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South Africa
Africa
Africa's most industrialized nation, South Africa is known for its diverse cultures, wildlife, and history of apartheid. It has strong mining and tourism sectors.
62,000,000
Population
1,221,037
Area (km²)
Pretoria
Capital
27
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
27 Events
September 01, 2025 - September: Professional Beauty Johannesburg and other trade fairs highlight economic recovery, with GDP growth projected at 1.2% amid global uncertainties.
August 01, 2025 - August: The B20 Summit convenes, focusing on business input for G20 priorities like inclusive growth and digital transformation.
July 01, 2025 - July–September: South Africa assumes the G20 Presidency (from December 2024), hosting preparatory events on solidarity, equality, and sustainability ahead of the 2025 summit.
June 05, 2025 - The OECD releases its Economic Survey of South Africa, praising fiscal reforms but urging action on unemployment and climate commitments.
April 27, 2025 - The nation celebrates the 30th anniversary of democracy and the end of apartheid, with events reflecting on progress and challenges like inequality.
February 19, 2025 - Anti-apartheid activist and former MP Fatima Meer passes away at 91, mourned as a freedom fighter.
February 15, 2025 - Prominent Islamic scholar Muhsin Hendricks dies, noted for his advocacy on LGBTQ+ rights in Islam.
February 08, 2025 - A head-on collision between a pickup truck and minibus taxi in Kapama Game Reserve kills 12, including tourists, raising transport safety alarms.
February 07, 2025 - U.S. President Donald Trump imposes a travel ban affecting South Africans, citing security concerns, straining bilateral ties.
December 19, 2024 - The GNU marks six months, with Ramaphosa highlighting progress on energy and logistics reforms.
November 29, 2024 - Ramaphosa signs the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law, aiming for universal healthcare but facing legal challenges.
September 08, 2024 - Severe flooding in the Eastern Cape kills at least 49 people, displacing thousands and exacerbating climate vulnerabilities.
August 22, 2024 - August 22–24: South Africa hosts the 16th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, expanding the bloc to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE.
July 10, 2024 - A school bus crash in Limpopo kills 12 children and the driver, prompting national outrage over road safety.
July 01, 2024 - Ramaphosa unveils the GNU cabinet, including seven parties, with key portfolios like finance and foreign affairs retained by ANC allies.
June 14, 2024 - The Electoral Commission declares the election results final; Ramaphosa is re-elected president by Parliament.
May 29, 2024 - General elections result in the ANC losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994 (40.18% of votes), forcing a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the DA and others.
February 08, 2024 - Ramaphosa delivers his State of the Nation Address, focusing on job creation and energy reforms amid coalition talks.
January 01, 2024 - The national minimum wage increases to R27.58 per hour, benefiting low-income workers but sparking debates on business impacts.
December 30, 2023 - Flash floods in KwaZulu-Natal kill at least 21 people, displacing hundreds and highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities.
December 29, 2023 - South Africa files a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of genocide in Gaza under the Genocide Convention.
October 28, 2023 - The Springboks defeat New Zealand 12–11 to win the Rugby World Cup in France, securing a record fourth title and boosting national morale.
June 01, 2023 - June: The U.S. classifies South Africa as a "non-market economy" in anti-dumping investigations, impacting trade relations.
May 01, 2023 - May: Ramaphosa survives an impeachment motion in Parliament over the Phala Phala farm scandal, with the ANC majority rejecting it.
April 01, 2023 - April: The Thabo Bester prison escape scandal erupts, revealing corruption in the correctional services as details emerge of the convicted rapist-murderer's 2022 breakout and luxurious lifestyle.
March 20, 2023 - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leads a "National Shutdown" protest against economic inequality, drawing thousands but resulting in arrests and clashes with police.
January 12, 2023 - President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his State of the Nation Address, emphasizing economic recovery amid ongoing load shedding and unemployment crises.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Africa
100 Questions
South Africa is at the southern tip of Africa, bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho (an enclave).
South Africa has three capitals: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
Johannesburg, the country’s economic hub.
Around 62 million people as of 2025 estimates.
It has 11 official languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, Sotho, Tswana, and Tsonga.
Varied: Mediterranean in the southwest, desert in the northwest, subtropical on the east coast, and temperate inland.
The South African rand (ZAR).
A multicolored flag with green, black, white, yellow, red, and blue in a Y-shape.
Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).
In 1910 (Union of South Africa from Britain), but full sovereignty came in 1961 as a republic.
Charles Robberts Swart (1961, after becoming a republic).
Nelson Mandela (1994).
Cyril Ramaphosa (as of 2025).
A unitary parliamentary republic.
Black Africans (majority, with many groups such as Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho), Whites, Coloured (mixed-race), and Indians.
Christianity, followed by Islam, Hinduism, and traditional African beliefs.
Around $400 billion in 2025 estimates.
About $6,500.
Around 95%.
About 65 years.
Around 2.3 children per woman.
Around 55%.
Gold, diamonds, platinum, coal, machinery, and agricultural goods.
Oil, chemicals, machinery, and electronics.
Gold, diamonds, platinum, coal, iron ore, and fertile land.
Because of its cultural and ethnic diversity.
Mining history, finance, and being the largest city.
Table Mountain, Robben Island, and its harbor.
Beaches, Indian Ocean port, and large Indian community.
Historic township linked to the anti-apartheid struggle.
Maize porridge (pap), meat, bread, and vegetables.
A Cape Malay dish made with spiced minced meat baked with an egg topping.
A South African barbecue tradition.
Beer, rooibos tea, umqombothi (traditional beer), and wines.
Football, rugby, and cricket.
The Springboks.
Bafana Bafana.
Yes, winning in 1996.
Yes, hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Nelson Mandela Bay’s Chad le Clos (swimming), Caster Semenya (athletics), Siya Kolisi (rugby).
Yes, winning medals in swimming, athletics, and rowing.
Kwaito, amapiano, gqom, gospel, jazz, and traditional music.
Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Brenda Fassie, Master KG, Black Coffee.
A popular house music genre blending jazz, deep house, and African beats.
Drums, mbira, marimba, and kudu horn.
Zulu dance, gumboot dance, and Xhosa initiation dances.
Zulu beadwork, Xhosa blankets, and Afrikaans-style dresses.
Women are active in politics, business, and culture, though challenges remain in equality.
Around 94%.
Around 96%.
High, around 30%.
Around 10%.
Maize, sugarcane, wheat, citrus fruits, and grapes.
Cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry.
Mixed public-private system, with major inequality between rich and poor.
HIV/AIDS, TB, diabetes, and hypertension.
Around 19% of adults, among the world’s highest.
High but improving.
Still a concern, especially in rural areas.
“Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika / The Call of South Africa.”
“Diverse People Unite.”
The springbok (antelope).
The blue crane.
The king protea.
The real yellowwood.
Elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, buffalo – the “Big Five.”
Kruger, Addo Elephant, Table Mountain, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi.
One of Africa’s largest and most famous safari destinations.
A flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town.
Elephants, lions, and rare black rhinos.
Around 97%.
Around $6,500 annually.
Declining.
Around 67%.
Engaged in farming, mining, and traditional communities.
Coal (dominant), renewables, hydro, and nuclear.
Very high in solar and wind.
Unemployment, inequality, and reliance on mining.
Corruption, service delivery protests, and governance.
A system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced from 1948–1994.
Anti-apartheid leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and first black president of South Africa.
A post-apartheid body for justice and healing.
South Africa is a key political and economic power in Africa.
South Africa contributes to peacekeeping and diplomacy.
Strong trade and security ties.
Major investor in mining, trade, and infrastructure.
Historical colonial power, still maintains close relations.
South Africa is a member of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa).
Moderate, often between 5–7%.
Low overall, but high in Gauteng and coastal cities.
Beadwork, pottery, weaving, and wood carving.
Famous globally, especially from Stellenbosch and Paarl.
A community in Cape Town with unique cuisine and traditions.
April 27, marking the first democratic elections in 1994.
A holiday celebrating South Africa’s cultural diversity.
Small, about 2% difference.
Around 10 years.
Lower than in rural areas.
Promising if unemployment, inequality, and corruption are addressed.
It is Africa’s most industrialized nation, a cultural and economic powerhouse, and a symbol of post-apartheid democracy.