South Africa is a large country with 9 provinces situated at the southernmost point of Africa. It is relatively well watered in the east and arid in the west.
The population is 42.5 million (plus between 4 and 12 million illegal immigrants from other southern African nations) They are 76% African, 11% Caucasian , 9% Coloured, 3% Asian and 1% other .
There are two capital cities: Cape Town and Pretoria.
The functional literacy rate is about 65%
South Africa is the richest and most industrialised country in Africa. They are the world’s biggest exporter of gold, platinum, chrome, diamonds and coal. The country is still experiencing post-apartheid imbalances. The burgeoning AIDS epidemic is damaging this country’s potential to grow. They have 11 national languages.
HIVAids prevalence – 20% of total population. Orphans and Vulnerable Children – 1.8m
In 2008 350,000 Aids related deaths were reported. The true figure is likely to be higher.