South Africa is a captivating destination for travellers, investors, and professionals alike, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and a dynamic business environment. From breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities, to its resilient economic framework, South Africa stands out as a country that punches above its weight.
South Africa’s history is marked by a legacy of racial segregation and white minority rule. This system, known officially as apartheid, was implemented in 1948. The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of democracy in South Africa. Since 1994, millions of South Africans have enjoyed many freedoms. These include political freedom, constitutional rights and freedom of movement. They also benefit from freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association, improved gender equality, equal access to education, and LGBTQ+ rights. The international community’s solidarity with the democratic government’s ideals has gone a long way in ensuring that this was achieved.
South Africa has assumed its rightful place on the world stage, committed to playing a constructive role on the continent and around the globe for the realisation of a better Africa and a better world.
Tourism
One of South Africa’s most captivating attractions is its stunning natural scenery. From vast savannahs and dramatic coastlines to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, the country offers an unparalleled diversity of landscapes.
South Africa is also home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife, making it a premier destination for safari enthusiasts. The opportunity to witness the “Big Five”—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo—in their natural habitat is a unique experience that continues to draw millions of tourists each year.
South Africa is geopolitically distinctive and possesses natural and cultural diversity that supports a globally compelling tourism proposition. Surrounded by two oceans — Atlantic and Indian — South Africa occupies only about 2% of the world’s land area while hosting an impressive 10% of the world’s plants, 7% of the reptiles, birds, and mammals, and 15% of coastal marine species.
Let us not forget the around 850 species of birds and 300 species of mammals across our landscape, with an outstanding ecological richness with 9 distinct biomes within the country’s borders.
Food & Culture
South Africa is often referred to as the Rainbow Nation due to its immense cultural diversity. Culture is also a valuable economic asset, with many South African artists having become internationally successful and contributing to South Africa’s export earnings.
South Africa’s cuisine is a fusion of Dutch, French, Malaysian, and Indian flavours. Popular dishes include pap and mogodu and Cape Malay roti. Tourists are often captivated by the culinary variety on their first visit.
South African cuisine is a melting pot of flavours, dishes, and culinary traditions that reflect the country’s rich cultural diversity. With its vibrant mix of indigenous African, European, and Asian influences, South African cuisine offers a unique culinary experience that is both diverse and delicious. Food serves as a window into South Africa’s history and traditions.
Popular dishes include shisa nyama, pap, koeksisters, bunny-chows, mogodu, bobotie, Cape Malay curries, boerewors, gatsbies, chakalaka, biltong, umngqusho, milk tart, among many others. Tourists are often captivated by the culinary variety on their first visit.
Business Environment
South Africa’s economic landscape is equally compelling for business investors. The country boasts one of the most advanced economies in Africa, with well-established industries in mining, finance, manufacturing, and technology. Its rich reserves of metals, including gold, platinum, and chromium, make it a global leader in the mining sector, drawing significant interest from investors worldwide. Metals consistently rank as one of the top export categories, underscoring South Africa’s economic significance on the global stage.
The country stands out as the most advanced and broad-based economy in sub-Saharan Africa, offering a unique and attractive investment climate that draws businesses and investors from around the globe. With a gross domestic product (GDP) of just over USD$373 billion in 2024, South Africa is not only the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa but also the largest on the entire continent, surpassing Egypt and Algeria, which recorded GDPs of approximately USD$347.6 billion and USD$266.8 billion, respectively.
The country is well-integrated into the regional economic framework, formalised by its membership in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). As a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the G20, and the BRICS association of emerging economies, the country provides a business environment conducive to growth and prosperity.
In addition, South Africa is the most significant ratifier of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), making it easier for businesses to access other African markets by using South Africa as an investment gateway.