Some important figures
Year
Gross Domestic Product US
Dollar Exchange
1980
62,730
0.77 Rand
1985
127,598
1.47
Rand
1990
289,816
2.58
Rand
1995
1,548,100
3.62
Rand
2000
922,148
6.93
Rand
2005
1,523,254
6.36
Rand
Human Development Index
(HDI) Rank: 120th (2005), 119th (2004), 111th (2003), 101st (1999), 95th
(1995)
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2004 est.), 7% (2001 est.)
Electricity:
production: 221.9 TWh (2004), 213.4 TWh (2003), 206.0 TWh (2002),
196.0 TWh (2001), 195.6 TWh
(2000)
consumption: 204.26 TWh (2004)
exports: 12.45 TWh (2004), 10.14 TWh (2003), 6.95 TWh (2002),
6.52 TWh (2001), 4.01 TWh
(2000)
imports: 8.03 TWh (2004), 6.74 TWh (2003), 7.87 TWh (2002),
7.25 TWh (2001), 4.72 TWh
(2000)
Electricity - production by source (2004):
Coal: 75.4%
Oil: 20.1%
Nuclear: 2.8%
Natural gas 1.6%
Hydroelectric: 0.1%
other: 0% (2001)
Agriculture - products: maize,
wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy
products, essential oils;
Exports - commodities: gold,
diamonds, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment
Imports - commodities:
machinery, foodstuffs and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products,
scientific instruments
Debt - external: $25.9 billion
(2004 est.)
Foreign exchange reserves:
$17.618 billion (Nov 2005) $14.943 billion (Jan 2005), $6.5 billion (Oct
2003)
Weakest historical level: $1 = R13.85 (21 December 2001)
Strongest historical level: R1 = $1.49 (5 June 1973)
Historical annual growth in real GDP at 2005 market prices
4.5% (2004), 3.0% (2003), 3.7% (2002), 2.7% (2001)
4.2% (2000), 2.4% (1999), 0.5% (1998)
Average annual real GDP growth rate (1996-2004): 3.1%
Note: GDP data drawn from official StatsSA
revised statistics as released in Q3 2005
The
South African government as of March 2008
President Mr Thabo Mbeki
Deputy President Ms Phumzile
Mlambo-Ngcuka
Candidate President Mr
Jacob Zuma
Agriculture & Land Affairs Ms Lulu Xingwana
Arts & Culture Dr Pallo Jordan
Communications Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri
Correctional Services Mr Ngconde Balfour
Defence Mr Mosiuoa Lekota
Education Ms Naledi
Pandor
Environmental Affairs & Tourism Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk
Finance Mr
Trevor Manuel
Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosozana
Dlamini-Zuma
Health Dr MantoTshabalala-Msimang
Home Affairs Ms Nosiviwe
Mapisa-Nqakula
Housing Dr Lindiwe
Sisulu
Intelligence Mr
Ronnie Kasrils
Justice & Constitutional Development
Ms Brigitte Mabandla
Labour Mr Membathisi Mdladlana
Minerals and Energy Ms Buyelwa Sonjica
Provincial & Local Government Mr Sydney Mufamadi
Public Enterprises Mr
Alec Erwin
Public Service & Administration Ms
Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi
Public Works Ms Thoko
Didiza
Safety and Security Mr
Charles Nqakula
Science & Technology Mr Mosibudi Mangena
Social Development Dr Zola Skweyiya
Sport and Recreation Mr Makhenkesi Stofile
The Presidency Dr Essop
Pahad
Trade and Industry Mr
Mandisi Mpahlwa
Transport Mr
Jeff Radebe
Water Affairs and Forestry Ms Lindiwe Hendricks
© 2008
Progressive Initiative. The
Progressive Initiative rejects all forms of discrimination, embraces
democracy and encourages transparent politics. The views expressed in this
site are those of its members.