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South Africa has a two-tiered economy; one rivaling other developed countries and the other with only the most basic infrastructure. It therefore is a productive and industrialised economy that exhibits many characteristics associated with developing countries, including a division of labour between formal and informal sectors--and uneven distribution of wealth and income. The formal sector, based on manufacturing, services, mining, and agriculture, is well developed. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... The old R1 and new R10 bank notes The Rand is the currency of South Africa. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 90th day of the year (91st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... “WTO” redirects here. ... SADC-only (yellow) and SADC+SACU members Headquarters Gaborone, Botswana Working languages Membership 15 African states Leaders  -  Secretary General Establishment  -  as the SADCC April 1, 1980   -  as the SADC August 17, 1992  Website http://www. ... States of SACU // Origins The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) came into existence on December 11, 1969 with the signature of the Customs Union Agreement between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ... This article is in need of attention. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Chuquicamata, the second largest open pit copper mine in the world, Chile. ... General Name, Symbol, Number platinum, Pt, 78 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 6, d Appearance grayish white Standard atomic weight 195. ... GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ... General Name, symbol, number chromium, Cr, 24 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 6, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 51. ... This article is about the gemstone. ... “Car” and “Cars” redirect here. ... Turned chess pieces Metalworking is the craft and practice of working with metals to create structures or machine parts. ... A machine is any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of tasks. ... For other uses, see Textile (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Iron (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Steel (disambiguation). ... The chemical industry comprises the companies that produce industrial chemicals. ... Spreading manure, an organic fertilizer Fertilizers (also spelled fertilisers) are compounds given to plants to promote growth; they are usually applied either via the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar feeding, for uptake through leaves. ... Foodstuffs is a New Zealand co-operative grocery distributer and franchiser for its three supermarket brands - New World, Pakn Save and 4 Square. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Events January events January 1 Luíz Inácio Lula Da Silva becomes the 37th President of Brazil. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Events January events January 1 Luíz Inácio Lula Da Silva becomes the 37th President of Brazil. ... This article is in need of attention. ... World map indicating Human Development Index (as of 2004). ... A developing country is a country with low average income compared to the world average. ...

South Africa's transportation infrastructure is among the best in Africa, supporting both domestic and regional needs. The OR Tambo International Airport serves as a hub for flights to other Southern African and International countries. South Africa also has several major ports that make it a central point for most trade in the southern African region. OR Tambo International Airport (IATA: JNB, ICAO: FAJS) is a large airport near the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

Brief history of the South African economy

This is a chart of trend of gross domestic product of South Africa at market prices estimated by the International Monetary Fund with figures in millions of South African Rand.

The formal economy of South Africa has its beginnings in the arrival of Dutch settlers in 1652, originally sent by the Dutch East India Company to establish a provisioning station for passing ships. As the colony increased in size, with the arrival of French Huguenots and German citizens, some of the colonists were set free to pursue commercial farming, leading to the dominance of agriculture in the economy. // Events April 6 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. ... This article is about the trading company. ... From the 16th to the 18th century the name Huguenot was applied to a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of France, historically known as the French Calvinists. ...

At the end of the 18th century, the British gained control of the colony, imposing the English language on the colonists, who were now developing a culture of their own. This in turn lead to the Great Trek, spreading farming deeper into the mainland, as well as the establishment of the independent Boer Republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Trekboers in the Karoo. ... Afrikaners are white South Africans of predominantly Calvinist Dutch, German, French Huguenot, Friesian and Walloon descent who speak Afrikaans. ... Flag of Transvaal For the Russian theme park, see Transvaal Park. ... Flag of the Orange Free State Capital Bloemfontein Language(s) Afrikaans, English Religion Dutch Reformed Church Government Republic President  - 1854 - 1855 Josias P. Hoffman  - 1855 - 1859 Jacobus Nicolaas Boshoff  - 1859 - 1863 Marthinus Wessel Pretorius (also President of the South African Republic from 1857 to 1871). ...

In 1870 diamonds were discovered in Kimberley, while in 1886 some of the worlds largest gold deposits were discovered in the Witwatersrand region of Transvaal, quickly transforming the economy into a resource dominated one. The British, seeking the riches of the gold fields, invaded the Boer republics, and re-gained control over them in 1902 after the Second Boer War. The country also entered a period of industrialisation during this time, including the organization of the first South African trade unions. 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about the mineral. ... The Big Hole, a prominent tourist attraction in Kimberley Kimberley is a town in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. ... Year 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ... Witwatersrand is a low mountain range which runs through Gauteng in South Africa. ... Year 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Combatants British Empire Orange Free State South African Republic Commanders Sir Redvers Buller Lord Kitchener Lord Roberts Paul Kruger Louis Botha Koos de la Rey Martinus Steyn Christiaan de Wet Casualties 6,000 - 7,000 (A further ~14,000 from disease) 6,000 - 8,000 (Unknown number from disease) Civilians... Trade unions in South Africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. ...

The government soon started putting laws distinguishing between different races in place. In 1948 the National Party won the national elections, and immediately started implementing an even stricter race-based policy named Apartheid, effectively dividing the economy into a privileged white one, and an impoverished black one. The policy was widely criticized and lead to crippling sanctions being placed against the country in the 1980s. The legacy of Apartheid will still have a major impact on the economy for generations to come. Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Party (Afrikaans: Nasionale Party) (with its members sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats) was the governing party of South Africa from June 4th 1948 until May 9th 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. ... A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ...

South Africa held its first multi-racial elections in 1994, leaving the newly elected African National Congress (ANC) government with the daunting task of trying to restore order to an economy harmed by sanctions, while also integrating the previously disadvantaged segment of the population into it. As of 2005 agriculture, that once dominated the economy, contributes only 3.4% to the country's GDP, while services now account for 65.1%. Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... For political parties with similar names in other countries, see Northern Rhodesian African National Congress and Zambian African National Congress. ...

GEAR economic policy

The Government of South Africa demonstrated its commitment to open markets, privatisation and a favourable investment climate with its introduction of the crucial Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) strategy - the neoliberal economic strategy to cover 1996-2000. Introduced by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel in June 1996, the policy set government the ambitious goals of achieving sustained annual real GDP growth of 6% or more by the year 2000 while creating 400,000 new jobs each year. The policy was meant to increase investment, especially Foreign Direct Investment, in the country to help achieve these ambitious goals. South Africa uses a mixed economy. In economics, the open market is the term used to refer to the environment in which bonds are bought and sold. ... Privatization (sometimes privatisation, denationalization, or — especially in India — disinvestment) is the process of transferring property, from public ownership to private ownership. ... Trevor Manuel Trevor Manuel (born January 31, 1956), is currently South Africas Minister of Finance. ... 1996 is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Foreign direct investment (FDI) is defined as a long-term investment by a foreign direct investor in an enterprise resident in an economy other than that in which the foreign direct investor is based. ...

The outcomes of the GEAR strategy have been mixed. It brought greater financial discipline and macroeconomic stability but largely failed to deliver in key areas. Formal employment continued to decline, and despite the ongoing efforts of black empowerment and signs of a fledgling black middle class and social mobility, the country's wealth remained unevenly distributed along racial lines. The desperately needed FDI also remained elusive, and consequently the ambitious economic growth targets were never realised. The policy came under stringent fire from many critics, especially when growth slumped to only 0.8% (later revised even lower to 0.5% by Statistics South Africa) in 1998. The middle class (or middle classes) comprises a social group once defined by exception as an intermediate social class between the nobility and the peasantry. ...

South Africa's budgetary reforms such as the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the Public Finance Management Act - which aims at better reporting, auditing, and increased accountability - and the structural changes to its monetary policy framework (including inflation targeting) have, however, created transparency and predictability and are widely acclaimed. Trade liberalisation also progressed substantially since the early 1990s. Average import tariffs in South Africa, for example, declined to 14.3% in 1999 from more than 30% in 1990. These efforts, together with South Africa's implementation of its World Trade Organisation (WTO) obligations and its constructive role in launching the Doha Development Round, show South Africa's acceptance of free market principles. In general, liberalization refers to a relaxation of previous government restrictions, usually in areas of social or economic policy. ... For other uses of the initials WTO, see WTO (disambiguation). ... A free market is an idealized market, where all economic decisions and actions by individuals regarding transfer of money, goods, and services are voluntary, and are therefore devoid of coercion and theft (some definitions of coercion are inclusive of theft). Colloquially and loosely, a free market economy is an economy...

One of the key pillars of the GEAR macroeconomic strategy was to reduce the fiscal deficit, which had reached over 9% of GDP during the 1993/4 fiscal year. The deficit has remained below 3% since the implementation of the reforms, greatly improving South Africa's fiscal health. The Government's 2002 budget called for a moderate increase in spending to promote faster growth and poverty alleviation!

Inflation Targeting and GDP growth

In the February 2000 Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance, announced a policy of inflation targeting, helping to bring consumer inflation, which had been running in the double digits for over 20 years, under control. Inflation fell from 6.9% in 1998 to less than 6.0% in 2000. The target was set to keep CPIX between 3% and 6% average per annum. Although initially successful, the rand's rapid depreciation in late 2001 led to greater inflationary pressure and the South African Reserve Bank missed the target during the course of 2002, with inflation coming in at an average of 9.3% for the year. 2000 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December This is a timeline for events in February, 2000. ... The old R1 and new R10 bank notes The Rand is the currency of South Africa. ...

Since September 2003, however, the CPIX inflation rate has remained consistently within the target range. The average annual rates of CPIX since 2001 were: 2001 - 6.6%, 2002 - 9.3%, 2003 - 6.8%, 2004 - 4.3%, 2005 - 4.3%. 2003 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December A timeline of events in the news for September, 2003. ...

Success in keeping inflation at bay gave the government room to drastically bring down interest rates. During 2003 alone interest rates were cut by 550 basis points, while between 2002 and 2006 interest rates were cut by a total 650 basis points.

The cut in interest rates saw consumer spending rise, the construction sector boom and the sale of new vehicles reach record levels. This in turn generated much needed GDP growth. Ironically enough, GDP growth started to gather steam just as the end of the GEAR period neared. Since 1999, quarterly GDP growth has been consistently positive and annual GDP growth consistently above 2%. The present business cycle upswing is the longest on record. Between 1996 and 2004, GDP growth averaged 3.1%, rising to 4.5% (based on 2005 market prices) in 2004. Growth for 2005 is expected to comfortably exceed 4%, some predicting growth rates greater than 5%. This contrasts sharply with the erratic growth rates of 4.3% in 1996, 2.6% in 1997, 0.5% in 1998 and 2.4% in 1999 under GEAR (baseline 2005).

Although economic growth has improved, the growth has been largely jobless, and quicker growth is still needed. The South African Government estimates that the economy must achieve growth at an average of 4.5% until 2010 and 6% thereafter to reach its goal of halving South Africa's high levels of unemployment, estimated at 26.5% (March 2005 - Stats SA), by 2014.

In an effort to boost economic growth further and spur job creation, the government has launched special investment corridors to promote development in specific regions and also is working to encourage small, medium, and microenterprise development.

In fact the policy has been condemned and opposited by the ANC (African National Congress) alliance partners, namely the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party (SACP). The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is a trade union federation in South Africa. ... SACP symbol South African Communist Party (SACP) is a political party in South Africa. ...

Trade and investment

South Africa has rich mineral resources. It is the world's largest producer and exporter of gold and platinum and also exports a significant amount of coal. Another major export is diamonds. During 2000, platinum overtook gold as South Africa's largest foreign exchange earner. The value-added processing of minerals to produce ferroalloys, stainless steels, and similar products is a major industry and an important growth area. The country's diverse manufacturing industry is a world leader in several specialised sectors, including railway rolling stock, synthetic fuels, and mining equipment and machinery.

Agriculture, based on a 2005 estimate by The World Factbook accounts for only 3.4% of the gross domestic product. Major crops include citrus and deciduous fruits, corn, wheat, dairy products, sugarcane, tobacco, wine and wool. South Africa has many developed irrigation schemes and is a net exporter of food. The World Factbook 2007 (government edition) cover. ... This article is about the maize plant. ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 Wheat Wheat For the indie rock group, see Wheat (band). ... Species Saccharum arundinaceum Saccharum bengalense Saccharum edule Saccharum officinarum Saccharum procerum Saccharum ravennae Saccharum robustum Saccharum sinense Saccharum spontaneum Sugarcane or Sugar cane (Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation) of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae, tribe Andropogoneae), native to warm temperate to tropical... Shredded tobacco leaf for pipe smoking Tobacco can also be pressed into plugs and sliced into flakes Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. ... For other uses, see Wine (disambiguation). ... Long and short hair wool at the South Central Family Farm Research Center in Boonesville, Arizona Wool is the fiber derived from the fur of animals and people of the Caprinae family, principally sheep, but the hair of certain species of other mammals such as goats and rabbits and oxes...

Exports reached 29.1% of GDP in 2001, up from 11.5% a decade ago. South Africa's major trading partners include the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Italy, Belgium, China, and Japan. South Africa's trade with other Sub-Saharan African countries, particularly those in the Southern Africa region, has increased substantially. South Africa is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). In August 1996, South Africa signed a regional trade protocol agreement with its SADC partners. The agreement was ratified in December 1999 and implementation began in September 2000. It intends to provide duty-free treatment for 85% of trade by 2008 and 100% by 2012. States of SACU // Origins The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) came into existence on December 11, 1969 with the signature of the Customs Union Agreement between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. ... SADC-only (yellow) and SADC+SACU members Headquarters Gaborone, Botswana Working languages Membership 15 African states Leaders  -  Secretary General Establishment  -  as the SADCC April 1, 1980   -  as the SADC August 17, 1992  Website http://www. ...

South Africa has made great progress in dismantling its old economic system, which was based on import substitution, high tariffs and subsidies, anticompetitive behaviour, and extensive government intervention in the economy. The new leadership has moved to reduce the government's role in the economy and to promote private sector investment and competition. It has significantly reduced tariffs and export subsidies, loosened exchange controls, cut the secondary tax on corporate dividends, and improved enforcement of intellectual property laws. A new competition law was passed and became effective on 1 September 1999. A U.S.-South Africa bilateral tax treaty went into effect on 1 January 1998, and a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement was signed in February 1999. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In economics, a subsidy is generally a monetary grant given by a government to lower the price faced by producers or consumers of a good, generally because it is considered to be in the public interest. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

South Africa is a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). U.S. products qualify for South Africa's most-favoured-nation tariff rates. South Africa also is an eligible country for the benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and most of its products can enter the United States market duty free. South Africa has done away with most import permits except on used products and products regulated by international treaties. It also remains committed to the simplification and continued reduction of tariffs within the WTO framework and maintains active discussions with that body and its major trading partners. “WTO” redirects here. ... Most favoured nation (or most favored nation, MFN) is a term used in international trade. ... In May 2000, the U.S. Congress approved legislation known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or . ...

As a result of a November 1993 bilateral agreement, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) can assist U.S. investors in the South African market with services such as political risk insurance and loans and loan guarantees. In July 1996, the United States and South Africa signed an investment fund protocol for a $120 million OPIC fund to make equity investments in South and Southern Africa. OPIC is establishing an additional fund--the Sub-Saharan Africa Infrastructure Fund, capitalised at $350 million--to investment in infrastructure projects. The Trade and Development Agency also has been actively involved in funding feasibility studies and identifying investment opportunities in South Africa for U.S. businesses. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is an agency of the U.S. government established in 1971 that helps U.S. businesses invest overseas and promotes economic development in new and emerging markets. ...

Despite the numerous positive economic achievements since 1994, South Africa has struggled to attract significant Foreign Direct Investment. The situation may have started to change however, with 2005 seeing the largest single FDI into South Africa when Barclays bought a majority share in local bank Absa Group Limited. Deals between the British based Vodafone and South Africa's Vodacom have taken place in 2006. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is defined as a long-term investment by a foreign direct investor in an enterprise resident in an economy other than that in which the foreign direct investor is based. ... Barclays Bank is the fourth largest bank in the United Kingdom. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Absa. ... Vodafone Group Plc is a mobile network operator headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire, England, UK. It is the largest mobile telecommunications network company in the world by turnover and has a market value of about £84. ... Vodacom is a South African based mobile telecommunications company, and was the first mobile telecommunications company in South Africa. ...

Financial policy

South Africa has a sophisticated financial structure with the JSE Securities Exchange, a large and active stock exchange that ranks 18th in the world in terms of total market capitalisation. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) under its president, Tito Mboweni, performs all central banking functions. The SARB is independent and operates in much the same way as Western central banks, influencing interest rates and controlling liquidity through its interest rates on funds provided to private sector banks. Quantitative credit controls and administrative control of deposit and lending rates have largely disappeared. South African banks adhere to the Bank of International Standards core standards. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange or the JSE Securities Exchange is largest stock exchange in Africa and one of the ten largest in the world. ...

The South African Government has taken steps to gradually reduce remaining foreign exchange controls, which apply only to South African residents. Private citizens are now allowed a one-time investment of up to 750,000 rand in offshore accounts. Since 2001, South African companies may invest up to R750 million in Africa and R500 million elsewhere. South Africa also has a strict policy of reducing its international debt and maintaining a healthy balance of trade. This has led to recent legislation promoting South African products through the Proudly South African campaign and new labelling legislation dictating all products must be labelled with their country of manufacture. Proudly South African Logo The Proudly South African campaign aims to promote South African companies, products and services to create jobs and foster economic growth in South Africa. ...

In fact the policy has been condemned and opposed by the African National Congress alliance partners (the Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party (SACP)).

Effect of HIV/AIDS

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South Africa is one of the countries most affected by HIV with 5-6 million HIV infected individuals. Nearly 20% of the 15-49 year old population is infected and in parts of the country up to 40% of women of child-bearing age are infected. Overall, 12-13% of the population is infected and by 2005, this rate could reach 15%. About 2,300 new infections occur each day or over 850,000 annually. Approximately 40% of adult deaths and 29.8% of all deaths in 2000 were due to AIDS. Without effective prevention and treatment 5-7 million cumulative AIDS deaths are anticipated by 2010 (with 1.5 million deaths in 2010 alone), and there are projected to be over 1 million sick with AIDS. Recent studies predict the epidemic could cost South Africa as much as 17% in GDP growth by 2010. The extraction industries, education and health are among the sectors that will be severely affected. Over the last decade, national government leadership has not effectively addressed the epidemic although a good HIV prevention strategy was initiated. In April 2002, a revitalisation of the HIV/AIDS program was announced by the Cabinet with substantial funding increases anticipated in 2003-04. Image File history File links Gnome_globe_current_event. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

Telecommunications sector

The domestic telecommunications infrastructure provides modern and efficient service to urban areas, including cellular and internet services. In 1997, Telkom, the South African telecommunications parastatal, was partly privatised and entered into a strategic equity partnership with a consortium of two companies, including SBC, a U.S. telecommunications company. In exchange for exclusivity (a monopoly) to provide certain services for 5 years, Telkom assumed an obligation to facilitate network modernisation and expansion into unserved areas. A Second Network Operator was to be licensed to compete with Telkom across its spectrum of services in 2002, although this license was only officially handed over in late 2005 and has recently begun operating under the name, Neotel. Four cellular companies provide service to over 20 million subscribers, with South Africa considered to have the 4th most advanced mobile telecommunications network worldwide. The four cellular providers are Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Virgin Mobile SA. Telkom SA Ltd. ... Para-statals or parastatals (from para- meaning mean something close or near, a prefix, and state), are fully or partially state-owned corporations or agencies. ... This article is about the economics of markets dominated by a single seller. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Cell Phone redirects here. ... Vodacom is a South African based mobile telecommunications company, and was the first mobile telecommunications company in South Africa. ... MTN Group is a South Africa-based multinational mobile telecommunications company, operating in many African and Middle Eastern countries. ... Cell C is South Africas third mobile phone network operator, having commenced operations in November of 2001. ... Virgin Mobile Ltd is a mobile phone service provider operating in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, South Africa, the United States and France. ...

Agricultural sector

Unlike other African countries, South Africa's agricultural sector is not dominated by subsistence farming, with most farms being large commercial, albeit family-owned, enterprises. The country is completely self-reliant and has more than enough output to export massive amounts of agricultural produce. Many other southern African countries rely on South Africa for maize imports. A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Like most farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, this Cameroonian man cultivates at the subsistence level. ... Categories: Africa geography stubs | Southern Africa ... This article is about the maize plant. ...

Due to the country's varied climate, many different crops are grown. The Western Cape province has the most varied and prolific agricultural sector, owing to its similar climate, soil and topographical conditions to California. Wine has become a massive export, with South Africa now being the 5th largest producer worldwide. Deciduous fruit is also of major importance, with grapes, apples, cherries, pears, peaches, citrus and other fruit being exported in great quantities, mostly to Europe. Heavy wheat cultivation also occurs in the region, along with major wheat growing areas in the Highveld of Mpumalanga and the Free State. The Free State is the leading producer of South Africa's staple, maize. Capital Cape Town Largest city Cape Town Premier Ebrahim Rasool Area - Total Ranked 4th 129,370 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 5th 4,524,335 35/km² Elevation Highest point: Seweweekspoort Peak at 2325 meters (7628 feet) Lowest point: sea level Languages Afrikaans (55. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... For other uses, see Wine (disambiguation). ... Deciduous forest after leaf fall Like many deciduous plants, Forsythia flowers during the leafless season For other uses, see Deciduous (disambiguation). ... Species Vitis acerifolia Vitis aestivalis Vitis amurensis Vitis arizonica Vitis x bourquina Vitis californica Vitis x champinii Vitis cinerea Vitis x doaniana Vitis girdiana Vitis labrusca Vitis x labruscana Vitis monticola Vitis mustangensis Vitis x novae-angliae Vitis palmata Vitis riparia Vitis rotundifolia Vitis rupestris Vitis shuttleworthii Vitis tiliifolia Vitis... For other uses, see Apple (disambiguation). ... A cherry is both a tree and its fleshy fruit, a type known as a drupe with a single hard pit enclosing the seed. ... Species Pyrus calleryana P. pyrifolia et al Pears are trees of the genus Pyrus and the edible fruit of that tree. ... Peaches may refer to: Peaches, a type of fruit Peaches, an Electroclash musician Peaches, a song by The Stranglers Peaches, a character in the motion picture Ken Park Peaches, a song by The Presidents of the United States of America Peaches, a musical artist. ... Species & major hybrids Species Citrus aurantifolia - Key lime Citrus maxima - Pomelo Citrus medica - Citron Citrus reticulata - Mandarin & Tangerine Major hybrids Citrus ×sinensis - Sweet Orange Citrus ×aurantium - Bitter Orange Citrus ×paradisi - Grapefruit Citrus ×limon - Lemon Citrus ×limonia - Rangpur lime Citrus ×latifolia - Persian lime See also main text for other hybrids Citrus... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 Wheat Wheat For the indie rock group, see Wheat (band). ... The Highveld is a high plateau area of South Africa which includes the largest metropolitan area in the country, Johannesburg. ... Mpumalanga, (name changed from Eastern Transvaal on 24 August 1995), is a province in South Africa. ... For the term free state as it arises in United States history, see: Free state. ... For the term free state as it arises in United States history, see: Free state. ... This article is about the maize plant. ...

The vast inland regions of the Karoo provide ideal conditions for livestock farming, especially sheep farming (for wool and mutton). Cattle farming is more popular amongst the indigenous people and flourishes more in the more well-watered eastern areas of South Africa. Ostrich farming is popular in the Oudtshoorn area of the Western Cape, along with extensive dairy farming in the Garden Route area just to the south. Sugarcane farming is a mainstay on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, with subtropical fruits, such as mangos, lychees, papaya, bananas and melons being extensively cultivated in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Lowveld areas. Pineapples are cultivated around East London. Many game farms specializing in South African wild antelope are also gaining in importance and are found mainly in the north and east of South Africa. The Karoo is a semi-desert region of South Africa. ... Species See text. ... For general information about the genus, including other species of cattle, see Bos. ... // Binomial name Carolus Linnaeus, 1758 The present-day distribution of Ostriches. ... Oudtshoorn is the largest town in in the Little Karoo region of South Africa. ... Capital Cape Town Largest city Cape Town Premier Ebrahim Rasool Area - Total Ranked 4th 129,370 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 5th 4,524,335 35/km² Elevation Highest point: Seweweekspoort Peak at 2325 meters (7628 feet) Lowest point: sea level Languages Afrikaans (55. ... Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or more properly, an animal husbandry enterprise, raising female cattle, goats, or other lactating animals for long-term production of milk, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale. ... The Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the southern coast of South Africa. ... Species Saccharum arundinaceum Saccharum bengalense Saccharum edule Saccharum officinarum Saccharum procerum Saccharum ravennae Saccharum robustum Saccharum sinense Saccharum spontaneum Sugarcane or Sugar cane (Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation) of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae, tribe Andropogoneae), native to warm temperate to tropical... KwaZulu-Natal (often referred to as KZN) is a province of South Africa. ... MaNGOS (Massive Network Game Object Server [2]) is a free, open source, cross-platform, object-oriented MMORPG server project, hosted on SourceForge. ... Binomial name Litchi chinensis Lychee (荔枝, in Pinyin lìzhī) (Litchi chinensis Sonn. ... Binomial name Carica papaya L. The papaya (from Carib via Spanish), is the fruit of the tree Carica papaya, in the genus Carica. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the fruits called melons. ... KwaZulu-Natal (often referred to as KZN) is a province of South Africa. ... Northern Transvaal redirects here, see Blue Bulls for the rugby union team. ... Mpumalanga, (name changed from Eastern Transvaal on 24 August 1995), is a province in South Africa. ... The term Veld, or Veldt, refers primarily (but not exclusively) to the wide open rural spaces of South Africa or southern Africa and in particular to certain flatter areas or districts covered in grass or low scrub. ... Binomial name Ananas comosus The Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical plant and its fruit, native to Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. ... East London (Afrikaans: Oos-Londen, Xhosa: Imonti) is a city in southeast South Africa, situated in the Eastern Cape Province at 32. ...

Despite attempts by government to reform the distribution of land, historically mostly held by whites, these efforts have not yet translated into growth in the agricultural sector, which continues to lag or decline in relation to the rest of the economy. This may also be due to the fact that indigenous people are mostly subsistence farmers and that anti-competitive practices like agricultural subsidies in developed countries and climate change are curtailing sector growth. Variations in CO2, temperature and dust from the Vostok ice core over the last 450,000 years For current global climate change, see Global warming. ...

According to the OECD, "Agriculture contributes less than 4% to GDP but accounts for 10% of total reported employment."

Environment

South Africa's Government is deeply concerned about managing the country's rich and varied natural resources in a responsible and sustainable manner. In addition, numerous South African non-governmental organisations have emerged as a potent force in the public policy debate on the environment. In international environmental organisations, South Africa is seen as a key leader among developing countries on issues such as climate change, conservation, and biodiversity. This leading role was underscored by South Africa's selection to be the host of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. However, environmental concerns often take second tier when perceived to be a threat to business or development.

South Africa's is a disproportionately large producer of carbon emissions, with much of its relatively cheap electricity produced by coal-fired power stations. However, recently, due in part to UN Environmental reports and recent water restrictions and climatic fluctuations, South African government policy, particularly the city of Cape Town has started formulating legislation to mitigate the negative effects of climate change, which is expected to affect the African continent very adversely. Nickname: Motto: Spes Bona (Latin for Good Hope) Location of the City of Cape Town in Western Cape Province Coordinates: , Country Province Municipality City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality Founded 1652 Government [1]  - Type City council  - Mayor Helen Zille  - City manager Achmat Ebrahim Area  - City 2,499 km²  (964. ... Variations in CO2, temperature and dust from the Vostok ice core over the last 450,000 years For current global climate change, see Global warming. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

Social services

Since 1994, the government has channelled substantial resources into social programmes and services, with varying degrees of success.

• Households with access to clean water: 85% in 2001, 80% in 1996
• Households using electricity for lighting: 69.7% in 2001, 57.6% in 1996
• Households in formal housing: 63.8% in 2001, 57.5% in 1996
• Households with chemical or flush toilets: 51.9% in 2001, 50.5% in 1996
• Pupil-teacher ratio: 38:1 in 2003, 43:1 in 1994
• People who have completed grade 12 schooling: 20.4% in 2001, 16.3% in 1996
• People with access to electricity: 70% in 2003, 32% in 1994
• Social grants: 6.8 million people (R34.8 billion) in 2003

Statistics

HDI Rank: 120th (2005), 119th (2004), 111th (2003), 101st (1999), 95th (1995) World map indicating Human Development Index (2006). ...

Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2004 est.), 7% (2001 est.)

Electricity:

• production: 221.9 TWh (2004), 213.4 TWh (2003), 206.0 TWh (2002), 196.0 TWh (2001), 195.6 TWh (2000)
• consumption: 204.26 TWh (2004)
• exports: 12.45 TWh (2004), 10.14 TWh (2003), 6.95 TWh (2002), 6.52 TWh (2001), 4.01 TWh (2000)
• imports: 8.03 TWh (2004), 6.74 TWh (2003), 7.87 TWh (2002), 7.25 TWh (2001), 4.72 TWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source: The terawatt hour (TW·h) is a unit for measuring energy. ...

• fossil fuel: 93.5%
• hydroelectric: 1.1%
• nuclear: 5.5%
• other: 0% (2001)

Agriculture - products: maize, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products, essential oils; Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons, primarily coal and petroleum (fuel oil or natural gas), formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals[1] by exposure to heat and pressure in the Earths crust over hundreds of millions of years[2]. The theory that hydrocarbons were formed from these... Hydroelectric dam diagram The waters of Llyn Stwlan, the upper reservoir of the Ffestiniog Pumped-Storage Scheme in north Wales, can just be glimpsed on the right. ... Core of a small nuclear reactor used for research. ... This article is about the maize plant. ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 Wheat Wheat For the indie rock group, see Wheat (band). ... Species Saccharum arundinaceum Saccharum bengalense Saccharum edule Saccharum officinarum Saccharum procerum Saccharum ravennae Saccharum robustum Saccharum sinense Saccharum spontaneum Sugarcane or Sugar cane (Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation) of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae, tribe Andropogoneae), native to warm temperate to tropical... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... A plate of vegetables Vegetable is a culinary term which generally refers to an edible part of a plant. ... For other uses, see Beef (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... An unweaned lamb Legs of lamb in a supermarket cabinet The terms lamb, hoggett or mutton are culinary names for the meat of a domestic sheep. ... Long and short hair wool at the South Central Family Farm Research Center in Boonesville, Arizona Wool is the fiber derived from the fur of animals and people of the Caprinae family, principally sheep, but the hair of certain species of other mammals such as goats and rabbits and oxes... Dairy products are generally defined as foodstuffs produced from milk. ... An essential oil is a concentrated, hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aromatic compounds from plants. ...

Exports - commodities: gold, diamonds, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ... This article is about the mineral. ... This article is about metallic materials. ... For other uses, see Mineral (disambiguation). ...

Imports - commodities: machinery, foodstuffs and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments Pumpjack pumping an oil well near Lubbock, Texas Ignacy Łukasiewicz - inventor of the refining of kerosene from crude oil. ...

Debt - external: $25.9 billion (2004 est.)

Foreign exchange reserves: $17.618 billion (Nov 2005) $14.943 billion (Jan 2005), $6.5 billion (Oct 2003)

Exchange rates: Rand per USD (Avg Interbank rate - newest rate avg for months available)
6.16 (2006), 6.38 (2005), 6.46 (2004), 7.57 (2003)
10.5 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94 (2000), 6.11 (1999)
5.53 (1998), 4.61 (1997), 4.30 (1996), 3.63 (1995)
3.55 (1994), 3.26 (1993), 2.85 (1992), 2.76 (1991)
2.58 (1990)

Weakest historical level: $1 = R13.85 (21 December 2001)
Strongest historical level: R1 = $1.49 (5 June 1973) is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 156th day of the year (157th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ...

Historical annual growth in real GDP at 2005 market prices
4.5% (2004), 3.0% (2003), 3.7% (2002), 2.7% (2001)
4.2% (2000), 2.4% (1999), 0.5% (1998)

Average annual real GDP growth rate (1996-2004): 3.1%
Note: GDP data drawn from official StatsSA revised statistics as released in Q3 2005 [5]

See also

• De Beers
• Economy of Africa
• List of South African companies
• Trade unions in South Africa

De Beers, founded in South Africa by Cecil Rhodes, comprises companies involved in rough diamond exploration, diamond mining and diamond trading. ... The economy of Africa consists of the trade, industry, and resources of the peoples of Africa. ... This is a list of companies in South Africa. ... Trade unions in South Africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. ...

External links

• MBendi South Africa overview
• Oanda - Historical Exchange Rate Data (1990 onwards)
• South African Reserve Bank - Economic and Financial Data
• Statistics South Africa - Official Government Statistics
• US Federal Reserve - Historical Exchange Rate Data (1971 - 1989) vs Dollar)
• South Africa Economy Overview from the Global Investor's Perspective by Nicholas Vardy, September 2006

	Southern African Customs Union (SACU)
	South Africa | Botswana | Lesotho | Swaziland | Namibia

v • d • e Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

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States of SACU // Origins The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) came into existence on December 11, 1969 with the signature of the Customs Union Agreement between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. ... “WTO” redirects here. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 370 pixelsFull resolution (1357 × 628 pixel, file size: 19 KB, MIME type: image/png)World map of World Trade Organization (WTO) members/non-members, 2005; based on Image:BlankMap-World-v2. ... Economy - overview: Antigua and Barbudas economy is service-based, with tourism and government services representing the key sources of employment and income. ... The Asian financial crisis in 1997 and 1998, coupled with fluctuations in the price of oil have created uncertainty and instability in Bruneis economy. ... Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world with an average income per capita of €250 (US$300). ... 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If it considered as a single state, the economy of the European Unions twenty-seven member states is currently the worlds second largest economy. ... Economy - overview: The breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 deprived F.Y.R.O.M. (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), then its poorest republic (only 5% of the total federal output of goods and services), of its key protected markets and large transfer payments from the center. ... Economy - overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. ... The Economy of Hong Kong is widely believed, and some argue incorrectly, to be the most economically free in the world. ... Currency 1 South Korean Won (W) = 100 Jeon(Chŏn) (theoretical) Fiscal year Calendar year Trade organizations APEC, WTO and OECD Statistics [1] GDP ranking 10th by volume (at nominal) (2006); 11th by volume (at PPP) (2006); GDP (Nominal) $897. ... The Economy of New Zealand is a small but prosperous free market economy, which is greatly dependent on international trade, mainly with Australia, the United States of America and Japan. ... Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. ... Saint Kitts and Nevis was the last sugar monoculture in the Eastern Caribbean. ... Saint Lucias economy depends primarily on revenue from banana production and tourism with some input from small-scale manufacturing. ... The St. ... Economy - overview: Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require rewriting and/or reformatting. ... A per capita GDP of $340 ranks Solomon Islands as a lesser developed nation. ... With an economy of $27. ... Republic of China (ROC) has a dynamiccapitalist economy with gradually decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by the government. ... Trinidad and Tobago experienced a real growth rate of 3. ... // The United Arab Emirates has a highly industrialized economy that makes the country one the most developed in the world, based on various socioeconomic indicators such as GDP per capita, energy consumption per capita, and the HDI. At $168 billion in 2006, the GDP of the UAE ranks second in... The United States economy has the worlds largest gross domestic product (GDP), $13. ... All twenty-seven member states of the European Union are also members of the WTO in their own right: Austria • Belgium • Bulgaria • Cyprus • Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Hungary • Ireland • Italy • Latvia • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Malta • Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • United Kingdom. Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Designated name for the Republic of China.