South Africa

Copy Link

South Africa

Official Title: Republic of South Africa

General Information:

Capital

Tshwane (Pretoria)

1,221,038 km²

Population (million) 5n9/.a622
Total Area Currency

1 CAN$=12.343 Rands (ZAR) (2020 - Annual average)

National Holiday

27 April, Freedom Day

Language(s)

Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu

Political Information:

Type of State Parliamentary Republic Type of Government

Executive: President elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term). Legislative: Bicameral Parliament – National Assembly (400 members) and National Council of Provinces (90 members).

Bilateral Product trade

Canada - South Africa

2500 2000 1500 1000 500

Balance Can. Exports

Head of State
Head of Government

President
President

Can.

Cyril Ramaphosa

Imports

-500

Cyril Ramaphosa

Total Trade

-1000 -1500 -2000

Ministers: International Relations and Cooperation: Naledi Pandor
Trade, Industry and Competition: Ebrahim Patel Finance: Enoch Godongwana

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Statistics Canada

Main Political Parties

Canadian Imports

from: South Africa

African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), National Freedom Party (NFP), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Freedom Front Plus (FFP), Congress of the People (COPE).

Precious M et als/ st ones V eg. Prod.

Food Prod. Base M etal Prod. M ach. M ech. Elec. Prod. Chemical Prod.

Elections: Last: 2019 (legislative-lower and upper house). Next: 2024 (legislative-lower and n/a

2020

upper house).

Statistics Canada

Economic Information: (2020)

IMF (estimates)

South Africa
Canada

$2,162.38

Canadian Exports

to: South Africa

GDP: (billion)

$397n.5/a2
$6,667n.3/a1
-6n.9/a6

GDP per capita: GDP Growth rate: (%) Inflation: (%)

$56,945.03
-5.40

M ach. M ech. Elec. Prod. V eg. Prod.

3.27 n/a
0.72

Unemployment: (%)

29n.1/a8
9.60

Chemical Prod. Animal & Prod. Specialized Inst . Base M et al Prod.

Product Trade and Investment: (2020)

Statistics Canada

Canadian Exports: Canadian Imports :

$312,768,4n8/a1

n/a
$1,909,144,315

2020

Foreign Direct Investment in Canada Canadian Direct Investment in country
$1,1n5/a2 (million)
$8n9/a7 (million)

Statistics Canada

Sources:

Representation:

Statistics/Industry Canada http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/tdo-dcd.nsf/eng/Home
IMF

Foreign Representation in Canada

High Commissioner Sibongiseni Dlamini-Mntambo

http://www.imf.org/external/ns/cs.aspx?id=28

Canadian Representation Abroad

High Commissioner-designate Chris Cooter

September 2021

www.international.gc.ca

HTML version:

https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/fact_sheet-fiche_documentaire/south_africa-afrique_sud.aspx?lang=eng

Recommended publications

Welcoming Remarks by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International

1 WELCOMING REMARKS BY DR NALEDI PANDOR, MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, DURING VIRTUAL THE PROGRAMME FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPME IN AFRICA (PIDA) WEEK 2020: 19 JANUARY 2021 Programme Director; Your Excellencies; Ladies and Gentlemen: Compliments of the new season to you all! I would also like to welcome you to PIDA week 2020. We are brought together today by commitment to our shared vision for a prosperous Africa and a better world. We meet at a time of great distress both for the African continent and the entire world. As PIDA 2020 shows, the Covid-19 global pandemic has at once disrupted and transformed the way we do business and how we interact with one another. Nevertheless, it is necessary to meet to continue determining plans to help us achieve progress and to avoid further decline in our socio-economic conditions. Your Excellencies; The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) was created as a framework for stakeholders in the continent to utilise and develop the infrastructure necessary for tangible growth and to integrate the continent physically, economically and socially, with the objective of boosting trade, creating new jobs for Africa’s growing population and improving the overall socio-economic conditions of our people. 2 PIDA was also designed to mobilise resources to transform our infrastructure as well as modernise it in order to integrate the African continent and the world. Achieving these goals can only be done through our collective effort as Member States effectively using our existing frameworks of regional and continental cooperation. A great deal of progress is being recorded in PIDA implementation, and AUDA-NEPAD remains pivotal in this exercise we are not at the required level of implementation and governments and the AU need to give greater support to active implementation.
Jacob Zuma: the Man of the Moment Or the Man for the Moment? Alex Michael & James Montagu

Research & Assessment Branch African Series Jacob Zuma: The Man of the Moment or the Man for the Moment? Alex Michael & James Montagu 09/08 Jacob Zuma: The Man of the Moment or the Man for the Moment? Alex Michael & James Montagu Key Findings • Zuma is a pragmatist, forging alliances based on necessity rather than ideology. His enlarged but inclusive cabinet, rewards key allies with significant positions, giving minor roles to the leftist SACP and COSATU. • Long-term ANC allies now hold key Justice, Police and State Security ministerial positions, reducing the likelihood of legal charges against him resurfacing. • The blurring of party and state to the detriment of public institutions, which began under Mbeki, looks set to continue under Zuma. • Zuma realises that South Africa relies too heavily on foreign investment, but no real change in economic policy could well alienate much of his populist support base and be decisive in the longer term. 09/08 Jacob Zuma: The Man of the Moment or the Man for the Moment? Alex Michael & James Montagu INTRODUCTION Jacob Zuma, the new President of the Republic of South Africa and the African National Congress (ANC), is a man who divides opinion. He has been described by different groups as the next Mandela and the next Mugabe. He is a former goatherd from what is now called KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with no formal education and a long career in the ANC, which included a 10 year spell at Robben Island and 14 years of exile in Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia. Like most ANC leaders, his record is not a clean one and his role in identifying and eliminating government spies within the ranks of the ANC is well documented.
Our Reference: L Du Plessis / T Mugunyani 31 March 2020 To

Land and Housing Unit Tel (012) 320 2943 Kutlwanong Democracy Centre 357 Fax (012) 320 6852 Visagie Street, Pretoria 0002 email:louise@communityla w.co.za Your reference: Our reference: L du Plessis / T Mugunyani 31 March 2020 To: Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma c/o Ms. Mandia Mbele, Ms. Pamela Salusalu and Mr. Thokozani Mhlongo Per e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] [email protected] And to: Minister of Trade and Industry: Dr. Ebrahim Patel c/o Ms. Kagiso Motlhabi and Ms. Tshegofatso Masoga Per e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] And to: Minister of Small Business Development: Ms. Khumbudzo Ntshaveni c/o Ms. Rudzani Nevhutshena and Ms. Sarah Mokwebo Per e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] And to: Minister of Police: Gen. Bheki Cele c/o Ms. Sharon Gaehler, Ms. Nonkululeo Phokane and Ms. Reneilwe Serero Per e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] And to: Minister of Defence and Military Veterans: Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula c/o Ms. Joy Nonzukiso-Petera and Mr. Siphiwe Dlamini Per-email: [email protected]; [email protected] And to: State Attorney Pretoria [email protected] Dear Sirs/Madams, CONCERN REGARDING ILLEGAL TARGETING AND SHUTTING DOWN OF FOREIGN OWNED SHOPS 1 The above matter refers. 2 2 We write to you in respect of the regulations that inform the administration of the Lockdown which commenced on the 26th of March 2020 and which further inform the presence of the South African Police Services (SAPS) and South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF) in communities throughout South Africa following the announcement of the National Lockdown.
25 Years in the Global Arena

25 Years in the Global Arena Working for a Better South Africa, in a Better and Safer Africa, in a Better World South Africa’s achievement of democracy had global significance, enabling the free South Africa to immediately become a global citizen of note. As the free South Africa reaches 25 years since the first democratic elections in 1994, let us reflect on what it has achieved in the global arena. 2 25 Years in the Global Arena “We are aware that by our common actions we have sought not only the liberation of the people of South Africa but also the extension of the frontiers of democracy, non-racial, non-sexism and human solidarity throughout the world.” – Nelson Mandela, Speech to the United Nations, 24 September 1993 Icons such as Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters, South Africa’s cultural and performing artists and its sportsmen and women combined with the famous democratic transition gave South Africa notable prestige globally. 25 Years in the Global Arena 3 4 25 Years in the Global Arena 25 Years in the Global Arena 5 Madiba Magic – Returning to the global stage 6 25 Years in the Global Arena 25 Years in the Global Arena 7 8 25 Years in the Global Arena International solidarity OR Tambo brought the friends of South Africa together throughout the world in a continuous and sustained mobilisation of the international community in support of a free and democratic South Africa. During his time abroad, he was instrumental in the establishment of African National Congress missions globally – 27 countries in total by 1990.
National Assembly Written Reply

MINISTRY PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Department of Public Works l Central Government Offices l 256 Madiba Street l Pretoria l Contact: +27 (0)12 406 1627 l Fax: +27 (0)12 323 7573 Private Bag X9155 l CAPE TOWN, 8001 l RSA 4th Floor Parliament Building l 120 Plain Street l CAPE TOWN l Tel: +27 21 402 2219 Fax: +27 21 462 4592 www.publicworks.gov.za NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NUMBER: 1294 [NO. NW1487E] INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.: 13 of 2021 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 MAY 2021 DATE OF REPLY: 22 JUNE 2021 1294 Mrs M B Hicklin (DA) asked the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: (1) With reference to the 107-hectare Bryntirion Estate that her department owns (details furnished), what are the (a) names and (b) positions of the persons living in the 27 houses on the property that is owned by her department; (2) in view of the security guards and maintenance people living on the estate in outbuildings reporting that most of the fittings in the houses have been stolen and sold for scrap, on what date was the last inspection conducted by her department; (3) whether any oversight visit can be undertaken to ascertain or establish (a) the state of the houses and (b) who inhabits the Estate; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) (a) what budget has been set aside for the maintenance of the specified property and (b) under which portfolio does the property fall? NW1487E _______________________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION NO.
Cabinet Factsheet [PDF]

Cabinet held its scheduled virtual Meeting on Wednesday, 10 June 2020 1. CABINET DECISIONS On 31 December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a cluster of pneumonia cases in Update on Coronavirus Wuhan City, China. ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed commissioned within the (COVID-19) as the causative agent of what we now know as ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ (COVID-19). Since then, context of the Resistance Cabinet held itsthe scheduled virus has spread to more virtual than 100 countries, Meeting including South onAfrica. Wednesday, 10 June 2020 ● Cabinet receivedCabinet an updated held its virtual Meeting on Wednesday, 24 June and2020 Liberation Heritage report from the National Route (RLHR) Project. The CoronavirusOn Wednesday, Command Council 21 AprilCOVID-19 2021 is , anCabinet infectious held disease its thatfirst is physical spread, meetingRLHR sincecontributes the towards CABINET1.introduction(NCCC). CABINET DECISIONS DECISIONSof the national lockdowndirectly or indirectly, in 2020. from oneThis person is part to another. of Cabinet transitioningthe development and itself The NCCC tabled a number of transformation of the South ● Infection: recommendations pertainingto the new normal as the countryto drive the multidisciplinary continues gov- to reopen itself.African heritage landscape. On 31 December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a cluster of pneumonia cases in to the enhanced risk adjusted An infected person can spread the virusernment to a healthy interventions. person through: However, Update on Coronavirus Wuhan City, China. ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed commissioned within the the eye, nose and mouth or through droplets produced on coughing or sneezing.
Caught Between a Rock and Hard Place the State of Play for South Africa’S Beleaguered Development State

11 / 2009 Caught between a rock and hard place The state of play for South Africa’s beleaguered development state Saliem Fakir A brief introduction to the politics financial crisis has brought about an interregnum in The post-Polokwane period heralded a new economic policy thinking. era for the ANC. It hasn’t been called as such but This despite the fact that the Zuma era comes with an internal coup and revolution did take place. a greater emphasis for a developmental state and more For many it brought fears of political and intervention within the economy. economic uncertainty. Zuma had the taint of All the talk of budget restraint and deficits is corruption tagged upon him long before he got forcing a movement to the centre rather than the elected as president. left. It has become a useful excuse to beat leftist The pre-Polokwane era had a distinct etch on tendencies from within the alliance partners. the framing of the economy and the Zuma era was One can always revert to the status quo by saying expected to take a left turn. However, any concrete prudence is needed in the face of a global evdence of this is still to be seen. financial meltdown. Zuma’s rise to power was facilitated through Nonetheless, there is no real policy that one can concerted support from the ANC’s left-leaning distinctly point to for South Africa – a point which alliance partners – the South African Communist will be discussed in further detail later. Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
News Patel Panel Left-Leaning

Patel panel left-leaning - MSN ZA News Page 1 of 3 News By I-Net, www.inet.co.za, Updated: 2010/03/24 Patel panel left-leaning Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel has appointed a panel of advisers packed with left-leaning opponents of former finance minister Trevor Manuel’s hardline economics. BRENDAN BOYLE Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel has appointed a panel of advisers packed with left-leaning opponents of former finance minister Trevor Manuel’s hardline economics — including renowned Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz. His panel could be expected to recommend lower interest rates and, possibly, state intervention to manage the foreign exchange value of the rand. Manuel has yet to choose 20 members from among more than 1000 nominations for a seat on the statutory National Planning Commission he has been appointed to head. Taking the gap, Patel, who has raced ahead in setting up his new government department, served another ace with his announcement in parliament yesterday that he had nominated an advisory panel just two weeks after floating the idea. Patel has already taken over management of the response to the global economic slowdown, the Competition Commission and the Industrial Development Corporation. Government spokesman Themba Maseko said the appointment of the more formal National Planning Commission was “imminent”, but he could not confirm that Manuel had yet given President Jacob Zuma a short list from which to choose. Patel said his panel would include Stiglitz, Cosatu economist Chris Malikane from Wits University, former Cosatu economist Neva Makgetla, who is now the lead economist in the development planning division of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and Investec Bank strategist Michael Power.
The New Cabinet

Response May 30th 2019 The New Cabinet President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet contains quite a number of bold and unexpected appointments, and he has certainly shifted the balance in favour of female and younger politicians. At the same time, a large number of mediocre ministers have survived, or been moved sideways, while some of the most experienced ones have been discarded. It is significant that the head of the ANC Women’s League, Bathabile Dlamini, has been left out – the fact that her powerful position within the party was not enough to keep her in cabinet may be indicative of the President’s growing strength. She joins another Zuma loyalist, Nomvula Mokonyane, on the sidelines, but other strong Zuma supporters have survived. Lindiwe Zulu, for example, achieved nothing of note in five years as Minister of Small Business Development, but has now been given the crucial portfolio of social development; and Nathi Mthethwa has been given sports in addition to arts and culture. The inclusion of Patricia de Lille was unforeseen, and it will be fascinating to see how, as one of the more outspokenly critical opposition figures, she works within the framework of shared cabinet responsibility. Ms de Lille has shown herself willing to change parties on a regular basis and this appointment may presage her absorbtion into the ANC. On the other hand, it may also signal an intention to experiment with a more inclusive model of government, reminiscent of the ‘government of national unity’ that Nelson Mandela favoured. During her time as Mayor of Cape Town Ms de Lille emphasised issues of spatial planning and land-use, and this may have prompted Mr Ramaphosa to entrust her with management of the Department of Public Works’ massive land and property holdings.
Speech by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, at the Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum: 27/08/ 2020

1 SPEECH BY DR NALEDI PANDOR, MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, AT THE GERTRUDE SHOPE ANNUAL DIALOGUE FORUM: 27/08/ 2020 Programme Director, Ambassador Mathu Joyini; Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E Ine Eriksen Søreide; African Union Special Envoy for Women Peace and Security, H.E Bineta Diop; Executive Director of UN Women, H.E Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen: Let me start by welcoming you to the 2020 Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum. I also wish to acknowledge and thank our partners, specifically the Office of the Special Envoy at the AU and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway. This forum is named after a stalwart, a revolutionary and one of the pioneering gender activists of South Africa, Mrs Gertrude Shope. We wish Mma Shope well following the celebration of her 95th birthday last week. Later in the programme I will have the honour to pay tribute to this compelling figure whose legendary contribution to the fight against the denial of women's rights has bequeathed to us a rich and illuminating legacy which continues to inspire gender struggles in South Africa more than sixty-six years after her tenacious struggle to expand the contours of the meaning of freedom. Our dialogue this year is taking place under the unusual circumstances of a virtual portal platform because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which has redefined the normal way of doing business for much of the world. While it may seem an uncomfortable exercise for those of us who are used to the traditional mode of engagement, this so-called ‘new normal’ in the form of virtual communication allows us to reach an audience we would not usually have access to, 2 and as such, we hope that the Women, Peace and Security dialogue will similarly reach a wider audience in order to communicate the message of peace and security for women.
Press Release 10 June 2020 Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, President

Press release 10 June 2020 Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, President, Republic of South Africa Mr Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade and Industry Ms Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation A Call to Minister of Environmental Affairs and Fisheries to Defend the Rights of Subsistence Fishers in eThekwini Municipality On Tuesday, 09 June, the fourth meeting of the National Food Crisis Forum (NFCF) was convened by the South African Food Sovereignty Campaign and the Cooperative and Policy Alternative Center (COPAC), a vibrant alliance partner of the SAFSC and which is currently coordinating its response to Covid-19. We applaud the decision of Minister Creecy to open the ocean commons to subsistence fishers by passing regulations for ‘recreational fishing’ at level 3 of the lockdown. This reflects a willingness by the Minister to listen to subsistence fisher organisations and affirm their rights. Thousands of subsistence fishers have gone out to fish as a result, practicing public health guidelines. They are feeding their families. However, it has been reported to the NFCF by subsistence fishers in eThekwini Municipality that they are being brutally prevented by SAPS, Metro Police and the municipality from fishing. This is a violation of the regulations passed by the Minister. It also reflects the crisis of this municipality which is financially bankrupt and out of touch with the needs of the people. We would like to appeal to the Minister to speak to her cabinet colleagues dealing with local government to address this matter and to also speak directly to the eThekwini Municipality.
SALGA Council of Mayors Programme

SALGA CouncilSALGA of Mayors 2017 Council OF MAYORS Programme Date: 8-9 June 2017 Venue: City of Cape Town Council Chambers 1 SALGA Council of Mayors 2017 WEDNESDAY, 7 JUNE 2017 16H00 - 20H00 Registration, Credentials Confirmation and Receipt of Documentation THURSDAY, 8 JUNE 2017 SESSION 1: OPENING SESSION Programme Director: Cllr Parks Tau, SALGA President 08h00 – 09h00 Arrival and Registration 09h00 – 09h15 Official Opening Ceremony Programme Director Opening Prayers Rendition of National Anthem 09h15 - 09h30 Host Mayor’s Welcome Address Ald. Patricia De Lille, Executive Mayor, City of Cape Town 09h30 – 10h00 Overview of the Forum Programme Director The SALGA President provides a background, gives a rationale for the Council of Mayors and details emerging issues confronting/ affecting Mayors/Executive Mayors and Local Government at large. 2 SALGA Council of Mayors 2017 SESSION 2: FACILITATED PANEL DEBATE Facilitator: Mr Vuyo Mvoko 10H00 – 12H30 Panel Debate: “Policy Proposals to Panelists: Strengthen Local Government to Deepen Democratic Participation Cllr Parks Tau, SALGA and Accountability; providing basic President services; promoting sustainable development and contributing to Hon. Des Van Rooyen, cooperative Governance” Minister COGTA Prof Nico Steytler / Prof. Jaap De Visser 12h30 - 13h30 LUNCH SESSION 3: FACILITATED PANEL DEBATE Facilitator: Mr Vuyo Mvoko 13H30 – 15H30 Panel Debate: “Financial Panelists: Sustainability of Local Government and Fiscal Equity” Cllr , Local Municipality Hon. Malusi Gigaba, Minister of Finance Chairperson