·15 Oct 2025
South Africa’s gradual structural reforms are breathing life into the economy, but aren’t sufficient to lift the growth rate to the government’s 3.5% target, according to Moody’s Ratings.
Africa’s largest economy has grown less than 1% annually for more than a decade, hamstrung by dilapidated infrastructure, electricity shortages, logistics bottlenecks, crime and corruption.
A coalition government formed after the African National Congress lost its majority in last year’s national elections has prioritised reforms as it seeks to…
Rainfall: Most of the country receives less than 600 mm of rainfall annually, with
the eastern regions being wetter.
Yellow Menace
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is known as the “Rainbow Nation” thanks to its mix of cultures across the country. The status of being a cultural “melting pot” is evident in the fact that South Africa has a whopping 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, IsiNdebele, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga. Most South Africans speak more than one national language. IsiZulu is the most common first language and isiXhosa is second. Fun fact – did you know the people of Wakanda speak isiXhosa in Marvel’s Black Panther movie?
Trouble Mittens
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is the largest producer of platinum in the world.