Friday, July 8, 2016

South Africa: Moving Forward

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5674724
The Republic of South Africa is a federal state with nine provincial governments to which much of the world seems oblivious.[1] Much of modern society views South Africa with varying degrees of misunderstanding or ignorance. When questioning people about South Africa, most people identified it by its growing musical and cinematic achievements, vacation hot spots, strange accent, and most commonly, AIDS. Of the several people I questioned, only two mentioned apartheid and Mandela. Certainly all of these are a part of South Africa’s identity, but South Africa is far more complex and should not be relegated to popular science fiction movies or a health epidemic. South Africa also has abundant resources, a strong, albeit shrinking, economy, and a fascinating ancient history. Furthermore, the fact that South Africa is recognized for its growing modernity or recognized at all, is a testament to its continuing development. However, South Africa is best defined by its history and world stage developments both through its successes and failures throughout history. We should look at South Africa’s history as a whole.
South African history is complex. The general understanding of South African history seems to only extend to the 1960’s. The last century saw a lot of change and turmoil in South Africa, but South African history extends much further. In fact, South Africa boasts one of the richest collections cave paintings in the world. These paintings give a clear look into the South African past extending back approximately 4,000 years. 
By Fondazione Passaré, CC BY-SA 3.0, Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29321879

While this seems like a mundane point, it is important to consider that these paintings are not just artistic expression. They provide “valuable data” about South African “life, history, and their environment…”[2] Additionally, recent archaeological findings have revealed the skeletons of an adult and infant that fell into a cave death trap.[3] These findings have not just helped scientists study and understand the development of people in this region, but the development of mankind in general. These alleged two million year old skeletons show a “combination of primitive and modern skeletal traits.”[4] While there is the presence of an evolutionary pollutant in the scientists’ conclusions, these skeletons do help us understand more about earth’s early inhabitants.
South Africa also assisted in world development. Having a strategic coastline, South Africa was a perfect stopping point for Europeans making their way East. Again while this might seem like a small point, the implications are literally earth changing. In the 15th century, the Portuguese began opening trade routes through Africa in order to get to Asia. This gave them frequent contact with the South Africans, which ultimately resulted in Africa being opened up to Europe and colonialism.[5] The Dutch would replace the Portuguese, and the British, who would integrate the Cape Colony into a “dynamic international trading empire of industrializing Britain, would replace the Dutch.”[6] 
By John Pinkerton - http://www.davidrumsey.com/maps4704.html, Public Domain,
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6032234

We should not be confused; while South Africa was important to these European peoples, it was only important in that it was “…a ‘stepping stone’ on the route to their expanding interests in India and the East.”[7] However, though they only considered it a stepping stone, South Africa’s geographic location made it possible for empires to spread, trade routes to open, and the world to become a smaller, more integrated place.[8]
While the arrival of European colonialists arguably saw more bad than good come to South Africa, there was one extremely positive and important developmental aspect that must not be ignored—Christianity. If a civilization can only choose one development, it should be spiritual development. For the most part, South Africa was a region of superstition. They worshiped the sun and mantises and believed strange supernatural folklore to be a satisfying explanation of their history.[9] Of course, not all of this thinking has left South Africa, but today, the majority of South Africans claim to follow some form of Christianity. This is a monumental achievement when we consider the meager progress early missionaries had. For instance, July 9, 1737 saw the arrival of the first Protestant missionary, George Schmidt. He had a desire to reach the Hottentots (Khoikhoi), but was cut off from the colonies. He only saw a handful of converts.[10] It was not until the 1820’s that missionaries really started to be viewed favorably by the indigenous people. As missionaries such as John Philip successfully campaigned for improved treatment of the Khoi-Khoi, a more favorable view of Christianity would arise.[11] With this being said, “Despite the continuing spread of a missionary presence into southern Africa during the 19th Century, by the time of the Anglo-Zulu conflict of 1879 very few converts had been won over to Christianity.”[12] It was not until the late 1880’s that missionaries began to finally start seeing South Africa making large strides in spiritual development.
If Christian missions were the great boon of European emigration, Western thinking was the great bane. Unfortunately, even the Christian missionaries viewed Africa as a dark and backward place. Western thinking simply did not understand the culture and history of Africa. While some of the thinking might have been well placed, it was taken to an immoral extreme. Many colonialists did not view Africa as a place in need of intellectual and spiritual development, but rather, a wasted resource for the taking. It was the burden of westerners to civilize these people or in other words, break them. Rudyard Kipling comes to mind and his idea of the “White Man’s Burden.”
By Artist: Victor Gillam Source: The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum - “The White Man’s Burden (Apologies to Rudyard Kipling)” Judge, April 1, 1899, Public Domain,
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45187881
 While some genuinely wanted to help less developed parts of the world, many efforts had, at the very least, an undertone of racism. With the colonies came oppression and slavery as the demands of the colonists increased. Somewhat fortunate for the South Africans, most slaves were imported from East Africa, and the Dutch kept minimal supervision on the pastoralists in the region. However, as the colonies continued to grow into the 1700’s, their demands grew, and thus, their drain on the land. “As they intruded further upon the land and water sources, and stepped up their demands for livestock and labour, more and more of the indigenous inhabitants were dispossessed and incorporated into the colonial economy as servants.”[13] Thankfully, the twentieth century would see slow progress for all of Africa with the end of colonialism, but “the end of colonialism did not mean an end for Africa’s suffering.”[14] In South Africa, little changed initially. The end of colonialism saw the rise of apartheid, which “systematically embodied and reinforced the legal reduction of the black African to the inferior status….its aim was to guarantee the position of whites…”[15] During this time, South Africa was becoming the economic leader of Africa. This inspired many other countries to try and follow suit. The results were disastrous for Africa as a whole. 
By GhePeU - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2720195

As wars against apartheid broke out, Africa would suffer. The wars and civil wars, “which the South African fomented,” would spread into nearby countries.[16]  Fortunately, by the late 1980’s, the apartheid policies of the Afrikaners were waning. By the 1990’s South Africa was becoming more democratic, and in 1994, Nelson Mandela would be elected the South African president. In 1995, Mandela, a black African, would celebrate the all white South African soccer team’s world cup victory. This would become “the symbol of national unity for whites as well as blacks.”[17]
By South Africa The Good News / www.sagoodnews.co.za, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9747318

South Africa is a symbol of what a country can achieve if it is willing to enduring hardships and never give up. South Africa is a country of development and forward movement. Their story is fascinating and inspiring. South Africa is a country that went from spiritual blindness to revival, from war to peace, and from racial segregation to unity. Its modern developments show just how far the country has come. Truly, South Africa is a country with a history of mistakes and failures, but those failures have paved the way for current successes and made the country what it is today, and what it will continue to become. 



This is my first Prezi. I decided to have some fun with it. 
(Click arrows to advance through.)


Bibliography

Belcher, Stephen. African Myths of Origin. NY: Penguin Books, 2005.

Graves, Dan. “Missionary Heroes of South Africa: 1701-1800.” (April 18, 2007).
http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/missionary-heroes-of-south-africa-11630223.html (accessed June 23, 2016).

Harris, Josheph E. Africa and Their History. NY: Meridian Books, 1998.

Meredith, Martin. The Fortunes of Africa.  NY: Public Affairs, 2014.

-----. The Fate of Africa: A History of the Continent Since Independence. NY: Public Affairs,
2011.

Reader, John. Africa: A Biography of the Continent. NY: Vintage Books, 1999.

Roberts, J.M. The Penguin History of the World. NY, Penguin Books, 2013.

South African Government. “History: The Earlier Colonial Period to British Colonial Era.” South
African Yearbook, http://www.gov.za/about-sa/history#early_colonial_period (accessed  June 16, 2016).

South African History Online. “Pondoland: The Missionaries.” SAHO (January 13, 2014).
http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/missionaries-pondoland (accessed June 23, 2016).

South Africa Info. “About South Africa.” (October, 2015).
http://www.southafrica.info/about/facts.htm#key (accessed July 7, 2016).

Thorton, John. Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World, 1400-1800. NY:
Cambridge University Press, 1998.

Valentino, Claudia. “World Roundup: South Africa.” Archaeology. July/August, 2011.




[1]             South Africa Info. “About South Africa.” (October, 2015).http://www.southafrica.info/about/facts.htm#key
(accessed July 7, 2016).

[2]             Joseph E. Harris, Africa and Their History (NY: Meridian Books, 1998), 30-31.
[3]             Claudia Valentino, “World Roundup: South Africa,” Archaeology, July/August, 2011, 22.
[4]             Ibid.
[5]                South African Government, “History: The Earlier Colonial Period to British Colinial Era,” South African Yearbook, http://www.gov.za/about-sa/history#early_colonial_period (accessed  June 16, 2016).
[6]             Ibid.
[7]             John Reader, Africa: A Biography of the Continent (NY: Vintage Books, 1999), 461.
[8]             John Thorton, Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World, 1400-1800 (NY: Cambridge University Press, 1998).
[9]             Stephen Belcher, African Myths of Origin, (NY: Penguin Books, 2005), 51-52.
[10]             Dan Graves, “Missionary Heroes of South Africa: 1701-1800,” (April 18, 2007). http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/missionary-heroes-of-south-africa-11630223.html (accessed June 23, 2016).
[11]             Martin Meredith, The Fortunes of Africa, (NY: Public Affairs, 2014), 231-232.
[12]             South African History Online, “Pondoland: The Missionaries,” SAHO (January 13, 2014). http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/missionaries-pondoland (accessed June 23, 2016).
[13]             South African Government, “History: The Earlier Colonial Period to British Colonial Era,” South African Yearbook, http://www.gov.za/about-sa/history#early_colonial_period (accessed  June 16, 2016).
[14]             J.M. Roberts, The Penguin History of the World (NY: Penguin Books, 2013), 1071.
[15]             Ibid, 1074.
[16]             Ibid, 1071.
[17]             Ibid, 1077.

Friday, July 1, 2016

South African Identity


Recently my father asked me what I was studying in school. I told him I am studying Africa, and my main focus is South Africa. He responded, “South Africa. Apartheid, war, and Mandela.” While it is an extreme summary of events, it seems to be the common understanding of South Africa. In all honesty, though brief, it is a solid foundation from which to begin understanding modern South Africa. Perhaps nothing in recent South African history stands out more than apartheid and the South African Border War.
"Scope of Operations in South African Border War"
By GhePeU - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2720195
In 1915, Germany still held South-West Africa as a territory. South Africa was called upon to support the Allies in changing this. Upon the defeat of the Germans, South Africa occupied the German colony and had a mandate from the League of Nations to police the colony. After the disbanding of the League of Nations, the Prime Minister of South Africa, Jan Smuts, hoped to take control of the territory and “formally applied to the successor United Nations in 1946 for this, but South Africa's request was refused because of its failure to consult with the indigenous peoples.”[1] Instead, the United Nations would call for an outside monitoring program in the region by global authorities. South Africa would refuse. Smuts was disappointed because he wanted to expand South Africa. He would further be disappointed when his party would lose the coming elections. Apartheid, a racial driven legal system, would then take hold of South Africa (interesting, considering whites, to this day, are the extreme minority). This meant that South-Western Africa, still being held onto by a stubborn South Africa, would feel the burden of racist government. The result was insurgency groups of freedom fighters.
By1966 skirmishes were increasing and all out guerrilla warfare was underway. By 1974 South Africa would no longer merely be policing South-West Africa but would have a military force there. This would become the an international war known as the South African Border (Bush) War that would last until 1989. In fact:
The war did not end due to one force totally defeating the opposing force. However, the large conventional battles of the war … clearly showed the Cuban and Russian backed [forces] could not be defeated on the battlefield without paying a very high price. This realization and global political factors made both sides realize that a negotiated settlement was the only solution.[2]
By 1994 Namibia was free of South African influence. Furthermore, apartheid was gone and Nelson Mandela was elected as president of South Africa. He worked toward racial unity and helped shape a more tolerant South Africa.
"South African Military Convoy in Africa"
By Sam van den Berg - Image courtesy of Sam van den Berg, from Port Elizabeth, CC BY 2.5 za, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38327638
            In short, South Africa tried to expand its borders after World War II due to a League of Nations mandate made after World War I. Despite being called to leave South-West Africa, South Africa continued its policing. This unwanted policing coupled with the racially charged apartheid form of legal system would lead to a 23 year war. In the end, South-West Africa would be free and South Africa would make huge political strides through open, democratic, racial unbiased elections.



[1]             https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Border_War
[2]             https://sites.google.com/site/sabushwarsite/overview

Friday, June 24, 2016

Missionaries and Their Impact

Many significant and inspiring missionary works have been seen in South Africa and can still be seen. I will only be focusing on the ones that I believe stand out the most.

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/missionary-heroes-of-south-africa-11630223.html
While earlier missions work may have occurred in South Africa, many look to the date of July 9, 1737 as the arrival of the first Protestant missionary. This was the date that the Moravian, Protestant missionary, George Schmidt, arrived due to a request by the Dutch church. He saw moderate success, but other clergy in the area felt threatened by him, and he was ultimately cut off from the colonies. He had a desire to reach the Hottentots (Khoikhoi). Upon his departure, he left a Bible with his converts, and they eventually learned how to read it. It was a gift that kept on giving![1]

“Another auspicious day for South Africa occurred on this day, July 9, 1875 when Ernest Creux and Paul Berthoud, seminary friends, founded a mission to the Gwamba people at Valdezia in the Spelonken area of South Africa.”[2] This duo is perhaps my favorite about which to read. Both men were faced with perceivably insurmountable difficulties, and each man became intimately familiar with unimaginable pain and loss. Berthold lost his entire family (wife and five children) to disease. Creux lost three children and was imprisoned by the Boers. Throughout their ministry days, they were told they would fail. According to the Boers, the Gwamba language was impossible to learn. These missionary friends were undeterred. They set their minds to purpose and not only learned the language but translated the Bible into it!
            In addition to being tenacious, they were smart and did what every good missionary over the years has done—they trained the locals to minister. By training local men to carry the torch of the Gospel, they ensured their good work would continue long after they could not. However, while these men had success, not all missionaries in South Africa were as effective.

            Throughout the 1800’s missionaries of many different denominations and faiths began to enter South Africa. Wesleyans, Anglicans, and even Mormons were seeking to make new converts and gain a stronghold in South Africa. Naturally, depending upon what region of South Africa they were in, the missionaries were met with reservation. “Despite the continuing spread of a missionary presence into southern Africa during the 19th Century, by the time of the Anglo-Zulu conflict of 1879 very few converts had been won over to Christianity” and even fewer to Mormonism.[3]  Africans sometimes fled the areas in which these missionaries were, and new converts were often threatened with witchcraft and curses. This was to be expected. Many missionaries entered the area with no idea of the culture. They came with the good news of Jesus and a desire to moralize the people in Christian values. Furthermore, many missionaries measured their success based upon the people’s willingness to adopt a particular moral standard that hitherto was completely foreign to them. Unfortunately, it was an issue of innocent ignorance and putting the cart before the horse. It is an issue we see to this day. Often those evangelizing give a strong call to morality and try to project Christian values on the lost world. This is ineffective. We cannot expect the conviction we have due to the Holy Spirit to resonate with people lacking the Holy Spirit. While it might bring conviction in some cases, morality never brings conversion. We must introduce people to the Spirit then guide them to understand the Spirit’s guidance. Early Christian missionaries were introducing eternal life and abundant life in the same basket, but they are two very different things, and one does not ensure the other.
http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/missionaries-pondoland
            These missionaries were not complete failures though. More than their calls for morality, their introduction of agricultural land and practices benefitted the indigenous people and softened them toward the missionaries. In a time when whites were taking everything, the missionaries did offer desirable, materialistic opportunity. Granted, they did not realize the potential because they were still deeply focused on making the people moral.[4]
            Missionaries in South Africa brought work, education, and most importantly, the Gospel. By the late 1880’s, Christian institutions began to gain traction in South Africa. As these grew, so did the opportunity for the Gospel. Finally, missionaries were starting to see that measurable morality they so desperately wanted to see.

South Africa is now considered primarily Christian. Certainly, Christianity is a broad term, but it is an encouraging fact nonetheless. Ultimately, though these missionaries saw little immediate results, their hard work and faithfulness would bring long-term success.


             










Bibliography

Cummings, Lawrence C. “The First Missionaries to South Africa.”  Africa Southeast
(February 21, 2012). https://africase.lds.org/thefirst-missionaries-to-south-africa (accessed June 23, 2016).

Graves, Dan. “Missionary Heroes of South Africa: 1701-1800.” (April 18, 2007).
http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/missionary-heroes-of-south-africa-11630223.html (accessed June 23, 2016).

South African History Online. “Pondoland: The Missionaries.” SAHO (January 13,
2014). http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/missionaries-pondoland (accessed June 23, 2016).

-----. “European Missions in South Africa: The Role of Missions.” SAHO (March 22,
2011). http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/european-missionaries-southern-africa (accessed June 23, 2016).




[1]             Dan Graves, “Missionary Heroes of South Africa: 1701-1800,” (April 18, 2007). http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/missionary-heroes-of-south-africa-11630223.html (accessed June 23, 2016).
[2] Ibid.
[3]             South African History Online, “Pondoland: The Missionaries,” SAHO (January 13, 2014). http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/missionaries-pondoland (accessed June 23, 2016).
[4]             -----, “European Missions in South Africa: The Role of Missions,” SAHO (March 22, 2011. http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/european-missionaries-southern-africa (accessed June 23, 2016).

Friday, June 17, 2016

Outside Influence

South Africa has a checkered past with many outside influences that have often exchanged leadership with one another. Many European countries have occupied this country, and often times, it has been at the expense and suffering of the indigenous people. Sadly, the Western world often only saw South Africa as a stepping stone to the East. It was an excellent place for seafarers to resupply on journeys east.
            While there is a lack of archaeological and oral history, it is very likely that the Chinese had ancient contacts with South Africa. Certainly more new evidence is appearing to support this assertion, but more is needed to substantiate these claims. With this being said, we can feel quite certain that China did have early contacts with South Africa. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1376), trade routes were set up for accesses to Africa which included South Africa. We know this because Zhu Siben of the Yuan Dynasty had created maps that included South Africa. [1]  These maps are believed to have been influenced by previous explorations of the region; unfortunately, this cannot be substantiated as many records of Chinese exploration are partial or have been lost entirely. 

 "Ryukoku Kangnido: Europe & Africa"
http://cartographic-images.net/Cartographic_Images/236_Kangnido.html


In the 15th century, the Portuguese began opening trade routes through Africa in order to get to Asia. This gave them frequent contact with the South Africans, which ultimately resulted in Africa being opened up to Europe and colonialism.[2]
"Circle of Joachim Patinir." WikiMedia.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portuguese_Carracks_off_a_Rocky_Coast.jpg

            By the 1600’s South Africa was primed for colonialism and the Dutch East Indies Company was ready to set up shop.[3] South Africa was the perfect place for the Dutch to provision passing ships. Colonies would soon follow. With the colonies came oppression and slavery as the demands of the colonists increased. Somewhat fortunate for the South Africans, most slaves were imported from East Africa, and the Dutch kept minimal supervision on the pastoralists in the region. However, as the colonies continued to grow into the 1700’s, their demands grew, and thus, their drain on the land.“As they intruded further upon the land and water sources, and stepped up their demands for livestock and labour, more and more of the indigenous inhabitants were dispossessed and incorporated into the colonial economy as servants.”[4]  This early colonialism resulted in war and the spread of foreign disease among the South African population. However, under Dutch rule, South Africa remained a relatively closed area.
Joseph Mudler. "The Shipyard of the Dutch East India Company in Amsterdam."  WikiMedia. 06 September 2008.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_East_India_Company#/media/File:Voc.jpg
            The proceeding years would see the colonial leadership change between the Dutch and the British. In the 1790’s the British occupied South Africa because it was a strategic stronghold against the French. By the 1800’s the British would have control of South African territories. “The closed and regulated economic system of the Dutch period was swept away as the Cape Colony was integrated into the dynamic international trading empire of industrialising Britain.”[5] With this being said, “Like the Dutch before them, the British were primarily interested in the Cape as a ‘stepping stone’ on the route to their expanding interests in India and the East.”[6]
Walter Crane. "Imperial Federation, Map of the World Showing the Extent of the British Empire in 1886." WikiMedia. 24 July 1886. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire
Much of the colonial period was negative. Even as the British worked to end slavery, they still took the side of the colonist in most matters. Furthermore, they brought in more Westerners who would be given more landholding in the region. One positive is that missionaries were able to enter the region and evangelize the South Africans. For better or worse, this was done under the pretense that westernizing the South African people would be the most effective way of converting them.

I believe that outside influences likely predate anything we have found archaeologically.  While there is not empirical evidence to confirm my belief, I do not believe it is a far-out estimation, especially in light of the evidences we have of later contacts.


Bibliography

New Africa. “China’s Long History in Africa.” New Africa Magazine, 11 March 2015.
http://newafricanmagazine.com/chinas-long-history-africa/ (accessed June 16, 2016).

Reader, John. Africa: A Biography of the Continent. NY: Vintage Books, 1999.

South African Government. “History: The Earlier Colonial Period to British Colinial
Era,” South African Yearbook. http://www.gov.za/about-sa/history#early_colonial_period (accessed  June 16, 2016).





[1]             New Africa, “China’s Long History in Africa,” New Africa Magazine, 11 March 2015, http://newafricanmagazine.com/chinas-long-history-africa/ (accessed June 16, 2016).
[2]             South African Government, “History: The Earlier Colonial Period to British Colinial Era,” South African Yearbook, http://www.gov.za/about-sa/history#early_colonial_period (accessed  June 16, 2016).
[3]             Ibid.
[4]             Ibid.
[5]             Ibid.
[6]             John Reader, Africa: A Biography of the Continent (NY: Vintage Books, 1999), 461.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Resources and Economy

http://www.bullionstreet.com/tag/South-Africa-gold
South Africa has very diverse resources, and the consumers of these resources use them quite differently. For instance, the United State’s number one import from South Africa is gems and precious metals. These precious items are primarily diamonds, gold, and platinum. Not surprising when we consider that South Africa is the world’s largest producer of gold and platinum, and the fourth largest produce of diamonds.[1]
http://blog.gainesvillecoins.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/southafrica-gold.jpg
Comparatively, these items come in at number four on China’s list of South African imports. China’s number one imports are ore, slag, and ash.[2] It is for these reasons that South Africa is a major force in the mining industry. But these are not there only exports though; they also have resources in food and manufacturing.
As of 2015, vegetables were South Africa’s fastest growing exports while other manufactured goods were second.[3] An example of manufactured goods might be automobiles, which is its neighboring Namibia’s number one consumption and is in the top five in several other African countries. They also have strong resources in oil, which they export to many other African countries.[4] 
http://www.businessinsider.com/bbh-on-south-africas-economy-2013-11
South Africa’s vast and diverse resources have made it the second largest economy in all of Africa. Furthermore, “apart from its prolific mineral reserves, South Africa’s strengths include a high level of technical and production expertise, and comprehensive research and development activities.”[5] This is fascinating when considering the number of sanctions that hindered their development less than thirty years ago.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d6/72/42/d67242522599415006818634aedf6245.jpg
South Africa has a fast growing economy, and because it has 40% of the world’s known resources, it contributes significantly to the overall African economy. Being friends and neighbors with South Africa brings a lot of trade and interest to potentially unnoticed regions in Africa. However, despite all of their resources and economic growth, it has been reported that South Africa’s economy is not growing fast enough to create jobs and wealth for the inhabitants and is not operating at full potential.[6] Even knowing this, they are certainly learning to utilize their resources and make their mark on the world. This is a brighter picture than colonial South Africa, where their greatest resource was livestock and was often taken forcibly.[7]

It is exciting to see what is in store for the future of this resource rich nation.




Bibliography

South Africa Chicago. “Mining and Natural Resources.” WordPress, 2012.

South African Government. “History.” South Africa Year Book, 2016.
            http://www.gov.za/about-sa/history (accessed June 9, 2016).

Workman, Daniel. “South African Imports and Exports.” World’s Richest Countries,

The World Bank. “Export Competitiveness, Regional Trade Integration Could Spur
South African Export Growth.” World Bank Group, February 2012. http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/southafrica/publication/south-africa-economic-update-focus-export-competitiveness (accessed June 9, 2016).






[1]             South Africa Chicago, “Mining and Natural Resources,” WordPress, 2012. http://www.southafricachicago.com/?page_id=1616 (accessed June 9, 2016).
[2]             Daniel Workman, “South African Imports and Exports,” World’s Richest Countries, 2016. http://www.worldsrichestcountries.com/top-south-africa-exports.html (accessed June 9, 2016).
[3]             Ibid.
[4]             Ibid.
[5]             http://www.southafricachicago.com/?page_id=1616 (accessed June 9, 2016).
[6]             The World Bank, “Export Competitiveness, Regional Trade Integration Could Spur South African Export Growth,” World Bank Group, February 2012. http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/southafrica/publication/south-africa-economic-update-focus-export-competitiveness (accessed June 9, 2016).
[7]             South African Government, “History,” South Africa Year Book, 2016. http://www.gov.za/about-sa/history (accessed June 9, 2016).