LocationSouthern Africa.
Area1,219,192 sq km (470,693 sq miles).
Population46 million (UN, 2005).
Population Density36.8 per sq km.
CapitalPretoria (administrative).
Population: 1.98 million (2001). Cape Town (legislative).
Population: 2.89 million (2001). Bloemfontein (judicial).
Population: 119,698 (2001).
GovernmentRepublic. Gained independence from the UK in 1910.
Recent history: Under the terms of the new Constitution, which was adopted on 8 May 1996 and
entered into force on 4 February 1997, legislative power is vested in a bicameral Parliament, comprising a National Assembly and a National Council of Provinces (formerly the Senate). The National Assembly is elected by universal adult suffrage under a system of proportional representation and has between 350 and 400 members. The 90-member National Council of Provinces comprises six permanent delegates and four special delegates from each of the provincial legislatures. The President, who is elected by the National Assembly from among its members, exercises executive power in consultation with the other members of the Cabinet.
South Africa has held three successful national elections as well as local polls since the first genuinely inclusive national election in South Africa, which was held in February 1994. Thabo Mbeki was elected by Parliament to a second five-year term in April 2004, following the landslide general election victory of his ruling African National Congress (ANC). Mr Mbeki took over as President when Nelson Mandela stepped down in mid-1999. Mbeki’s administration is struggling with two major domestic problems – a huge violent crime wave and an HIV-AIDS pandemic, which afflicts over 10 per cent of the adult population. Mbeki’s persistent refusal to come to terms with the true nature of the HIV virus has drawn massive international criticism as well as being the subject of furious arguments between Mbeki and Mandela.
LanguageThe official languages are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.
ReligionMost inhabitants profess Christianity of some form and belong to either Catholic, Anglican and other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Calvinist churches or African independent churches. There are also significant Hindu, Muslim and Jewish communities, and traditional beliefs are still practiced widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity.
TimeGMT + 2.
Electricity220/240 volts AC; 250 volts AC (Pretoria), 50Hz. Three-pin round plugs are in use.
Head of StatePresident Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki since 1999.
TelephoneIDD is available. Country code: 27.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage extends to most urban areas.
InternetInternet cafes are present around the country.
MediaSouth Africa’s many broadcasters and publications reflect the diversity of the population as a whole. Well-established state-run and commercial TV networks broadcast nationally, and hundreds of thousands of viewers subscribe to pay-TV services operated by major cable and satellite company Multichoice. Deregulation in 1996 led to a proliferation of radio stations. The constitution provides for freedom of the press, and this is generally respected in practice.
PostAirmail to Europe takes up to seven days. Post office hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1630, Sat 0800-1130. Some transactions may not be carried out Mon-Fri after 1530 or Sat after 1100. The smaller post offices close for lunch 1300-1400.
PressThe main newspapers are in English and Afrikaans, and include
Cape Argus,
The Citizen,
Daily Dispatch,
Mercury,
Sowetan and
The Star (website:
www.thestar.co.za).
RadioSABC is a state broadcaster with 20 regional and national services in 11 languages. Other radio channels are:
YFM, 702 Talk Radio and
Channel Africa.
Below are listed the Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
21 Mar Human Rights Day.
6 Apr Good Friday.
9 Apr Family Day.
27 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Workers Day.
16 Jun Youth Day.
9 Aug National Women’s Day.
24 Sep Heritage Day.
16 Dec Day of Reconciliation.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Day of Goodwill.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
21 Mar Human Rights Day.
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Family Day.
27 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Workers Day.
16 Jun Youth Day.
9 Aug National Women’s Day.
24 Sep Heritage Day.
16 Dec Day of Reconciliation.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Day of Goodwill.
NoteHolidays falling on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.
Contact Information:South African Tourism Board (SATOUR) in the UKStreet address: 6 Alt Grove, Wimbledon, London SW19 4DZ, UK
Postal address: PO Box 49110, Wimbledon, London SW19 4XZ, UK
Tel: (020) 8971 9350
or 0870 155 0044 (tourism enquiry line and brochure request).
Website:
www.southafrica.net South African High Commission in the UKSouth Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP, UK
Tel: (020) 7451 7299.
Website:
www.southafricahouse.com Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
South African Consulate in the UK15 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DD, UK
Tel: (020) 7925 8900/01/10
or (020) 7925 8916 (appointment booking line).
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0845-1245 (appointments only), 1500-1600 (collections).
Website:
www.southafricahouse.com/Consulate.htmEmbassy of the Republic of South Africa in the USA3051 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 4400
.
Website:
www.saembassy.orgSouth African Consulate in the USAStreet address: 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Van Ness Building, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Postal Address: 3051 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 274 7991.
South African Tourism Board (SATOUR) in the USA500 Fifth Avenue, 20th Floor, Suite 2040, New York, NY 10110, USA
Tel: (212) 730 2929.
Website:
www.southafrica.net
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