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| − | {{Infobox Country
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| − | |native_name = ''Republic of South Africa''
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| − | |common_name = South Africa
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| − | |image_flag = Flag_of_South_Africa.svg
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| − | |image_coat = Coat_of_arms_of_South_Africa.svg
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| − | |symbol_type = Coat of arms
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| − | |image_map = LocationSouthAfrica.png
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| − | |national_motto = ''!ke e: {{IPA|ǀ}}xarra {{IPA|ǁ}}ke'' <small>(ǀǀXam)<br />“Unity In Diversity”<br />(literally “Diverse People Unite”)</small>
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| − | |national_anthem = National anthem of South Africa[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsWwz9UmjVk&watch_response]
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| − | |official_languages = Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda
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| − | |capital = Pretoria<sup>1</sup>|latd=17|latm=50|latNS=S|longd=31|longm=03|longEW=E
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| − | |largest_city = Johannesburg <small>(2001)</small>
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| − | |government_type = Parliamentary democracy
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| − | |leader_titles = President
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| − | |leader_names = Thabo Mbeki
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| − | |area_rank = 25th
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| − | |area_magnitude = 1 E12
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| − | |area = 1,221,037
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| − | |areami² = 471 443 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]—>
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| − | |percent_water = negligible
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| − | |population_estimate = 47 432 000
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| − | |population_estimate_year = 2005
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| − | |population_estimate_rank = 26th
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| − | |population_census = 44 819 278
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| − | |population_census_year = 2001
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| − | |population_density = 39
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| − | |population_densitymi² = 101 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]—>
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| − | |population_density_rank = 163rd
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| − | |GDP_PPP_year = 2005
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| − | |GDP_PPP = $570.2 billion <!--IMF—>
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| − | |GDP_PPP_rank = 18th
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| − | |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $12 161
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| − | |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 55th
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| − | |sovereignty_type = Independence
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| − | |sovereignty_note = from the United Kingdom
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| − | |established_event1 = Union
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| − | |established_event2 = Statute of<br /> Westminster
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| − | |established_event3 = Republic
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| − | |established_date1 = May 31, 1910
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| − | |established_date2 = December 11, 1931
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| − | |established_date3 = May 31, 1961
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| − | |HDI_year = 2004
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| − | |HDI = {{loss}}0.653
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| − | |HDI_rank = 121st
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| − | |HDI_category = <font style="color:#fc0">medium</font>
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| − | |currency = South African rand
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| − | |currency_code = ZAR
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| − | |country_code = RSA
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| − | |time_zone = SAST
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| − | |utc_offset = +2
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| − | |cctld = .za
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| − | |calling_code = 27
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| − | |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.
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| − | }}
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | ==History==
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| − | [[Image:Kruger panorama3.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Kruger National Park, South Africa]]
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| − | 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. "Africa - The Cradle of Humankind."
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| − | [http://www.articlegeek.com/recreation/travel_articles/africa_cradle_of_humankind.htm]. ''articlegeek.com''. Retrieved June 4, 2008.</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.
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| − | === Colonial period ===
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| − | [[Image:JanVanRiebeckArrival.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Romanticized painting of an account of the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck.]]
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| − | 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.
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| − | [[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.
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| − | [[Image:Boercamp1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Boer women and children in British concentration camps.]]
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| − | 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]] (1880–1881) 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.
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| − | === Union of South Africa ===
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| − | 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.
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| − | [[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.]]
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| − | 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.
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| − | === Post-apartheid ===
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| − | [[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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | ==Politics==
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| − | [[Image:CentralPretoria.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The central area of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa.]]
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | === Administrative divisions ===
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | == Military ==
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | == Geography ==
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| − | [[Image:Sf-map.png|framed|thumb|Map of South Africa.]]
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| − | 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 [[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 m is the highest peak in South Africa.
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| − | 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]].
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| − | 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).
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| − | == Flora and fauna ==
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| − | [[Image:Fynbos.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Fynbos, a floral kingdom unique to South Africa, is found near Cape Town.]]
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | == Economy ==
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| − | [[Image:CentralDurban.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Durban, well-known resort city on the Indian Ocean coast and site of Africa's largest commercial ports.]]
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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]].
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| − | At the start of 2000, President Thabo Mbeki vowed to promote economic growth and [[foreign investment]] by relaxing restrictive [[labor laws]], stepping up the pace of [[privatization]], and cutting unneeded governmental spending. His policies face strong opposition from organized 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.
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| − | 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 South Africa], ''CIA World Factbook'', Retrieved February 23, 2007 </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.
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| − | 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. Illegal immigrants are also heavily involved in informal trading.<ref>Hussein Solomon, 1996. [http://www.iss.co.za/pubs/ASR/5No4/StrategigPerspectives.html Strategic Perspectives on Illegal Immigration into South Africa], ''Human Security Project''. Retrieved February 23, 2007 </ref> Many immigrants continue to live in poor conditions, and the immigration policy has become increasingly restrictive since 1994.<ref>Robert Mattes, Jonathan Crush and Wayne Richmond, [http://www.queensu.ca/samp/sampresources/samppublications/policyseries/policy20.htm The Brain Gain: Skilled Migrants and Immigration Policy in Post-apartheid South Africa], ''Southern African Migration Project''. Retrieved February 23, 2007</ref>
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| − | === Agriculture ===
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| − | [[Image:Farm in Mpumalanga.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Workers planting on a farm in the central area of Mpumalanga.]]
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| − | [[Image:SouthAfricaFieldwork21989.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Farm workers]]
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| − | South Africa has a large [[Agriculture|agricultural]] sector and is a net exporter of farm products; 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. ''Unequal Protection: The State Response to Violent Crime on South African Farms.'' (ISBN 1564322637) [http://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/safrica2/]. Retrieved February 23, 2007 </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, 2000. "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. ISBN 1868084671).</ref>
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| − | 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 sixty thousand farm workers and contributing to the livelihoods of around forty thousand others.<ref> [http://www.southafrica.co.za/agriculture_29.html South Africa Agriculture], ''South Africa Online''. Retrieved February 23, 2007</ref>
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| − | 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> William Rees-Mogg, September 11, 2006, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1052-2352011,00.html South Africa's Bitter Harvest], ''Times Online''. Retrieved February 23, 2007 </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>April 02, 2006, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2772-2100080,00.html Farms of Fear], ''The Sunday Times Magazine''. Retrieved February 23, 2007 </ref>
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| − | == Demographics ==
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| − | South Africa is a nation of over 47 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and beliefs. In the 2005 census, black Africans were 75.4 percent of the population, whites 14.3 percent, colored 8.8 percent, and Indians or Asians 2.5 percent.
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| − | 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]].
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| − | 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]].
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| − | 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.
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| − | The term "colored" 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 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 Colored community, more recent immigrants will also be found: Coloreds 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.
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| − | 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 (approximately 100,000).
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| − | ==HIV/AIDS==
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| − | As in many sub-Saharan African countries, the spread of [[AIDS]] is a serious problem in South Africa.<ref>"The scale of South Africa’s AIDS crisis." [http://www.avert.org/aidssouthafrica.htm HIV & Aids in South Africa]. ''Avert''. Retrieved February 23, 2007</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 February 23, 2007</ref>
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| − | [[AIDS]] is affecting mainly those who are sexually active, which means the demographics of the country are slowly changing. Most deaths are of people who are also 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 1,100,000 orphans in South Africa.<ref> [http://www.avert.org/aidsorphans.htm AIDS Orphans], ''Avert''. Retrieved February 23, 2007 </ref> Elderly people, traditionally supported by younger members of the family, are also becoming more and more dependent on the state for financial support.
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| − | == Culture ==
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| − | [[Image:SouthAfricaDecoratedHouses.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Decorated houses, Drakensberg Mountains.]]
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | Asians, predominantly of [[India]]n origin, preserve their own cultural heritage, languages, and religious beliefs, being either [[Christian]], [[Hinduism|Hindu]], or [[Sunni Muslim]].
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| − | 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.
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| − | ==Notes==
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| − | <references/>
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| − |
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| − | == References ==
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| − | <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
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| − | * Beinart, William. ''Twentieth-Century South Africa.'' Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0192893181
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| − | * Christopher, A. J. ''The Atlas of Changing South Africa.'' Taylor and Francis, 2000. ISBN 0415211786
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| − | * Deegan, Heather. ''The Politics of the New South Africa: Apartheid and After.'' Longman, 2000. ISBN 0582382270
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| − | * Hein, David. "Religion and Politics in South Africa." ''Modern Age'' 31 (1987): 21-30.
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| − | * Tomlinson, Richard, et al., ''Emerging Johannesburg: Perspectives on the Postapartheid City.'' Routledge, 2003. ISBN 0415935598
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| − | * Thompson, Leonard. ''A History of South Africa,'' 3rd ed., Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0300087764
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| − | * ''Times Online'' April 2, 2006 [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2772-2100080,00.html]. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
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| − | * Welsh, Frank. ''South Africa: A Narrative History.'' Kodansha America, 1999. ISBN 1568362587
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| − | * Worden, Nigel. ''Making of Modern South Africa: Conquest, Segregation and Apartheid.'' Blackwell Publishers, 2000. ISBN 0631216618
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| − | == External links ==
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| − | {{portal|South Africa|Flag of South Africa.svg}}
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| − | {{sisterlinks|South Africa}}
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| − | ; Government
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| − | * [http://www.gov.za/ BATHO PELE - putting people first], ''South Africa Government Online'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.parliament.gov.za/ Today in Parliament], ''Parliament of South Africa'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.statssa.gov.za/ The digital face of Stats SA], ''Statistics South Africa'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.southafrica.info/ South Africa Alive with Possibility], '' The Offical Gateway'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.saps.gov.za/ Department of Safety and Security], ''South African Police Service'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − |
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| − | ; News
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| − | * [http://www.businessday.co.za/ Masethla escapes blame in ANC e-mail hoax probe], ''The Weekender'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.iol.co.za/ News], ''Independent Online'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.mg.co.za/ Breaking News], ''Mail&Guardian Online'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.news24.com/ Breaking News], ''News 24'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.weathersa.co.za Weather for South Africa], ''South African Weather Service'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − |
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| − | ; Overviews
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| − | * [http://www.economist.com/countries/SouthAfrica/ Country Briefings-South Africa], ''Economist'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1071886.stm Country profile: South Africa], ''British Broadcasting Corporation'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.britannica.com/nations/south-africa South Africa], ''Encyclopaedia Britannica Online'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sf.html South Africa], ''CIA World Factbook'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/zatoc.html South Africa], ''Country Studies'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/South_Africa South Africa], ''Open Directory Project'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.farlang.com/diamonds/williams_history_diamond_mines/page_002 Diamond Mines of South Africa], ''Farlang Alpha'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | * [http://www.farlang.com/diamonds/williams_diamond_mines_2/page_001 Diamond Mines Vol. II], ''Farlang Alpha'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − |
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| − | ; Tourism
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| − | *{{wikitravel}}
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| − | * [http://www.southafrica.net/ South Africa], ''South Africa'', Accessed February 23, 2007
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| − | {{Images OK}}
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| − | [[Category:Geography]]
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| − | [[Category:Countries]]
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| − | [[Category:African nations]]
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| − | [[Category:Africa]]
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