Economist: Special Report On South Africa

We are always interested in better understanding, appreciating and teaching about Gabriel's homeland, which is why we are sharing the report below.

As South Africa got ready to kick off the World Cup, the Economist released a 10-part special report on the nation's development since Apartheid ended in 1994.  Special reports by the Economist are typically in-depth and very well written, and this one is no exception.  The report covers South Africa's economic situation, education levels, crime rate, politics, and, of course, the impact of the tournament of tournaments. 

Economist: Special Report on South Africa (hyperlink)

Snippet:
"...South Africa is a land of contrasts. It has fabulous mineral wealth, with 90% of the world’s known platinum reserves, 80% of its manganese, 70% of its chrome and 40% of its gold, as well as rich coal deposits; yet 43% of its population live on less than $2 a day. It has just announced plans to develop a satellite programme (with India and Brazil) and is the leading candidate to host the world’s biggest science project, the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope; yet in international maths, science and reading tests it performs abysmally. It has sky-high unemployment yet at the same time suffers from crippling skills shortages. It was the first country to perform a heart transplant, and some of its doctors are still among the best anywhere; yet its people’s health record is among the world’s worst. And, leaving aside war zones, it is one of the most violent and crime-ridden countries on the planet. This special report will look at South Africa the way that most of its people see it..."

Enjoy the read (we did)!