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South Africa

Who are the people?

Since the dismantling of the repressive apartheid system of racial segregation in 1994, South Africa has served as a shining example of multi-racial democracy. In spite of this, progress remains slow in the battle against the underlying causes of poverty.

Tremendous gaps persist between the living standards of blacks and whites. White workers earn an average of nine times more than blacks. As a result, millions of black South Africans go without basic services, especially in rural areas. Three in 10 black South Africans lack access to a safe water source and 5 out of every 100 children die in infancy, often from preventable diseases. More than half suffer from stunted growth due to inadequate nutrition.

In response, 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 tongue.

What is it like to live there?

Located 30 degrees south of the equator, South Africa enjoys a mild climate similar to that of the southern United States. Its seasons, however, are opposite: Summer lasts from mid-November to March.

South Africa boasts a wide variety of beautiful landscapes, from lush forests and breathtaking beaches along the Indian Ocean to the dry, grassy “veld” — or savannah — of the interior plateau. Urban centers such as Johannesburg and Cape Town enjoy “first world” amenities and generally resemble American cities. In contrast, rural villages and townships often lack basic services.


 
Country Statistics 
Population47.4 million
Land Mass471,008 sq. miles
Life Expectancy42 years
Infant Mortality Rate55 / 1,000
Literacy Rate82%
School Enrollment89%
Access to Safe Water88%
Average Annual Income (GNI per capita)US$4,960
 
 
The world’s largest producer of gold and diamonds, South Africa is the powerhouse of the African economy. It accounts for nearly half of the continent’s economic output.

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 ratio in most poor communities.

Your sponsorship provides educational opportunities for children and encourages parents to keep their children in school.

How You Can Pray for Your Sponsored Child
  • Pray that churches and families will respond to God's call to care for orphans and widows, especially those affected by the AIDS pandemic.
  • Pray that your sponsored child might respond to God’s love and grace.
  • Ask God to guide your sponsored child as he or she learns, grows, and moves toward a future full of hope and possibilities. Pray for God to protect the health of your sponsored child and his or her family.
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