General Information on South Africa
Overview
The Republic of South Africa is the most Southern country in Africa and occupies the larger part of Africa south of the tropic of Capricorn. South Africa has two capital cities of Cape Town and Pretoria. Other major cities include Johannesburg, Durban and Bloemfontein.
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South Africa has 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu. English is widely spoken throughout South Africa. The currency in South Africa is the Rand broken into 100 cents. The country consists of nine provinces, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, The Eastern Cape, The Free State, The Northern Cape, Limpopo and the Western Cape. |
South Africa has a variety of climates as the country is so large and contains many geographical features. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate, Kwa-Zulu Natal has a sub-tropical climate, Gauteng's central highveld has a temperate climate and in the Karoo region is an arid semi-desert climate. Within the country's borders are the Independent republic of Lesotho and Independent Swaziland.
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In 1994 South Africa gained political independence from the apartheid government and with that, the subsequent normalisation of the country's external relations. South Africa's economy is based largely on the abundant mineral and energy resources found in the country. Mining forms the basis for much of the manufacturing industry, and gold and diamonds dominate the export industry. South Africa is a middle income country with good infrastructure and developed transport, water and electricity networks. Numerous dams have been built on the rivers to provide water for irrigation, industrial and domestic use. There are also developed professional services and one of the largest stock exchanges in the world. |
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Despite being a middle income country, however, the income disparities are amongst the largest in the world. Further economic growth now rests on the government's goals of increasing overall living conditions, cutting unemployment and promoting exports. Through its macro-economic policies, the South African government has shown its commitment to privatisation, free trade and a favourable investment situation. Despite the government's intentions to boost exports through its GEAR policy, the majority of exporting companies exported less in the first quarter of 1999 than in the same period in 1998. Total exports for 1999 had however increased R17bn on the previous year.
Travelling in South Africa
Cape Town and Johannesburg have international airports that serve most cities in South Africa, and most international cities. South African Airways is the national carrier servicing most international countries. Many international airlines fly to South Africa on a regular basis.
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All visitors to South Africa require a valid passport and visa. Passport holders of certain countries are exempt from visa requirements. Enquiries should be directed to South African diplomatic representatives abroad or the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. Visas are issued free of charge. Those who plan to travel to neighbouring countries and return to South Africa should apply for multiple entry visas. Travellers must have valid international health certificates. Travellers from the yellow-fever belt in Africa and the USA, as well as those who travel through or disembark in these areas, must have inoculation certificates. Precautions must be taken when travelling to parts of KwaZulu - Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, as Malaria is endemic to these regions. The most prevalent disease is tuberculosis, and the incident rate is amongst the highest in Africa. AIDS is also a major problem and it is advised to take precautions against contracting this disease. |
Value-added Tax (VAT) can be redeemed at the point of exit from the country provided that the value of the items purchased exceeds R250.
International Trade
The main export commodities include asbestos, atomic fission and fusion, coal, cocoa beans and products, copper, diamonds, ferro-chromium, gold jewellery, mineral products, wine and sugar.
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The main import commodities include chemical products, various petroleum products, plastic products, professional and scientific instruments, synthetic lubricants and timber. Strict exchange controls exist for residents of the Republic and the Reserve Bank, through the authorised dealers, relaxes or tightens its controls as economic conditions change. Foreigners can freely transfer funds into South Africa for investment purposes, while certain goods imported into South Africa require an import permit, which may be obtained from the Director of Imports and Exports Control. The list of goods requiring import permits is specified each year in the annual Import Control Program. Permits are valid for imports from any country. South Africa uses the Harmonised System of Classification. |
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Political Outlook
Much of the good work done in the first years of multiracial democracy appears to be slipping by as the government struggles to kick-start the economy. Increasing hostility towards criticism, allegations of massive corruption in arms deals, soft-peddling on Zimbabwe and a confused AIDS policy has put the Mbeki administration under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. This said, the country is far from replicating the dire situation in Zimbabwe and still has the ability to turn the situation around.
Economic Outlook
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The economy
has all the basics in place to develop at a high, sustained rate,
but is being dogged by association with regional concerns and domestic
worries. This is manifest by the fact that investment flows decreased
by 43% in 2000. However should investors be able to distinguish
between regional events and those in South Africa, they will find
Africa's largest economy still offers attractive returns.
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Post Mandela Achievements
South Africa, almost alone amongst emerging market economies, is set to escape virtually unscathed from the latest bout of investor panic sweeping the developing world's fragile economies (The Times, London, August 2001). The South African banking sector has been consistently ranked in the top 10 in terms of competitiveness (IMD, Switzerland).
When Nelson Mandela was inaugurated President in 1994, South Africa was insolvent (liabilities exceeded assets). Today the Government's deficit is negligible - one of only a handful of countries in this position. We've had single digit inflation since 1993 - following 20 years of double-digit inflation. Mortgage rates are at their lowest level since 1988. South Africa is one of only 12 countries, where we can drink water from a tap. Our tap water was found to be the 3rd best quality in the entire world.
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Remember 15 years ago, in 1986 - a state of emergency was declared, white men did two years compulsory military service, 64,184 black people were removed from "white areas", 3,989 people were detained without trial, and our economic growth rate was 0.7 percent. Today it is 3%. 64 countries had sports boycotts against SA! South African wines win international awards every year and we have the longest wine route in the world. Nelson Mandela, an international icon of forgiveness, tolerance, and humanity is our favourite son. |
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- The Kruger Park has the most innovative management of a national park anywhere in the world - and is the world's most profitable game park.
- Eskom is the largest producer of coal-fired electricity in the world and South Africans pay the least for electricity in the world.
- South African Breweries is the 4th largest brewer in the world and produces over 50% of China's beer!
- Mercedes Benz C Class, BMW 3 Series and VW Golf/Jetta vehicles for all right-hand drive markets throughout the world are produced in South Africa.
- Didata grew from a local IT service provider into a huge, global networking company with branches in 30 countries.
- The Cape Peninsula has more species of plants here per hectare than any other area of the world.
- Magnificent highways.
- Warm, friendly, vibrant rainbow people.
- The world's most progressive Constitution.
- Kreepy Kraulies - a South African invention.
- Mrs Ball's chutney and biltong.
- The world's best looking population
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"Leader's deal in hope - I give many speeches nearly daily and I talk about positives. Many have forgotten the Kasspirs and guns - its paradise now in comparison." "I've got four children and ten grandchildren and we are staying right here". Raymond Ackerman, CEO Pick 'n Pay. "For every guy who holds up a gun, there are 99 who hold out a hand of friendship" - Dennis Beckett, journalist. |
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Contact Details
Physical address: 1086 Landhuis Street, Allens Nek, Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa Postal address: P O Box 4808, Cresta, 2118, South Africa Telephone number: + 27 11 475-4543 Facsimile number: +27 11 675 1962 Mobile numbers: 083 674 9112 (Glen Greenway), 083 452 8944 (Heather Greenway), 083 701 2973 (Pete Phillips) e-Mail address: info@fiveoceans.co.za and glen@fiveoceans.co.za |