Answers to Prayer

1 Transition from white rule and apartheid to a non-racial democracy was achieved relatively peacefully rather than the feared bloodbath

2 The institution of a functioning democracy and two successful general elections in 1994 and 1999

3 Strenuous efforts by local churches to roll back the centuries of discrimination, oppression and pain have borne fruit

4 The massive growth of global vision and multiplication of South African mission involvement by all communities after the ending of South Africa's diplomatic isolation in 1993

5 The multiplication of Christian ministries to help the disadvantaged – slum-dwellers, unemployed, the victims of rape, crime and AIDS, etc

Challenges for Prayer

1 The need for stable government

2 The need for ongoing healing and reconciliation

3 The need for economic betterment

Geography

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Area 1,218,363 sq.km. A republic with nine provinces at the southernmost point of Africa.

Population (2000) 40,376,579 +1.51%AGR

Capital Cape Town (legislative) 2.6 million. Pretoria (administrative) 1.7m; Bloemfontein (judicial) 325,000.

Peoples

African 76.7%.

Caucasian 10.9%;

Coloured (mixed race) 8.9%.

Asian 2.6%.

Other 0.9%.

Literacy 82%. Functional literacy is much lower at around 62%. National languages 11 – all the major ethnic languages. English and Afrikaans are the main languages in higher education. All languages 32. Languages with Scriptures 19Bi 1NT 1w.i.p.

Economy

The richest and most industrialized country in Africa (25% of Africa's GNP, 40% of its industrial output). Unemployment 25% (38% for youth and may be much higher). HDI 0.695; 101^st/174. Public debt 9% of GNP. Income/person $3,210 (10% of USA) – but big disparities between wealthy and poor.

Politics

The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910.

Religion

Religions	Population %	Adherents	Ann.Gr.
Christian	73.52	29,684,861	+1.2%
Traditional ethnic	15.00	6,056,487	+0.8%
non-Religious/other	8.08	3,262,428	+6.5%
Muslim	1.45	585,460	+2.8%
Hindu	1.25	504,707	+0.4%
Baha'i	0.50	201,883	+1.5%
Jewish	0.17	68,640	+1.5%
Buddhist/Chinese	0.03	12,113	+10.1%

Christians	Denom.	Affil.%	,000	Ann.Gr.
Protestant	185	21.06	8,502	-0.3%
Independent	4,589	37.99	15,339	+2.6%
Anglican	2	3.96	1,600	-4.8%
Catholic	1	8.35	3,372	+2.4%
Orthodox	4	0.12	48	+6.3%
Marginal	12	0.54	218	+1.0%
Unaffiliated		1.50	605	n.a.

Churches in South Africa

Missionaries from South Africa

2,622 in 126 agencies

Missionaries to South Africa

1,258 in 140 agencies from 40 countries

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