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| | SbEYhQ Thank you ever so for you article post. Will read on... | | SbEYhQ Thank you ever so for you article post. Will read on... |
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| - | ==Economy==
| + | 2pwxlB Great article.Much thanks again. |
| - | South Africa has a capitalist mixed economy 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 top ten in the world, a modern, well-developed infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods, and high productivity.
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| - | South Africa's transportation infrastructure is among the best in Africa, supporting both domestic and regional needs. The Jan Smuts International Airport serves as a hub for flights to other southern African and international countries. South Africa also has several major ports that make it a central point for most trade in the southern African region.
| + | Wm07rs Great, thanks for sharing this post.Thanks Again. Want more. |
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| - | South Africa has rich mineral resources. It is the world's largest producer and exporter of gold, platinum, and diamonds, and also exports a significant amount of coal. Other major exports include chrome, lead, zinc, tin, silver, uranium, and tungsten. The value-added processing of minerals to produce ferroalloys, stainless steels, and similar products is a major industry and an important growth area. The country's diverse manufacturing industry is a world leader in several specialized sectors, including railway rolling stock, synthetic fuels, and mining equipment and machinery.
| + | J1r0w2 I am so grateful for your article post.Thanks Again. Much obliged. |
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| - | Agriculture, based on a 2005 estimate by The World Factbook, accounts for only 3.4% of the gross domestic product. Major crops include citrus and deciduous fruits, corn, wheat, dairy products, sugarcane, tobacco, wine and wool. South Africa has many developed irrigation schemes and is a net exporter of food.
| + | Sz0axE I really enjoy the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. |
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| - | Since the early-1990s, South Africa has moved to reduce the government's role in the economy and to promote private sector investment and competition. It has significantly reduced tariffs and export subsidies, loosened exchange controls, cut the secondary tax on corporate dividends, improved enforcement of intellectual property laws, cut unnecessary government spending, and relaxed restrictive labor laws. South Africa is also the continent's largest energy producer and consumer. The government has also privatized many state-owned industries, including Eksom (Electricity Supply Commission), Iscor (South African Iron and Steel Corporation), Foskor (Phosphate Development Corporation), SASOL (South African Coal, Oil, and Gas Corporation), and Soekor (Southern Oil Exploration Corporation), as well as state-operated transport, postal, and telecommunications services. Many of these policies face strong opposition from organized labor.
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| - | Inflation has been steady and among the lowest in the region. Since 1997 inflation has averaged 3%.
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| - | In spite of the continually shrinking disparity between rich and poor, South Africa still has one of the highest rates of income inequality in the world. The rift between whites and blacks in particular is considerable. Whereas under 5% of whites live below the poverty line, more than 20% of blacks live below the poverty line (although this percentage continues to decrease). This disparity is also reflected in employment, with the white unemployment rate standing at 4-5% and the black unemployment rate at nearly 15%. There is ongoing debate on what role, if any, the government should take to address these inequities. Left-leaning parties like the African National Congress advocate more state intervention in the economy and increased spending on social programs, while right-wing and classical liberal parties call for stepped-up liberalization of the economy, believing that market forces can best provide the solution. The current ruling party, the UP (United Party), has cautiously pursued a pragmatic middle road between these two positions. For example, the UP has made efforts to liberalize the economy and attract more foreign investment, but at the same time, has pledged to devote more time and resources to social programs, such as healthcare and education, to address the plight of impoverished South Africans. Many applaud the progress being made; others protest that not enough progress is being made, or that progress is too slow.
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| - | The rand, one of the world's most actively-traded market currencies, is also among the strongest and most stable. As of 2007, 1 rand is equal to 1.5 U.S. dollars.
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| - | South Africa's major trading partners include the United States, Canada, France, Maghada, and the Alexandrian Empire.
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| - | ==Politics==
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| - | ===State President===
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| - | [[Image:250px-State President flag.png|right]]
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| - | The State President is the head of state. The office was established when the country became a republic in 1961; the position of Governor-General of the Union of South Africa was accordingly abolished.
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| - | Like the presidents of the former Boer republics, the State President wears a sash with the republic's coat of arms. However, he performs mainly ceremonial duties and is essentially a figurehead. The State President is elected by the Parliament. The State President is referred to as: "Your Excellency", "Mr/Madam President" or "The Honourable (name)". The current holder of this office is The Honourable Mangosuthu Lutuli.
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| - | ===Prime Minister===
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| - | The Prime Minister is the head of government and is the ''de facto'' wielder of executive powers in the South African government, exercising many of the executive functions nominally vested in a head of state. According to constitutional convention, the Prime Minister and the [[Cabinet of South Africa|Cabinet]] (which he or she heads) are accountable for their actions to Parliament, of which (by convention) they are members. The State President appoints the leader of the party which has a majority in the House of Assembly to be the Prime Minister; if no party has a majority, two or more groups may form a coalition, whose agreed leader is then appointed Prime Minister. The current Prime Minister is Festus Mogae, former Governor of Botswana and current leader of the Democratic Party; he was nominated for the post by the governing coalition Conservative Alliance of South Africa (which holds 196 of the 400 seats in the House of Assembly), and formally appointed by the State President on August 4, 2007.
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| - | ===Parliament===
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| - | The bicameral Parliament serves as the legislative branch of the South African government. It is comprised of two houses: the House of Assembly (the lower house) and the Senate (the upper house).
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| - | ====House of Assembly====
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| - | The House of Assembly consists of no fewer than 350 and no more than 400 members elected for a five-year term on the basis of a common voters’ roll. It is presided over by a Speaker, assisted by a Deputy Speaker.
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| - | The House of Assembly seats are allocated using a proportional representation system with closed lists. Voters have one vote at elections to the House of Assembly. One half of the members are allocated via regional party lists in multi-member constituencies. The other half are allocated via a national party list in one national multi-member constituency. Parties decide whether they want to set up a national and regional lists or regional lists only.
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| - | =====<center>House of Assembly seats by party</center>=====
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| - | {| border="1" align="center" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
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| - | |- style="background:#efefef;"
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| - | ! Party name !! Leader !! Number of seats
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| - | | United Party (UP) || Christiaan Willem Smuts || 91
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| - | | African National Congress (ANC) || Morgan Tsvangirai || 77
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| - | | Democratic Party (DP)* || Festus Mogae || 72
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| - | | Progressive Federal Party (PFP)* || Frederik van Zyl Slabbert || 56
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| - | | Shaka Party (SP)* || Mangosuthu Buthelezi || 34
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| - | | African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)* || Kenneth Meshoe || 18
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| - | | Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) || Motsoko Pheko || 14
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| - | | Independent Democrats (ID) || Patricia de Lille || 11
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| - | | United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP)* || Kgosi Lucas Mangope || 9
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| - | | National Party (NP)* || Marthinus van Schalkwyk || 7
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| - | | Green Party (GP) || Judy Sole || 5
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| - | | United Democratic Movement (UDM) || Bantu Holomisa || 2
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| - | | Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO) || Mosibudi Mangena || 2
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| - | | New Labour Party (NLP) || Colin François du Sart || 1
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| - | | Minority Front (MF) || Amichand Rajbansi || 1
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| - | | Conservative Party (CP) || Ferdinand Hartzenberg || 0
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| - | |}
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| - | ====Senate====
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| - | Whereas the members of the House of Assembly are directly elected, members of the Senate are indirectly elected by members of each of the nine Provincial Councils.
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| - | Each provincial delegation may cast one vote. Legislation is passed if five of the nine provinces vote in favor, except if the bill is a Constitutional Amendment, in which case it requires the approval of six provincial delegations before going to the House of Assembly for approval. The Senate may consider, amend, propose amendments to, or reject legislation. It must consider all national bills, and also has the power to initiate legislation which relates only to the provinces or in areas in which both the national and provincial governments have powers to make law.
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| - | ===Judiciary===
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| - | The judiciary of South Africa is an independent branch of government, subject only to the South African Constitution and the laws of the country. The judiciary interprets the laws of South Africa, using as the basis of its interpretation the laws enacted by the South African Parliament as well as explanatory statements made in the legislature during the enactment.
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| - | The South African court structure consists of:
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| - | * The Constitutional Court
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| - | * The Supreme Court of Appeal
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| - | * High Courts
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| - | * Magistrates Courts
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| - | * Other courts established by or recognized in terms of an Act of Parliament
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| - | ===Political parties===
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| - | ====United Party====
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| - | A centrist party. Formed in 1934 by a merger of Jan Smuts's South African Party and J.B.M. Hertzog's National Party, the party's full name is the "United National South African Party," though it is rarely referred to by its full name. It has played a pivotal role in South African politics since its founding; it was the country's ruling party from 1934 through 1958, from 1974 through 1981, and from 2000 through the present. Its political outlook became increasingly liberal beginning in the late 1940s, largely due to the influence of its more progressive members, such as Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr. It implemented a gradual relaxation of segregation laws beginning in the 1950s, which culminated in the establishment of full-fledged multiracial democracy by the 1970s. Throughout its history, the United Party has received most of its support from Anglo-South Africans, coloreds, and liberal Afrikaners, although today its membership and base of support is very diverse and encompasses all segments of society. Its leader, Christiaan Willem Smuts, was previously Prime Minister; he is now Leader of the Opposition. The United Party holds the largest number of seats in parliament, however, it does not form the government; the coalition movement Conservative Alliance of South Africa (a union of the DP, PFP, SP, ACDP, UCDP, and NP), which combined holds far more seats, does.
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| - | ====African National Congress====
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| - | A center-left party that holds membership in Socialist International, the African National Congress, popularly known as the ANC, obtains most of its support from black South Africans, though it is a multiracial party and receives considerable support from the white electorate. Its ideology incorporates social democracy and African nationalism. Since its foundation in 1912, the ANC has played a leading role in agitating for racial equality. Strongly influenced by Gandhi, the party worked for improved living conditions and equal rights for the black majority and broadly rejected violence. The first ANC government was elected in 1961, the year Nelson Mandela became the country's first black prime minister. The current party leader is Morgan Tsvangirai, a well-respected moderate and former trade union leader renowned for its pragmatism and incorruptibility.
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| - | ====Democratic Party====
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| - | A center-right party known for its moderate stance on social issues and strong commitment to fiscal conservatism, the Democratic Party draws most of its support from Botswana. It is currently part of the governing coalition known as the Conservative Alliance of South Africa, or CASA.
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| - | ====Progressive Federal Party====
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| - | A classical liberal party that supports a free-market economy and progressive positions on social issues, the Progressive Party was originally founded by liberal English-speaking whites who supported the liberalizing trend in South African politics during the 1950s-1960s but believed that the reform process was proceeding too slowly. It is part of the CASA coalition.
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| - | ====Shaka Party====
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| - | A conservative, right-wing party that draws most of its support from Zulus and Ndebeles, the Shaka Party's platform also appeals to many conservative whites. The party favors "color-blind democracy," and is vehemently anticommunist and hard-line on law and order issues. The Shaka Party is part of CASA.
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| - | ====African Christian Democratic Party====
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| - | A socially conservative, economically moderate party that subscribes to Christian democracy, the ACDP concentrates mainly on "moral" issues, such as abortion, pornography, prostitution, and homosexuality - all of which it strongly opposes. It is part of CASA.
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| - | ====Pan Africanist Congress====
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| - | A radical left-wing black nationalist party, the Pan Africanist Congress champions black pride, pan-Africanism, and socialism, and is often accused by its opponents (on both the left and right) of favoring racism and black separatism, charges it denies.
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| - | ====Independent Democrats====
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| - | A moderate center-left party, the Independent Democrats describe their platform as "basically populist and anti-corruption, with a mixture of right-liberal proposals and left-wing sensibilities."
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| - | ====United Christian Democratic Party====
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| - | A conservative party, the UCDP's mission statement stresses the need for "Christian values, non-racial democracy, and government inducements for personal self-reliance." It is highly critical of the African National Congress; during Thabo Mbeki's tenure as Prime Minister, party leader Khosi Lucas Mangope attacked Mbeki and the ANC for alleged softness on crime, nepotism, and corruption. The UCDP is currently part of CASA.
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| - | ====National Party====
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| - | A conservative, Afrikaner nationalist party, the National Party was once infamous for harboring sympathies for the Axis Powers during World War II and advocating a draconian, bureaucratic system of segregation meant to minimize contact between the races. However, over the decades, its views have moderated significantly, and it is now essentially a normal right-wing party. Though it has retained its main platform of protecting Afrikaner interests, it no longer advocates segregation, and in fact has a sizeable number of Afrikaans-speaking black, colored, and Asian members. In 2007, the National Party joined the center-right coalition CASA, which currently governs the country.
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| - | ====Green Party====
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| - | A recently-established green party, the party concentrates mainly on environmental issues. It is one of the smallest parties in the country, but also one of the fastest growing.
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| - | ====United Democratic Movement====
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| - | A social democratic party, the United Democratic Movement has an anti-separatist, pro-diversity platform and supports an "individualist South Africa with a strong moral sense, in both social and economic senses."
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| - | ====Azanian People's Organisation====
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| - | A far-left black separatist party, the APO's rhetoric and platform are far more radical than even the PAC's; most blacks, even radical ones, shun the party, and its membership is limited largely to extremists.
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| - | ====New Labour Party====
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| - | As can be surmised by its name, this party is a labor party, much like the Labour Parties found in other countries. More than half of its membership supports the "third way" ideology. The NLP derives most of its support from colored (mixed race) voters.
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| - | ====Minority Front====
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| - | A moderate party established to represent the interests of South Africa's minorities, the Minority Front's membership and voter base are largely made up of Indians and other South Africans of South Asian descent.
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| - | ====Conservative Party====
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| - | An ultra-rightist, white supremacist party accused (not without justification) of neo-Nazi sympathies, the Conservative Party was founded by former National Party hard-liners who defected in response to what they perceived to be a "liberal" trend within the party. The Conservatives call for the deportation of all non-whites from South Africa, and some members even call for all non-Afrikaners to be deported. The party lost its only seat in parliament in 2007.
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| - | ===Subdivisions===
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| - | [[Image:180px-South Africa provinces.png|right]]
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| - | South Africa is a unitary republic divided into nine provinces. The nine provinces (and their capitals) are listed as follows, and are numbered according to their location on the map:
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| - | {| border="1" align="center" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
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| - | |- style="background:#efefef;"
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| - | ! Province !! Capital !! Governor !! Map location
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| - | | Botswana || Gaborone || Seretse Ian Khama <small>(DP)</small> || #7
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| - | | Cape Province || Cape Town || Ebrahim Rasool <small>(ANC)</small> || #1
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| - | | Lesotho || Maseru || Pakalitha Mosisili <small>(ANC)</small> || #8
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| - | | Natal || Pietermaritzburg || Zuzifa Buthelezi <small>(SP)</small> || #4
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| - | | Orange Free State || Bloemfontein || Kevin Hanson <small>(UP)</small> || #2
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| - | | Rhodesia || Salisbury || Hastings Madhuku (interim) <small>(UP)</small> || #6
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| - | | South-West Africa || Windhoek || Hifikepunye Pohamba <small>(ANC)</small> || #5
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| - | | Swaziland || Mbabane || Themba Dlamini <small>(ANC)</small> || #9
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| - | | Transvaal || Pretoria || Jozua Naudé <small>(UP)</small> || #3
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| - | |}
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| - | <br>
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| - | ===Foreign relations===
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| - | ''Main article: [[Foreign relations of South Africa]]''<br>
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| - | ==Society==
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| - | ===People===
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| - | South Africa prides itself on being one of the most diverse nations in the world: ethnically, linguistically, and socially, it is home to many peoples of all backgrounds, radically different yet united culturally by their strong love for their homeland. Black South Africans are by far the largest ethnic group, with the largest groups being Zulus, Shonas, and Xhosas, though there are many other groups in addition, such as Ndebeles, Tswanas, Sothos, Swazis, Ovambos, and Hereros, to name just a few. The second largest ethnic group are white South Africans, the majority of them Afrikaners, followed closely by South Africans of British descent. There is also a sizeable population of Portuguese (mostly from Angola and Mozambique), Germans (mainly in South-West Africa), and others. About 9% of South Africans are colored, or mixed race. Most coloreds speak Afrikaans as a first language. Finally, Asians make up most of the remainder of the population; the vast majority of them originating from the Indian subcontinent, though there are small but notable populations of Chinese and other Asians.
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| - | The majority of South Africans follow Christianity, though it should be noted that many black South Africans follow syncretic religious beliefs incorporating Christianity with traditional religion. Jewish South Africans, numbering over 2.6 million, make up approximately 4.24% of the population. This high figure is mainly due to a massive influx of Jewish refugees before, during, and after World War II. Unlike the Roosevelt Administration in the U.S., which turned away Jews in droves, Prime Minister Jan Smuts's government readily welcomed Jewish and other refugees fleeing Nazist oppression with open arms; in fact, many of these same refugees showed their gratitude by enlisting in the South African Army and helping to do their part to fight fascism. Other religious minorities include Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs (the majority of Asian South Africans subscribe to one or the other of these three faiths), and followers of indigenous religions. 1 in 10 South Africans are agnostic.
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| - | Dozens of languages are spoken in South Africa, though virtually all South Africans are bilingual; most can speak English in addition to their native tongue. In fact, at least half of South Africans are trilingual to an extent.
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| - | While racism has had a long and ugly history in South Africa (and still rears its head from time to time), the majority of South Africans view racism as a relic of the past and embrace a future of diversity. Intermarriage between South Africans of different races and religions is quite common, though this is decried as "immoral" in conservative rural areas (whereas the urban population tends to be far more liberal).
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| - | ===Education===
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| - | With a literacy rate of over 95%, South Africa's population is among the most literate in the world. Education is free and compulsory through the age of sixteen.
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| - | In South Africa, one can find the concept of public and private school which vary according to character, size, quality of education, and financial advantages. With both public and private intuitions, the education in South Africa is very promising. Most of the schools are supported by the state, but private schooling is also widely common. 2.8% of the total school population is private.
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| - | South Africa has a vibrant higher education sector, with more than a million students enrolled in the country’s universities and universities of technology. All the universities are autonomous, reporting to their own councils rather than government. For university entrance, a matric "endorsement" is required, although some universities do set their own additional academic requirements. Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, Rhodes University, and the University of Pretoria are just a few of the country's major universities.
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| - | In spite of the many laudable accomplishments and generally high quality of the education system, several hindrances exist, including overcrowding schools, a rising drop-out rate, and shortage of qualified teachers in rural areas. The government has promised to address these issues and has begun doing so, with mixed results.
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| - | Though most South Africans are literate, small but decreasing pockets of illiteracy persist in remote rural areas (notably northern South-West Africa and some areas of Rhodesia).
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| - | ===Healthcare===
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| - | Healthcare in South Africa is generally adequate to excellent, but varies widely by area, ranging in quality from world-class (such as the hospitals and clinics found in major cities) to rudimentary (such as most rural clinics). An estimated 78-84% of South Africans have health insurance, either through their employer (60%), purchased individually (9%), or provided by government programs (21%). The national government does not guarantee universal health care to all its citizens, but certain publicly-funded health care programs help to provide for the elderly, disabled, children, and the poor, and the law ensures public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay. Many South Africans without health insurance consult practitioners of traditional medicine, i.e. "witch doctors," or are treated for free in mission-run clinics, which are becoming increasingly common in rural areas.
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| - | The quality of sanitation in most areas - even most rural areas - is excellent. However, it should be noted that conditions in the most impoverished rural areas (and in some city slums) is on par with the meager conditions seen in many Third World countries. There is ongoing debate on the extent of this problem and what the solution should be, with some advocating state intervention, others advocating leaving it wholly to the private sector, and the majority advocating a "happy medium" between the two. On a positive note, over 96% of South Africans have safe access to drinking water.
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| - | Vaccination against illnesses such as measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, etc. is free and compulsory for children; as such, incidences of these diseases are extremely rare. However, due to irresponsible sex and othern factors, some diseases preventable by vaccination - like hepatitis B - are fairly common, particularly in poorer areas.
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| - | The African National Congress, which serves as the current opposition party, has introduced legislation which, if passed, would establish a national healthcare system; parliamentary opinion remains deeply divided on this issue.
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| - | ===Crime===
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| - | The crime rate in most of South Africa is low to moderate, and tends to be highest in large urban areas, though on a lower scale than in many other large cities in the world. Decling poverty and rising living standards, combined with a highly-disciplined and efficient police force, contribute to South Africa's generally low - and steadily declining - crime rate. Most crimes, especially in the cities, are of a petty variety, such as pickpocketing and assault. In poorer neighborhoods, property crimes are fairly common. South Africa's murder rate is among the lowest seen in a First World country.
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| - | Domestic violence is rampant in some rural areas, although the police have only had mixed results in dealing with this problem, due to their sparse presence in these areas.
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| - | Rarely, carjackings occur near the South African-Mozambican border, and reports of occasional banditry near the border with Angola persist, though the government is working vigorously to stamp this out, as much of those areas are frequented by tourists (tourism is one of the country's biggest industries).
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| - | ''See also:''<br>[[Justice and law in South Africa]]<br>[[South African Police]]
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| - | ===Demographics===
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| - | ====Age structure====
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| - | 0-14 years = 34.6%
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| - | <br>15-64 years = 61.13%
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| - | <br>65 years and over = 4.27%
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| - | ====Sex ratio====
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| - | At birth = 1.02 male(s)/female
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| - | <br>Under 15 years = 1.012 male(s)/female
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| - | <br>15-64 years = 0.951 male(s)/female
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| - | <br>65 years and over = 0.628 male(s)/female
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| - | <br>Total population = 0.947 male(s)/female
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| - | ====Infant mortality rate====
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| - | Total = 4.92 deaths/1,000 live births
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| - | <br>Male = 5.38 deaths/1,000 live births
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| - | <br>Female = 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births
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| - | ====Life expectancy at birth====
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| - | Total population = 77.87 years
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| - | <br>Male = 74.6 years
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| - | <br>Female = 81.36 years
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ====Total fertility rate====
| + | |
| - | 2.72 children born/woman
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ====HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate====
| + | |
| - | 4.9%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ====Nationality====
| + | |
| - | Noun: South African(s)
| + | |
| - | <br>Adjective: South African
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ====Ethnic groups====
| + | |
| - | Black African = 68.04%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 15.7%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 9%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 7.26%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | =====By province=====
| + | |
| - | ======Botswana======
| + | |
| - | Black African = 89.7%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 6.4%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 1.8%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 2.1%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ======Cape Province======
| + | |
| - | Black African = 64.1%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 16.4%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 14.8%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 4.7%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ======Lesotho======
| + | |
| - | Black African = 89.4%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 6.1%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 3.2%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 1.3%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ======Natal======
| + | |
| - | Black African = 57.3%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 13.2%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 9.9%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 19.6%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ======Orange Free State======
| + | |
| - | Black African = 69.5%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 24.2%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 3.4%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 2.9%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ======Rhodesia======
| + | |
| - | Black African = 76%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 14.1%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 8.4%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 3.3%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ======South-West Africa======
| + | |
| - | Black African = 62.7%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 29%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 7.1%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 1.2%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ======Swaziland======
| + | |
| - | Black African = 83%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 5.5%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 5.2%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 6.7%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ======Transvaal======
| + | |
| - | Black African = 71.7%
| + | |
| - | <br>White = 15.3%
| + | |
| - | <br>Mixed race = 7.6%
| + | |
| - | <br>Asian = 5.4%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ====Religions====
| + | |
| - | Roman Catholic = 6.9%
| + | |
| - | <br>Pentecostal/Charismatic = 6.67%
| + | |
| - | <br>Methodist = 5.53%
| + | |
| - | <br>Dutch Reformed = 5.45%
| + | |
| - | <br>Jewish = 4.24%
| + | |
| - | <br>Anglican = 3%
| + | |
| - | <br>Lutheran = 1.2%
| + | |
| - | <br>Other Christian = 27.8%
| + | |
| - | <br>Syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) = 15%
| + | |
| - | <br>Indigenous beliefs = 7.36%
| + | |
| - | <br>Muslim = 3.38%
| + | |
| - | <br>Hinduism = 0.9%
| + | |
| - | <br>Other = 0.63%
| + | |
| - | <br>Not specified = 1.64%
| + | |
| - | <br>None = 10.3%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ====Languages====
| + | |
| - | =====Official=====
| + | |
| - | Afrikaans (official in Cape Province, Orange Free State, Natal, Transvaal, and South-West Africa)
| + | |
| - | <br>English (official nation-wide)
| + | |
| - | <br>German (official in South-West Africa)
| + | |
| - | <br>Herero (official in South-West Africa)
| + | |
| - | <br>Nama (official in South-West Africa)
| + | |
| - | <br>Northern Ndebele (official in Rhodesia)
| + | |
| - | <br>Northern Sotho (official in Transvaal)
| + | |
| - | <br>Oshivambo (official in South-West Africa)
| + | |
| - | <br>Shona (official in Rhodesia)
| + | |
| - | <br>Sotho (official in Lesotho)
| + | |
| - | <br>Southern Ndebele (official in Transvaal)
| + | |
| - | <br>Swati (official in Swaziland)
| + | |
| - | <br>Tsonga (official in Transvaal)
| + | |
| - | <br>Tswana (official in Botswana)
| + | |
| - | <br>Venda (official in Transvaal)
| + | |
| - | <br>Xhosa (official in Cape Province)
| + | |
| - | <br>Zulu (official in Natal)
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | =====Other languages=====
| + | |
| - | Arabic (many South African Muslims can speak at least rudimentary Arabic)
| + | |
| - | <br>Cantonese (spoken by Chinese expatriates)
| + | |
| - | <br>Dutch (spoken by many Afrikaners)
| + | |
| - | <br>Greek (spoken by the country's sizeable Greek minority)
| + | |
| - | <br>Hebrew (more than 80% of South African Jews understand it)
| + | |
| - | <br>Hindi (one of the most commonly spoken languages of the Asian minority)
| + | |
| - | <br>Japanese (there are more than 150,000 Japanese expatriates living and working in South Africa)
| + | |
| - | <br>Kiswahili (taught in many schools)
| + | |
| - | <br>Latvian (spoken by a sizeable portion of the Jewish population, many of whom are of Eastern European descent)
| + | |
| - | <br>Lithuanian (spoken by a sizeable portion of the Jewish population, many of whom are of Eastern European descent)
| + | |
| - | <br>Mandarin (spoken by the Chinese minority and by Chinese expatriates; taught in many universities)
| + | |
| - | <br>Portuguese (spoken by Portuguese who emigrated from Angola, as well as by Angolan refugees)
| + | |
| - | <br>Tamil (with Hindi, one of the most commonly spoken languages of the Asian minority)
| + | |
| - | <br><small>''note:'' In addition, many languages indigenous to Angola are spoken by refugees from those countries.</small>
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ====Literacy rate====
| + | |
| - | Definition: Age 15 and over can read and write
| + | |
| - | <br>Total population: 95.7%
| + | |
| - | <br>Male: 95.8%
| + | |
| - | <br>Female: 95.6%
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ==Culture==
| + | |
| - | 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.
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | South African cuisine is heavily meat-based and has spawned the distinctively South African social gathering known as a ''braai'', or barbecue. South Africa has also developed into a major wine producer, with some of the best vineyards lying in valleys around Stellenbosch, Franschoek, Paarl, and Barrydale.
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | There is great diversity in music from South Africa. 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 flavour. White and Colored South African singers are historically influenced by European musical styles including such western metal bands such as Seether. South Africa has produced world-famous jazz musicians, notably Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, Abdullah Ibrahim, Miriam Makeba, Jonathan Butler, Chris McGregor, and Sathima Bea Benjamin. 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, publicly, and abroad.
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | 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.
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | ===<center>Public holidays</center>===
| + | |
| - | {| border="1" align="center" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
| + | |
| - | |- style="background:#efefef;"
| + | |
| - | ! Date !! Official Name
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | January 1 || nowrap | New Year's Day
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | Friday before Easter Sunday || Good Friday
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | Monday following Easter Sunday || Easter Monday
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | April 6 || Founder's Day
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | 1st Friday in May || Workers' Day
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | 40th day after Easter || Ascension Day
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | May 31 || Republic Day
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | July 10 || Family Day
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | 1st Monday in September || Settlers' Day
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | September 24 || Heritage Day
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | December 25 || Christmas Day
| + | |
| - | |-
| + | |
| - | | December 26 || Day of Goodwill
| + | |
| - | |}
| + | |
| - | | + | |
| - | [[Category:Nations]]
| + | |
| - | [[Category:South Africa| ]]
| + | |
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. 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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