some rural areas still survive on [[subsistence agriculture]]. It is the eighth largest wine producer in the world, and the eleventh largest producer of sunflower seed. South Africa is a net exporter of agricultural products and foodstuffs, the largest number of exported items being [[sugar]], [[grape]]s, [[citrus]], [[nectarine]]s, [[winemaking|wine]] and [[deciduous]] fruit. The largest locally produced crop is [[maize]](corn), and it has been estimated that 9 million tons are produced every year, with 7.4 million tons being consumed. [[Livestock]] are also popular on South African farms, with the country producing 85 percent of all meat consumed. The dairy industry consists of around 4,300 milk producers providing employment for 60,000 farm workers and contributing to the livelihoods of around 40,000 others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southafrica.co.za/agriculture_29.html |title=South Africa Online: Agriculture |accessdate=2006-07-17}}</ref>
+Although the commercial farming sector is relatively well-developed, people in some rural areas still survive on [[subsistence agriculture]]. It is one of the largest producers of [[wine]] and [[sunflower seed]]s. South Africa is a net exporter of agricultural products and foodstuffs, the largest number of exported items being [[sugar]], [[grape]]s, [[citrus]], [[nectarine]]s, wine and [[deciduous]] fruit. The largest locally produced crop is [[maize]] (corn). [[Livestock]] are also popular on South African farms, with the country producing 85 percent of all meat consumed. There is also a substantial [[dairy]] industry.
-In recent years, the agricultural sector has introduced several reforms, some of which are controversial, such as [[land reform]] and the deregulation of the market for agricultural products. Land reform has been criticized by both farmers' groups and landless workers, the latter alleging that the pace of change has not been fast enough, and the former alleging racist treatment and expressing concerns that a similar situation to Zimbabwe's land reform policy may develop.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1052-2352011,00.html South Africa's bitter harvest]</ref> The sector continues to face problems, with increased foreign competition and crime being two of the major challenges for the industry. The government has been accused of not devoting enough time and money to tackle the problem of farm attacks as opposed to other forms of violent crime.<ref> [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2772-2100080,00.html The Sunday Times Magazine: Farms of Fear] </ref>
+The agricultural sector has introduced several reforms, some of which are controversial, such as [[land reform]] and the deregulation of the market for agricultural products. Land reform has been criticized by both farmers' groups and landless workers, the latter alleging that the pace of change has not been fast enough, and the former alleging racist treatment and expressing concerns that a similar situation to [[Zimbabwe]]'s land reform policy may develop.<ref> William Rees-Mogg, South Africa's Bitter Harvest ''Times Online'', September 11, 2006. </ref> The sector continues to face problems, with increased foreign competition and crime being two of the major challenges for the industry.
 == Demographics ==
-South Africa is a nation of over 47 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and beliefs. The 2005 census provided five racial categories by which people could classify themselves, the last of which, "unspecified/other" drew negligible responses, and these results were omitted.<ref> [http://www.statssa.gov.za/census01/html/default.asp Statistics South Africa: Census 2001] </ref> Results for the other categories were Black African at 75.4%, White at 14.3%, Coloured at 8.8%, and Indian or Asian at 2.5%. South Africa has a yearly population growth rate of −0.40% [http://www.xist.org/earth/pop_growth.aspx].
+South Africa is a nation of people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and beliefs. Though the major part of the population classified itself as African or black, those people are not culturally or linguistically homogeneous. Major ethnic groups include the [[Zulu]], [[Xhosa]], Basotho (South Sotho), Bapedi (North Sotho), [[Venda]], [[Tswana]], Tsonga, [[Swazi]], and [[Ndebele]], all of which speak [[Bantu languages]].
-By far the major part of the population classified itself as African or black, but it is not culturally or linguistically homogeneous. Major ethnic groups include the Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho (South Sotho), Bapedi (North Sotho), Venda, Tswana, Tsonga, Swazi and Ndebele, all of which speak Bantu languages.
+Some, such as the Zulu, Xhosa, Bapedi, and Venda groups, are unique to South Africa. Other groups are distributed across the borders with South Africa's neighbors: The Basotho group is also the major ethnic group in [[Lesotho]]. The Tswana ethnic group constitute the majority of the population of [[Botswana]]. The Swazi ethnic group is the major ethnic group in [[Swaziland]]. The Ndebele ethnic group is also found in Matabeleland in [[Zimbabwe]], where they are known as the Matabele. These Ndebele people are, however, in effect [[Zulu]] people because the language they speak is Zulu and they are the descendants of a faction under the warrior [[Mzilikazi]] (ca. 1790 - 1868) that escaped persecution from [[Shaka]] by migrating to their current territory. The Tsonga ethnic group is also found in southern [[Mozambique]], where they are known as the [[Shangaan]].
-Some, such as the Zulu, Xhosa, Bapedi and Venda groups, are unique to South Africa. Other groups are distributed across the borders with South Africa's neighbours: The Basotho group is also the major ethnic group in [[Lesotho]]. The Tswana ethnic group constitute the majority of the population of [[Botswana]]. The Swazi ethnic group is the major ethnic group in [[Swaziland]]. The Ndebele ethnic group is also found in Matabeleland in [[Zimbabwe]], where they are known as the Matabele. These Ndebele people are, however, in effect Zulu people because the language they speak is Zulu and they are the descendants of a faction under the warrior Mzilikazi that escaped persecution from [[Shaka]] by migrating to their current territory. The Tsonga ethnic group is also found in southern [[Mozambique]], where they are known as the Shangaan.
+The white population descends largely from colonial immigrants: [[Netherlands|Dutch]], [[Germany|German]], [[France|French]] [[Huguenot]], and [[United Kingdom|British]]. Culturally and linguistically, they are divided into the [[Afrikaners]], who speak Afrikaans, and [[English language|English]]-speaking groups, many of whom originated from British immigrants. Small communities that immigrated over the last century retain the use of other languages. The white population is on the decrease due to a low birthrate and emigration; as a factor in their decision to emigrate, many cite the high crime rate and the government's [[affirmative action]] policies.
-The white population descends largely from colonial immigrants: [[Netherlands|Dutch]], [[Germany|German]], [[France|French]] [[Huguenot]], and [[United Kingdom|British]]. Culturally and linguistically, they are divided into the [[Afrikaners]], who speak Afrikaans, and [[English language|English]]-speaking groups, many of whom originated from British immigrants. Many small communities immigrating over the last century retain the use of other languages. The white population is on the decrease due to a low birthrate and emigration; as a factor in their decision to emigrate, many cite the high crime rate and the government's [[affirmative action]] policies.
+The term "coloured" is still largely used for the people of mixed race descended from [[slave]]s brought in from East and Central Africa, the indigenous [[Khoisan]] who lived in the [[Cape of Good Hope|Cape]] at the time, indigenous African blacks, whites (mostly the [[Netherlands|Dutch]]/[[Afrikaner]] and British settlers) as well as an admixture of [[Javanese]], [[Malay people|Malay]], [[India]]n, [[Malagasy]], and other Europeans (such as [[Portugal|Portuguese]]) and Asian blood (such as [[Myanmar|Burmese]]). The majority speak Afrikaans. Khoisan is a term used to describe two separate groups, physically similar in that they were light-skinned and small in stature. The [[Hottentot|Khoikhoi]], who were called ''Hottentots'' by the Europeans, were pastoralists and were effectively annihilated; the [[Bushmen|San]], called Bushmen by the Europeans, were [[hunter-gatherer]]s. Within what is known as the Coloured community, more recent immigrants will also be found: Coloureds from the former Rhodesia (now [[Zimbabwe]]) and [[Namibia]] and immigrants of mixed descent from India and [[Burma]] who were welcomed to the Cape when the latter countries received their independence.
-The term "Coloured" is still largely used for the people of mixed race descended from slaves brought in from East and Central Africa, the indigenous Khoisan who lived in the [[Cape of Good Hope|Cape]] at the time, indigenous African Blacks, Whites (mostly the [[Netherlands|Dutch]]/[[Afrikaner]] and British settlers) as well as an admixture of [[Javanese]], [[Malay people|Malay]], [[India]]n, [[Malagasy]] and other European (such as [[Portugal|Portuguese]]) and Asian blood (such as [[Burmese]]). The majority speak Afrikaans. Khoisan is a term used to describe two separate groups, physically similar in that they were light-skinned and small in stature. The Khoikhoi, who were called ''Hottentots'' by the Europeans, were pastoralists and were effectively annihilated; the San, called Bushmen by the Europeans, were [[hunter-gatherer]]s. Within what is known as the Coloured community, more recent immigrants will also be found: Coloureds from the former Rhodesia (now [[Zimbabwe]]) and [[Namibia]] and immigrants of mixed descent from India and [[Myanmar|Burma]] (Anglo-Indians/Anglo-Burmese) who were welcomed to the Cape when India and Burma received their Independence.
+The major part of the [[Asia]]n population of the country is Indian in origin, many of them descended from [[indentured worker]]s brought in the nineteenth century to work on the [[sugar]] plantations of the eastern coastal area then known as [[Natal]]. There is also a significant group of [[Chinese]] South Africans.
-The major part of the Asian population of the country is Indian in origin, many of them descended from indentured workers brought in the nineteenth century to work on the [[sugar]] plantations of the eastern coastal area then known as Natal. There is also a significant group of Chinese South Africans (approximately 100,000 individuals).
 ==HIV/AIDS==
-As in many African countries, the spread of AIDS (acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome) is a serious problem in South Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avert.org/aidssouthafrica.htm |title=HIV & Aids in South Africa |publisher=Avert |accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref> The link between HIV, a virus spread primarily by sexual contact, and AIDS has long been denied by the president and the health minister, who have insisted that the many deaths in the country are due to malnutrition, and hence poverty, and not HIV.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/21094 |title="Sack SA Health Minister" – world's AIDS experts |publisher=afrol News |accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref>
+As in many sub-Saharan African countries, the spread of [[AIDS]] is a serious problem in South Africa.<ref>[https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/south-africa HIV & Aids in South Africa] ''Avert''. Retrieved July 14, 2020.</ref> The link between [[HIV]], a virus spread primarily by sexual contact, and AIDS was long denied by the president and the health minister, who insisted that the many deaths in the country were due to [[malnutrition]], and hence [[poverty]], not HIV.<ref> [http://www.afrol.com/articles/21094 "Sack SA Health Minister" – world's AIDS experts]. ''afrol News''. Retrieved July 14, 2020.</ref>
-AIDS is affecting mainly those who are sexually active, which means the demographics of the country are slowly changing. Most deaths are people who are also economically active, resulting in many families losing their primary wage earners. This is resulting in many 'AIDS orphans' who in many cases depend on the state for care and financial support.<ref name="avertaids">{{cite web |url=http://www.avert.org/aidsorphans.htm |title=AIDS orphans |publisher=Avert |accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref> It is estimated that there are 1,100,000 orphans in South Africa.<ref name="avertaids"/> Elderly people, traditionally supported by younger members of the family, are also becoming more and more dependent on the state for financial support.
+Most deaths from AIDS are of people who are economically active, resulting in many families losing their primary wage earners. This results in many [[orphan]]s who frequently depend on the state for care and financial support. It is estimated that there are 63 percent of orphans in South Africa are orphaned due to AIDS.<ref> [https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-social-issues/key-affected-populations/children Children, HIV and AIDS], ''Avert''. Retrieved July 14, 2020. </ref> Elderly people, traditionally supported by younger members of the family, are also becoming more and more dependent on the state for financial support.
 == Culture ==
-[[Image:SafrikaIMG 8414.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Prison]] Buildings on [[Robben Island]], the holding place of several [[apartheid|anti-apartheid]] fighters including [[Nelson Mandela]], who was imprisoned there for eighteen years. Robben Island is now a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].]]
+[[Image:SouthAfricaDecoratedHouses.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Decorated houses, Drakensberg Mountains.]]
-[[Image:SouthAfricaDecoratedHouses.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Decorated houses, [[Drakensberg Mountains]].]]
-It may be argued that there is no "single" culture in South Africa because of its ethnic diversity. Today, the diversity in foods from many cultures is enjoyed by all and especially marketed to tourists who wish to sample the large variety of South African cuisine. In addition to food, [[music]] and [[dance]] feature prominently.
+It may be argued that there is no "single" culture in South Africa because of its ethnic diversity. Today, the diversity in foods from many cultures is enjoyed by all and especially marketed to [[tourism|tourists]] who wish to sample the large variety of South African cuisine. In addition to food, [[music]] and [[dance]] feature prominently.
-There is great diversity in music from South Africa. Many black musicians who sang in Afrikaans or English during apartheid have since begun to sing in traditional African languages, and have developed a unique style called Kwaito. Of note is Brenda Fassie, who launched to fame with her song "Weekend Special", which was sung in English. More famous traditional musicians include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, while the Soweto String Quartet performs classic music with an African flavor. White and Coloured South African singers are historically influenced by European musical styles including such western metal bands such as Seether. Afrikaans music covers multiple genres, such as the contemporary Steve Hofmeyr and the [[punk rock]] band Fokofpolisiekar. Crossover artists such as Johnny Clegg and his bands Juluka and Savuka have enjoyed various success underground, publically, and abroad.
+There is great diversity in music from South Africa. Many black musicians who sang in Afrikaans or English during [[apartheid]] have since begun to sing in traditional African languages and have developed a unique style called Kwaito. Of note is Brenda Fassie, who launched to fame with her song "Weekend Special," which was sung in English. More famous traditional musicians include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, while the Soweto String Quartet performs classic music with an African flavor. White and colored South African singers are historically influenced by European musical styles, including such Western metal bands such as Seether. Afrikaans music covers multiple genres, such as the contemporary Steve Hofmeyr and the [[punk rock]] band Fokofpolisiekar. Crossover artists such as Johnny Clegg and his bands Juluka and Savuka have enjoyed success underground, publicly, and abroad.
-The country's black majority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants who lead largely impoverished lives. It is among these people, however, that traditional dance and music survive; as blacks have become increasingly urbanized and westernised, aspects of traditional culture have declined. Urban blacks usually speak [[English language|English]] or Afrikaans in addition to their native tongue. There are smaller but still significant groups of speakers of Khoisan languages which are not official languages, but are one of the eight officially recognised languages. There are small groups of speakers of endangered languages, most of which are from the Khoi-San family, that receive no official status; however, some groups within South Africa are attempting to promote their use and revival.
+The country's black majority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants who lead largely impoverished lives. It is among these people, however, that traditional dance and music survive; as blacks have become increasingly urbanized and westernized, aspects of traditional culture are declining.
-The white minority's lifestyle is similar in many respects to that of whites found in [[Western Europe]], [[North America]], and [[Australasia]].
+Asians, predominantly of [[India]]n origin, preserve their own cultural heritage, languages, and religious beliefs, being either [[Christian]], [[Hinduism|Hindu]], or [[Sunni Muslim]].
-Despite considerable discrimination under apartheid, Coloureds tend to relate more to white South African culture rather than black South African culture, especially Afrikaans-speaking Coloured people whose language and [[religion|religious]] beliefs are similar or identical to white Afrikaners. The exceptions are coloured individuals and families who were personally involved in the stuggle against apartheid and who prefer to be called black. Such cases are generally in the minority.
+South Africa has also had a large influence in the Scouting movement, with many Scouting traditions and ceremonies coming from the experiences of [[Robert Baden-Powell]] (the founder of Scouting) during his time in South Africa as a military officer in the 1890s. The South African Scout Association was one of the first youth organizations to open its doors to youth and adults of all races in South Africa.
-Asians, predominantly of [[India]]n origin, preserve their own cultural heritage, languages and religious beliefs, being either [[Christian]], [[Hinduism|Hindu]] or [[Sunni Muslim]] and speaking English, with Indian languages like Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, or Gujarati being spoken less frequently. Most Indians live lifestyles similar to that of whites. The first Indians arrived on the famous Truro ship as indentured laborers in Natal to work the sugar cane fields.  There is a much smaller Chinese community in South Africa, although its numbers have increased due to immigration from [[Taiwan]].
+==Notes==
+<references/>
-South Africa has also had a large influence in the Scouting movement, with many Scouting traditions and ceremonies coming from the experiences of [[Robert Baden-Powell]] (the founder of Scouting) during his time in South Africa as a military officer in the 1890s. The South African Scout Association was one of the first youth organisations to open its doors to youth and adults of all races in South Africa.
-===Languages===
-[[Image:South_Africa_municipalities_by_language_2001.png|thumb|300px|right
-|Map showing principal South African languages by municipality. Lighter shades indicate a non-majority [[plurality]].
-{{columns
-|col1 =
-{{legend|#0080C0|[[Afrikaans]]}}              <!--blue—>
-{{legend|#FF00FF|[[Northern Sotho language|Northern Sotho]]}} <!--pink—>
-{{legend|#7F7F7F|[[Sesotho language|Southern Sotho]]}}        <!--grey—>
-{{legend|#FFFF00|[[Swati language|Swati]]}}  <!--yellow—>
-{{legend|#00C0C0|[[Tsonga language|Tsonga]]}} <!--cyan—>
-|col2 =
-{{legend|#FF0000|[[Tswana language|Tswana]]}} <!--red—>
-{{legend|#87870E|[[Venda language|Venda]]}}  <!--olive—>
-{{legend|#800080|[[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]}}  <!--purple—>
-{{legend|#7FE000|[[Zulu language|Zulu]]}}    <!--green—>
-}}]]
-South Africa has eleven [[official language]]s: [[Afrikaans]], [[South African English|English]], [[Ndebele language|Ndebele]], [[Northern Sotho language|Northern Sotho]], [[Sesotho language|Southern Sotho]], [[Swati language|Swati]], [[Tsonga language|Tsonga]], [[Tswana language|Tswana]], [[Venda language|Venda]], [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]] and [[Zulu language|Zulu]]. In this regard it is [[List of national languages of India|second only to India]] in number. While each language is technically equal to every other, English has emerged recently as the chief-among-peers as it is the most widely spoken language across racial barriers{{fact}} as well as globally, even though it is not the most widely spoken language by population. There are [[Official names of South Africa|eleven official names]] for South Africa, one in each of the official national languages.
-The country also recognises eight non-official languages: [[Fanagalo language|Fanagalo]], [[Khoe language|Khoe]], [[Lobedu language|Lobedu]], [[Nama language|Nama]], [[Ndebele language|Northern Ndebele]], [[Phuthi language|Phuthi]], [[San language|San]] and [[South African Sign Language]]. These non-official languages may be used in certain official uses in limited areas where it has been determined that these languages are prevalent. Nevertheless, their populations are not such that they require nationwide recognition.
-Many of the "unofficial languages" of the [[Bushmen|San]] and [[Khoikhoi]] people contain regional [[dialect]]s stretching northward into Namibia and Botswana, and elsewhere. These people, who are a physically distinct population from other Africans, have their own cultural identity based on their [[hunter-gatherer]] societies. They have been marginalised to a great extent, and many of their languages are in danger of becoming [[Extinct language|extinct]].
-Many white South Africans also speak other [[Europe]]an languages, such as [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] (also spoken by Angolan and Mozambican blacks), [[German language|German]], and [[Greek language|Greek]], while many [[Asians in South Africa|Asians]] and [[Indian South Africans|Indians]] in South Africa speak [[South Asia]]n languages, such as [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]].
-== Crime ==
-{{main|Crime in South Africa}}
-Crime has been a major problem in South Africa. According to a survey for the period 1998-2000 compiled by the [[United Nations]], South Africa was ranked second for [[assault]] and murder (by all means) per capita, in addition to being ranked second for [[rape]] and first for rapes per capita.<ref> [http://www.nationmaster.com/red/country/sf/Crime&b_cite=1 NationMaster: South African Crime Statistics]</ref> Total crime per capita is tenth out of the sixty countries in the data set. Nevertheless, crime has had a pronounced effect on society: many wealthier South Africans moved into [[gated community|gated communities]], abandoning the central business districts of some cities for the relative security of suburbs. This effect is most pronounced in [[Johannesburg]], although the trend is noticeable in other cities as well. Many emigrants from South Africa also state that crime was a big motivator for them to leave. [[South African Farmer Murders|Crime against the farming community]] has continued to be a major problem.
-== Military ==
-{{main|South African National Defence Force}}
-South Africa's [[armed force]]s, known as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), was created in 1994. Previously known simply as the South African Defence Force (SADF), the new force consists of the forces of the old SADF, as well as the forces of the African nationalist groups, namely [[Umkhonto we Sizwe]] (MK), [[Azanian People's Liberation Army]] (APLA), and the former [[homeland]] defence forces. The SANDF is subdivided into four branches, the [[South African Army]], the [[South African Air Force]], the [[South African Navy]], and the [[South African Medical Service|South African Military Health Services]].
-In recent years, the SANDF has become a major [[peacekeeping]] force in Africa, and has been involved in operations in [[Lesotho]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and [[Burundi]], amongst others. It has also participated as a part of multi-national [[UN]] peacekeeping forces.
-South Africa undertook a nuclear weapons program in the 1970s and [[Vela Incident|may have conducted]] a nuclear test over the [[Atlantic]] in [[1979]]. It has since renounced its nuclear program and, after destroying its small nuclear arsenal, signed the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] in [[1991]]. It is the only African country to have successfully [[South Africa and weapons of mass destruction|developed nuclear weapons]] and, to date, the only country in the world to have voluntarily dismantled its entire [[nuclear weapons]] arsenal.
-== Media ==
-{{main|Media in South Africa}}
-South Africa has a large, free, and active press that regularly challenges the government, a habit formed during the apartheid era when the press was the medium least controlled by the government. Major [[scandal]]s have erupted when the press reported charges of [[political corruption|corruption]] that were proven to be true in cases such as that of [[Schabir Shaik]], in which (then) deputy president [[Jacob Zuma]] was implicated, and the corruption allegations that led to the dismissal of [[Winnie Mandela]] from parliament. The government's stance on the [[Zimbabwe parliamentary elections, 2005|2005 Zimbabwe parliamentary elections]] and [[AIDS]] have also attracted plenty of coverage.
-Even though South Africa now has the most sophisticated media network in Africa, it was one of the last countries in the world to allow [[Television in South Africa|television]], with colour TV broadcasts commencing in 1975. By the end of [[apartheid]] in 1994, television networks covered all [[List of cities in South Africa|urban areas]] and some less populated areas, while radio networks covered almost all of the country.
-During the Apartheid era the majority of commercial and all public-service radio stations and all of the television channels were operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and were subject to strict control and censorship by the government, with a few independent regional stations allowed. The creation of the independent black homelands (or [[Bantustan]]s) in the 1970s allowed for the establishment of TV and radio stations outside of the control of the apartheid Government. Following the demise of apartheid, the broadcasting industry was de-regulated with many of the commercial regional SABC radio stations and former Bantustan stations privatised and sold to companies and consortiums that were majority owned by black people. Three SABC television channels are in place at present.
-An African language channel was introduced to the [[SABC]] in 1981 (during [[apartheid]]) with a second African language channel added later in the decade. The SABC's television monopoly was eventually challenged in 1986 when a new privately owned subscription television network, [[M-Net]], was launched. M-Net was forbidden to operate a news service.
-South Africa currently has two terrestrial free-to-air television networks (SABC and [[Etv (South Africa)|e.tv]]), one subscription based terrestrial network (M-Net), as well as has access to satellite television ([[DStv]]) which is operated by M-Net's owners, Multichoice. e.tv is allowed to operate an independent television news service. The SABC broadcasts news and entertainment channels Africa-wide via satellite.
-== See also ==
-{{South African topics}}
-== International rankings ==
-{{SouthAfricaRankings}}
 == References ==
-<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
+* Beinart, William. ''Twentieth-Century South Africa.'' Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0192893181
-*''Twentieth-Century South Africa''. William Beinart [[Oxford University Press]] 2001, 414 pages, ISBN 0-19-289318-1
+* Christopher, A. J. ''The Atlas of Changing South Africa.'' Taylor and Francis, 2000. ISBN 0415211786
-* ''A History of South Africa, Third Edition''. Leonard Thompson. [[Yale University Press]]. [[1 March]] [[2001]]. 384 pages. ISBN 0-300-08776-4.
+* Cousins, Ben (ed.). ''At the Crossroads: Land and Agrarian Reform in South Africa into the 21st Century''. Bellville, School of Government, University of the Western Cape, 2000. ISBN 1868084671
-* ''South Africa: A Narrative History''. [[Frank Welsh]]. Kodansha America. [[1 February]] [[1999]]. 606 pages. ISBN 1-56836-258-7.
+* Deegan, Heather. ''The Politics of the New South Africa: Apartheid and After.'' Longman, 2000. ISBN 0582382270
-* ''The Atlas of Changing South Africa''. A. J. Christopher. [[1 October]] [[2000]]. 216 pages. ISBN 0-415-21178-6.
+* Hein, David. "Religion and Politics in South Africa." ''Modern Age'' 31 (1987): 21-30.
-* ''The Politics of the New South Africa''. Heather Deegan. [[28 December]] [[2000]]. 256 pages. ISBN 0-582-38227-0.
+* Human Rights Watch. ''Unequal protection: The state response to violent crime on South African farms''.  Human Rights Watch, 2001. ISBN 978-1564322630
-* ''Times Online[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2772-2100080,00.html]''. [[April 2]] [[2006]].
+* Tomlinson, Richard, et al., ''Emerging Johannesburg: Perspectives on the Postapartheid City.'' Routledge, 2003. ISBN 0415935598
-* ''Making of Modern South Africa: Conquest, Segregation and Apartheid''. Nigel Worden. [[1 July]] [[2000]]. 194 pages. ISBN 0-631-21661-8.
+* Thompson, Leonard. ''A History of South Africa,'' 3rd ed., Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0300087764
-* ''Emerging Johannesburg: Perspectives on the Postapartheid City''. Richard Tomlinson, et al. [[1 January]] [[2003]]. 336 pages. ISBN 0-415-93559-8.
+* Welsh, Frank. ''South Africa: A Narrative History.'' Kodansha America, 1999. ISBN 1568362587
-*  "Religion and Politics in South Africa." David Hein. Modern Age 31 (1987): 21-30.
+* Worden, Nigel. ''Making of Modern South Africa: Conquest, Segregation and Apartheid.'' Blackwell Publishers, 2000. ISBN 0631216618
-* {{cite web |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=homepage |work=South Africa Government Online |publisher=South African Government |date= |url=http://www.gov.za |format= |doi= | accessmonthday = February 20 | accessyear = 2005 }}
-* [http://www.southafrica.info SouthAfrica.info]. Accessed [[12 February]], 2005.
-* [http://www.southafricawargraves.org/lists/SAwants.htm South Africa war graves project]
-* [http://www.southafrican.za.net/official-languages.html South African Official Languages] [[04 December]] [[2006]].
-</div>
-== Notes ==
-<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"><references/></div>
 == External links ==
-{{portal|South Africa|Flag of South Africa.svg}}
+All links retrieved February 4, 2023.
-{{sisterlinks|South Africa}}
-; Government
-*[http://www.gov.za/ South Africa Government Online] official government site
-*[http://www.parliament.gov.za/ Parliament of South Africa] official site
-*[http://www.statssa.gov.za/ Statistics South Africa] official government site
-*[http://www.southafrica.info/ South Africa's Official Gateway]
-*[http://www.saps.gov.za/ South African Police Services]
-; News
+* [http://www.gov.za/ South African Government Online]
-*[http://www.businessday.co.za/ Business Day] financial daily
+* [http://www.statssa.gov.za/ Statistics South Africa]
-*[http://www.iol.co.za/ Independent Online]
+* [http://www.saps.gov.za/ South African Police Service]
-*[http://www.mg.co.za/ Mail & Guardian] daily newspaper
+* [http://www.iol.co.za/ Independent Online]
-*[http://www.news24.com/ News 24]
+* [http://www.mg.co.za/ Mail&Guardian Online]
-*[http://www.weathersa.co.za South African Weather Service]
+* [http://www.news24.com/ News 24]
+* [http://www.weathersa.co.za South African Weather Service]
+* [http://www.economist.com/countries/SouthAfrica/ South Africa], ''The Economist''
+* [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094760 South Africa Profile], ''British Broadcasting Corporation''
+* [http://www.southafrica.net/ South African Tourism], ''South Africa''
-; Overviews
-*[http://www.economist.com/countries/SouthAfrica/ The Economist/Country Briefings - South Africa]
-*[http://www.professores.uff.br/hjbortol/arquivo/2006.1/applets/south_africa_en.html South Africa's location on a 3D globe (Java)]
-*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1071886.stm BBC News Country Profile - ''South Africa'']
-*[http://www.britannica.com/nations/south-africa Encyclopaedia Britannica, South Africa - Country Page]
-*[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sf.html CIA World Factbook - ''South Africa'']
-*[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/zatoc.html Library of Congress Country Study - ''South Africa''] data as of November 1994
-*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/South_Africa Open Directory Project - ''South Africa''] directory category
-*[http://www.farlang.com/diamonds/williams_history_diamond_mines/page_002 Diamond Mines of South Africa, includes anthropological, ethnographic and historic description of South Africa] and [http://www.farlang.com/diamonds/williams_diamond_mines_2/page_001 Diamond Mines Vol. II] Former De Beers general Manager's 800-page overview of the history of South Africa and its diamond mines.
-; Tourism
+{{credit|97902108}}
-*{{wikitravel}}
+{{Images OK}}
-*[http://www.southafrica.info/ South Africa's Official Gateway]
-*[http://www.saps.gov.za/ South African Police Services]
-; News
+[[Category:Geography]]
-*[http://www.businessday.co.za/ Business Day] financial daily
+[[Category:Countries]]
-*[http://www.iol.co.za/ Independent Online]
-*[http://www.mg.co.za/ Mail & Guardian] daily newspaper
-*[http://www.news24.com/ News 24]
-*[http://www.weathersa.co.za South African Weather Service]
-; Overviews
-*[http://www.economist.com/countries/SouthAfrica/ The Economist/Country Briefings - South Africa]
-*[http://www.professores.uff.br/hjbortol/arquivo/2006.1/applets/south_africa_en.html South Africa's location on a 3D globe (Java)]
-*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1071886.stm BBC News Country Profile - ''South Africa'']
-*[http://www.britannica.com/nations/south-africa Encyclopaedia Britannica, South Africa - Country Page]
-*[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sf.html CIA World Factbook - ''South Africa'']
-*[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/zatoc.html Library of Congress Country Study - ''South Africa''] data as of November 1994
-*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/South_Africa Open Directory Project - ''South Africa''] directory category
-*[http://www.farlang.com/diamonds/williams_history_diamond_mines/page_002 Diamond Mines of South Africa, includes anthropological, ethnographic and historic description of South Africa] and [http://www.farlang.com/diamonds/williams_diamond_mines_2/page_001 Diamond Mines Vol. II] Former De Beers general Manager's 800-page overview of the history of South Africa and its diamond mines.
-; Tourism
-*{{wikitravel}}
-*[http://www.southafrica.net/ Welcome to South Africa official South African tourism site]
-<!--Categories—>
-[[Category:Nations and places]]
-[[Category:African nations]]
 [[Category:Africa]]
-{{credit|97902108}}
-{{Images OK}}