While South Africa has historically been a troubled land, it is starting emerge form the dark years and while this will take some time, progress is most definitely being made.  One problem which the country has, with regards to ethnic integration, is that fact that there are so many different ethnic groups and so many different languages.  However this vast range of ethnic backgrounds does add something of a fairly unique element to country.

The country is located on the south tip of the African continent, and borders countries such as Namibia,  Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho.   The positioning of the country has made it a very important trade route,  and attracted a vast array of travellers from the likes of Europe over the years.

Over the last 50 years there have been problems with the volatile political system in the country, and while again there is still much work to be done, progress has been made.  Having suffered from trade sanctions in the 1980s, major changes were made which resulted in the worldwide trade ban being lifted.  

For many years the natural beauty of South Africa was over shadowed by the problems with both the integration of ethnic groups, and the unstable political system.  As the troubles of the past are being left behind, the country is becoming better known for its vast array of tourist attraction, and the ability to study at close quarters the lives of natural wildlife.

The system for temporary visas is fairly straight forward in South Africa, with many nationalities not even requiring such paperwork.  However, the immigration procedure is a little more complicated and considered on a case by case basis. Expats relocating to South Africa should be medically fit, of good character, and be able to offer services which are in short supply in the country.  Advice should be taken before applying for a move to South Africa.  

Content: Economy in South Africa | Prospects in South Africa | South Africa Key Facts 

Economy in South Africa

While officially classified as a developed economy, South Africa does have vast areas of the countryside where economic development is still fairly basic.  The main developed business areas are centred around the likes of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg - the main relocation areas for the vast number of expats who are now attracted to the country.

As well as developed  financial and legal systems, South Africa has a massive supply of natural resources (minerals, etc), a modern communications system, as well as a high grade transport network.  The Stock Exchange of South Africa is one of the top twenty in the world, reflecting the channelling of much African trade through the country.

It is the mineral, financial and legal industries which have attracted the vast majority of expats to consider relocating to the country.  The only problem over the last few years has been the currency of South Africa, the Rand, which has been very volatile.  It was however the best performing currency against the US dollar between 2002 and 2005, and because of the lifting of historic money transfer restrictions, the currency is a littler more predictable.

Away from the developed cities mentioned above, the main industry is agriculture and South Africa is renowned for being a net exporter of farming products.  Sugar, grapes, citrus, nectarines and wines are among the more popular exports to trading partners, with South African wine in particular making a great name for itself worldwide.

The unemployment rate in South Africa varies massively from area to area, with many regions reporting figures between 20% and 40%.  While the figures have historically been much higher, there is still much work to be done to allow the whole of the country to enjoy the growth in the economy.  Economic growth is expected to continue at around 5% per annum for the foreseeable future.

Prospects in South Africa

The South African economy is very much a work in progress affair, with high employment in the main cities and townships, but high unemployment in some of the more rural areas of the country.  This is slowly changing, and while the economy is growing  there needs to be a push to reduce rural unemployment rates.

While the economy is doing well in some of the more traditional areas of business (finance, legal, etc), South Africa also has a vastly expanding tourist industry.  As volatility amongst the ethnic groupings of the country has quietened, this has opened up more areas for tourists to visit.  There are few places in the world where you can experience such beautiful landscapes, and be so close to some of the rarest animals in the world.

South Africa continues to grow in popularity and this is attracting more and more expats to the country.  For those willing to become part of an ever changing social and economic landscape, in a beautiful country, South Africa may be the place for you. 

South Africa Key Facts:

Bordered by as Namibia,  Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho

Food: Heavily meat based

Temperature: 11C to 24C

Industries: Natural minerals, agriculture and fine wines

Education: 9 years of compulsory education

Health: Life expectancy 49 years