Introduction to South Africa
South Africa is proclaimed as a “Rainbow Nation”, with 11 official languages, mainly dominated by Afrikaans and English (SouthAfrica.info, 2012). South Africa's biodiversity is ranked the third highest worldwide and is also ranked as the second largest fruit exporter worldwide. (Lark Tours, 2013).
(The following images show South African citizens on the left, and the location of South Africa on the right. Roll cursor over image to see picture credits.)
(The following images show South African citizens on the left, and the location of South Africa on the right. Roll cursor over image to see picture credits.)
|
Population
In 1960, while South Africa was in the middle of the Apartheid, the population was recorded to be 17.4 million. The increase in population continued to be gradual until 1994, the end of the Apartheid. Since then, the population of South Africa has increased steeply.As of 2014, South Africa’s population is estimated to be 54 million (Trading Economics, n.d.), which is a 210% increase from the original population size in 1960.
The following chart shows the change in the South African population over the years.
The following chart shows the change in the South African population over the years.
Poverty
Poverty was present since before the Apartheid and is still lasting till present day. Statistics show that 3.6 million people have been lifted out of poverty from 2014 to 2015, and due to policies and tax favouring the poor, poverty rates dropped from 46% to 39%. (Greg Nicolson, 2015) This improvement in poverty is due to to redistribution of income in the market by the government, and the commence of the Child Support Grant, which also allowed more children to apply, and improved access to services such as basic welfare to electricity which helps to raise income in entire areas. These policies helped to decrease inequalities and also lift some of the population out of poverty. Poverty also causes unemployment in about 30% of the population, who in turn are unable to afford basic heath care and medical treatments. Hence, these policies are greatly effective and in favour of the poorest. (PovertiesOrg, 2013) Education can be the factor that improves poverty, but poverty is also the factor that lmits South Africa’s education, simply because many were not able to afford to continue their education.
Diseases: AIDS/HIV
During Apartheid there had been many cases of AIDS/HIV, thought to be spread by homosexuals, similar to how the epidemic starts in other countries. (Avert, 2014) It was also thought that Blacks caused AIDS/HIV and thus the government did not put importance in this issue or try to solve it, while the Blacks and gays blamed for the government for the epidemic scare, and thus both government and people did not take much action. The anti-apartheid movement was also more concerned over liberating the country than solving these issues. Thus, due to negligence of this AIDS/HIV breakout.
There are abundance cases of HIV/AIDS. Around 5.3 million people are estimated to be infected. In 2005, according to a South African National HIV Survey, 10.8% of all South Africans who were over 2 years old were infected with HIV. AIDS causes an average of 1,000 deaths a day. South Africa is also believed to have highest rate of AIDS/HIV in the world. (Dr Rene Loewenson and Professor Alan Whiteside, 1997) This AIDS/HIV is one of the reasons for the low numbers of teachers, because many of them died of this disease.
The image below shows the prevalence of HIV in different gender groups in the year 2012.
There are abundance cases of HIV/AIDS. Around 5.3 million people are estimated to be infected. In 2005, according to a South African National HIV Survey, 10.8% of all South Africans who were over 2 years old were infected with HIV. AIDS causes an average of 1,000 deaths a day. South Africa is also believed to have highest rate of AIDS/HIV in the world. (Dr Rene Loewenson and Professor Alan Whiteside, 1997) This AIDS/HIV is one of the reasons for the low numbers of teachers, because many of them died of this disease.
The image below shows the prevalence of HIV in different gender groups in the year 2012.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition, especially among young children, is a public health issue of South Africa. Malnutrition contributes to 64% of deaths for children less than the age of 5 in South Africa. (UNICEF, 2013) Evidence also suggests that childhood malnutrition may have poor effects on health in the long run, which could in turn affect the educational and future workforce, which is tied to the economy. With malnutrition present, education would not be prioritized. Hence, malnutrition could be linked to poor education and economy. (Cally Ardington, 2010)
|
Women's Rights
Women in South Africa only gained formal recognition and treatment as equal citizens in 1993 following the introduction of the Bill of Rights. Prior to this, South African women were classified as second-class citizens, and were controlled by their male counterparts or even their fathers socially and legally. Black women were at a higher disadvantage due to their race and gender. This inferior treatment of women was stemmed from several laws, for example, the Customary law, which labels black women as minors, hence excluding them from rights concerning children and property. However, it was not only Black women who were discriminated, White women were also denied of guardianship and several economic rights. Presently, women in South Africa are still discriminated, especially Black women, in terms of economics, earning less for the same jobs and having a higher unemployment rate. There are also frequent cases of rape and domestic violence concerning South Africa women. (South Africa History Online, n.d)