Featured Articles on Africa

SOUTH AFRICA RESOURCES

ORGANIZATIONS

Emergent Africa
A weblog on the Emerging church in Africa, based out of South Africa.

Statistics South Africa  
Provides a relevant and accurate body of statistics to inform users on the dynamics in the economy and society through the application of internationally acclaimed practices.  

University of South Africa (UNISA)

A comprehensive, open learning and distance education institution.

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency - The World Fact Book

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Clark, Nancy L. & Worger, William H. (2004). South Africa: The Rise and Fall of Apartheid. Longman.
Focusing on the rise and fall of Apartheid, this new introductory text explores the history of South Africa from 1948, when the Nationalists came to power, until its dramatic collapse in the 1990s. 

Marx, Anthony. (1992) Lessons of Struggle: South African Internal Opposition, 1960-1990. Oxford University Press, 384pp.

Thompson, Leonard (2001). A History of South Africa (3rd edition). Yale University Press.
Examines South Africa's current crisis in terms of past clashes involving the Dutch and British invaders and the Af rikaners.

cCYS

SOUTH AFRICA OVERVIEW

(Download this overview as a PDF)

BASIC STATISTICS

• Total population: 43,586,097 (Ranked 26th in the world by the US Census Bureau).
• National GDP: $290.6 billion (1998).
• GDP per capital: $6,800.
• Median Age: 23.8 years old.
• Infant Mortality: 51.95 per 1000 live births.

GEOGRAPHY

• Location: Southern tip of the African Continent.
• Borders: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, encompasses Lesotho.
• Capitals: Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria (administrative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
• Area: 471,009 square miles.
• Major cities and population: Cape Town, 2,993,000; Johannesburg, 2,335,000; Pretoria, 1,508,000
• Topography: 2,700 miles of coastline encircles the large interior plateau to the east, south, and west. Rainfall in the east is more plentiful than in the west, where the rainfall is negligible.
• 9 Provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Northern Province, North-West, and Western Cape.

DEMOGRAPHY

• Population density: 92 per square mile.
• Youth 15-24: 18%—8,806,800.
• Teenage 10-19: 21.6%—9,393,491.
• Children 0-14: 32%—13,952,198.
• Seniors Over 70: 3%—1,303,196.
• Male to female ratio: 93.7/100.
• Birth rate: 21.56 per 1,000 people.
• Life expectancy at birth: 51.84 for males, 56.03 for females.
• Infant mortality rate: 51.95 per 1000 live births.
• Official Languages: IsiZulu (22.9%), IsiXhosa (17.9%), Afrikaans (14.4%), Sepedi (9.2%), English ( 8.6%), Setswana (8.2%), Sesotho (7.7%), Xitsonga (4.4%), Siswati (2.5%), Tshivenda (2.2%) and IsiNdebele (1.5%).
• Ethnic Groups: black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6%.
• Immigration: In 1996 there were 5,407 immigrants. Of those, 2,315 were from Europe; 1,020 from Asia; 1,549 from Africa, 257 from the Americas, and 86 from Oceania.
• Religious affiliations: 68% Christian, 28.5% Traditional, Animistic.
• Religious group representation: 83.1% Christian (30,942,000), 8.4% Ethno-religionist (3,375,777), 2.4% Hindu (959,356), 2.4% Nonreligious (957,006), and 2.4% Muslim (947,148). Less than 1% of the following: Baha’i, Jew, Atheist, Buddhist, Sikh, Chinese folk-religionist, Spiritist, Confucianist and other.
• Education: Compulsory from ages 7-16.
•  

• Literacy rate: 82%.

ECONOMY

• Currency: Rand.
• GDP per capita: $6,800.
• National GDP: $290.6 billion.
• Major Industries: Mining, steel, chemicals, vehicles, machinery, textiles.
• Chief crops: Corn, wheat, vetatables, sugar and fruit.
• Electricity production: 192.015 bil kWh (1998).
• TV Sets: 128 per 1000 people.
• Radios: 322 per 1000 people.
• Telephones: 5,075,400 main lines (1998).
• Daily newspaper circulation: 31 per 1000 people.

POLITICS

• Government type: Republic.
• Head of state and government: President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki.
• International organization memberships: United Nations, the Commonwealth, Organization for African Unity.
• Historical Background: There is evidence that the San bush people—traditionally hunters and gatherers—and the Khoikhoi—traditionally nomadic herders—lived thousands of years ago in the region now known as South Africa. Long before European settlers, Bantu-speaking people migrated here from central Africa and are thought to be the ancestors of the Zulu, Xhosa, and Swazi peoples. In the mid 1600s, the Dutch East India Company established a fort in what came to be known as Cape Town. Dutch, Germans, and French Huguenots were encouraged to immigrate here, establishing the Cape Colony. These became known as Boers or Afrikaners. By the early 1700s, the Khoikhoi had lost most of its land due to war, and the devastation of European-imported diseases and the San had been forced further north. The mixing of these ethnic groups spawned the distinct ethnic group known as the Cape Coloureds. In the early 19^th century, the competition for land between the Sotho and Nguni Bantu groups forced further migration of the Bantus, known as the crushing. This period of devastation for some groups led to the strengthening of the Zulu, Swazi, and Sotho kingdoms. These new kingdoms came into direct conflict with European expansion. In 1814, Britain was given control of the Cape Colony in negotiations following the Napoleanic Wars. By 1820, thousands of British colonists began to impose English law, which encouraged the northern migration of the Afrikaners. The increasing migration of Europeans sparked bloody battles between indigenous Africans, especially the Xhosa, and those of European heritage beginning in 1781 and continuing on for over 100 years. The British parliament established its control with the South Africa Act of 1910. From 1924 until the 1990s, South Africa’s system of Apartheid legally divided the country by race. In the 1990s, the Apartheid laws were repealed and a transitional government was instituted to bring South Africa to a more democratic society. On May 9, 1994, Nelson Mandela, a black African leader, was elected President.

TRENDS AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Understanding the trends and social issues of a particular country should always take into consideration the opinions of persons within the country. The Center for Youth Studies is looking for contributors from each country to add to our appreciation and understanding of South Africa’s culture, potential, trends, and critical issues.

We currently have several contacts in South Africa from whom we look forward to hearing their insights. The world press has reported extensively on AIDS and South Africa, the current status of race relations, and South Africa’s role in OAU. What are the most important issues for South African’s today? This will be added as we receive this information.

SOURCES

TEXT

Barrett, D., Kurian, G., & Johnson, T. (2001). World Christian Encyclopedia 2^nd Edition: A Comparative Survey of Churches and Religions in the Modern World. Oxford: University Press.

Turner, B. (2000). The World Today: Essential Facts in an Ever Changing World 2000. New York, NY: St. Marten’s Press.

McGeveran, Jr., W. (Ed.). (2001). The World Almanac and Book of Facts. Mahwah, NJ: World Almanac Books.

WEB

"South Africa," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001 © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

US Census Bureau, International Database

United Nation Statistics Division 

South African Government Website

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. How important do you see South Africa’s leadership role in Africa and in the world?
2. What are the realistic expectations for the new South Africa?
3. What most impresses you about the above information?
4. Do you take issue with any of the above? If so, how would you express it differently?
5. What strikes you most about the population of South Africa and the literacy rate? Why?
6. What do you see as the historical and cultural contributions of South Africa to the world?
7. How has South Africa handled its part in AIDS crisis?
8. What can we learn from South Africa and the South African people?

Tammy Smith cCYS

Ketcham, J. (2001). "Sierra Leonean Youth Statistics." S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

DEMOGRAPHICS

• Population: 5,426,618 (Ranked 103^rd in the world by the US Census Bureau).
• Population density: 189 people per square mile.
• Children 0-14: 44.7 %—2,427,533.
• Teenage 10-19: 22.1 %—1,198,858.
• Youth between 15-24: 18.5%—1,002,218.
• Seniors Over 70: 1.7%—92,571.
• Male to female ratio: 93.8 males per 100 females.
• Birth rate: 45.63 per 1,000 people.
• Life expectancy at birth: 46.59 for males and 52.89 for females.
• Infant mortality rate: 123.07 per 1,000 live births.

EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE

ISSUES

SOURCES

SIERRA LEONE OVERVIEW

(Download this overview as a PDF)

BASIC STATISTICS

• Total population: 5,426,618 (Ranked 103rd in the world by the US Census Bureau).
• National GDP: US $2.7 billion.
• GDP per capita: US $530.
• Median Age: 17.6.
• Infant Mortality: 123.07 per 1,000 live births.

GEOGRAPHY

• Location: On the western coast of West Africa.
• Borders: Guinea and Liberia.
• Area: 27,700 square miles.
• Topography: From the 210 miles of Pacific coastline of mangrove swamps and beaches in the west the land grade rises to a densely forested plateau and mountain range in the East.
• Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April).
• Capital and population: Freetown—669,000.
• 3 provinces and 1 area: Eastern, Northern, Southern, and the Western Area.

DEMOGRAPHY

• Population density: 189 people per square mile.
• Children 0-14: 44.7%—2,427,533.
• Teenage 10-19: 22.1%—1,198,858.
• Youth between 15-24: 18.5%—1,002,218.
• Seniors Over 70: 1.7%—92,571.
• Male to female ratio: 93.8 males per 100 females.
• Birth rate: 45.63 per 1,000 people.
• Life expectancy at birth: 46.59 for males and 52.89 for females.
• Infant mortality rate: 123.07 per 1,000 live births.
• Official language: English.
• Principal languages: Mende, Temne, Kio.
• Ethnic groups: 90% is a combination of 20 native African tribes (30% Temne, 30% Mende, and 30% other) and 10% Creole (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-eighteenth century). Less than 1% is comprised of refugees from Liberia’s recent civil war, Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians.
• Religious affiliations: 45.9% Muslims (1,922,030), 40.7% Ethnoreligionists (1,706,000), 11.2% Christian (467,190), 1.9% (80,000). Less than 1% Baha’is, Hindus, Atheists and other.
• Education: No formal mandated system.
• Literacy rate: 31%.

ECONOMY

• Currency: Leone.
• GDP per capita: US $530.
• National GDP: US $2.7 billion.
• Major Industries: Mining and light manufacturing.
• Chief crops: Cocoa, coffee, palm kernels, rice.
• Electricity production: 235 million kWh (1998).
• Radios: 72 per 1,000 people.
• Telephones: 17,400 main lines.

POLITICS

• Government type: Republic.
• Head of state and government: Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.
• International organization memberships: United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth, and Organization of African Unity (OAU).
• Historical Background: In 1460, Pedro da Cintra, a Portuguese explorer, first called the region Sierra Leone (meaning Lion Mountains) when he visited its coast. The specific ancient history of Sierra Leone, however, is shrouded in mystery, but we do know of the great cultures and kingdoms of West Africa generally. We know of a people in the 16th century called the Manes (who may be ancestors to the Mende and Loko of today), who extended their power from the southeast coast into the north-west hinterland. By the 17th and 18th centuries, many tribal states operated within social order partially sustained by secret societies such as the Poro. About 1775, Futa Jalon established a theocratic Muslim state. The British established Sierra Leone as a colony in 1808. Earlier in 1787, they had settled freed slaves in the capital they called Freetown. Voting rights were granted to the colony in 1924. From the early 1800s until 1961, when Sierra Leone gained independence, it was known as a British protectorate. Economic instability and corruption have plagued the country from its inception. Since 1991, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has waged an extremely violent civil war, killing and maiming thousands of civilians, and forcing children to become soldiers. Nigerian forces have tried to assist the Sierra Leone government but resources are all but depleted, especially now that the RUF has control of most of the diamond mining areas. There have been temporary respites, following peace accords signed in 1996 and 1999 due to international pressure, but as of yet no lasting peace has been established.

TRENDS AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Understanding the trends and social issues of a particular country should always take into consideration the opinions of persons within the country. The Center for Youth Studies is looking for contributors from each country to add to our appreciation and understanding of Sierra Leone’s culture, potential, trends, and critical issues.

The world press has reported extensively on the rebel war in Sierra Leone, the trading by the rebels of diamonds to Taylor’s regime in Liberia for weapons and materials, as well as the efforts of Nigerian troops to support the government of Sierra Leone. We need to hear from Sierra Leoneans regarding their political concerns, how they see the situation being resolved, and what outside assistance they desire. The rebels have extended their power by terror, often maiming villagers. Obviously important issues include the healing of this extensive trauma, rebuilding the lives of former child soldiers, rebuilding infrastructure, and stabilizing the economy.

SOURCES

Barrett, D., Kurian, G., & Johnson, T. (2001). World Christian Encyclopedia 2nd Edition: A Comparative Survey of Churches and Religions in the Modern World. Oxford: University Press.

Turner, B. (2000). The World Today: Essential Facts in an Ever Changing World 2000. New York, NY: St. Marten’s Press.

McGeveran, Jr., W. (Ed.). (2001). The World Almanac and Book of Facts. Mahwah, NJ: World Almanac Books.

WEB

"Sierra Leone (country)," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001 © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

US Census Bureau, International Database.

US Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. What most impresses you about the above information?
2. Do you take issue with any of the above? If so, how would you express it differently?
3. What strikes you most about the population of Sierra Leone and the infant mortality rate? Why?
4. What do you see as the historical and cultural contributions of Sierra Leone to the world?
5. How has the Sierra Leone government handled the war?
6. What can we learn from Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leonean people?
7. Has Western greed for diamonds fueled the civil war?

Tammy Smith cCYS

GABÓN Visión general

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