Africa de Sud - statistica si drapel Africa de Sud Capitala: Pretoria; Populatia: 44.344.000 locuitori; Suprafata: 1.219.912 km2; Moneda: rand-ul (100 centi); Ziua nationala: 27 aprilie; Limba oficiala: engleza, afrikaans; Forma de guvernamant: republica prezidentiala;

(http://www.util21.ro/util21/harta-africa-de-sud-drapel-statistica.htm)

Africa de Sud este o ţară aşezată la extremitatea sudică a continentului Africa.

ASEZAREA GEOGRAFICAAfrica de Sud este o ţară aşezată la extremitatea sudică a continentului Africa.

Istoria

Înainte de colonizarea europeană, teritoriul Africii de Sud a fost populat de triburi de boşimani, de hotentoţi, iar apoi de populaţia bantu. Colonizarea a fost începută de olandezi; în 1652 s-a întemeiat Colonia Capului (din 1806 în stăpânirea Angliei). Prin războaie împotriva cafrilor, purtate în secolele 18-19 de buri şi de englezi, aceştia şi-au lărgit considerabil posesiunile. În deceniul 4 al secolului 19 burii întemeiază republica Natal (proclamată colonie engeleză în 1843), iar din deceniul 6 al secolului 19 republicile Transvaal şi Orange, ocupate de Anglia în urma războiului anglo-bur (1899-1902). În 1910 se creează Uniunea Sud-Africană, ca dominion britanic, prin unirea Coloniei Capului, republicilor Orange, Natal şi Transvaal, care participă la primul război mondial de partea Angliei, iar la al doilea război mondial de partea Aliaţilor. În 1949 guvernul Uniunii Sud-Africane a anexat Africa de Sud-Vest, pe care o administrase până atunci sub un mandat instituit de Liga Naţiunilor şi mai târziu de O.N.U. În anii postbelici, autorităţile sud-africane au înăsprit regimul de asuprire rasială, legiferând apartheid-ul. La 31 mai 1961 Uniunea Sud-Africană s-a proclamat republică sub denumirea actuală şi s-a retras din Commonwealth. Ca urmare a politicii de apartheid şi a ignorării rezoluţiilor O.N.U., Adunarea Generală a hotărât în noiembrie 1974 să suspende participarea delegaţiei autorităţilor sud-africane la lucrările sale. Izolarea Republicii Africa de Sud s-a accentuat după destrămarea sistemului colonial portughez (1975) şi a proclamării independenţei Republicii Zimbabwe (1980). Guvernul de la Pretoria a lansat atacuri împotriva republicilor Zimbabwe, Botswana şi Zambia (1986), pe care le-a acuzat că sprijină mişcarea SWAPO (Angola) şi Congresul Naţional African. Amploarea mişcărilor de protest ale populaţiei de culoare a determinat introducerea stării de urgenţă pe întreg teritoriul (12 iunie 1986). Sprijinul larg acordat de opinia publică internaţională luptei împotriva apartheid-ului a constrâns guvernul să facă un şir de concesii, între care eliberarea din închisoare a lui Nelson Mandela, lider al Congresului Naţional African. În 1991 s-a adoptat o legislaţie prin care apartheid-ul a fost abandonat.

ReliefulRelieful Africii De Sud se împarte în douǎ zone. Prima este formatǎ din podişuri predominante în roci bazaltice, cu altitudini medii de 550-1000 m. Cel mai extins dintre acestea este Podişul Veld (alcǎtuit din High Veld în est, cu altitudini medii de 1500-2000 m şi Middle Veld în vest, cu altitudini medii de 500-700). A doua regiune a reliefului este formatǎ dintr-o unitate montanǎ alcǎtuitǎ din sistemul muntos Great Escarpment, care mǎrgineşte podişurile spre litoral. El se terminǎ cu Munţii Scorpiei (Drakensberg) în est; cele mai însemnate sunt vf. Njesuthi cu 3408 m, şi vf. Cathin Peak - cel mai înalt vârf montan - cu 3657 m. La nord de fluviul Orange este un sector al deşertului Kalahari - cu

câmpiile lui de dune şi cu vegetaţia sǎracǎ - cu altitudini medii de 900-1100 m. În vestul ţării se aflǎ o parte din sudul deşertului Namib. Dupǎ el se întinde de-a lungul coastei (60 km) o câmpie litoralǎ. Malurile - de la graniţa cu Mozambic din est, până la fluviul Orange din vest - sunt în majoritate înalte, stâncoase şi abrupte, presărate din când în când cu golfuri (Sf. Elena) şi cu peninsule (Capul Bunei Speranţe, Capul Acelor).

GeografieCape Town este oraşul de care te îndrăgosteşti la prima vedere. Plajele sale sălbatice, porturile, parcurile, clădirile şi munţii care străbat practic zona urbană, fac din acest oraş destinaţia numărul 1 a Africii de Sud. Frumuseţea oraşului este dată de vegetaţia extrem de bogată care se află în deplină armonie cu arhitectura simplistă dar cu un farmec aparte.

Clima în interior este caldă şi umedă vara, dar secetoasă şi blândă iarna. Precipitaţiile scad spre vest, iar podişul este semiarid în mare parte din West Cape. De-a lungul coastei de vest se întinde zona foarte secetoasă a deşertului Namib. În zona Cape Town verile sunt calde şi secetoase, iar iernile calde şi umede. Deşi situată, în cea mai mare parte, în zona climei tropicale, clima Africii de Sud diferă mult de cea a Saharei. Deşertul propriu-zis nu se întâlneşte decât pe o fâşie îngustă în lungul Oceanului Atlantic (Namib), adăpostită de podişuri înalte. Umiditatea creşte spre est si nord-est, datorită caracterului musonic pe care îl îmbrăcă alizeul de sud-est, ce bate în timpul verii australe dinspre Oceanul Indian. RHidrografie

Reţeaua hidrografică este slab dezvoltată şi are o scurgere periodică, cu excepţia râurilor care drenează regiunile estice şi Cap. Cel mai important este fluviul Orange (1860 Km), cu afluentul Vaal (1128 Km).

Vegetaţie

Vegetaţia tipică este reprezentată prin plante xerofile, de deşert si semideşert. Savanele se prelungesc din podişurile estice, unde au ierburi înalte (veld) spre interiorul ţării, unde se transformă în stepe cu ierburi rare şi tufişuri. În vest apar fâşii de vegetaţie dispuse aproape paralel cu ţărmul: deşert (Namib), stepe şi asociaţii de plante suculente (aloe). Regiunea Cap are o vegetaţie mediteraneană bogată, cu numeroşi arbuşti veşnic verzi.

IndustriaMineritul şi industria manufacturieră sunt importante. Principalele produse sunt cele alimentare, băuturile, hârtia, produsele chimice şi îngrăşămintele. Fier şi oţel se produc la Pretoria şi Newcastle. Finanţele, asigurările şi turismul sunt de asemenea importante.

Africa de Sud ocupă primul loc în lume ca producţie de aur. Minele din Johannesburg furnizează 30% din totalul mondial.

Produse importate: piese de maşini, autovehicule, produse textile, produse chimice, produse alimentare.

Produse de export: aur, diamante, metale, produse chimice, fructe, lână. Produsul intern brut: 124.200.000.000 USD

PopulaţiaAfrica de Sud are între statele africane cea mai numeroasă populaţie indiană şi populaţie albă de origine europeană. Ţara a devenit patria unor popoare numeroase din Africa, Asia şi Europa (buri) care provin din Olanda, Germania, Franţa, Anglia.Populaţia de culoare provenită din alte regiuni sunt numiţi „Khoisan” fiind urmaşii sclavilor care au fost aduşi majoritatea din coloniile olandeze din India de est.Acest stat stat african are o structură socială complexă, fiind compusă până în anul 1991 din patru clase sociale mai importante, (albi, negri africani, de altă culoare şi asiatici) se pot simţi şi în prezent urmele politicii de discriminare rasistă (de Apartheid prin separarea raselor) din trecut.[necesită citare]

Procentul cel mai mare din numărul populaţiei îl reprezintă populaţia neagră africană ( 79,5 %) compusă din Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho, Venda, Tswana, Tsonga, Swazi şi Ndebele, procentul populaţiei de culoare albă reprezintă 9,2 % care sunt europeni veniţi prin secolul XVII, populaţia numită de culoare (8,9 %) sunt de provenienţă africană foarte diferită care au fost aduşi ca sclavi. Populaţia de origine asiatică (2.5 %), mai ales indiană au fost aduşi pe plantaţiile de trestie de zahăr din Natal pe la mijlocul secolului XIX, ei trăiesc mai ales în provincia KwaZulu-Natal.73,52% din numărul populaţiei sunt de religie creştină (catolici, protestanţi sau anglicani). Cei care practică religii tradiţional-etnice indigene sunt în număr de peste 6 milioane(aprox.15%). Musulmanii reprezintă 1,45% din numărul populaţiei, Hinduşii 1,25%, adepţii Credintei Bahá'í 0,5%, Evreii 0,17%, Budiştii si cei care urmează una din religiile tradiţionale chinezeşti reprezintă la un loc 0,03 din totalul populaţiei, iar 3,2 milioane(aprox. 8,08%) se declară nereligioşi.

Patrimoniul mondial UNESCOPe lista patrimoniului mondial UNESCO sunt incluse următoarele obiective din Africa de Sud:

Parcul natural din zona umedă Sainte-Lucie (1999) Robben Island (1999) Siturile fosilifere cu hominizi de la Sterkfontein, Swartkrank, Kromdraai şi din

împrejurimile acestora (1999, 2005) Parcul natural Drakensberg (Qathlamba) (2000) Peisajul cultural din Mapungubwe (2003) Arealul protejat din regiunea Cap Floral (2004)

Domul Vredefort (2005) Peisajul cultural şi botanic de la Richtersveld (2007)

Regiunea Cap are un climat mediteranean, cu ploi de iarnă.

(http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa_de_Sud#ASEZAREA_GEOGRAFICA)

Economia Africii de Sud

Economia Africii de Sud

Monedă 1 Rand = 100 cenţi

An Fiscal 1 aprilie - 31 martie

Organizaţii comerciale

Organizaţia Mondială a Comerţului, SADC, SACU

Statistici [1]

PIB poziţia 24 (2005) [2]

PIB 534.6 miliarde dolari(2005) [3]

creşterea PIB 4.6% (2005)

PIB pe cap de locuitor

12.100 dolari (2005)

PIB pe sectoare

agricultură (3.4%), industrie (31.6%), servicii (65.1%) (2005)

Rezerve Forex

20.16 miliarde dolari (februarie 2006)

Inflaţie CPI - 1.4% (2004)CPIX - 4.3% (2004)

Sub nivelul de subzistenţă

50% (2000)

Forţa de muncă

15.23 milioane (2005)

Forţa de muncă după ocupaţie

servicii (45%), industrie (25%), agricultură (30%) (1999)

Şomaj 26.6% (2005)

Industriile principale

mineră (platină, aur, crom, diamante), ansamblare de maşini, metalurgică, energetică, testile, siderurgică, chimică, îngrăşăminte, alimentară

Parteneri comerciali [4]

Exporturi 40.91 miliarde dolari(2005)

Parteneri principali

Regatul Unit 12.6%, SUA 12.4%, Japonia 9.2%, Germania 8.1%, China 4.7%, Italia 4.4% (2003)

Importuri 52.97 miliarde dolari (2005)

Parteneri principali

Germania 16.6%, Regatul Unit 8.5%, SUA 8.2%, Japonia 5.9%, China 5.9%, Arabia Saudită 5.2%, Franţa 5.0% (2003)

Finanţele publice [5]

Datoria publică

44.33% din PIB (iunie 2005)

Venituri 47.43 miliarde dolari(2004)

Cheltuieli 52.54 miliarde dolari (2004)

Ajutor economic (primit)

487.5 milioane dolari (2000)

editează

Economia Africii de Sud este o economie de piaţă funcţională. Africa de Sud este ţara cu economia cea mai dezvoltată din Africa, bazată pe exploatarea şi prelucrarea unor resurse minerale extrem de variate şi bogate şi dispunând de o infrastructură modernă (inclusiv financiar-bancară).

În afară de faptul că deţine cvasimonopolul unor rezerve minerale (peste 4/5 din rezervele mondiale de mangan, 2/3 din cele de platină, peste 1/2 din cele de aur şi crom) şi al producţiei în domeniu, Republica Africa de Sud este unul dintre principalii producători mondiali de diamante, uraniu, cărbuni superiori, minereu de fier, metale rare (titan, vanadiu, antimoniu ş.a.) etc.

Industria prelucrătoare, bine dezvoltată şi variată, concentrată în 4 mari regiuni industriale: Transvaal(minerit, metalurgie, construcţia de maşini ş.a.), Cape (rafinarea petrolului, industria alimentară şi uşoară), Port Elizabeth (metalurgie, mijloace de transport, textile ş.a.) şi Pretoria (autovehicule, industrie chimică, alimentară etc).

Agricultura (5% din PIB, c. 30% din populaţia activă, 1999), cu o mare varietate de situaţii (de la ferme ultramoderne, la agricultura de subzistenţă), prezintă un echilibru între cultura plantelor (cereale, trestie şi sfeclă de zahăr, bumbac, tutun, citrice, viţă de vie) şi creşterea animalelor (ovine - locul 1 în Africa, ca efective şi ca producţie de lână -, apoi caprine, bovine şi porcine). Balanţa agricolă este excedentară, Republica Africa de Sud fiind unul dintre principalii exportatori mondiali de produse agricole.

Reţea de transport bine dezvoltată (30% din reţeaua feroviară şi, respectiv, 45% din parcul de autovehicule ale Africii), porturi active şi aeroporturi internaţionale ce asigură legături cu restul lumii. Balanţă comercială constant excedentară, principalii parteneri fiind Marea Britanie, SUA, Italia, Germania, Japonia.

Turismul, legat prioritar de vizitarea numeroaselor zone naturale ocrotite, contribuie, de regulă, cu aproape 3 md. $/an la veniturile ţării.

(http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economia_Africii_de_Sud)

South Africa20 largest companies: SABMiller plc, Sasol, Sanlam Ltd., Metro Cash and Carry Ltd,

FirstRand Ltd, Smith CG, ABSA Group, Sappi, Standard Bank of South Africa, Barloworld Ltd., Telkom SA, Pepkor, Nedcor, Premier Group Ltd., Anglovaal Mining, DiData (Dimension Data Holdings Ltd), Anglogold Ashanti Ltd, Iscor Ltd., Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd, Aerospace & defense: Denel, Food: Brobon Finex Ltd, Capespan, Premier Group Ltd., SABMiller plc, Insurance: Discovery, Sanlam Ltd., Banking: ABSA Group, Cape of Good Hope Bank, Elbim Bank, First National Bank of South Africa, Nedbank, Nedcor, Rand Merchant Group, Standard Bank of South Africa, Wood & paper products: Sappi, Construction: Barloworld Ltd., Basil Read, Concor, Group Five, Pretoria Portland Cement Co, Retail: Massmart Holdings Ltd, Metro Cash and Carry Ltd, Pepkor, Pick 'n Pay Stores Ltd, Conglomerate: Smith CG, Electronics: MIH Holdings Ltd., Energy & water: Drako, Eskom, Sasol, Equipment: DiData (Dimension Data Holdings Ltd), Computer hardware: State: Public institution, Holding: Remgro ex-Rembrandt Group, Media: Naspers Ltd, Metals & mining: Afrikander Lease Ltd, Anglogold Ashanti Ltd, Anglovaal Mining, Aquarius Platinum,

Assmang Ltd, Aveng, Cape Gate Pty Ltd, Cape Town Iron Steel Works Pty Lyd, Coal of Africa Ltd, De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd, DRDGold, Durban Roodepoort Deep Ltd., Gold Fields Ltd., Guinea-Bissau Phosphate Mining Co, Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd., Highveld Steel & Vanadium Corp, Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd, Iscor Ltd., Kulungile Metals Group, Kumba Resources, Macsteel Holdings Pty Ltd, Northam Platinum Ltd, Pro Roof Steel Merchants, Randgold Exploration Co. Ltd., Scaw Metals Group, Sylvania Resources Ltd, Private Person: Oppenheimer, Nicky, Rupert (famille), Telecommunications services: Cell C, MTN Group Ltd Mobile Telephone Networks, Telkom SA, Thintana Communications, Transportation services: South African Airlines, Financial services: FirstRand Ltd, Investec Group, Sport clubs: South African Airlines,

(http://www.transnationale.org/countries/zafs.php)

South Africa

General InformationCapital(s): Pretoria

Population:Area:

Currency:Language(s):

Dialing Code:Geography

South Africa is situated at the southern tip of Africa forming part of the Southern Africa region and is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland. Lesotho is situated within South Africa’s borders.

There are nine provinces – Gauteng, Western Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State and the North West. Pretoria is the executive capital and Cape Town the legislative capital. Other major cities include Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and East London.

The country’s climate varies from region to region. The Western Cape experiences a Mediterranean climate and the interior has a semi-desert climate with cold, dry winters and summer rainfall. Kwazulu Natal has a subtropical climate with humid conditions. Snow is uncommon and is limited to the highest lying regions of the country.

Politics

South Africa was first inhabited by the Khoisan, followed by Bantu tribes migrating from the North. These were first exposed to Europeans when Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias rounded the Cape in 1488 and Vasco de Gama landed at the Cape en route to India in 1497. The first European colony was established in 1652 by Jan van Riebeek on behalf of the Dutch East India Company as a food station for ships on the trade routes.

The colony expanded as more settlers arrived and it became an important strategic point on the trade route with the Netherlands, France and Britain competing for its control. The British seized power in 1795 which they lost to the Dutch between 1803 and 1806.

The British colonial war was characterised by protracted scuffles with indigenous groups and, later, with the Afrikaners during two Anglo Boer Wars. The scorched earth policy adopted by the British in the Second Anglo Boer War left a large number of displaced people, a depressed economy and a legacy of bitterness.

In 1910 South Africa became a self-governing union as a member of the Commonwealth. Between 1910 and 1948 laws based on race were passed and protests (largely ineffective) followed. Britain continued to be influential in the union until 1948 when the National Party won the election.

The National Party implemented apartheid forced the separation of races with whites having preferential access. This was done through legislation such as the Prohibition of Mixed Marriage Act, the Population Registration Act (that introduced race classification) and the Group Areas Act. Black organisations united against apartheid and staged mass protests.

In 1961 South Africa became a republic and withdrew from the Commonwealth. The United Nations refused to recognise the republic and South Africa effectively began a 30 year period of international isolation. The country was excluded from international organisations and sporting events and also had economic and trade sanctions imposed that served to slow down the economy to such an extent that it could no longer survive in the isolation.

During these years of isolation, the government continued to intensify the implementation of apartheid and the opposition movements increased their protests. Many analysts are of the opinion that the events of June 16 1976, when Soweto’s youth protested against legislation making Afrikaans the language in which subjects were to be taught, were the turning point in the struggle against apartheid.

Political reforms started in 1986 with the repeal of certain apartheid legislation. Nelson Mandela was released in 1990 after 27 years in prison and the ANC began a process of negotiation with the National Party government. The negotiation process culminated in the drafting of a constitution and the country’s first democratic elections in 1994. In the same year the country was accepted back into international organisations.

The second national and parliamentary elections were held on June 2, 1999. In the national elections, the ANC narrowly missed a two-thirds majority. The ANC won the majority of seats in the parliamentary elections securing 233 seats, the DP won 38, the IFP 34, the NNP 28, the UDM 14, the ADP 6 and the final 14 were won by a smaller parties.

Active political parties in South Africa include:

African National Congress (ANC)

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)

Democratic Alliance (DA)

United Democratic Movement (UDM)

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)

Pan-African Congress (PAC)

Freedom Front (FF)

In October 2002, the Constitutional Court ruled on the provisions of floor-crossing legislation with regard to political parties and ruled that representatives of a political party were not allowed to defect to another political party on the national and provincial level, but this is allowed on the municipal level. The result has been shifts of power in mainly from the DA to the NNP and the ANC who have formed a coalition.

Economy

South Africa has the most advanced economy on the African continent. Since1994, particularly, the country's economy has grown rapidly. Its geographical position provides an ideal gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa.

The most important contributors to the economy include the mining sector,manufacturing and agriculture. Most economic activity takes place in Gauteng where most mining occurs. The country's financial and industrial infrastructure is well-developed with excellent growth potential.

The country is plagued with the problem of large socio-economic inequalitiesthat resulted from the apartheid regime and continues to manifest itself in theform of high unemployment rates, wide areas of poverty and increases in crime.An informal sector has developed as a result of unemployment and this posesanother challenge to the country's economic development.

In 2005 Moodys raised South Africa's sovereign rating one notch higher to Baa1. Moody's cited the marked improvement in SA's foreign exchange reserves and faster economic growth as justifying a higher grade.

South Africa's major trading partners are Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, the Netherlands and China.

Industry sectors

Mining is South Africa’s largest industry sector followed by manufacturing, oil and gas, chemicals, agriculture and tourism. The clothing and textiles, financial services and banking sectors have shown significant growth in recent years.

South Africa is globally recognised as being a leading supplier of a variety of minerals and mineral products that are exported to as many as 87 countries. Each year, approximately 55 different minerals are produced from more than 700 mining facilities, with gold, platinum group elements (PGE's), coal and diamonds dominating exports and revenue earnings.

The structure of the mining industry is set to change dramatically, following the introduction of South Africa's new Mining Charter that cedes all mineral rights to the State as well as introducing an empowerment component for all future mining developments in the country.

Agriculture contributes 4% to the country's GDP and consists largely of cattle and sheep farming with only 13% of land used for growing crops. Maize is most widely grown followed by wheat, oats, sugar cane and sunflowers. The government is working to develop small-scale farming in efforts to boost job creation. Citrus and decidious fruits are exported, as are locally produced wines and flowers.

The clothing and textiles industry has showed significant growth as a result of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. The industry earned R791 million in 2001 from exports to the US alone, an increase of 51% from the year before.

The conference and exhibition industry earned South Africa R17.4 billion in 2001 and created 246 000 new jobs. South Africa has a 2.5% share of the global market for this industry. Johannesburg is the most popular event venue with over 37% of all events held there and Cape Town is becoming more popular with the construction of the Cape Town International Convention Centre to be completed in 2002.

Investment

Since 1994 the government of South Africa has taken steps to make the country more open to foreign investment. In 1997 the Department of Trade and Industry launched a national investment agency called Investment South Africa tasked with the promotion of

investment at a national and provincial level. The agency also provides investment requirements and opportunities available in every province. There is no restriction on the extent or type of foreign investment in South Africa.

The government has tried to encourage both foreign and domestic investment by the introduction of <incentives>. These cover all industries and encourage investment in the form of finance, technology, knowledge and skills.

Communications and Infrastructure

South Africa’s communication system is well-developed with 5.5 million installed telephones and 4.3 million installed exchange lines. The network is almost entirely digital with digital microwave and fibre optics serving as the main transmission media. Internet access is widely available. State-controlled Telkom is responsible for the installation and maintenance of these facilities.

A second fixed line operator was expected to be licensed in 2002, but this is expected to happen in 2005. This is one of the reform measures being undertaken by the government in order to promote empowerment in the industry. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is the regulator of the communications industry while the Department of Communication is the responsible government body. The communications industry is undergoing reform through measures

South Africa is the world’s fourth fastest growing GSM market with a growth rate of 50% per annum. There are three operators in the country namely; MTN, Cell C and Vodacom.

The country’s transport infrastructure is highly-developed with extensive road and rail networks. The Department of Transport is responsible for the upkeep of roads. The national road system links all major cities.

Spoornet controls the rail system though Metrorail provides public transport services. The rail system links major centres and is used extensively by heavy industry for freight transport.

Electricity and water services are available in all urban areas and most rural areas although there are shortfalls in some rural areas.

Health

The Department of Health is the government body responsible for the country’s health facilities which include well-equipped hospitals and primary healthcare clinics. The government has placed much emphasis on the primary healthcare sector specifically in rural and poorer areas. Treatment for TB available free of charge at all clinics. Malaria is endemic in the low-altitude areas of the Northern Province, Mpumalanga and north-

eastern KwaZulu-Natal and the highest-risk area is a strip of about 100 km along the Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland border.

Costs for admission to private and provincial hospitals vary and private hospitals usually require proof of membership to a medical scheme/aid.

The Department of Health has initiated the Extended Expanded Programme on Immunisation that aims to make immunisation facilities available to all children and women of child-bearing age. Immunisations against TB, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B and measles are available free of charge to all children up to the age of five years.

Business Travel

Visitors to South Africa are required to have a visa upon arrival and valid international health certificates. Enquiries can be directed to South African diplomatic missions or to the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria.

Tourists must satisfy immigration officials that they have the means to support themselves during their stay and are in possession of return or onwards tickets. Visitors intending to travel to South Africa’s neighbours are advised to apply for multiple-entry visas. Foreign tourists visiting South Africa can have their value-added tax (VAT) refunded, provided the value of the items purchased exceeds R20. VAT is refunded on departure at the point of exit.

Visas specifically for business purposes are available though nationals from Canada, the EU and the United States are not required to have them. An application for a business visa must include the application form, a valid passport and a letter on the parent company’s letterhead that undertakes financial responsibility for the applicant during their stay in South Africa. It is also necessary to provide flight details and addresses of businesses to be visited.

Business Assistance

The Department of Trade and Industry offers a variety of services to those interested in establishing or conducting business in South Africa. These services include details of how to conduct business in the country as well as the requirements for the establishment of a business and the different forms that a business can take.

MBendi client Cliffe Dekker provides valuable information in this regard.

Risk

South Africa has been reviewed and rated by the world’s most accredited risk ratings

agencies including Fitch and Standard and Poors.

Standard and Poors (S&P) have South Africa a risk rating A-/Stable/A-2 BBB/Stable/A-3. This is based on the fact that the government has implemented sensible fiscal policies and has managed to bring spending under control. The country has also decreased deficits and the external debt burden. S&P praised the South African Reserve Bank for its independent nature and commitment to lowering inflation. The privatisation programme is encouraging foreign direct investment with the future looking bright in this regard.

Fitch revised the country’s rating from stable to positive as a result of a sound macroeconomic record that the company says has contributed well to public finances. The fact that government debt is generally denominated in local currency means that it is not vulnerable to volatile exchange rates. Fitch also referred to the significant decrease in external debt.

The S&P and Fitch ratings for South Africa were constrained by the huge socio-economic inequalities that exist, the structural economic weaknesses and low levels of external liquidity. The threat of HIV/AIDS and the high levels of unemployment are problems that serve to deter foreign investment. South Africa has only had modest growth rates in recent years and this is put down to the populations low saving levels. The relaxation of exchange controls makes the country increasingly vulnerable to erratic capital inflows.

Memberships (30)

African Development Bank, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, International Finance Corporation, International Monetary Fund, Southern African Development Community, African Union, The World Bank Group, United Nations, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, World Trade Organisation ::[ View All ]

Exchanges (2)

Alternative Exchange, JSE

Event Venues (756)

Jacana, Kariega Conference Centre, ABSA Conference Centre, Been2Clarens, Bushwillow Lodge, By Delight, Canefields Country House, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Carfind Conference Centre, Constantia Hotel Conference Centre, Country Bumpkin Restaurant and Function Venue, CSIR International Convention Centre, Cullinan Hotel Conference Centre, Dinoko Centre, Duck & Hound Conference Venue :[ View All ]

Facilities (6,961)

Caltex Deneysville, 345 Nursery School, 4 Ways Filling Station, 45th Convenience Centre, 45th Service Station, 7 Eleven Atlantis, 9 Dolphins 1 Stop, A & J Motors, A &s Motors, A Club Service Station, A J Motors, A L Bradfield, A L S Chemex South Africa (Pty) Ltd, A M Moola Spes Nova Elsen - Phoenix, A R K Christian School, A R Motors, A Re Itireleng Pre - School, Aaron Motors Temba, Abaqulusi Service Station, Abbot's College :[ View All ]

Travel FacilitiesAccommodation

(10,643):Fahrenheit   Resorts   B&B , Jacana   Guest   Farm , Africa   Centre   Airport   Leisure   Hotel   and   Travel   Centre , Azure   View , Greenways   Hotel , Watervale   Lodge , Amakhala   Safari   Lodge , Bayethe   Lodge , Botlierskop   Private   Game   Reserve , Bush   Lodge , Bushmans   River   Lodge , Camp   Jabulani , Djuma   Bush   Lodge , Djuma   Galoga   Camp , Djuma   Vuyatela   Lodge :[ View All ]

Attractions (5,342):

Jacana   Farm , Kapama   Private   Game   Reserve , Kariega   Game   Reserve , Mabula   Private   Game   Reserve , Monate   Game   Reserve , Motswari   Private   Game   Reserve , Sanbona   Wildlife   Reserve , Shamwari   Private   Game   Reserve , Shibula   Bush   Spa , Thornybush   Private   Game   Reserve , Tswalu   Kalahari   Reserve , Witwater   Game   Reserve , Witwater   Safari   Spa , Zulu   Nyala   Game   Reserve , 3   in   1   Just   4   Fun :[ View All ]

Restaurants (6,093):

95   Keerom , 96   Winery   Road , African   Juction , Afro   Cafe , Al   Fresco   Restaurant , Arnolds   on   Kloof , Aubergine, Azure, Beira   Alta   Restaurante   Portugu s� , Betty   Boop's   Bistro   on   Main , Bon   Rouge   Bistro , Bosman's, Bossa   Nova , Bouillabaisse, Bread   &   Wine :[ View All ]

Transport related (5,815):

Breede   River   House   Boat   Hire , Cruising   South   Africa , Engen   Meadowridge , O.R.   Tambo   International   Airport , Pearl   Travel   and   Tours , Sannaspos   Museum , Sun   Land   Transfers   &   Tours , TOTAL   Witkoppen , Caltex   Deneysville , 4   Ways   Filling   Station , 45th   Convenience   Centre , 45th   Service   Station , 7   Eleven   Atlantis , 9   Dolphins   1   Stop , A   &   J   Motors :[ View All ]

Other Facilities:Witbank/Emalahleni   Information   and   Tourism   Office  

Who Owns Whom supplies niche research on the leading growth sectors and most economically active company groupings in South Africa, the bulk of which are private companies.

Leading South African law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr provides an overview of privatisation in South Africa which is updated on a regular basis so interested parties can stay abreast of the process.

A number of chemical products are used to facilitate refinery operations. These include catalysts, process chemicals, performance additives and specialised dyestuffs. CPI

Engineering South Africa is one of the key suppliers of these products in South Africa.

Project Facility International (PFI) is widely acknowledged as one of the foremost, African based, independent certified corporate and project planning firm of consultants, charged with the responsibility of providing a smorgasbord of specialist construction and industrial development management and financial support services throughout the African continent and beyond..

Sunspray is a South African Company, which makes and sells powdered foodstuffs and food ingredients, dry-blended or spraydried.

MBT South Africa import plastics raw materials for the processing industry across the southern African sub-continent. The company is small and focused, and prides itself on its technical knowledge and responsiveness to customer needs.

The CEF (Pty) Ltd is the South African government's holding company in the petroleum industry. CEF is mandated by the state to engage in the acquisition, exploitation, generation, manufacture, marketing and distribution of energy from and to engage in research relating to the energy sector.

Wildnet Africa Properties has the finest selection of wildlife and nature-orientated investment opportunities available in Southern Africa. We specialise in game ranches and eco-tourism real estate investments.

Business Presentation Skills partners their clients to achieve successful business relationships through effective interpersonal communication skills.

Phillips Consulting is a world-class management consulting firm who specialise in assisting foreign companies to do business in Africa.

The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa is a self-financing, national development finance institution focusing on contributing to economic growth, industrial development and economic empowerment through its financing activities.

(http://www.mbendi.com/land/af/sa/p0005.htm#TFacs)