INFORMATION ON SOUTH AFRICA
Official Name: Republic of South Africa (Unitary State)
President: H.E Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa
Deputy President: H.E. Mr Paulus Shipokosa Mashatile
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation: Hon. Ronald Ozzy Lamola
Freedom Day: 27 April, (27 April 1994)
Capital: Three Capitals split in accordance with government functions across three cities, namely Pretoria (Executive/Administrative), Cape Town (Legislative), and Bloemfontein (Judicial).
The government is divided into three spheres, the national, provincial, and local levels. Intergovernmental relations (IGR) in South Africa are built on a constitutionally mandated system of ‘cooperative governance’, linking the national, provincial, and local spheres of government. These spheres are distinctive, interdependent, and mandated to collaborate on policy, coordinate service delivery, and resolve disputes using formalized institutional structures.
Parliament (Legislature): South Africa has a bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
Executive: The President is elected by the National Assembly from its members to lead the Cabinet. The Cabinet consists of the President, Deputy President, and Ministers.
Judiciary: The country has an independent judiciary to ensure the rule of law. The Appellate Division is located in Mangaung (Bloemfontein). The apex court in the land is the Constitutional Court and is located in Johannesburg.
South Africa is a diverse, multicultural nation at the continent’s southern tip. Known as the “Rainbow Nation”, it features 11 official languages, a vibrant mix of cultures, and a complex history shaped by the legacy of apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s transition to democracy. South Africa shares land borders with six neighbouring countries, namely, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini and Zimbabwe. The country has a total area of about 1,219,912 km2 and 2,798 km coastline.
The landscape transitions from arid deserts to pristine coastlines and towering mountains, including the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town and wildlife-rich reserves like the Kruger National Park.
The concept of Ubuntu is a deeply rooted local philosophy translating to “I am because we are”. It drives a friendly, communal culture where greeting random strangers with a warm “hello” and a brief conversation is the norm.
South Africa is a key economic hub in the region, known heavily for its rich natural resources, agriculture, and South Africa tourism.
The other attractions in the different provinces include the Garden Route and the Winelands in the Western Cape; Drakensberg Mountains and the Safari Parks in KwaZulu-Natal; Kruger National Park, God’s Window, Sudwala Caves, Panorama Route in Mpumalanga; Mapungubwe National Park in Limpopo; Johannesburg & Soweto, the Apartheid Museum and Vilakazi Street in Soweto (Nelson Mandela’s and Bishop Desmond Tutu’s former homes), Pretoria, the historical Union Buildings and the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng; bustling coastal cities and towns such as KuGompo, Gqeberha, Jeffreys Bay, St Francis Bay, Port Alfred, the Wild Coast, the “Hole in the Wall” and the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape; Pilanesberg National Park, Sun City, and the Valley of Waves in North West; Richtersveld & Augrabies Falls in the Northern Cape; and the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and Maluti Mountain pony treks in the Free State.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
