Updated: March 2009
South Africa
| Overview The country of South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent and is bordered by the Atlantic and Indian oceans, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Within its borders lies the small nation of Lesotho. Much of the terrain is made up of a large interior plateau surrounded by rugged hills. The climate is predominantly semiarid, though along the east coast it is subtropical. Natural resources include gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, salt, and natural gas. Despite its vast coastline, South Africa has limited fresh water resources. The AIDS pandemic is having a tremendous impact on South Africa. The country has the highest number of HIV-positive people in the world (5.5 million), and the prevalence rate among adults is more than 18.8 percent. Over the past few years, life expectancy has declined by nearly 20 years, infant mortality has risen, and the number of men and women in their 30s and 40s has decreased, yielding a sharp increase in the number of children left without one or both parents. Today South Africa is considered a middle-income, developing country, yet its people face economic challenges. The country has a high unemployment rate and the daunting effects of apartheid have resulted in poverty and lack of economic empowerment for disadvantaged groups. The government’s economic policy tends to be fiscally conservative but is focusing on targeting inflation and opening up trade as a means to increase employment growth and household income. World Vision’s Work |  |
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| World Vision began ministering to the people of South Africa through a child sponsorship program in 1965. During the 1970s, World Vision addressed the needs of children who lacked adequate nutrition and education by providing immunization, education, clothing, and feeding programs. Also during this time, World Vision supported the Bethany Girls Home in Kwa Zulu-Natal Project that offered classes in English and Bantu, science, history, geography, and math. The girls also learned domestic skills such as baking and knitting. Each child was given a bed, nutritious meals, and the opportunity to hear the Gospel. World Vision continues to provide sustainable projects and the good news of Christ to the people of South Africa. Current activities are addressing the needs of children, education, community development, and important HIV and AIDS information. World Vision United States donors are supporting the efforts of three area development programs and are bringing the benefits of child sponsorship to more than 11,500 boys and girls. World Vision is helping communities improve health, sanitation, and electrical services and promote healthful agricultural practices. Sponsorship also provides educational opportunities for boys and girls to help them break free from poverty. South Africans speak a variety of languages including English, Afrikaans (a Dutch dialect), Zulu, and Xhosa. Your sponsored child probably speaks Zulu or Xhosa as his or her first language and English or Afrikaans as a second language. Nevertheless, each year thousands of students in South Africa are forced to leave elementary school to help support their impoverished families. Those who are able to stay in school often receive a substandard education due to the 50-to-1-student/teacher ratios in most poor communities. Your sponsorship provides educational opportunities for children and encourages parents to keep their children in school. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overview | World Vision's history in South Africa | World Vision in South Africa today
OverviewThe country of South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent and is bordered by the Atlantic and Indian oceans, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Within its borders lies the small nation of Lesotho. Much of the terrain is made up of a large interior plateau surrounded by rugged hills. The climate is predominantly semiarid, though along the east coast it is subtropical. Natural resources include gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, salt, and natural gas. Despite its vast coastline, South Africa has limited fresh water resources.South Africa has a long history of European rule and influence on the culture and socio-economic infrastructure. The Dutch East India Company brought the first European settlers in 1652, and Great Britain took possession in 1806. The discovery of diamonds and gold in 1867 and 1886, respectively, resulted in the arrival of more outsiders and increased the subjugation of indigenous peoples. Following the Boer War, the Union of South Africa was established in the early 1900s. During the ensuing decades, the country’s progress was overshadowed by racial tension. Finally, in the 1990s, apartheid practices were abolished. South Africa’s population is comprised of 79 percent black, 9.6 percent white, 8.9 percent mixed race, and 2.5 percent Indian/Asian people. There are 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. Most people profess to be Christian, although millions still follow traditional African religions. In recent years, the Christian church has played a major role in the political struggle for equality. The country’s unemployment is currently at 24.2 percent, and it is estimated that 50 percent of the people live below the poverty threshold. The three major sources of livelihood are services, agriculture, and industry, which includes mining (South Africa is the world’s largest producer of platinum, gold, and chromium). Primary agriculture products include corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, beef, poultry, and mutton. | |
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The HIV and AIDS pandemic is having a tremendous impact on South Africa. The country has the highest number of HIV-positive people in the world (5.5 million), and the prevalence rate among adults is more than 18.8 percent. Over the past decade, life expectancy has declined by nearly 20 years, infant mortality has risen, and the number of men and women in their 30s and 40s has decreased, yielding a sharp increase in the number of children left without one or both parents. Today South Africa is considered a middle-income, developing country, yet its people face economic challenges. The country has a high unemployment rate and the daunting effects of apartheid have resulted in poverty and lack of economic empowerment for disadvantaged groups. The government’s economic policy tends to be fiscally conservative but is focusing on targeting inflation and opening up trade as a means to increase employment growth and household income. Back to top World Vision’s history in South AfricaWorld Vision began ministering to the people of South Africa through a child sponsorship program in 1965. During the 1970s, World Vision addressed the needs of children who lacked adequate nutrition and education by providing immunization, education, clothing, and feeding programs. Also during this time, World Vision supported the Bethany Girls Home in the Kwa Zulu-Natal Project that offered classes in English and Bantu, science, history, geography, and math. The girls also learned domestic skills such as baking and knitting. Each child was given a bed, nutritious meals, and the opportunity to hear the Gospel.During the 1980s, efforts continued to focus on providing education, nutrition, and health care to children through child sponsorship. In addition, emergency relief, flood relief, and water development projects were implemented. Four evangelism projects benefitted female prisoners through Bible studies, counseling, discipleship training, and practical assistance. Other projects included:
World Vision’s ministry in the 1990s addressed the need for large-scale rural development and improved community water supplies. Some 50,000 young children received education and compassionate care. While a crippling drought had a major effect on agricultural-based economies, it provided an unprecedented platform for cooperation between government and organizations such as World Vision. This included both short- and long-term activities to alleviate the drought crisis and prepare for future disasters. By 1995, 15,473 children were sponsored and 116 projects were operating. Activities during the 1990s and early 2000s included:
World Vision in South Africa todayWorld Vision is committed to partnering with the people of South Africa to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. Currently, 48,865 children are registered in the World Vision sponsorship program. Several times this number of children and other family members benefit from World Vision activities. Of these registered children, many have World Vision sponsors in other countries. U.S. donors sponsor more than 14,000 girls and boys. In addition, World Vision operates 15 development programs, three of which are supported by U.S. donors. Highlights of these efforts include the following:
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