This is South Africa - 1980

The continent of Africa is inhabited by about 450-million people; some 3 000 ethnic groups, speaking at least 700 to 800 languages and dialects, reflecting Africa’s extraordinary heterogeneity. During the past three decades the continent has become a focal point of world attention, mainly because of the many new African states that have gained their political independence and the world interest and involvement it has brought about. In 1945 there were only four independent African states, compared with more than 50 today.

The Republic of South Africa is known world-wide for its wealth of minerals and metals, particularly gold, diamonds, uranium, platinum, chrome, coal, iron, manganese and several other metals and minerals of which it is either the world’s major producer or among the biggest producers. Its record of political stability, continuity of government and economic growth is unrivaled in Africa and paralleled by few Western countries. On the African continent it is the leading power in both the military and economic spheres. Globally, the Republic of South Africa, Hanked on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by the

Indian Ocean, and situated at the southernmost extremity of the African continent, is strategically located on the important sea route between West and East. The Republic of South Africa, as constituted at the time of going to press, includes a number of Black self-governing national states in various stages of constitutional development (Ciskei, KwaZulu, Lebowa, Gazankulu, Kangwane, Qwaqwa and KwaNdebele), but excludes those states formerly part of file Republic which have achieved independence, namely Transkei, Bophuthatswana and Venda.

This booklet attempts to provide answers to some of the questions that are generally asked about the country.