The Republic of South Africa has the largest economy in Africa and is 24th in the world. It has a different history from any other African nation because of early immigration from Europe and its strategic importance of the Cape sea route to the east.

In 1990 the black majority won their struggle for freedom when the dreadful policy of segregation of black and white known as ‘apartheid’, was finally abolished and the ‘Rainbow Nation’ of 47,000,000 people was created.

South Africa is the third most bio-diverse country in the world making it a popular tourist destination, and has vast mineral resources, most famously gold and diamonds. It is also Africa’s largest energy exporter and consumer.

Sadly, South Africa is wracked by AIDS with over 5,000,000 people infected and 1,2000,000 orphans.