South Africa as One of the Prominent Nations in the African Continent - Research Paper Example

? South Africa: History, Government, and Economics, and Their Influence on Global and Local Issues South Africa: History, Government, and Economics, and Their Influence on Global and Local Issues South Africa is one of the prominent nations in the African continent. In fact is one among the few counties in African continent which has a stable economy and good governance. The living standards of the South African people are far better than that of some of the other African nations. Even though, race problems like apartheid, ethnic problems, clashes between different cases, and the colonial rule of the Great Britain etc were once retarded the progress of South Africa, they were able to overcome all these challenges especially because of the leadership of nelson Mandela. South African history and economic growth are lessons for others which show the importance of peaceful atmosphere in the making of a nation. This paper briefly analyses the South African History, Government, and Economics, and its influence on global and local issues. Bantu-speaking Africans, whose descendants make up the overwhelming majority of the present-day inhabitants of South Africa, had moved south of the Limpopo River by about 1,500 years ago. Farmers who combined knowledge of cattle-keeping and slash-and-burn (swidden) cultivation with expertise in metal-working, the Bantu speakers came from West Central Africa north of the Congo River near present-day Cameroon (The Arrival of Bantu-Speaking Africans, n. d) The above migration took place quiet slowly and resulted in the drying up of the Sahara region. This migrated population started to engage in different types of works like agricultural farming, cattle farming, fishing, metal works etc. The fight for natural resources was also happened occasionally; however, the Bantu farmers were keener in protecting the environment and they never tried to exploit the natural resources injudiciously. There are many evidences collected by the archaeologists which indicate that the Bantu Africans engaged in trade with the Far East region. “By 1600 all of what is now South Africa had been settled: by Khoisan peoples in the west and the southwest, by Sotho-Tswana in the Highveld, and by Nguni along the coastal plains” (The Arrival of Bantu-Speaking Africans, n. d) The formal beginning of South African economy can be attributed to the arrival of Dutch settlers in 1652. Along with the Dutch, French and German traders and settlers were also arrived in South Africa and they started to develop some colonies under their control. The latter periods of the 18th century witnessed the arrival of the British and the major colonization process started from then onwards. British colonial rulers imposed English language in their colonies as the official language and they deliberately tried to develop a British culture in South Africa by destroying the indigenous culture. The presence of precious metals and minerals like diamond, gold etc were discovered by the British and the South African economy started to grow. World’s largest gold deposits are discovered in the South African regions in the nineteenth century. These metals and mineral deposits helped the growth of industrial sector in South Africa. Currently, the economy of South Africa is referred as the upper-middle income economy by the World Bank along with other three African countries like Botswana, Gabon and Mauritius). About ? th of the South African population is unemployed. Even though, South African economy was grown considerable in the last few decades, the recent global economic crisis has negatively affected the South African economy also. The recovery seems to be slow compared to some other countries. Output in Africa’s biggest economy shrank by an annualized 3% in the second quarter of 2009. This was nevertheless half the 6.4% decline notched up in the first three months of the year, leading many to believe that the worst of South Africa’s first recession in 17 years may be over. Almost half a million jobs were lost in the first half of the year, out of a total official workforce of 17m; a further 300,000 are expected to go by the end of the year. Officially, one in every four people in the formal economy is now unemployed (Africa’s biggest economy is still contracting. But the worst may be over, 2009) “In November 2009, South Africa emerged from its first recession in 17 years by achieving 0,9% growth in the third quarter. The hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June and July 2010 will contribute to the country's economy” (South African Government information: Economy, 2010) Even amidst such unfavorable reports and statistics, South Africa was able to conduct one of the prestigious and most expensive sports events, the Football world cup in 2010 which clearly indicates the strength and growth patterns of South African economy. According to many sports lovers and external observers, the 2010 world cup was one among the bests conducted in the recent times. South Africa has shown the external world that how well they can organize a world event and the facilities prepared for the players and the dignitaries were world class. “South Africa’s financial systems are sophisticated and robust. The banking regulations rank with the best in the world, and the sector has long been rated among the top 10 globally” (South Africa economy: Overview, 2011). When some of the most reputed and biggest banks and financial institutions were destroyed as a result of global economic recession, South African financial institutions stood out. No South African banks were reported any big problems during the recession period, which clearly underlines the strength of banking system in South Africa. South African economic growth is not only better for South Africa, but it is better for the entire African region because of the interconnection between the African economies as a result of globalization. South African economy is marked as the gateway for other African markets. When Jacob Zuma came to power in May, 2009, there were doubters aplenty. Some said the populist former goat herd, with scant formal education, was not up to the job” Mr Zuma’s protracted tussles with the courts over charges of rape (of which he was acquitted) and corruption (the case was eventually dropped) led many to believe he would try to curb the powers of a judiciary he deemed hostile. Instead, he has gone out of his way to stress the need for judicial independence and the separation of powers. He has appeared to confirm this by choosing Sandile Ngcobo, a staunchly independent Constitutional Court judge, as the new chief justice (So far Jacob Zuma has handsomely confounded his critics, 2009). Zuma was not perceived as a person with the suitable abilities to lead the South African in the twenty first century. He was widely regarded as a person with suspicious personality. Many political observers were afraid that he might put some control over the freedom of the people and may behave like a dictator. However, President Zuma was able to prove the critics wrong. So far he succeeded in ruling South Africa without giving any opportunity to the critics. His initial periods were proved beyond doubt that the South African public’s decision to give power to Zuma was a brave and intelligent one. Even though Zuma has given some key positions to his friends and beloved ones, he made sure that all these positions went in the hands of only efficient people. In short, South Africa is one of the leading emerging markets in the world at present. The calm and quiet political, economical and social situations in South Africa at present are suitable to the economic growth of the country. South Africa’s progress will affect the entire African region positively because of the strong interconnection between African economies because of globalization. References 1. Africa’s biggest economy is still contracting. But the worst may be over, (2009), The Economist, Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/14258934 2. So far Jacob Zuma has handsomely confounded his critics, (2009), The Economist, Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/14515442 3. South Africa economy: Overview, (2011), Retrieved from http://www.southafrica.info/business/economy/econoverview.htm 4. South African Government information: Economy, (2010). Retrieved from http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/economy.htm 5. The Arrival of Bantu-Speaking Africans (n. d), U.S. Library of Congress Retrieved from http://countrystudies.us/south-africa/3.htm Read More