South Africa: Facts & Stats

On this day in 1960 the police killed 69 people at Sharpeville who were participating in a protest against the pass laws. Many were shot in the back. The carnage made world headlines. Four days later the government banned black political organizations; many leaders were arrested or went into exile. During the Apartheid era there were human rights abuses by all sides; Human Rights Day is but one step to ensure that the people of South Africa are aware of their human rights and to ensure that such abuses never again occur.

27 April: Freedom Day

This was the day in 1994 when the first democratic election was held in South Africa, i.e. an election when all adults could vote irrespective of their race, and the day in 1997 when the new constitution took effect.

18 July: Mandela Day

A new public holiday introduced by President Jacob Zuma in 2009 to celebrate South Africa's most famous son -- Nelson Mandela.

24 September: Heritage Day

Nelson Mandela coined the phrase "rainbow nation" to describe South Africa's diverse cultures, customs, traditions, histories, and languages. This day is a celebration of that diversity.

16 December: Day of Reconciliation 

Afrikaners traditionally celebrated 16 December as the Day of the Vow, remembering the day in 1838 when a group of Voortrekkers defeated a Zulu army at the Battle of Blood River, while ANC activists commemorated it as the day in 1961 when the ANC started to arm its soldiers to overthrow Apartheid. In the new South Africa's it's a day of reconciliation, a day to focus on overcoming the conflicts of the past and building a new nation.

South Africans love almost all sport activities rugby, cricket and soccer being the most popular sports. There are more than 400 golf courses in South Africa, including a course designed by Gary Player at Sun City in the Northwest Province.

The country has a number of disabled athletes, most notably the double amputee world record holder at 100 m, 200 m and 400 m - Oscar Pistorius, world wheelchair marathon champion Ernst van Dyk and swimmer Natalie du Toit.

Surfing South Africa has a long coastline (East coast/West coast) and also a large surfing population. The surfing culture is strong and South Africa competes internationally. It is the home of the famous right-hander Super Tubes in J-Bay. Also world famous surfer and former world champion Shaun Tomson played a large role in the free lifestyle culture. South Africa also has its own cult surf brands. The South African surf culture is very brand conscious and most of the country even inland wears surf apparel.