English-Speaking Countries: Fact Sheet about South Africa
Table of Contents
Introduction
South Africa, officially known as the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is one of the most diverse and fascinating countries in the world. It is renowned for its complex history, cultural richness, natural beauty, and as one of the few countries with more than one capital city.
Fact Sheet about South Africa
1. Geography and Location
South Africa is located at the southern tip of the African continent, making it a key point for global trade and cultural exchange. The country is part of the Southern Hemisphere.
2. Borders and Coastline
- Coastline: South Africa has an extensive coastline of 2,798 kilometers (1,739 miles) along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
- Land Borders:
- North: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe
- East: Mozambique and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
- Enclave: The Kingdom of Lesotho, a landlocked country, is entirely surrounded by South Africa.
3. Population
- South Africa is the 25th-largest country by land area and also ranks 25th in terms of population.
- As of the latest estimates, South Africa has a population of over 60 million people.
- Around 80% of the population is of Black African ancestry, comprising multiple ethnic groups who speak different Bantu languages.
- The rest of the population includes people of European (White), Indian (Asian), and Coloured (mixed) ancestry.
4. Languages Spoken
South Africa is known for its linguistic diversity. It has 11 official languages, making it one of the most multilingual countries in the world.
Official Languages Include:
- English
- Afrikaans
- Zulu
- Xhosa
- Tswana
- Venda
- Tsonga
- Ndebele
- Swati (Swazi)
- Northern Sotho
- Southern Sotho
While English is commonly used in government and business, Zulu is the most widely spoken first language.
5. Capital Cities
South Africa is unique in that it has three capital cities, each serving a different branch of government:
- Pretoria – Executive Capital
- Cape Town – Legislative Capital
- Bloemfontein – Judicial Capital
This system reflects the country’s complex and inclusive political structure.
6. Nationality and People
- A person from South Africa is called a South African.
- The nationality is also South African.
- People identify strongly with their cultural and linguistic heritage, contributing to the nation’s nickname: “The Rainbow Nation.”
7. Apartheid in South Africa
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government from 1948 to the early 1990s. Under apartheid, people were separated by race, and non-white South Africans were denied basic rights and freedoms.
- Black South Africans had limited access to quality education, healthcare, and housing.
- People of different races were forced to live in separate areas and use separate facilities (schools, buses, beaches, etc.).
- The government passed laws to control movement, marriage, and work based on race.
One of the most famous leaders who fought against apartheid was Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s first Black president in 1994. The end of apartheid marked the beginning of a new democratic era in the country.
More about South Africa!
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Enclave | A country entirely surrounded by another country | Lesotho is an enclave within South Africa. |
| Multiracial | Composed of people of more than one race | South Africa has a multiracial society. |
| Bantu | A group of African languages spoken by many ethnic groups in South Africa | Zulu and Xhosa are Bantu languages. |
| Republic | A form of government without a monarch | South Africa is officially a republic. |
| Legislative | Related to law-making | Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. |
Quick Quiz (True or False)
Answer True or False:
- South Africa has no coastlines. (…)
- South Africa has three capital cities. (…)
- English is the only official language in South Africa. (…)
- Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa. (…)
- South Africa borders Egypt. (…)
- Most South Africans speak Spanish. (…)
- South Africa has both Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines. (…)
2 → True
3 → False
4 → True
5 → False
6 → False
7 → True
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