Language: English, Zulu, Afrikaans, Sotho and etc.
Currency: Rand (ZAR)
Calling call: +27
South Africa is the southernmost country in
Africa. It is a large country with a varied landscape, 12 official
languages, and an equally diverse population, often known as the
"Rainbow Nation." If you are looking to travel around Southern
Africa, South Africa is a good place to start. You can fly to any
country in Southern Africa, but most flights go through South
Africa. South Africa is also a good place to familiarize yourself
with travel in the region (although some say Namibia is better). Of
course, South Africa is not just a starting point, but a wonderful
destination in its own right, rich in culture, flora, fauna, and
history.
Contrary to what some outsiders believe, South
Africa does not have a devastatingly poor and unstable government.
Some parts of South Africa remain among the poorest and least
developed regions of the world, and while poverty in some areas of
the townships is appalling and squatter camps can expand overnight,
progress is being made. The process of recovery from apartheid,
which lasted about 46 years, has been rather slow. In fact, the UN
Human Development Index for South Africa, which had been improving
gradually at the end of apartheid, has declined dramatically since
1996. The main cause of this decline is the AIDS epidemic, but it is
also due to bad policies and waste of state resources that have led
to rising poverty rates and a widening gap between the rich and the
poor. South Africa boasts a well-developed state and privately owned
infrastructure, keeping all modern equipment and technology up to
date. Quality standards in construction, roads, technology,
commodity manufacturing, health care, hospitals, telecommunications,
IT, aviation, banking, securities, investment, beverage, and food
chains are among the highest in the world. The government is stable,
but corruption is widespread in certain areas, such as obtaining
driver's licenses and academic certificates, fees collected by
immigration officers at land border posts, stamping of passports,
Interior Ministry officials handling visas and permits, traffic
enforcement officials trying their luck, and the takeover of
criminal organizations. Large corporations bribe government
officials to fraudulently push through paperwork or grant special
privileges. The government and major political parties generally
have a high level of respect for democratic institutions and human
rights, the press is free and uncensored, and the judicial system
and constitutional courts are fully independent.
South Africa
maintains the strongest and most diversified economy in Africa,
despite facing structural governance problems, and is the only
African country that is a member of the G20, an elite group of major
economies.
Blyde River Canyon is a massive geological formation in a Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. With a length of 15 mi (24 km) and a depth of 2,640 ft (800 m) Blyde River Canyon is second only to the Grand Canyon in the USA.
Cango Caves are underground tunnels with a total length of 3.3 mi (5.3 km), although only one forth are actually open to the public.
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is a protected area located 280 km North of Durban in South Africa. It covers an area of 385 sq mi (960 km²).
Tugela Falls is a second largest waterfall in the World after Angel Falls in Venezuela. The best time to visit this magnificent natural wonder is between June and September.
Kruger National Park is a protected area in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces in the North- east corner of South Africa.
Due to the fact that South Africa has 11 official languages (the
third country in terms of the number of official languages after India
and Bolivia), South Africa has 11 official names:
Republiek van
Suid-Afrika (Afrikaans),
Republic of South Africa (English),
IRiphabliki yeSewula Afrika (Southern Ndebele),
IRiphabliki
yaseMzantsi Afrika (scythe),
IRiphabliki yaseNingizimu Afrika (Zulu),
Rephaboliki ya Afrika-Borwa (Northern Sotho),
Rephaboliki ya Afrika
Borwa (Sesotho),
Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa (Tswana),
IRiphabhulihi yeNingizimu Afrika (Swazi),
Riphabuḽiki ya Afurika
Tshipembe (Venda),
Riphabliki ra Afrika Dzonga (tsonga).
Despite such a wide range, some South Africans avoid the use of official
names, preferring to call the country Azania - these are mostly Negroids
who seek to distance themselves from the European colonial heritage.
Iscamto Creole (formerly known as Tzotzital, literally “thieves'
language”), widely spoken among black urban youth in the townships
(large towns with black population) of Gauteng province in the east of
the country (mainly in Soweto), has no official recognition and is
banned school. However, young people often speak Tzotsital better than
their own ethnic languages. From this language comes the name of the
title character of Tsotsi, a South African film that won the 2005
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit South Africa each year for its natural and cultural attractions. From wild elephants to stunning landscapes, cave murals, colonial heritage, and bustling townships, South Africa is an enchanting country of contradictions and great beauty. South Africa's natural landscapes and cultural experiences, besides those operated by private companies, are offered by state-developed entities such as the various Provincial Parks Commissions and National Nature Reserves. There are also government-owned resorts that are less well known to outsiders but operate primarily under the Forever Resorts brand. There are more than 20 of these resorts throughout the country. These resorts offer a variety of activities for small and large groups. Activities include hot springs, leisure activities, kids' activities, hiking, camping, mountain biking, and guided wildlife viewing. Accommodations available at these resorts are reasonably priced except during school holidays and long weekends, and you can choose from 3- or 4-star hotels, bungalows, cottages, thatched rondavels, caravan parks, and campgrounds. The resort is fully equipped with all amenities and you are free to go to the restaurant or cook your own meals. Get your own groceries such as wine, beer, whiskey, soft drinks, meat, butter, cheese, and coffee, as it is considerably more expensive to buy them inside than in the supermarkets outside.
South Africa is one of the most popular safari destinations in the world, and seeing the "Big Five" and other wildlife is a must for many visitors. Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga Province is certainly a prime example, but Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape is also a popular spot. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with its vast arid plains, is home to a herd of migratory gnus that covers parts of both South Africa and Botswana. Along the border with Mozambique, another transfrontier park, the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, offers a completely different landscape and fauna. For scuba divers, South Africa's underwater wildlife has much to offer, and the annual sardine run is a highlight. The popular seaside town of Hermanus is probably the best place in the world for whale watching, and for the truly adventurous, there is the chance to cage dive with great white sharks.
South Africa's landscape is spectacular and diverse, ranging from flat desert scrub to lush coastal areas and high peaks. The view from the famous flat-topped Table Mountain is the quintessential African experience. The Cape Town region also attracts thousands of sunbathers with its beautiful beaches. The green coastal Garden Route offers a wonderful nature experience, passing through countless lagoons, several interesting towns, and the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. Augrabies Falls National Park has a 60-meter-high waterfall. Near Kruger Park is God's Window and Bryde River Canyon, the largest green canyon in the world, and not far from there are the high peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains. The Ukharamba Drakensberg Park is one of the country's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites because of its exceptional natural beauty and the many cave murals found there. In Namaqualand, the spring season is a spectacular sight, as countless colorful flowers bloom from the arid, monochromatic landscape. And in the Kalahari Desert, stubborn endemic species thrive in spite of the harsh environment.
Numerous and oldest hominid fossils have been discovered in South Africa, especially in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Important fossils have been found in more than 30 different caves, but Sterkfontein's cave is probably the most important cave in the region. Much more recently, the 17th century Castle of Good Hope in beautiful Cape Town is one of the cultural treasures of the colonial period. Robben Island, famous for the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, has become a major tourist attraction. To learn more about the apartheid era, visit the District Six Museum in Cape Town or the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.
Although regularly criticized, visits to the infamous townships are
becoming increasingly popular. Some say such trips turn poverty into
entertainment, while others believe they benefit all involved. Either
way, a township tour is an unforgettable experience.
Cango Caves near
Oudtshoorn is a vast and complex cave system in the Swartberg Mountains
that contains many unique natural limestone formations. Management
belongs to the Western Cape Parks Administration and is open to
tourists. The shorter "Standard Tour" is open to all and takes about one
hour, while the "Adventure Tour" lasts from four to six hours and
requires a high level of stamina to reach the various chambers, which
stretch for four kilometers and require crawling on one's belly through
tight spaces and nooks and crannies, so only experienced speleologists
can participate. Only experienced cavers are allowed to participate.
Soweto in Johannesburg is particularly famous.
South Africa has
become world famous for its wine, and if you are interested, a visit to
one of the more than 800 wineries in the country will be a memorable
part of your trip. The Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch has several
wineries to recommend.
Rand Airport in Germiston, near Johannesburg,
is a regional airport used primarily by private pilots, small air
service providers, and flight schools. The airport also has some
well-maintained vintage aircraft, such as a privately owned World War
II-era "Harvard Squadron," which is actively flown on weekends.
Helicopter sightseeing and nostalgic air tours are also available,
especially in "Dakota DC3" and "Tiger Moth" biplanes.
South Africa is
a republic run by democracy, but it is also possible to visit dozens of
non-sovereign kingdoms ruled by traditional rulers.
The Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, near Johannesburg, and the
provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape offer spectacular balloon
safaris in hot air balloons. Booking arrangements can be made through
various operators easily found online.
Diving: See Diving in South
Africa for more information.
River Rafting: The Orange River on the
border with Namibia is a popular spot for rafting tours. Four- to
six-day trips are available from Vioolsdrif, where you can also camp
under the stars.
Hiking and mountaineering are very popular in the
highlands of KwaZulu-Natal and certain areas of the Eastern and Western
Cape. Advance booking may be essential to secure a place, as some
environmentally sensitive places can only be visited by a limited number
of people per year.
Rugby union, cricket, and soccer are all popular
spectator sports, traditionally associated with Afrikaner, Anglo-South
African, and black South African culture, respectively, but have changed
since the fall of apartheid, and the Springboks (the national rugby
union team) has a large black fan base, at least since the 1995 World
Cup held in South Africa, when Nelson Mandela (then president) attended
wearing a Springbok jersey and South Africa won the tournament.In 2019,
South Africa will win the Rugby World Cup for the third time and and
this time with a multi-racial team and a black captain.
Friends of
the Rail is based in Pretoria. This non-profit preservation society
looks after steam locomotives and period rolling stock. Steam train
excursions are organized on a regular basis, leaving Pretoria's
Hermanstad Station in the morning and arriving in Cullinan for lunch and
a picnic before returning to the base in the afternoon.
The
Magaliesburg Steam Train is another vintage steam train trip operated by
South African Railways (Transnet). Once or twice a month, the train
departs from Johannesburg's Main Park station in the morning for a
day-long tour of the nearby Magaliesburg Mountains. Packed lunches or
picnic baskets are required.
War Sites: Many of the Zulu-Indigenous,
Boer-Indigenous, Zulu-British, and Boer-British war sites are well
documented, easily accessible, and well worth visiting. Located
primarily in KwaZulu-Natal, the War Museum in Johannesburg provides maps
and literature to help plan a tour of where to go.
Auto Tours:
Because of the country's large size and well-developed national road
network, driving is a practical and fulfilling way to tour the country.
The natural beauty of areas such as the Golden Gate, God's Window, the
Garden Route, the Wild Coast, and St. Lucia and Cape Vidal offer a
variety of impressions that cannot be experienced any other way by the
laid-back vacationer who is indifferent to interacting with the locals
or staying at a farmhouse. The Gauteng motor race is the most popular
motor racing event in Gauteng.
Motor racing in Gauteng takes place
regularly, and the raceway facilities in Kyalami and Swartkops, in
particular, are the main stage for all kinds of prestigious national and
regional two- and four-wheeled competitions.
Currency is the rand, symbol "R" (ISO code: ZAR), divided into 100
cents (C). Banknotes have denominations of R200, R100, R50, R20, and
R10. High denomination bills are slightly larger in physical size than
small denomination bills. All banknotes have a metal security strip and
watermark. 2012 saw the introduction of a new series of banknotes, and
both the old and new series are in circulation as legal tender.
Coins are in denominations of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, and 5c. 2-cent
and 1-cent coins were discontinued in 2002, but those still in
circulation are legal tender. all transactions are rounded down to the
nearest 5c so that 2c and 1c coins need not be used. There are two types
of R5 coins in circulation: one is silver and the other is silver with a
copper insert. Both are legal tender.
South Africa is part of the
Common Monetary Area of Southern Africa, and the rand is also accepted
in Namibia (where it is the official currency along with the Namibian
dollar), Lesotho, and Eswatini (where it is not official but widely
accepted). Each country's currency is tied to the rand at a 1:1 rate.
Traveler's checks are a safe way to carry money. They can be
exchanged at all banks (even local banks nationwide) and are refundable
if stolen. The disadvantages are that you cannot pay in checks and you
will need coins to exchange into rand. Use ATMs when possible.
Cash machines (ATMs) connected to major international networks are
available throughout the country, usually in a mix of denominations
ranging from R200 to R10, with about 80% of the amount requested in
higher denominations and the rest in smaller denominations. ATMs accept
Cirrus and Maestro cards, major credit and debit Cirrus and Maestro
cards, major credit cards, and debit cards are accepted at ATMs. South
African bank ATMs charge fees in addition to those charged by individual
financial institutions. For example, as of March 2023, Nedbank charges
R50 and ABSA charges R75.
It is best to use ATMs located in malls
or buildings. Always make sure that no one is watching you enter your
PIN, and be wary of scams (e.g., machines that eat your card and do not
give it back to you after you enter your PIN). when withdrawing money
from an ATM, do not accept help from strangers. If you are approached
and offered unwanted help, cancel the transaction immediately and go to
another ATM.
The cash registers at some major retailers (e.g.,
Pick 'n Pay) also serve as ATMs. Transaction costs will be lower than
ATMs.
Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere.
American Express and Diners Club are also accepted, but not as widely.
Most retailers accept credit cards and PIN-based debit cards. South
Africa is moving to a chip-and-PIN credit card system similar to Europe.
Therefore, credit card users from countries that have adopted this
system (such as the U.S.) should have no problem using their credit
cards in South Africa as long as they notify their banks in advance of
their travel plans.
VAT (value-added tax) is levied at 15% on
almost all products in South Africa. All basic foodstuffs such as bread
(a rectangular loaf), uncooked meat, fresh milk, and unprocessed fruits
and vegetables are exempt from the tax, as the government has stipulated
by law. By law, advertised prices include VAT. Foreign passport holders
may claim a refund of VAT only on material products purchased in South
Africa and taken out of the country, provided the total value of the
goods exceeds R250, but this does not apply to accommodation, food, car
rental, etc. For more information on the procedure, please refer to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Tax Refund for tourists website. VAT Refund
Administrator offices are located at both Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo) and
Cape Town International Airports. Refunds will be credited to your
Travelex VISA card in U.S. dollars or euros. This card can only be used
outside of South Africa.
South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa. The length of
the coastline of the country is 2798 km. South Africa has an area of
1'221'038 km² and ranks 24th in the world according to this indicator.
The highest point in South Africa is Mount Njesuti in the Dragon
Mountains.
South Africa has a variety of climatic zones, from the
dry Namib Desert to the subtropics in the east near the border with
Mozambique and the coast of the Indian Ocean. To the east, the terrain
rises rapidly, forming the Drakensberg Mountains and merging into a
large inland plateau called the veld.
On the east coast to 30 °
S. sh. savannah and gallery forests along the rivers predominate, to the
south - subtropical forests and shrubs. The interior is occupied by the
deserted Kalahari savannah, semi-deserts and Karoo deserts.
From
animals there are golden moles, aardvarks, jumping antelope, brown
hyena. Elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, lions, ostriches are more
rare.
The tip of the African continent has been inhabited
for thousands of years by the Khoikhoi (the generic name for the
Hottentot (pejorative)), Bushmen (San), and Bantu peoples. Khoi San, or
according to the modern Koehoegowab orthography, Khoisaan (pronounced
[kxʰoesaː]), is an artificial generic name for the so-called "non-Bantu"
indigenous peoples of southern Africa, a combination of Koehoen
(formerly "Khoikhoi") and Saan or Saakhoen (Kitchen Dutch: Boesman,
English. Bushman), which is a combination of the two. Rock paintings
that are thought to belong to the Khoisan tribe can still be seen
throughout South Africa. It is believed that Bantu tribes began to
gradually expand into what is now the northernmost region of South
Africa more than 2,500 years ago, and the various cultural groups as we
know them today were established in the north, east, east-central, and
southeast regions of South Africa. The western desert and semi-desert
areas of the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape provinces
remained unexplored by the Bantu people because of the arid climate,
limited seasonal rainfall, sparse vegetation, and lack of natural
resources and water to sustain large movements of people and cattle
herds.
Nguni cattle were the primary livestock raised by the
Bantu and served many cultural and economic functions within the tribal
society, while more and more Bantu settled in the lush, fertile areas.
Cattle are still a symbol of status today, serving as rudimentary
currency and as the basic unit of exchange with a mutually agreeable
value between bartering parties, and fulfilling the function of money.
The regions of the Karoo, Cape Peninsula, Kalahari, Namaqua,
Gracoua, and Bushmen gradually became the territory of the South African
"Khoisan". In these mostly arid areas, it is believed that the
"Khoisan," already semi-nomadic, did not settle because of the
conditions of the desert during the winter months, when they had to
search for prey and dwindling water sources. Permanent settlements were
not established in these areas until the Boer "Voortrekker," seeking to
avoid conflict with the Bantu (see next section), entered these areas
and established boreholes and containment ponds.
In the
southeast, the Zulu Kingdom grew into a powerful kingdom under King
Shaka, who ruled from 1816 to 1828.
Today, with more reliable
water sources and modern water use practices, agricultural activities
are largely limited to sheep and ostrich ranching.
Portuguese explorer Bartolomeo Dias is credited with being the first European to pass the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. Ten years later, Vasco da Gama made the first voyage to India, but Portugal ignored the Cape of Good Hope as a staging post. in the late 1700s, Boers (settler farmers) began a gradual expansion along the coastline, first to the west and then inland. in 1795, the Napoleonic Wars against the Dutch In 1835, a large group of Boers, known as the "Voortrekkers" (pioneers), dissatisfied with British rule, moved northward into the interior. They set out on a "Grootwerk" (Great Migration) northward into the interior, dissatisfied with British rule. In the interior, they established their own internationally recognized Oranje Free State and Transvaal Republic. Meanwhile, Britain defeated the Zulu Kingdom in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, establishing colonial rule over the Zulu people.
After large discoveries of diamonds in the Kimberley
and gold in the Transvaal, two wars for control of the region were
orchestrated by British investors, and in 1880 and 1899 conflicts broke
out between the Boer Republic and Britain to wrest control of the
mineral resources from the hands of the "Boers". After the discovery of
gold in 1886 and the influx of British settlers into the area around
Johannesburg known as the "Witwatersrand" (White Water Cliffs), a second
war broke out. The Second Boer War (Afrikaans: Die Tweede
Vryheidsoorlog, "Second War of Independence") was particularly brutal,
with the British administration imprisoning Boer civilians in
concentration camps and causing one of the oldest recorded massacres.
The scorched-earth policy of victory at any cost also led to the
destruction of most Boer farms, livestock, crops, and homes. Ironically,
the war was filmed for the first time on film, resulting in a growing
public outcry in Britain against the inhumane treatment of British
prisoners of war in the camps.
After peace was restored in 1902
with the Treaty of Vereeniging, the Union of South Africa was formed in
1910, uniting the various Boer republics and British colonies into a
unified nation as part of the British Commonwealth, contributing
significantly to World War I, World War II and the Korean War by
providing raw materials, weapons production and soldiers In 1961, South
Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth with the establishment of the
Republic of South Africa under the apartheid regime. Non-Europeans were
largely excluded from these political changes, as they received
sovereign land to live under autonomy according to their own tribal
legal systems and hierarchical political forms.
In 1948, the
National Party came to power. The National Party introduced a number of
apartheid laws that gave the various tribes within South Africa a
sovereign "homeland" that was independent as a nation/tribe. The laws
also implemented an institutionalized, or systematized, system of racial
segregation and discrimination, ensuring the continuation of white
minority rule over the black majority and Indian, colored, and other
minority groups. This move was welcomed by the majority of the various
tribal kings and chiefs, as most tribes sought autonomy. Soon, however,
apartheid became practically synonymous with racism and oppression, and
millions of nonwhites were forced from their homes under housing
policies that enforced racial segregation. The African National Congress
(ANC) was banned and forced into exile for conducting and attempting
terrorist activities. Other political parties deemed "dangerous" and
"subversive" were also banned by the South African government during
this period, and free-thinking individuals and unaffiliated
anti-apartheid activists of all races were harassed, expelled,
imprisoned, and murdered. Meanwhile, the sophistication of the apartheid
system became insidious and highly efficient. When victims won small
legal battles in court, the regime used its parliamentary majority to
pass new laws, closing loopholes in the law and creating a vicious cycle
in which the judiciary moved the goalposts to suit its own purposes,
thus tying the hands of sympathetic officials and judges in an attempt
to keep everything "legal" and They tried to keep it all "legal. South
Africa, seeking to continue apartheid, used the Cold War and the crisis
of communism as a pretext to circumvent UN sanctions, violently suppress
civil disobedience in and outside the former German colony of "South
West Africa" (Namibia), invade Angola, support the Rhodesian anti-die,
and support postcolonial Mozambique and Supported anti-government armed
uprisings in Angola. Despite the fact that the Republic experienced
rapid infrastructure development and strong economic growth until the
late 1980s, rebellion against apartheid laws led to frequent uprisings
in the country. During this period, the international community
tightened political pressure mechanisms and trade embargoes against
South Africa and banned South African athletes from participating in the
Olympics and most other international sporting events.
By the
late 1980s, many white citizens began to realize that change was
inevitable, as international sanctions and internal strife began to take
a serious toll on South Africa. Thus, moderates within the security
services, the military, and the National Party, following the lead of
white liberals, began quietly contacting ANC leaders to negotiate ways
to dismantle apartheid.
Political violence worsened in the early 1990s.
Extremists of all stripes attempted to derail peace talks between the
ANC and the DPP in order to prioritize their own vision for South
Africa's future. 1992 saw a referendum on the abolition of apartheid, in
which 73% of white voters cast their ballots. This was followed by a new
constitution in 1993 and the first truly inclusive democratic elections
in April 1994, in which all South Africans, regardless of ethnic or
cultural background, were allowed to vote. Former political prisoner
Nelson Mandela became the country's first democratically elected
president; the ANC won a 63% majority and established a government of
national unity with the National Party.
Despite high hopes for
Nelson Mandela's "Rainbow Nation" after the end of apartheid, South
Africa's economy began to deteriorate after Mandela stepped down in 1999
and Thabo Mbeki took over. Mbeki's controversy raised questions about
the causal relationship between HIV and AIDS, and he believed that AIDS
was caused by poverty. Mbeki banned antiretroviral drugs from South
African hospitals, leading to countless premature deaths of HIV-positive
patients. Mbeki was forced to resign in September 2008 and was
eventually succeeded by Jacob Zuma in May 2009. Because Zuma grew up in
poverty and had never received a formal education, the masses of poor
black South Africans initially hoped that Zuma would be able to
empathize with them and implement policies that would alleviate poverty.
However, Zuma's tenure was plagued by a massive corruption scandal that
forced him to resign in February 2018. Cyril Ramaphosa, who succeeded
Zuma, promised to fight corruption, revitalize the economy, and close
the massive wealth gap, but it remains to be seen whether his policies
will succeed.
While an elite upper class of blacks has been
formed as a result of affirmative action policies, much of the black
population remains impoverished without access to proper sanitation and
good schools. This has caused great racial tension, and some extremists
in the black community have proposed taking property from the white
community and redistributing it to blacks as reparation for the
atrocities committed under colonialism and apartheid. On the other hand,
many whites on the right accuse the black majority of mismanaging the
country after power was transferred to them. Indian and colored
communities, who suffered discrimination under apartheid, also harbor
some resentment that they were not subjected to affirmative action
policies, although not to the same extent as the black community.
Similarly, the Khoisan have largely been left out of post-apartheid
affirmative action policies, even though they were settled long before
Bantu blacks arrived in South Africa.
Modern South Africans are very diverse, with many different ethnic groups making up the population numbers. Nevertheless, in addition to the Hossa, Venda, Shangane, Sotho, and others, the Zulu constitute the largest group, accounting for about 20% of the total population. The Afrikaners, who are descendants of Dutch settlers and constitute the majority of the white community, and the Anglo-South Africans, who are descendants of British settlers. South Africa also has the largest Jewish community in Africa, mostly Lithuanian Ashkenazi Jews. Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, Malawians, Middle Easterners, Indians, Malays, Chinese, Portuguese, Greeks, British, Italians, and many others of mixed descent have contributed to the true rainbow nation. The presence and persistence of the ancient "Khoikhoi" and "San" peoples in Southern Africa, their culture, language, and traditions provide a glimpse into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for over 10,000 years. Most people, regardless of background, color, or creed, are friendly, helpful, and a little curious about visitors.
South Africa's immigration law provides for a special temporary residence permit system that can be upgraded to permanent residence after a number of years, allowing older or retired foreigners in good health, legally earning a certain level of steady income or pension, and in possession of a certificate of no criminal record, to settle in retirement and purchase property in the local area. They are allowed to do so. Such an opportunity is attractive to Northerners seeking a sunny, warm climate in a country that is both very cosmopolitan and very much alive with African traditions, in roughly the same time zone as their country of origin, but with a much lower cost of living given favorable exchange rates This may be the case. Such residence permit holders are legally treated like all South African citizens and are therefore subject to all laws and regulations governing South Africa.
The names of many South African neighborhoods, cities, streets, and buildings were changed after the end of apartheid, and some of these names are still being changed today. These changes can be confusing, as many of the new names are not yet well known. In this travel guide, the official new names will be used, but references to the previous names will be made whenever possible.
The South African legal system absorbed at once elements of the three legal families distinguished today: Roman-Germanic law, Anglo-Saxon law, and traditional law. In general, Roman-Germanic law prevails in modern South Africa, with the rule of law for all legal decisions and a clear division between private and public law. The country has a constitution adopted in 1996. This constitution protects and guarantees all internationally recognized human rights. However, South African law has not always been humane and tolerant. Over the years, discrimination against blacks, known as "apartheid," has been reinforced in these laws. The collapse of the political basis of apartheid, followed by a long legal overhaul in the 1990s, resulted in a complete overhaul of South Africa's legal system, eliminating all discrimination on the basis of race; the Constitutional Court was established in 1994; the Constitutional Court was established in 1997; and the Constitutional Court was established in 1998.
South Africa is one of the few countries in which a British-style criminal code is in operation. It is not codified. The judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the High Court, and the Magistrates' Courts. The Supreme Court of Appeal is South Africa's main court for criminal matters. The Court is located in Bloemfontein, the "judicial capital" of South Africa. Under the apartheid regime, there was an independent local court for the black population ("Chiefs' Court"), whose judges were also predominantly black. In the general judiciary, on the other hand, the majority of judges were white. Particularly cruel punishments, including the death penalty, were available for those who opposed the political system. They were also allowed to be detained for five days without trial or investigation. After the fall of apartheid, many norms were amended: the Internal Security Act was repealed in 1994, the death penalty was abolished in 1995, and the legal flogging penalty was abolished in 1997; in the 1990s, following changes in the legal system, same-sex marriage was legalized, making the country the only African country with same-sex marriage.
Zionist Church (10%), Pentecostal (7.5%), Catholic
(6.5%), Methodist (6.8%), Dutch Reformed (6.7%), Anglican (3.8%), Other
Christians (36%), Atheists (15%) (5%), Catholics (6.5%), Methodists
(6.8%), Dutch Reformed (6.7%), Anglicans (3.8%), other Christians (36%),
atheists (15.1%), Muslims (1.3%), followers of other religions (2.3%),
and undecided (1.4%) (2001 data). South Africa has approximately 35,000
adherents in the Alexandrian Orthodox Metropolis of Johannesburg,
Pretoria, and Cape Town.
Standard of Living
The average income
of the population is approaching the lower end of the global average
income range. In general, however, the economic situation of the society
is extremely precarious. The apartheid regime that reigned here for a
long time and the previous colonial rule are reflected in the social and
property hierarchy of the society. About 15% of the population lives in
the best conditions, while about 50% (mostly black) live in relatively
poor conditions. Not all residents have access to electricity or running
water, and in many settlements, poor sanitary conditions are the cause
of a wide range of diseases. These stark contrasts lead to tension in
the social environment. South Africa has a very high crime rate. It is
mainly found in poor areas. Life expectancy is 49 years (2012), but has
increased significantly since 2000, when it was 43 years.
South
Africa's unemployment rate is 40%. One-third of the workforce earns less
than $2 a day. The level of education ranks 143rd out of 144 countries.
The crime rate is the highest in the world. There are more than 30
murders per 100,000 people per year.
South Africa is the most developed republic on the
African continent; its GDP in 2015 was $313 billion according to the IMF
(33rd in the world) and $350 billion according to the WB (32nd in the
world) GDP growth rate was 5%, compared to 3% in 2008. Despite its
aggressive market expansion, the country has yet to join the ranks of
the world's developed countries: in 2015, it ranked 30th in the world
according to the IMF ($724 billion) and 29th according to the World Bank
($704 billion) in terms of purchasing power parity. The country has
enormous reserves of natural resources. The telecommunications, power
industry, and financial sectors are widely developed.As of the first
quarter of 2019, South Africa had the highest average wage of any
African country at R20855 (€1,324), tied with Taiwan (NT$47868, about
€1368). South Africa did not have a minimum wage; in November 2018, the
South African President signed the Minimum Wage Act; from January 1,
2019, the wage is R20 ($1.46) per hour or R3500 ($256.86) per month. For
agricultural workers, it is R18 ($1.32) per hour; for domestic workers,
it is R15 ($1.10) per hour. effective March 1, 2022, the minimum wage in
South Africa is R23.19 ($1.59) per hour, R185.52 ($12.72) per day, and
R4000 ($274.19) per month. ($274.19), while the wage for workers
employed under the "expanded public works program" is R$12.75 ($0.87)
per hour.
Currency South African rand, 100 cents. Coins are 1, 2,
5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and 1, 2, and 5 rand; bills are 10, 20, 50, 100,
and 200 rand.
Major imports: petroleum, foodstuffs, and chemical
products. Major exports: diamonds, gold, platinum, machinery,
automobiles, and equipment. Imports ($91 billion in 2008) exceed exports
($86 billion in 2008).
After establishing diplomatic relations
with China (January 1, 1998), trade with China increased from $3 billion
in 1998 to $60 billion in 2012.
Ranked 39th in Forbes magazine's
"Easiest Countries to Do Business" list.
It is also a member of
an international organization of ACT countries.
Of South Africa's population of 54.9 million, only 18
million (not exact) are able to work. Unemployment is 23% (2008).
65% of the labor force is employed in services, 26% in industry, and
9% in agriculture (2008).
Resource Development Industry
South Africa's
accelerated development owes much to its abundant natural resources.
Approximately 52% of exports come from the mining industry. Manganese,
platinum group metals (Bushveld Complex), gold, chromite, tungsten,
aluminogrades, vanadium, and zirconium are widely mined. Coal mining is
highly developed, and South Africa is the third largest user of coal for
power generation in the world (due to the scarcity of oil, about 80% of
South Africa's total electricity generation comes from coal burning). In
addition, the country has concentrated reserves of diamonds, asbestos,
nickel, lead, uranium, and other important minerals.
Agriculture
Since most of the country has an arid climate, only 15% of the land is
suitable for agriculture. However, unlike many other African countries
where soil erosion occurs, this 15% is used wisely. The results of
advanced agricultural technologies in South Africa and other major
countries around the world are being used for soil protection and
efficient agriculture. This has led to a surprising result: South Africa
is able to fully meet its domestic food needs and is also one of the
major (and by some parameters, the leading) suppliers of agricultural
products.
Winemaking
South Africa has three zones suitable for
winemaking. The northwest (Northern Cape) and the east coast
(KwaZulu-Natal) are not considered the best wine-growing regions due to
their very hot and dry climate. However, the southwestern part of South
Africa (Western Cape) has an excellent climate for winemaking.
Livestock Production
Meat and dairy production is concentrated in the
northern and eastern parts of the Free State, the interior of Horten,
and the southern part of Mpumalanga. Meat breeds are common in the
Northern and Eastern Cape. There are sheep ranches in the arid areas of
the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, and Mpumalanga provinces.
Astrakhan sheep skins are supplied to the world market.
Goats are
raised in large numbers, mainly Angora (75%), whose hair is highly
valued in Europe and the United States (up to 50% of the world's mohair
production is produced in South Africa). The other most common breed is
the Boer goat, which is raised for meat. In goat shearing (92,000 tons
per year), South Africa ranks fourth in the world.
Compared to
the mainly large subsectors such as cattle and sheep farming, poultry
and pig farming are more intensive and widespread on farms near the
major cities of Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Cape
Town, and Port Elizabeth.
In recent years, ostrich breeding has
become popular, especially in the Free State. Exports from South Africa
of meat, skins, and feathers of this bird are gradually increasing.
Fisheries
In terms of catch (about 1 million tons per year),
South Africa is one of the leading countries in Africa. The main species
caught are sardines, herring, hake, anchovies, sea bass, mackerel, cod,
Cape salmon, mackerel, and monkfish. In addition, shrimp, lobster, tuna,
lobster, oysters, octopus, sharks, which are in demand in Southeast
Asia, and Cape seals are also caught. Fishing takes place mainly in the
200 nautical mile wide fishing zone off the west coast of South Africa,
washed by the Benguela Current. About 40% of the catch comes from
freshwater fish caught in the Elands and Limpopo rivers, and from
breeding in artificial reservoirs.
Forestry
The southern part
of KwaZulu-Natal is the main area. Natural forests cover 180,000
hectares, or 0.14% of the country's land area. Most of the commercial
timber comes from plantations, which cover only 1% of South Africa's
land area. About half of the forest "plantations" are planted with pine,
40% with eucalyptus, and 10% with mimosa. Yellow, ebony, Cape laurel,
aceguai, and camassia are also grown. This is in contrast to the 80 to
100 years it takes in the northern hemisphere. The amount of timber on
the market is 17 million m³ per year. More than 240 wood and timber
industry companies operate in South Africa.
Agriculture accounts
for 35-40% of total exports, which is equivalent to 5% of South Africa's
GDP.
Tourism
In 2010, 8.1 million tourists visited South
Africa and the tourism industry generated more than $8.7 billion.
International Trade
South Africa's foreign trade is very diverse,
with no one country controlling more than 15% of the African nation's
exports or imports as of 2010.
Major export partners (2010) China
(11.3%), United States (10.1%), Japan (8.9%), Germany (8.2%), United
Kingdom (5.1%), India (4.3%), Netherlands (3.3%), Switzerland (3.2%),
Zimbabwe (2.9%), Mozambique (2.7%).
Major import partners (2010):
China (14.4%), Germany (11.4%), USA (7.2%), Japan (5.3%), Saudi Arabia
(4.1%), Iran (3.9%), UK (3.8%), India (3.6%), France (3.0%), Nigeria
(2.7%).
National Economic Policy
The nation's economic policy
is aimed at economic stability. According to statistics from The
Heritage Foundation, South Africa ranks 57th in the world in terms of
economic freedom. South Africa has a relatively high income tax rate (up
to 40% depending on income level).
The culture of the Republic of South
Africa, due to traditions, is diverse. First of all, it is a combination
of two cultures: traditional and modern.
Traditional culture
Many indigenous peoples contributed to it, such as the Bantu, Bushmen
and Hottentots. The protea flower is the national symbol of South
Africa.
Art
During the colonial period, South African
artists, the most important of whom was Thomas Baines, saw it as their
task to carefully convey the realities of the new world in the context
of European culture in order to convey this information back to the
mother country. Only at the end of the 19th century did artists appear,
primarily Jan Wollshenk, Hugo Naude and the sculptor Anton van Wou,
whose goal was to create a new art based on South African (in this case,
Boer) traditions. In the 1920s, Jacob-Hendrik Pirnef brought modernism
to South African art.
In the 1930s, black artists began to come
to the fore. Gerard Sekoto, who lived in France since 1947, and George
Pemba are considered one of the founders of the genre of black urban
art.
A striking representative of the developing musical rap
culture of South Africa is the group Die Antwoord, who call their style
of music zef.
The most popular sports in South Africa are rugby,
soccer, and cricket. The South African rugby team is one of the
strongest teams in the world, winning the World Cup three times (1995,
2007, and 2019) and ranking high in the world rankings many times. Many
South African rugby players are in the International Hall of Fame. Other
well-developed sports include swimming, athletics, golf, boxing, tennis,
netball, and ring-ball, the national sport.
In 1995, South Africa
hosted the Rugby World Cup, defeating New Zealand in the final.
In 2010, South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup. In 1996, South Africa
hosted the Africa Cup of Nations, and for the first time in its history,
the national team reached the final and won the tournament. In 1998, the
South Africans were runners-up in the Africa Cup of Nations, and in the
21st century, no South African soccer player has reached even the
semi-finals. Some of the most famous soccer players from South Africa
include Dr. Khumalo, Aron Mokoena, Benny McCarthy, Sean Bartlett, and
Lucas Radebe.
At the Olympics, South Africa's national team has
won more than 80 awards, including more than 25 gold medals. The most
prizes were won in athletics, swimming, and boxing. from 1962 to 1990,
South Africa was excluded from the Olympic movement by the IOC following
UN General Assembly Resolution 1761, which condemned apartheid policies,
and no athletes from the country competed in the Olympics. Athletes from
South Africa during this period were also not allowed to compete in
other international competitions.
Gary Player, a golfer
considered one of the greatest in the history of the sport, was ranked
eighth in 2004 in a list of the 100 greatest South Africans in history,
which included cricketers, swimmers, soccer players, and rugby players.
South Africa hosted the world's top pre-war racers from 1934 to
1939, and from 1962 to 1993, the South African Grand Prix was already a
recurring event as part of the Formula 1 World Championship. World-class
races were held at the East London and Kyalami circuits, and in 1979,
South African Jody Scheckter represented the Ferrari team as the first
and only African to win the F1 world championship. In fact, the Brands
Hatch Circuit was the venue for this event, which was part of the
British F1 Championship.
Every year, the country hosts a
multi-day cycling event that attracts top athletes from around the
world.
The South African national ice hockey team participated in
the second and third division tournaments.
Every year since 1921,
the country has hosted the Comrades Ultramarathon. The 90-kilometer-long
route passes through the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Comrades is the
oldest and most extensive track and field ultramarathon race in the
world; in 2009, more than 10,000 South African and international
athletes completed the race. The event is open to both professional and
regular runners; the 2000s were a triumphant era for Russian runners.
Athletes such as Tatiana Zhirkova, Leonid Shvetsov, Oleg Kharitonov,
Elena and Olesya Nurgaliev, and Marina Maishlyanova made the podium.