Geography and people

South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent and surrounds the small nation of Lesotho. A variety of beautiful landscapes fill the country, from lush forests and breathtaking beaches along the Indian Ocean to the dry, grassy savannah of the interior plateau.

Natural resources include a large variety of metals and minerals, including gold, diamonds and natural gas.

The majority of the population is of African descent, with a small number of mixed race and people with European heritage. South Africa has 11 official languages, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa.

South Africa
Population
52,385,900

Population

Life expectancy
56

Life expectancy

Literacy rate
93%

Literacy rate

Access to safe water
92%

Access to safe water

Average annual income
£4,372

Average annual income

Fast facts

01

Years of apartheid have left a mark on South Africa's struggling economy. About 24 percent of South Africans are unemployed, and at least 23 percent live below the poverty line (http://data.worldbank.org/country/south-africa).

02

The HIV and AIDS pandemic threatens the health of millions of South Africans. The country has one of the highest rates among adults at more than 17 percent, with approximately 5.6 million people suffering with HIV (UNICEF, 2012). At least 2.5 million children have lost one or both parents to HIV and AIDS (UNICEF 2012).

Our focus in South Africa

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of South Africa to improve their lives today and to help deliver sustainable solutions for the future of their children, families, and communities. Our child sponsorship programme plays a vital role in this partnership, with donors from the United Kingdom sponsoring 1,809 girls and boys (as of April 2014) in one community programme. In addition to sponsorship, World Vision operates other programmes that benefit communities in South Africa.

Highlights of our work include:

Improving the HIV and AIDS, health and nutrition status of women and children in targeted areas. This will contribute towards children enjoying good health.

Increasing the number of households enjoying economic wellbeing. We will address child labour and exploitation and work to ensure fair prices for goods and services produced at the local level and hence ensure that children are protected, and their families are able to provide for them.

Increasing the percentage of children who attain functional levels of reading, basic math and essential life skills. We aim for children to gain knowledge and skills, which will help them later in life and so focus on application of knowledge to real-world situations and emotional literacy.

Our Achievements in South Africa

World Vision first sponsorship programme started in South Africa in 1965 and a National Office was opened in 1967. Since then, some of World Vision’s major accomplishments have included:

Child Development

Providing children who lack adequate nutrition and education with immunisations, education, clothing and feeding programmes since the 1970s.

Water and Farming

Improving water sources and offering agricultural training and supplies during the 1980s.

Health

Reducing maternal, infant, and child illnesses and deaths by improving healthcare systems and raising HIV and AIDS awareness since 2000.