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South Africa

Capital:Pretoria (administrative capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital)
Population:49.1M
Currency:Rand (ZAR)
Language:11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Signal Hill, South Africa

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of South Africa.

South Africa Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Today’s South Africa and the attitudes of its people are both changing rapidly. Blacks generally value education as the key to a better life. They express optimism about the future and are anxious to exercise their rights and obligations in the new system. Mixed-race South Africans also benefit from the multiracial system. One thing that seems to unite all peoples in South Africa is the common claim they have to the country as home.

Cultural Attributes

Today’s South Africa and the attitudes of its people are both changing rapidly. Blacks generally value education as the key to a better life. They express optimism about the future and are anxious to exercise their rights and obligations in the new system. Mixed-race South Africans also benefit from the multiracial system. One thing that seems to unite all peoples in South Africa is the common claim they have to the country as home.

Signal Hill, South Africa

The Rainbow Nation

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Because of ethnic diversity, many different greetings are used in South Africa. English greetings such as “Hello” and “Good morning” are frequently heard. Shaking hands is more common among whites, but is also used by other ethnic groups. It is generally impolite to use first names with strangers or older people. Titles are valued and are used for adults unless one has developed a closer relationship. It is polite to call an older black man Tata (father) or woman Mama (mother)

When yawning, one hand should cover the mouth. Spitting in public is inappropriate. Among some ethnic groups, it is not polite to gesture with the left hand. For many, receiving something with both hands cupped together is polite rather than just one hand. Indicating “two” or “peace” by forming a “V” with the index and middle fingers is very rude if the palm faces inward. Facing the palm outward is acceptable.

Visits are usually arranged in advance, but unannounced visits among relatives or friends are common. South Africans are generally hospitable to guests. Guests are usually served refreshments by their hosts. Among most people, dinner guests are not expected to bring a gift but will often bring something to drink.

Male South Africans may wear shorts with knee socks rather than pants. Women usually wear comfortable dresses or long pants. Western-style clothing, usually lightweight cotton, is most common. Some rural blacks retain traditional clothing habits for special purposes or everyday attire.

Diet

The South African diet is often determined by a person’s economic status. Beef, mutton, a variety of curries, green vegetables, pumpkins, and other foods are eaten. Staples include potatoes and rice. South Africa produces a great variety of food. Dinner, usually eaten after 6 pm, is the main meal.

The continental style of eating is generally observed by urban South Africans. In rural areas, people often eat with spoons or their fingers.

The South African diet is often determined by a person’s economic status. Beef, mutton, a variety of curries, green vegetables, pumpkins, and other foods are eaten. Staples include potatoes and rice. South Africa produces a great variety of food. The main meal of the day is dinner which is usually eaten after six pm.

Hluhluwe Game Reserve

Family

Family life among the white population is similar to that of middle-class Europeans. Families are usually small and generally enjoy a good standard of living. In black families, children are taught to respect their elders and obey their parents.

Recreation

Soccer, rugby, and cricket are the most popular sports in South Africa. South Africans also enjoy tennis, field hockey, squash, badminton, golf, surfing, sailing, running and cycling.

Other favorite recreational pastimes include music, dancing, and socializing. South Africans have a strong musical tradition and dance is considered an important component of recreation and of communicating with others.

Student Life

A school day for most kids begins with breakfast. Breakfast mainly consists of hot cooked cereal of cornmeal porridge sometimes with milk and sugar. Tea and coffee are also popular for breakfast.

Typically the location of schools is within walking distance, for those who live too far away to walk transportation is by public taxis and busses or in some cases trains. Some schools provide school buses.

Rural, township, and peri-urban state schools are usually provisioned to meet the bare minimum many are cash-strapped and they lack the basics of sanitation and water supply, and are most often targets of vandalism and crime. Parents contribute to the schools in the form of school fees. Private schools provide paths of excellence and offer education that is religion-based due to their originations from mission schools. There are some state-aided schools that are on par with some private institutions. The legislative process established the “Children’s Act” in 2008. The Children’s Act provides for the protection of children and a definition of basic human rights which include: 1. Children have rights to an equal, free, non-sexist, non-racial, and compulsory education that serves as a right and not as a privilege. 2. Children have the right to an education and to develop individual talents through informal and formal education. It is also a requirement that all teachers must be qualified and treat the children with respect, patience, and dignity. 3. Parent’s duties must include involvement in children's development and education and participation in children’s education at home and at school. 4. Children have rights to play sports that are free and adequate and to recreational facilities. 5. Children have the right to participate in the upgrading and evaluating of a curriculum that respects all cultures, traditions, and values of all children in South Africa. 6. Children have rights to education regarding issues of AIDS, sexuality, history, and background of South Africa and family life.       7. Children have rights to educational facilities that are adequate and transport to facilities must be provided for children in violent or difficult situations.

School life ranges from 13 years. The first education year which is grade 0 or the reception year as well as the last 3 years (termed "matric”) grades ten, eleven, and twelve are not compulsory. Primary schools offer the preschool grade 0 year but this year can be completed at a Nursery school. The 1996 South African Schools Act states that education is compulsory for South Africans from the age of 7 (grade 1) to the age of 15 or completion to grade 9. There are 3 bands of education recognized by South Africa's National Qualifications Framework (NQF), general training and education, further training and education, and Higher training and education. In 2006 Mathematics became compulsory. 2008 was the beginning of the National Senior Certificate examination, which offered seven subjects out of a choice of twenty-nine. Examinations are benchmarked against papers that are both international and national. The national curriculum statement is available in all of the 11 official languages as well as Braille, the Constitution grants parity to the eleven languages. In recent years there have been great advances towards new technology introductions in schools that were formerly disadvantaged. There are organizations that have worked towards the provision of computer access to state schools. An initiative has also been the creation of a program "FOCUS” in schools that specialize in particular curriculum areas such as (Engineering, Business & Commerce, and Arts and Culture) In state public schools, the ratio of scholars "learners" to ("educators") is 32.6 to 1, and private schools have one teacher for 17.5 scholars. The central government has a national school policy the provinces have to administer. Administrative responsibility lies with the provinces. Power is further devolved to the grassroots level via elected school governing bodies; it is not negotiable that no child can be excluded from a school on the basis of race or religion.

Giving children the opportunities of sports participation aids in learning skills of team work, healthy lifestyle and anger management therefore many township schools are open to activities after school such as basketball, softball, football (soccer), rugby, and cricket.

Holidays

  • Freedom Day

    4/27

    Independence

  • Birth date - John Ronald Reul (J.R.R.) Tolkien

    1/3

    Birthday

    Birth date - John Ronald Reul (J.R.R.) Tolkien, English author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, was born on Jan. 3, 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    Christmas is celebrated with outdoor activities including “Carols by Candlelight” a custom originating in Australia. Many native Africans observe a week-long carnival in costumes with gifts, singing, dancing and feasting.

Dates of Interest

  • December 16th

    Celebrated by the Hindu community, Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, involves the lighting of lamps and the exchange of sweets.

How do people greet each other in South Africa?

Because of ethnic diversity, many greetings are used, including English ones like "Hello" and "Good morning," and handshaking is common, especially among whites but also across other groups.

Do

  • Use titles for adults until you develop a closer relationship
  • Call an older black man Tata (father) or woman Mama (mother)
  • Shake hands when greeting

Don’t

  • Don't use first names with strangers or older people

What are the dining customs in South Africa?

Dinner, eaten after 6 pm, is the main meal, and dishes include beef, mutton, curries, green vegetables, pumpkins, with potatoes and rice as staples.

Do

  • Follow the continental style of eating in urban areas
  • In rural areas, eat with spoons or your fingers as locals do

Good to know

  • Diet often depends on a person's economic status
  • South Africa produces a great variety of food

What should I know about visiting and hospitality in South Africa?

South Africans are generally hospitable and serve guests refreshments; visits are usually arranged in advance, though unannounced visits among relatives or friends are common.

Do

  • Arrange visits in advance
  • Bring something to drink as a dinner guest

Good to know

  • Dinner guests are generally not expected to bring a gift

How should I dress in South Africa?

Western-style clothing, usually lightweight cotton, is most common; men may wear shorts with knee socks, and women often wear comfortable dresses or long pants.

Good to know

  • Some rural blacks retain traditional clothing for special purposes or everyday attire

What gestures should I be aware of in South Africa?

Certain gestures carry meaning: an inward-facing "V" is very rude, and covering the mouth when yawning is polite.

Do

  • Cover your mouth with one hand when yawning
  • Face the palm outward when making a "V" sign
  • Receive things with both hands cupped together, which is polite

Don’t

  • Don't spit in public
  • Don't gesture with the left hand among some ethnic groups
  • Don't make a "V" with the palm facing inward

What is family life like in South Africa?

White families are similar to middle-class Europeans, usually small and enjoying a good standard of living, while in black families children are taught to respect elders and obey parents.

Good to know

  • Respect for elders is emphasized in black families

What do people do for fun in South Africa?

Soccer, rugby, and cricket are the most popular sports, and South Africans also enjoy music, dancing, and socializing.

Good to know

  • Other sports include tennis, field hockey, squash, badminton, golf, surfing, sailing, running and cycling
  • Dance is considered important for recreation and communication

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of South Africa

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Currency
rand (ZAR)
Time Difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
South Africa has a moderate climate with sunny days and cool nights. The most southerly point has a mean yearly temperature of 61.8 degrees Fahrenheit, while Johannesburg, situated at 5,700 above sea level, has an annual mean of 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Pretoria, at 4,452 feet above sea level, is warmer with a mean annual temperature of 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures can be deceiving because of the very bright and dangerous high sun during most of the year, especially in the highveld areas. Although the country lies close to the Tropic of Capricorn, the high altitude of the inland areas results in a temperate climate in most of the country. In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are opposite those of the Northern Hemispher-summer extends from October to March; winter from June to September. The rainy season in the Pretoria-Johannesburg area is during summer, and the temperature seldom rises above 90 degrees F, with cool nights. Winter is dry and cool with daily temperatures varying from as low as 30 degrees F during the night to as high as 75 degrees F during the day. Along the coastal area where Durban and Cape Town are located, heavier rainfall occurs during winter and spring, causing high humidity. Both cities experience strong winds - Durban from August through October and Cape Town throughout the year. The seasons are not pronounced but blend almost imperceptibly. For the most part, trees and shrubs remain green, with flowers blooming throughout the year. The highveld, which includes the Pretoria-Johannesburg area, remains dry and brown throughout much of the year.
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Recipes

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Putu-Pap

Bread

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Pre-Colonial Era

    500 BCE – 1652

    Southern Africa was home to diverse indigenous peoples, including the San hunter-gatherers, Khoikhoi herders, and Bantu-speaking Iron Age agriculturalists who had settled south of the Limpopo River by around 300 CE. Portuguese navigators Bartholomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama made early European contact in the late 15th century, but sustained foreign settlement had not yet begun. These communities developed complex political structures, trade networks, and cattle-farming economies that would later be disrupted by European colonization.

  2. Dutch Colonial Period

    1652 – 1806

    The Dutch East India Company established the first permanent European settlement at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652, initially as a refreshment station for passing ships. Settlers imported enslaved people from Angola, West Africa, and Southeast Asia, and violent frontier conflicts with the Khoikhoi erupted in the 1670s. French Huguenot refugees arrived in 1688, reinforcing a distinct Dutch-speaking settler culture that would evolve into Afrikaner identity.

  3. British Cape Colony

    1806 – 1910

    Britain seized permanent control of the Cape in 1806, prompting many Boers to undertake the Great Trek northward from the 1830s to escape British authority, founding the Boer republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1886 transformed the region's economy, intensified British imperial ambitions, and led to the rapid military conquest of most remaining African societies. The Anglo-Boer War of 1899–1902 ended Boer independence and paved the way for political unification.

  4. Union & Apartheid

    1910 – 1994

    The Union of South Africa was established in 1910 with a constitution that entrenched white political and economic supremacy. The National Party's election victory in 1948 introduced apartheid — a rigid legal system of racial segregation enforced through pass laws, forced removals, and the suppression of Black political organizations such as the African National Congress. Decades of internal resistance, international sanctions, and figures such as Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko ultimately brought the apartheid system to its negotiated end in the early 1990s.

  5. Democratic South Africa

    1994 – present

    South Africa's first fully democratic elections in April 1994 brought Nelson Mandela and the ANC to power, marking the formal end of apartheid and the birth of the 'Rainbow Nation.' A new constitution adopted in 1996 enshrined extensive civil rights and created institutions designed to address the inequalities of the past, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The country continues to grapple with persistent economic inequality, high unemployment, and governance challenges while remaining the continent's most industrialized economy.

Overview

HISTORY HAS A COMPELLING IMPORTANCE in South Africa. Political protagonists often refer to historical events and individuals in expounding their different points of view. The African National Congress (ANC), for example, has as one of its symbols the shield of Bambatha, a Zulu chief who died leading the last armed uprising of Africans against the British in 1906. Mangosuthu (Gatsha) Buthelezi, leader of the former KwaZulu homeland (see Glossary) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), often refers to Shaka Zulu, the first great monarch to arise in South Africa, who created a vast military state in the 1820s. Afrikaners (see Glossary) have frequently called themselves a "chosen people," ordained by God to rule in South Africa. They have argued that their ancestors settled the subcontinent before any African, but that for the past 200 years they have had to fight against the treachery of Africans and the oppression of British imperialists. The study of the history of South Africa, therefore, is a highly contentious arena marked by wide variations of interpretation and infused with politics. South Africa did not exist as a unified self-governing state until 1910. Indeed, before the discovery of minerals--diamonds and gold--in the late nineteenth century, the emergence of such a country appeared unlikely because the early history of the subcontinent was marked by economic and political fragmentation. Black African settlement of southern Africa, which archaeologists have dated back to thousands of years before the arrival of whites, produced a great number of African societies that ruled much of what we now know as South Africa until the latter half of the nineteenth century. White settlement, beginning in the seventeenth century, was confined primarily to a small area of the southwestern coast throughout the eighteenth and the early nineteenth centuries. Slaves imported from outside southern Africa were the colonists’ laborers. White settlers expanded into the interior and along the southeastern coast in the middle of the nineteenth century, but they usually skirted areas heavily populated by Africans. Moreover, the white settlers in the interior--Afrikaners, as they became known at the end of the nineteenth century--engaged in the same cattle-farming and hunting activities as their African neighbors. Although African and Afrikaner often competed--for pastureland and game--a balance of power prevented one from conquering the other. Mineral discoveries in the 1860s and 1880s revolutionized the economic and political settings. Diamonds and gold fueled economic growth in southern Africa, creating both new market opportunities and a great demand for labor. To meet these labor needs, the British conquered most of the African peoples of the region in a rapid series of campaigns in the 1870s and 1880s and subjected the defeated people to controls that persisted practically to the present day: pass laws regulating the movement of people within urban areas and between urban and rural areas; discriminatory legal treatment of blacks compared with whites; and the establishment of "locations," for rural Africans, that were much smaller than the original landholdings of autonomous African societies in the nineteenth century. When the Union of South Africa was instituted in 1910, its constitutional provisions reflected a society in which whites had achieved a monopoly on wealth and power. The rise of an industrial economy also brought about conflict between English-speaking whites--primarily mine owners and industrialists, and Dutch-speaking whites--mostly farmers and impoverished urban workers, who competed for control over African land and labor and for access to the great mineral wealth of the country. Between 1910 and 1948, Afrikaner politicians organized and developed a powerful ethnic identity, portraying Africans as savage and threatening and building especially upon white fears of economic competition from cheaper black workers manipulated by unscrupulous English-speaking businessmen. In 1948 the Afrikaner nationalists won control of the government and implemented apartheid (apartness--see Glossary), a policy that reinforced existing segregationist practices securing white supremacy but that also aimed at ensuring Afrikaner domination of political power. After 1948, black Africans, "coloureds" (mixed-race--see Glossary), and Asians fought against Afrikaner domination and white supremacy, denying the apartheid dictum that South Africa is a white man’s country in which other races should find economic and political autonomy within their own geographically separated communities. Peaceful and violent protests alternated with periods of official repression, but during forty-five years of apartheid, the boundaries the Afrikaners had constructed to ensure their own survival proved intolerable for them as well as for other racial groups. Apartheid bred a climate of in

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 500 BCE

    Earliest archaeological evidence of sheep and cattle herding.

    Earliest archaeological evidence of sheep and cattle herding.

  2. 300

    Archaeological evidence of Iron-Age settlements south of the Limpopo River.

    Archaeological evidence of Iron-Age settlements south of the Limpopo River.

  3. 1488

    Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias rounds Cape of Good Hope.

    Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias rounds Cape of Good Hope. Khoisan-speaking herdsmen and hunters establish trade with Europeans.

  4. 1497

    Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama arrives at Cape of Good Hope en route to India.

    Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama arrives at Cape of Good Hope en route to India.

  5. 1652

    First permanent Dutch settlement at Cape of Good Hope.

    First permanent Dutch settlement at Cape of Good Hope.

  6. 1658

    Dutch import slaves from Angola and West Africa.

    Dutch import slaves from Angola and West Africa.

  7. 1673 – 1677

    Warfare between Khoikhoi and Dutch.

    Warfare between Khoikhoi and Dutch.

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Interesting Facts

  • When a child loses a tooth they leave their tooth in a slipper in their room. That night a mouse will come, take the tooth and leave a gift.

  • After the Anglo-Boer War, three capitals were established: an administrative capital in Pretoria, a legislative capital at Cape Town and a judicial seat at Bloemfontein. This arrangement continues today.

  • Ceremonial clothing and adornment play an important role in traditional customs of the Black peoples and vary according to such things as age and marital status.

  • South Africa has mines deeper than any other country in the world. The Western Deep Levels Mine is almost four kilometres deep.

  • Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world's first heart transplant operation in Groot Schur Hospital in Cape Town in 1967.

  • A system of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) has been introduced recently by the government to promote literacy and numeracy among adults.

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Geography and Environment

South Africa lies at the southern tip of the African continent. South Africa has a narrow coastal zone and an extensive interior plateau with altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level. Lacking arterial rivers or lakes of significance, extensive water conservation and controls are necessary. South Africa is divided into nine provinces: the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Northwest and Limpopo Provinces. Both Pretoria and Johannesburg are situated on a high plateau in Gauteng Province. The surrounding countryside is characterized by relatively treeless, rolling hills. The Magaliesberg Mountain Range, more accurately described as a series of low rising hills, lies 30 miles to the north or northeast. The large Hartbeespoort Dam is located in this area. The more impressive Drakensberg Mountains are located 200 miles to the south, where peaks soar to 11,000 feet in neighboring Lesotho. The pine-studded Lebombo Mountains form the eastern boundary of the Johannesburg Consular District in Mpumalanga Province. Scenery in the Free State is flat, with a few buttes in the eastern part of the province. Bloemfontein is the provincial capital and the judicial capital of South Africa. Durban, located on the eastern seaboard of the Indian Ocean, is the principal city in KwaZulu-Natal province and the largest seaport in Africa. Its shoreline extends northeast to southwest along the Indian Ocean. Topographically, the coastal belt of KwaZulu-Natal rises sharply from the ocean to a fertile central plateau and then extends to the escarpment of the Drakensberg Mountains. The Western Cape has the widest range of scenic attractions, including the Mediterranean-like luxuriance of the Cape Peninsula, rolling uplands to the east, excellent surfing beaches, the majestic peaks of the Katberg, the placid lakes of the Wilderness on the south coast of the picturesque Garden Route, and the vast, arid distances of the Karoo to the north and east.
Terrain
vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain
Climate
South Africa has a moderate climate with sunny days and cool nights. The most southerly point has a mean yearly temperature of 61.8 degrees Fahrenheit, while Johannesburg, situated at 5,700 above sea level, has an annual mean of 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Pretoria, at 4,452 feet above sea level, is warmer with a mean annual temperature of 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures can be deceiving because of the very bright and dangerous high sun during most of the year, especially in the highveld areas. Although the country lies close to the Tropic of Capricorn, the high altitude of the inland areas results in a temperate climate in most of the country. In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are opposite those of the Northern Hemispher-summer extends from October to March; winter from June to September. The rainy season in the Pretoria-Johannesburg area is during summer, and the temperature seldom rises above 90 degrees F, with cool nights. Winter is dry and cool with daily temperatures varying from as low as 30 degrees F during the night to as high as 75 degrees F during the day. Along the coastal area where Durban and Cape Town are located, heavier rainfall occurs during winter and spring, causing high humidity. Both cities experience strong winds - Durban from August through October and Cape Town throughout the year. The seasons are not pronounced but blend almost imperceptibly. For the most part, trees and shrubs remain green, with flowers blooming throughout the year. The highveld, which includes the Pretoria-Johannesburg area, remains dry and brown throughout much of the year.
Natural Hazards
prolonged droughts
Current Environmental Issues
lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu

  • Afrikaans
  • Sotho
  • Tswana
  • Xhosa
  • Zulu

Population

Population
49,109,107
Population: Male/Female
male: 29,664,388 female: 30,778,259
Population Distribution
the population concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densely populated than the west
Urban Population
urban population: 68.8% of total population rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change
Population in Major Urban Areas
10.316 million Johannesburg (includes Ekurhuleni), 4.890 million Cape Town (legislative capital), 3.228 million Durban, 2.818 million PRETORIA (administrative capital), 1.296 million Port Elizabeth, 934,000 West Rand
Nationality Noun
noun: South African(s) adjective: South African
Ethnic Groups
Black African 81.4%, Coloured 8.2%, White 7.3%, Indian/Asian 2.7%, other 0.4%
Language Note
isiZulu or Zulu (official) 25.3%, isiXhosa or Xhosa (official) 14.8%, Afrikaans (official) 12.2%, Sepedi or Pedi (official) 10.1%, Setswana or Tswana (official) 9.1%, English (official) 8.1%, Sesotho or Sotho (official) 7.9%, Xitsonga or Tsonga (official) 3.6%, siSwati or Swati (official) 2.8%, Tshivenda or Venda (official) 2.5%, isiNdebele or Ndebele (official) 1.6%, other (includes South African sign language (official) and Khoi or Khoisan or Khoe languages) 2%; note - data represent language spoken most often at home

Demographic Profile

South Africa’s youthful population is gradually aging, as the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined dramatically from about 6 children per woman in the 1960s to roughly 2.2 in 2014, and has remained at this level as of 2022. This pattern is similar to fertility trends in South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and sets South Africa apart from the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, where the average TFR remains higher than other regions of the world. Today, South Africa’s decreasing number of reproductive age women is having fewer children, as women increase their educational attainment, workforce participation, and use of family planning methods; delay marriage; and opt for smaller families.

As the proportion of working-age South Africans has grown relative to children and the elderly, South Africa has been unable to achieve a demographic dividend because persistent high unemployment and the prevalence of HIV/AIDs have created a larger-than-normal dependent population. HIV/AIDS was also responsible for South Africa’s average life expectancy plunging to less than 43 years in 2008; it has rebounded to 65 years as of 2022. HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious public health threat, although awareness-raising campaigns and the wider availability of anti-retroviral drugs is stabilizing the number of new cases, enabling infected individuals to live longer, healthier lives, and reducing mother-child transmissions.

Migration to South Africa began in the second half of the 17th century when traders from the Dutch East India Company settled in the Cape and started using slaves from South and southeast Asia (mainly from India but also from present-day Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia) and southeast Africa (Madagascar and Mozambique) as farm laborers and, to a lesser extent, as domestic servants. The Indian subcontinent remained the Cape Colony’s main source of slaves in the early 18th century, while slaves were increasingly obtained from southeast Africa in the latter part of the 18th century and into the 19th century under British rule.

After slavery was completely abolished in the British Empire in 1838, South Africa’s colonists turned to temporary African migrants and indentured labor through agreements with India and later China, countries that were anxious to export workers to alleviate domestic poverty and overpopulation. Of the more than 150,000 indentured Indian laborers hired to work in Natal’s sugar plantations between 1860 and 1911, most exercised the right as British subjects to remain permanently (a small number of Indian immigrants came freely as merchants). Because of growing resentment toward Indian workers, the 63,000 indentured Chinese workers who mined gold in Transvaal between 1904 and 1911 were under more restrictive contracts and generally were forced to return to their homeland.

In the late 19th century and nearly the entire 20th century, South Africa’s then British colonies’ and Dutch states’ enforced selective immigration policies that welcomed "assimilable" white Europeans as permanent residents but excluded or restricted other immigrants. Following the Union of South Africa’s passage of a law in 1913 prohibiting Asian and other non-white immigrants and its elimination of the indenture system in 1917, temporary African contract laborers from neighboring countries became the dominant source of labor in the burgeoning mining industries. Others worked in agriculture and smaller numbers in manufacturing, domestic service, transportation, and construction. Throughout the 20th century, at least 40% of South Africa’s miners were foreigners; the numbers peaked at over 80% in the late 1960s. Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini were the primary sources of miners, and Malawi and Zimbabwe were periodic suppliers.

Under apartheid, a "two gates" migration policy focused on policing and deporting illegal migrants rather than on managing migration to meet South Africa’s development needs. The exclusionary 1991 Aliens Control Act limited labor recruitment to the highly skilled as defined by the ruling white minority, while bilateral labor agreements provided exemptions that enabled the influential mining industry and, to a lesser extent, commercial farms, to hire temporary, low-paid workers from neighboring states. Illegal African migrants were often tacitly allowed to work for low pay in other sectors but were always under threat of deportation.

The abolishment of apartheid in 1994 led to the development of a new inclusive national identity and the strengthening of the country’s restrictive immigration policy. Despite South Africa’s protectionist approach to immigration, the downsizing and closing of mines, and rising unemployment, migrants from across the continent believed that the country held work opportunities. Fewer African labor migrants were issued temporary work permits and, instead, increasingly entered South Africa with visitors’ permits or came illegally, which drove growth in cross-border trade and the informal job market. A new wave of Asian immigrants has also arrived over the last two decades, many operating small retail businesses.

In the post-apartheid period, increasing numbers of highly skilled white workers emigrated, citing dissatisfaction with the political situation, crime, poor services, and a reduced quality of life. The 2002 Immigration Act and later amendments were intended to facilitate the temporary migration of skilled foreign labor to fill labor shortages, but instead the legislation continues to create regulatory obstacles. Although the education system has improved and brain drain has slowed in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, South Africa continues to face skills shortages in several key sectors, such as health care and technology.

South Africa’s stability and economic growth has acted as a magnet for refugees and asylum seekers from nearby countries, despite the prevalence of discrimination and xenophobic violence. Refugees have included an estimated 350,000 Mozambicans during its 1980s civil war and, more recently, several thousand Somalis, Congolese, and Ethiopians. Nearly all of the tens of thousands of Zimbabweans who have applied for asylum in South Africa have been categorized as economic migrants and denied refuge.

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write

Rural, township, and peri-urban state schools are usually provisioned to meet the bare minimum many are cash-strapped and they lack the basics of sanitation and water supply, and are most often targets of vandalism and crime. Parents contribute to the schools in the form of school fees. Private schools provide paths of excellence and offer education that is religion-based due to their originations from mission schools. There are some state-aided schools that are on par with some private institutions.

The legislative process established the “Children’s Act” in 2008. The Children’s Act provides for the protection of children and a definition of basic human rights which include:

1. Children have rights to an equal, free, non-sexist, non-racial, and compulsory education that serves as a right and not as a privilege.

2. Children have the right to an education and to develop individual talents through informal and formal education. It is also a requirement that all teachers must be qualified and treat the children with respect, patience, and dignity.

3. Parent’s duties must include involvement in children's development and education and participation in children’s education at home and at school.

4. Children have rights to play sports that are free and adequate and to recreational facilities.

5. Children have the right to participate in the upgrading and evaluating of a curriculum that respects all cultures, traditions, and values of all children in South Africa.

6. Children have rights to education regarding issues of AIDS, sexuality, history, and background of South Africa and family life.

7. Children have rights to educational facilities that are adequate and transport to facilities must be provided for children in violent or difficult situations.

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
total population: 71.9 years male: 70.3 years female: 73.5 years
Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: sexually transmitted diseases: HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B (2024) water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 7.21 liters of pure alcohol beer: 3.99 liters of pure alcohol wine: 1.21 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 1.31 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0.7 liters of pure alcohol
Tobacco Use
total: 20.3% male: 34% female: 6.5%
Child Marriage
women married by age 15: 0.9% women married by age 18: 3.6% men married by age 18: 0.6%
Infant Mortality Rate
total: 21.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20 deaths/1,000 live births

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
total population: 71.9 years male: 70.3 years female: 73.5 years
Median Age
total: 30.4 years male: 30.1 years female: 30.6 years
Age Structure
0-14 years: 27.2% (male 8,227,690/female 8,194,392) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 19,524,873/female 19,947,839) 65 years and over: 7.5% (male 1,911,825/female 2,636,028)
Infant Mortality Rate
total: 21.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20 deaths/1,000 live births
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
SouthAfrica
Full Country Name
Republic of South Africa
Former Name
Union of South Africa

Government Structure

Government Type
republic
Legal System
based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 15 February 2018); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 15 February 2018); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 29 May 2024 (next to be held in 2029) election results: Cyril RAMAPHOSA reelected president by the National Assembly on 14 June 2024 following general elections in which the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid; RAMAPHOSA secured sufficient support through a coalition government arrangement
Legislative Branch
bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly (400 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) and the National Council of Provinces (90 seats, 10 members elected by each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has special powers to protect regional interests, including the safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities); note - following the implementation of the new constitution on 3 February 1997, the former Senate was disbanded and replaced by the National Council of Provinces with essentially no change in membership and party affiliations, although the new institution's responsibilities have been changed somewhat by the new constitution elections: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces - last held 14 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2009) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 69.7%, DA 12.4%, IFP 7%, UDM 2.3%, NNP 1.7%, ACDP 1.6%, other 5.3%; seats by party - ANC 279, DA 50, IFP 28, UDM 9, NNP 7, ACDP 6, other 21; National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA
Judicial Branch
Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate Courts
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by then President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 3 February 1997; it is being implemented in phases
Independence
31 May 1910 (from UK); note - South Africa became a republic in 1961 following an October 1960 referendum
National Holiday
Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)

Capital City

Capital Name
Pretoria (administrative capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital)
Capital - geographic coordinate
25 42 S, 28 13 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Pretoria is named in honor of Andries PRETORIUS, the father of voortrekker (pioneer) leader Marthinus PRETORIUS; Cape Town reflects its location on the Cape of Good Hope; Bloemfontein is a combination of the Dutch words bloem (flower) and fontein (fountain) meaning "fountain of flowers"

Military

Branches: South African National Defense Force (SANDF): South African Army, South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), South African Military Health Services

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy Pretoria

877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

Telephone: (27-12) 431-4000 (from within South Africa 012-431-4000)

Fax: (27-12) 431-5504 (from within South Africa 012-431-5504)

U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg

1 Sandton Drive (opposite Sandton City Mall just west of the intersection of Sandton Drive and Rivonia Road), Johannesburg

Telephone: (27-11) 290-3000 (from South Africa 011-290-3000)

Emergency after-hours telephone: 079-111-1684 (from outside South Africa: 27 79-111-1684)

Fax: (27-11) 884-0396 (from within South Africa 011-884-0396)

Consular jurisdiction: Pretoria area and Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces.

U.S. Consulate General Cape Town

2 Reddam Avenue, West Lake 7945, Cape Town

Telephone: (27-21) 702-7300 (from South Africa 021-702-7300)

Emergency after-hours telephone: 021-702-7411(from outside of Africa 27 21-702-7411)

Fax (27-21) 702-7493 (from within South Africa 021-702-7493)

Consular jurisdiction: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape provinces.

U.S. Consulate General Durban

Located at: The Old Mutual Building, 31st floor, 303 Dr. Pixley KaSeme Street, Durban 4001

Telephone: (27-31) 305-7600 (from within South Africa 031-305-7600)

Emergency after-hours telephone: 079-111-1445 (from outside South Africa: 27 79-111-1445)

Fax: (27-31) 305-7691 (from within South Africa 031-305-7691)

Consular jurisdiction: KwaZulu-Natal Province.

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Economy

South Africa is an upper-middle-income, emerging market economy with abundant natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, which ranks among the 20 largest in the world by market capitalization. The country maintains a modern infrastructure that supports efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the southern African region. However, economic growth has remained sluggish for over a decade, and the unemployment rate is among the highest in the world, consistently exceeding 30 percent, with youth unemployment significantly higher. Persistent structural challenges include deep income inequality, widespread poverty, and slow progress on economic empowerment for historically disadvantaged groups. Chronic electricity shortages stemming from problems at state utility Eskom, frequent load shedding, deteriorating rail and port logistics, high crime rates, and concerns over governance and corruption continue to deter investment. South African economic policy remains broadly fiscally conservative but pragmatic, balancing inflation targeting and trade liberalization with efforts to boost employment, expand social support, and stabilize public debt, which has risen substantially in recent years.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Rand (ZAR)
GDP — official exchange rate
$187,300,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
4.9%
Gini Index
59.3

Banknotes

South Africa Money - Front
South Africa Money - Front
South Africa Money - Back
South Africa Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
1 April - 31 March
Annual Budget
$70,620,000,000 (USD)
Public Debt (% of GDP)
37.7%
External Debt
$44,330,000,000 (USD)
Investment (% of GDP)
17.9%
Economic Aid
$487,500,000 (USD)
Current Account Balance
-$9,584,000,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange
$2,147,483,647 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture 30%; industry 25%; services 45%
Household Income — highest 10%
45.9%
Industries
mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs
Agriculture Products
corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products
Export Commodities
gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment
Export Partners
UK 12.8%, US 12.7%, Germany 9.3%, Japan 8.9%, Italy 5.8%
Import Commodities
machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs (2000 est.)
Import Partners
Germany 15.5%, US 9.5%, UK 9.1%, Japan 5.8%, Saudi Arabia 5.3%, France 5%, China 4.9%

Energy

Oil Production
2,167,000 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
484,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
7,840,000 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
2,350,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
2,350,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
28,320,000 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: the system is the best developed and most modern in Africa domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 140 telephones per 100 persons; consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria international: country code - 27; the SAT-3/WASC and SAFE fiber-optic submarine cable systems connect South Africa to Europe and Asia; the EASSy fiber-optic cable system connects with Europe and North America; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean)
Internet Country Code
.za

News & Weather

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Climate Overview

South Africa has a moderate climate with sunny days and cool nights. The most southerly point has a mean yearly temperature of 61.8 degrees Fahrenheit, while Johannesburg, situated at 5,700 above sea level, has an annual mean of 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Pretoria, at 4,452 feet above sea level, is warmer with a mean annual temperature of 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures can be deceiving because of the very bright and dangerous high sun during most of the year, especially in the highveld areas.

Although the country lies close to the Tropic of Capricorn, the high altitude of the inland areas results in a temperate climate in most of the country. In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are opposite those of the Northern Hemispher-summer extends from October to March; winter from June to September. The rainy season in the Pretoria-Johannesburg area is during summer, and the temperature seldom rises above 90 degrees F, with cool nights. Winter is dry and cool with daily temperatures varying from as low as 30 degrees F during the night to as high as 75 degrees F during the day.

Along the coastal area where Durban and Cape Town are located, heavier rainfall occurs during winter and spring, causing high humidity. Both cities experience strong winds - Durban from August through October and Cape Town throughout the year. The seasons are not pronounced but blend almost imperceptibly.

For the most part, trees and shrubs remain green, with flowers blooming throughout the year. The highveld, which includes the Pretoria-Johannesburg area, remains dry and brown throughout much of the year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of South Africa?
The population of South Africa is approximately 49.1M.
How do people greet each other in South Africa?
Because of ethnic diversity, many greetings are used, including English ones like "Hello" and "Good morning," and handshaking is common, especially among whites but also across other groups. Do: Use titles for adults until you develop a closer relationship Call an older black man Tata (father) or woman Mama (mother) Shake hands when greeting Don't: Don't use first names with strangers or older people
What are the dining customs in South Africa?
Dinner, eaten after 6 pm, is the main meal, and dishes include beef, mutton, curries, green vegetables, pumpkins, with potatoes and rice as staples. Do: Follow the continental style of eating in urban areas In rural areas, eat with spoons or your fingers as locals do Diet often depends on a person's economic status South Africa produces a great variety of food
What should I know about visiting and hospitality in South Africa?
South Africans are generally hospitable and serve guests refreshments; visits are usually arranged in advance, though unannounced visits among relatives or friends are common. Do: Arrange visits in advance Bring something to drink as a dinner guest Dinner guests are generally not expected to bring a gift
How should I dress in South Africa?
Western-style clothing, usually lightweight cotton, is most common; men may wear shorts with knee socks, and women often wear comfortable dresses or long pants. Some rural blacks retain traditional clothing for special purposes or everyday attire
What gestures should I be aware of in South Africa?
Certain gestures carry meaning: an inward-facing "V" is very rude, and covering the mouth when yawning is polite. Do: Cover your mouth with one hand when yawning Face the palm outward when making a "V" sign Receive things with both hands cupped together, which is polite Don't: Don't spit in public Don't gesture with the left hand among some ethnic groups Don't make a "V" with the palm facing inward
What is family life like in South Africa?
White families are similar to middle-class Europeans, usually small and enjoying a good standard of living, while in black families children are taught to respect elders and obey parents. Respect for elders is emphasized in black families
What do people do for fun in South Africa?
Soccer, rugby, and cricket are the most popular sports, and South Africans also enjoy music, dancing, and socializing. Other sports include tennis, field hockey, squash, badminton, golf, surfing, sailing, running and cycling Dance is considered important for recreation and communication
What is the capital of South Africa?
South Africa has three capital cities, a legacy of the post-Anglo-Boer War settlement of 1902. Pretoria serves as the administrative capital, where the executive branch of government is headquartered. Cape Town is the legislative capital and seat of Parliament, while Bloemfontein functions as the judicial capital and home of the Supreme Court of Appeal. This unusual three-capital arrangement reflects a deliberate compromise between the former Boer republics and British colonial territories that united to form the country in 1910.
Where is South Africa located?
South Africa occupies the southernmost tip of the African continent, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the south and east. It lies within the Southern Hemisphere, roughly between latitudes 22° and 35° South. The country also entirely surrounds the landlocked kingdom of Lesotho and nearly encircles Eswatini. Its position at the convergence of two major oceans has long made it a strategic waypoint for global maritime trade.
What countries border South Africa?
South Africa shares land borders with six countries. To the north it borders Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; to the northeast it borders Mozambique and Eswatini. The landlocked mountain kingdom of Lesotho is entirely enclosed within South African territory, forming a unique geographical enclave. These diverse neighbors contribute to a broad regional economic and cultural network across southern Africa.
What is the predominant religion in South Africa?
Christianity is by far the dominant religion in South Africa, practiced by approximately 68 percent of the population across a wide spectrum of denominations, including Dutch Reformed, Catholic, Methodist, and a large number of African Independent Churches that blend Christian doctrine with indigenous spiritual traditions. Indigenous African beliefs account for roughly 28 percent of religious practice, often observed alongside or in place of formal institutional religion. Islam represents about 2 percent of the population, with a notable concentration in the Western Cape descended from Cape Malay communities.
What is the currency of South Africa?
The official currency of South Africa is the Rand, with the ISO code ZAR. Introduced in 1961 when South Africa became a republic, the Rand replaced the South African pound and takes its name from the Witwatersrand — the ridge of gold-bearing rock upon which Johannesburg was built. The Rand is also used as legal tender in the neighboring countries of Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini through the Common Monetary Area agreement.
What languages are spoken in South Africa?
South Africa recognizes 11 official languages, the largest number of any country in the world with constitutional parity among them. These are Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. Zulu is the most widely spoken home language, followed by Xhosa and Afrikaans. English functions as the principal language of government, business, and higher education, though it is the first language of only a small minority of the population.
What is the geography of South Africa like?
South Africa encompasses a vast and varied landscape dominated by a large interior plateau known as the Highveld, which sits at elevations generally above 1,500 meters and is rimmed by the dramatic Drakensberg escarpment along its eastern edge. Coastal plains descend toward both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean shorelines, while the semi-arid Karoo stretches across the interior west and the Kalahari Basin extends into the northwest. This topographic diversity produces distinct climatic zones, ranging from the Mediterranean climate of the Western Cape to subtropical humidity in KwaZulu-Natal.
What is South Africa known for?
South Africa is internationally recognized for several defining features. It is the world's largest producer of platinum and a major source of gold and diamonds, with the Witwatersrand gold fields having triggered one of history's great mineral rushes in 1886. The country is also known for apartheid and its dismantlement in the early 1990s, a political transformation closely associated with Nelson Mandela. Culturally, South Africa is celebrated for its diverse traditional ceremonies — including Zulu and Xhosa adornment practices tied to age and marital status — and for its spectacular wildlife reserves, most notably Kruger National Park.

Last reviewed 2026

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