28 Interesting Facts About South Africa

As one of the most developed countries in Africa, South Africa, or the Republic of South Africa, is a fascinating place. It doesn’t quite resemble the typical African landscape! For instance, it can even get cold during winter. Some areas look as if they were entirely transplanted from old Europe. However, South Africa is not the safest country, as it faces significant challenges with crime, so tourists should exercise caution.

Facts About South Africa:

1. South Africa once had nuclear weapons but voluntarily dismantled them, leaving the “nuclear club.”
2. Until 1994, South Africa operated under an apartheid regime that legally segregated the rights of the population based on skin color, with the black population being severely restricted in their rights.
3. The South African city of Johannesburg is frequently listed among the most dangerous cities in the world.
4. South Africa completely surrounds the small nation of Lesotho, which has no direct connection to the outside world.
5. In most countries, prestigious neighborhoods are typically closer to the city center, with poorer areas on the outskirts. However, in South African cities, the opposite is true. The suburbs are usually upscale and relatively safe, while the city centers often resemble slums and are extremely dangerous.
6. In most South African towns, it’s safe to drink tap water.
7. South Africa has 11 official languages, including English and the languages of the main ethnic groups.
8. The unemployment rate in South Africa has remained critically high for decades, reaching almost 20%.
9. The world’s first successful heart transplant was performed in South Africa.
10. South Africa is the world’s leading producer of diamonds. Some of its diamond mines are over a hundred years old and reach depths of more than 6,000 meters.
11. South Africa has over 28,000 educational institutions.
12. South Africa is home to the largest meteor impact site on Earth, the Vredefort Crater.
13. Among all African countries, South African drivers are considered the most law-abiding and careful.
14. Over 99% of South Africans have a driver’s license. Public transportation is scarce and not very safe, making a car a necessity rather than a luxury.
15. The most widely spoken language in South Africa is Afrikaans, which is derived from the Flemish dialect of the Belgian language.
16. About 10% of South Africans are of European descent. The proportion used to be as high as 40%, but after the end of apartheid, most of them chose to emigrate.
17. In South Africa, gasoline is partly produced from oil, as it is elsewhere, and partly from coal.
18. Despite the high crime rate, corruption and bribery are relatively uncommon in South Africa.
19. South African currency is called the rand, named after the Witwatersrand Mountains.
20. The highest peak in South Africa, Njesuthi, rises 3,410 meters above sea level.
21. Rooibos, a tea-like beverage popular in many countries, is primarily produced in South Africa.
22. South Africa is the world’s second-largest exporter of fruit.
23. About 18,000 different plant species grow in South Africa.
24. Much of the local cuisine is similar to European cuisine, with no significant exotic elements.
25. Among all African countries, South Africa is the only one that has never experienced a coup in its history.
26. South Africa has not one but three capitals: an administrative capital (Pretoria), a judicial capital (Bloemfontein), and a legislative capital (Cape Town).
27. South Africa ranks third in the world for coal consumption in electricity generation.
28. A large portion of the South African population believes in supernatural forces like spirits and ghosts.