Lõuna-Aafrika Vabariik

Quick Facts:

Area:	1,219,912 sq. km
Population:	43,586,097 (July 2002 est.)
Capital:	Pretoria
Language:	11 Official Languages
Religion:	Christians 68%, Indigenous beliefs and animist 28.5 %, Muslim 2%, Hindu 1.5%
Currency:	Rand (ZAR)
YFU South Africa’s web site:	www.yfu.org.za/

Introduction

With post-apartheid optimism melding South Africa into a new society of energy and significance, political violence seems to be a thing of the past, among the vast majority of people there is a desire to get on with building a new nation. In South Africa, one finds the world's strangest and most dramatic landscapes, a unique wealth of animal and plant life, a treasure of gold, diamonds and other minerals, and a kaleidoscope of fascinating cultures. South Africa is also the home of big five game (although restricted to wildlife reserves and game farms), and hosts birds as varied as the vast range of habitats and foods that nature has prepared for them.

Short Facts

Area:The Republic of South Africa occupies the southern most part of the African continent. It has common boundaries with the republics of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, while the Republic of Mozambique and the Kingdom of Swaziland lie to the north-east. Completely enclosed by South African territory in the southeast is the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

Climate: The climate is generally mild throughout South Africa. However rain in the afternoon during the summer (November-February) is common everywhere in the country except in the Western Cape Province, where it rains during the winter. The weather in Durban has a very moderate climate, with swimming possible yearround. Johannesburg, at 1,735 m above sea level, can be quite cool in the winter and snow is a possibility June-August in the mountain areas.

Population: The South African population consists of the Nguni people, who account for two-thirds of the population; the Sotho-Tswana people, who include the southern, northern and western Sotho; the Tsonga; the Venda; Afrikaners; English; and other people also have immigrated to South Africa from the rest of Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Language: In South Africa 11 official languages are observed including: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu

Religion: Almost 80% of South Africa's population is devoted to the Christian faith. Other major religious groups are the Hindus, Muslims and Jews. A minority of South Africa's population does not belong to any of the major religions, but regard themselves as traditionalists or of no specific religious affiliation. Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the Constitution.

Government: South Africa's Constitution is one of the most progressive in the world. Since the establishment of Parliament in 1994, a number of steps have been taken to make it more accessible. This has been done to make the institution more accountable, as well as to motivate and facilitate public participation in the legislative process. The National Assembly is elected to represent the people and to ensure democratic governance as required by the Constitution. It does this by electing thePresident, by providing a national forumfor public consideration of issues, by passing legislation, and by scrutinizing and overseeing executive action. The President is the Head of State and leads the Cabinet. He is elected by the National Assembly from among its members, and leads the country in the interest of national unity, in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

History: Southern Africa became apopular stop for European crews, but it was the Dutch that settled in Table Bay on the site of present-day Cape Town. Towards the end of the 18th century British jumped in for another piece of Africa. It was hoped that British settlers would inhabit a buffer zone between Boers and the Xhosa. Mfecane, Zulu for “forced migration” was a time of upheaval andrepositioning of African tribes in Southern Africa. Shaka Zulu, the King of the Zulu nation, during his reign of terror, a major cause of the Mfecane, left tribes wiped out, others enslaved, and the lucky running. Disgruntled Boers stomped on their Great Trek away from British rule in search of freedom. The Zulus put up strong and bloody resistance to the Boers before eventually ceding to firepower. Boer republics settled in vast parts of land, that had seemingly been uninhabited or “abandoned”. Through treaties, diplomacy, and violence, the Boer republics were incorporated one by one by Britain through the middle part of the 19th century. The first Anglo- Boer War ended in a Boer victory and the establishment of the Zuid- Afrikaansche Republiek. The British retreated until gold was discovered around Johannesburg and then they marched in for the second Anglo-Boer War. The Union of South Africa was established in 1910, racist legislation was passed restricting black's rights and laying the foundations for apartheid. Under apartheid, every individual was classified by race, and race determined where you could live, work, pray, and learn. Regardless of where they had been born, blacks were divided into one of 10 tribal groups, and made to live in the “Homelands.” Although slavery was abolished in 1833, the division of labor on the basis of color served all whites too well for any real attempt to change. Black resistance developed in the form of strikes and was supported internationally after 69 protesters were killed and African National Congress (ANC) leaders, including Nelson Mandela, were jailed in the early 60’s. Many apartheid regulations were repealed, political prisoners were released, and negotiations began on forming a multiracial government. Free elections in 1994 resulted in a victory for the ANC and Nelson Mandela became president. South Africa rejoined the British Commonwealth a few months later. In 1999 the country voted in a more “normal” election. Thabo Mbeki, who took over the ANC leadership from Nelson Mandela, became president during these elections.

Economy: South Africa is a middleincome, well-diversified developing country capable of producing a wide range of consumer and investment goods. South Africa produces one fifth of the entire production of the African continent. The mining and agricultural industry still plays a prominent part. South Africa’s well developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors (although not on par with the quality and accessibility of transport systems of Europe and North America). They also boast a stock exchange that ranks among the 10 largest in the world, and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the world.

Education: Schooling begins at age 7. Compulsory education at primary and lower secondary level is 9 years. Secondary education is until the 12th grade and is offered in the following Categories: Private schools or Government schools. Both categories can lead to higher education. Exchange students are placed in schools according to age and previous school records. The school year normally begins in January and lasts until the first week in December. South African schools charges school fees of varying amounts. Learners wear school uniforms.

Family Life: South Africa is such a culturally diverse country that family life is equally divers. Many families are large and extended family may be part of the same house or live nearby. Family gatherings are a key part of social life in their communities. In general, South African families tend to be friendly, warm, and relaxed. South African parents are likely to be very protective of their children. Security of children is of special importance to all South Africans. Generally in South African cultures, teenagers are allowed their independence, but with freedom comes the responsibility of keeping up with schoolwork and obeying curfews. Most young people live at home until they marry or go to a university in another city. Usually both parents work, so the evening meal tends to be the main one when the whole family is home.

Food: South African cuisine, or Cape cuisine as it's called, is a blend of Dutch, French, German and Malay flavors typically used with lamb, beef or seafood. One should try bredie (braised and stewed mutton and vegetables), saltwater crayfish (like lobsters, but without the claws) and bobotie (a curried meat dish). Braai is a South African barbecue usually featuring a spicy sausage called boerewors.

Recreation: There is a wide variety of sports and activities that one can participate in while living in South Africa. Some activities are based on where you live, however here are few of the most popular sports: soccer, cycling, net ball, cricket, tennis, scuba diving, surfing and rugby.

YFU South Africa: YFU South Africa was founded in 1994. More than 200 students have been involved in exchanges to or from South Africa since its founding. YFU South Africa has a National Office in Bellville, staffed by two permanent staff members.

Common Phrases 

English	Afrikaans
Hello	Hallo
Good-bye	Tot siens
How are you?	Hoe gaan dit?
My name is…	My naam is…
Yes	Ja
No	Nee
Please	Asseblief
Thank you	Dankie