The Kingdom of Swaziland

Capital: Mbabne

Independence: September 6,1968

Population : 1.1 million (UN 2009)

Formerly colonized under : British empire

Government type: Monarchy

Fast Facts :

- Economy relies heavily on South Africa, which receives 1/2 of Swazi imports and supplies its imports

- One of the world's last remaining monarchs

Current Events :

- Pro-Democracy Leader Arrest

King Mwasti III - ruling monarch since 1986

Namibia: Fun Facts

*Namibia is home to two of the world's oldest deserts: The Namib and the Kalahari.


* The Zambezi River flows along the border of Namibia.

* Namibia is one of the last countries in Africa to shake European colonialism. The year 2010 marked 20 years of Namibia's independence because it was declared a sovereign nation in March of 1990.

*Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate "The Protection of the environment" in its national constitution.

Southern African Development Community

Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Human Development Index (HDI)

• The human development index or HDI is a composite statistic calculated by a mathematical equation which results in a number that can be assigned to each country to measure their development in comparison with other countries. It takes three main factors into account: Life Expectancy at Birth, Literacy rates combined with stats about primary, secondary, and tertiary education levels, and finally Standard of Living which is a logarithm of Gross Domestic Product at Purchasing Power Parity. (Wikipedia, Human Development Index)

SADC Countries and their HDI for 2009 and their ranking compared to other countries

• Angola- (0.564) 143
• Botswana- (0.694) 125
• DRC- (0.389) 176
• Lesotho-(0.514) 156
• Madagascar- (0.543) 145
• Malawi- (0.493) 160
• Mauritius- (0.804) 81
• Mozambique- (0.402) 172
• Namibia- (0.686) 128
• Seychelles- (0.845) 57
• South Africa- (0.683) 129
• Swaziland- (0.572) 142
• Tanzania- (0.530) 151
• Zambia- (0.481) 164
• Zimbabwe- no information available for 2009
• Other notable rankings: Norway 1, USA 13, China 92, Brazil 75, India 134, Russia Federation 71


*These figures were published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2009 Report on Human Development and can be found at (http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/)




*note Zimbabwe is not included in the graph

Zambia

• Population
• 11,862,740
• Government Type
• Republic
• Legal System based on English common and customary law
• Colonial History
• Has a rich history intertwined with Zimbabwe with Cecil Rohodes calling the area Rhodesia
• Northern Rhodesia is now known as Zambia
• Different Tribes/ Ethnic Groups
• African 99.5% (Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Ngoni, Lala, Kaonde, Lunda and other African groups
• .5% includes Europeans, Asians and Americans
• Languages
• 8 official languages (Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, Lunda, Kaonde, Luvale and English
• Others include Chewa, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Lala and other languages
• Exports
• Industries incluse copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages chemicals, textiles, fertilizer and horticulture
• Exports include copper, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers and cotton
• Sent to China, Saudi Arabia, DRC, South Korea, Egypt, South Africa and India
• Imports
• Machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer, foodstuffs and clothing
• Received from South Africa, UAE, China and the DRC
• Natural Resources
• Copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium
• (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/za.html)
• Music
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3b5UzWEJhQ

Zimbabwe

• Population
• 11,392,629
• Government Type
• Parliamentary Democracy
• Colonial History
• British Control from the 1880s when Cecil Rhodes arrives with the British South Africa Company and named it Rhodesia
• By 1963, Rhodesia had been divided into 3 different colonies and when the white-minority colony dropped its “Southern” name
• They then decided to make a decision to make a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) from the UK on November 11, 1965
• A struggle for control broke out and not until December 1, 1979 was a treaty signed to end the war
• Different Tribes/Ethnic Groups
• Black ethnic groups make up 98% of the population, the majority the Shona at 80-84%, the Ndebele at 10-15%, and other Bantu groups that make 2-5% (Venda, Tonga, Shangaan, Kalanga, Sotho, Ndau, and Nambya)
• Languages
• Bantu languages-Shona and Ndebele and English are the principle languages
• Exports
• $1.213 Billion (2009)
• Platinum, cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing
• Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Botswana, China, Zambia, Netherlands, UK (2009)
• Imports
• South Africa, China
• machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels, food products
• Resources
• Deposits of more than 40 minerals including ferrochrome, gold, silver, platinum, copper, asbestos; 19 million hectares of forest (2000)
• (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html)
• Music
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL_EM4wSbqc

Republic of South Africa

Capital- Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
(About SA: http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/glance.htm)

Population- 49.32 million mid 2009
• Composition of South Africa-black 79.7%; white 9.1%; colored 8.8%; Asian (Indian) 2.2%
(South Africa: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2898.htm)

Official Languages- English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Afrikaans, siSwati, Sesotho sa Leboa, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga (SA website)

Legacy of Apartheid- Many aspects of the legacy of Apartheid can be seen in South Africa today. Prior to 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela the country had been ruled by a small white minority. This institutionalized oppression known as Apartheid was extremely harsh on black people and the country continues to have many problems associated with this legacy.

Government Type- Constitutional Multiparty
• Political Parties- African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Congress of the People (COPE), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Pan-African Congress (PAC), Vryheidsfront Plus/Freedom Front Plus (FF+), United Democratic Movement (UDM), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), and Azanian Peoples Organization (Azapo). (State website)

Religion- Predominantly Christian; traditional African, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish (State website)

Economy-
• GDP (2009): $287 billion
• Real GDP growth rate: 3.1% (2008); -1.8% (2009); 3.7% (5-year average)
• GDP per capita (2009): $5,787
• Unemployment (first quarter 2010): 25.2% (State website)
• Industrial Sector- minerals, mining, motor vehicles and parts, machinery, textiles, chemicals, fertilizer, information technology, electronics, other manufacturing, and agro-processing
• Exports-minerals and metals, motor vehicles and parts, agricultural products to China, US, UK, Japan, and Germany and Africa
• Taken from (State Website)

HIV/AIDS
• South Africa has one of the highest infection rates in the word with 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS
• 18.% of people aged between 15-49 are infected
• 11.8% of entire population is infected
• 350,000 people die annually in South Africa as an effect of HIV/AIDS

International Relations
• South Africa remains a regional hegemonic power within Africa and more especially Southern Africa. It exports its products and culture throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and is a major player within the African Union.
• South Africa economy is often linked to being close to the group of BRIC countries (emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China). It is a member of the G20 which represents the top 20 countries of the world.
• Prior to 1994 South Africa was heavily sanctioned by many countries of the world due to its Apartheid government. After 1994 the majority of the sanctions were lifted.
• The US has always had a strong presence in South Africa since colonial times, their relationship with the Apartheid regime was very controversial and their relationship is growing today.

Human Development Index-
• The Human Development index for South Africa in 2009 was .683 which ranked number it 129 in the world (Human Development Report 2009: South Africa, (http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_ZAF.html )

Kingdom of Lesotho

CAPITAL-Maseru
POPULATION- 1,880,000
NATIONALITY- Basotho (extremely homogenous population 99.3%)
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES- Sesotho and English
GOVERNMENT- Constitutional Monarchy
• Gained Independence from Great Britain October 4, 1966
RELIGION- 90% Christian (majority Catholic, Lesotho Evangelical, Anglican)
ECONOMY-
Lesotho’s Economy is based on water and electricity that is sold to South Africa
• Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a giant 30 year project designed to capture water and send it to Johannesburg. Generates the majority of Lesotho’s income (24 million annually, 2008 est.) has provided the country with infrastructure in the form of electricity and water.
• Some of the biggest diamonds in the world are found in Lesotho’s mines
• Lesotho exports a huge amount of labor to South Africa
• Asian owned textile factories who export primarily to the US have become a big controversy in recent times because of the exploitation of child labor and the dumping of toxic waste
HEALTH-
• Lesotho has and HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 23%, which is the third highest rate in the world
• The UN expects that figure to rise to 36% by 2015
• Lesotho has a National AIDS Commission which coordinates all of the HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, education, and testing activities
• Key Donor Stakeholders PEPFAR, UN agencies, Irish AID, other international donors, and dozens of non-governmental organizations
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS-
surrounded by South Africa it’s very vulnerable to events there, and its economy is completely tied to them.
• Lesotho has historically maintained good relations with the US as well as the European Union and other Western countries
• Lesotho broke relations with the Peoples Republic of China in 1990 and recognized Taiwan, in 1993 they resumed relations with PRC
• Lesotho recognizes the Palestinian State
• Once South Africa is formally acknowledged as one of the main members of the BRIC economies (making it BRICS), the economy of Lesotho will also become a part of it.

• Information taken from Lesotho profile page at state.gov and lestho.gov

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX
• The Human Development Index of Lesotho in 2007 was .514 which ranked came in at 156 in the World (Human Development Report 2009 : Country Fact Sheets: Lesotho, http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_LSO.html)

Current News & Fun Facts About MALAWI

CURRENT NEWS

****Malawi ranked 21 in continental governance rating

nyasatimes.com/national/malawi-ranked-21-in-continental-governance-rating.html

****President wa Mutharika has in a few short years, turned Malawi into an agriculture-based economy where agriculture contributes over 80% of export earnings; 38% GDP and supports 85% of the population.

allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00011801.html

FUN FACTS!!!

Weekend - Saturday, Sunday
Islamic holidays depend on the sighting of the moon and can change from notified dates.

Customs & Duties

Malawi Customs officials will allow certain items for personal use without levying duty. A maximum of 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco, 1 litre of spirits, 1 litre of beer or wine; 250ml of eau de toilet and 50g of perfume will not incur any duty. Passengers above 16 years only are allowed to bring in alcoholic substances. Narcotics and arms are not allowed in at all though the import of firearms is allowed after a permit has been bought in advance from the Registrar of Firearms.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied at 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz in Malawi. The standard plug used in most hotel rooms is the square 3-pin. If your electrical appliances have different settings/ plug pins, an adaptor or converter will be required so pack one in your luggage.

Weights & Measures

The standard Metric system is used in Malawi. This basically means that measurements used are grams and kilograms instead of ounces and pounds, litres instead of pints and kilometers in place of miles

Tipping

Hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill that should mean a tip is not required but the waiters/other staff gets only a meagre 4% of the 10% while the rest goes to the Ministry of Tourism. Smaller establishments do not add the service charge so the staff in both kinds of places is happy to receive additional remuneration.

English Language Media

Malawi has a number of publications in English apart from the two main daily newspapers, The Daily Times and The Nation and the weekly newsmagazine, The Malawi News. Visitors can catch the English language broadcasts on BBC and VOA at different frequencies (frequencies change from time to time).

Botswana

Official Name : The Republic of Botswana

Capital : Gaborone

Independence : September 30, 1966

Formerly known as : The Bechuanaland Protectorate, a protectorate under the British empire.

Government Type : Republic , Parliamentary democracy

President - Ian Khama

Vice President - Mompati S. Merafhe

Geography : The landlocked country spans

582,000 sq. km - about the size of Texas.

Climate : semi-arid

Population : 1.9 million (UN 2009)

Ethnic groups :

Tswana (majority group) - 79%

Kalanga -11%

Basarwa - 3%

Other, including whites - 7%

Languages : English (official) , Setswana, Kalanga

Natural Resources : Diamonds (one of the world's largest producer -in gem quality/value) , nickel, copper, soda ash , gold

Main Imports: food,electric goods, machinery, transport

Botswana, An African Success Story

*HDI : 0.694 - a .94% increase annually since 1980

Ranked 125th out of 182

Economy - Relies primarily on diamond mining industry, safari tourism and agriculture & cattle.

It's GDP has also grown significantly since independence , starting from being one of the poorest countries to a middle income country with a GDP of $14,100 (2008)

* Diamond mining has played an especially large role in the great success of Botswana's incredible amount of economic success in such a short span of time.

Botswana and It's Neighbors

-Member of SADC, must comply with SADC member states and rules under the SADC organization.

- Main problems for Botswana are caused by neighboring nation of Zimbabwe, immigrants and refugees flee across the border from Zimbabwe to escape their own country's economic and political problems.

*Khama, however, has been very critical of Mugabe and declared that Botswana did not recognize his election. (The only SADC country to do so)

- Maintains a relatively good relationship in the United States.
*President Khama made visit to the White House in November 2009.

" (Botswana) has been a great partner to the US." - President Obama

Current Events

-Call for the removal of Zimbabwe sanctions

-UN Reports on the rights of the Bushmen

-Mo Ibrahim Index score

Angola

Official Name: Republic of Angola

Capital: Luanda

Population: 12,799,293

Human Development Index: 0.564

Government: Republic, Multi Party Presidential Regime

President: Jose Eduardo dos Santos

Languages: Portuguese, Bantu and other African Languages

Ethnic Groups: Ovimundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, Mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

Religions: Indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15%

Resources & Exports: Crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, fish and fish products, sisal, timber and cotton.

Precolonial History

• Hunter/gather society
  
• The Khoisan people
• Bantu
• Kingdom of Bakongo
  

Colonial History

• Portugese presence in 16th century
• Prominence of the slave trade
• Independence gained in 1975

Post-colonial History

• MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola)
• Civil War 1975-2002
• Landmines
• Rebuilding

International Relations

• Chinese investment in Angola
• Angola is China's biggest trading partner in Africa
• U.S.A. consumes
• Angola and Opec

SADC

• Angola is vital to SADC b/c it is Southern Africa's only significant oil producer
• GDP
• Growing Economy
• CO2 Emissions
• South Africa's sole contender
• Food Imports

Mozambique

Government Type:

Republican

Capital:

Maputo

Independence:

June 25 1975

National Holiday:

Independence Day (June 25 1975)

Constitution:

November 30 1990

Legal System:

Based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory jurisdiction.

Executive Branch:

Chief of State: President Armando Guebuza ( Since February 2005)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Aires Bonifacio Ali ( Since January 16 2010)

Location:
Mozambique is in Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique

Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania.

Population:
Just under 21 million people live in Mozambique. Life expectancy is around 40 years. Birth rate is on average 5.29 per woman. Literacy rate is just over 47%.

Economy
GDP: $17.64 billion.

Annual economic (GDP) growth rate (2009): 4.5%.

Per capita gross domestic product (2009): $465.

Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, coal, natural gas, titanium ore, tantalite, graphite, iron ore, semi-precious stones, and arable land.
Agriculture (21% of GDP; annual growth 7.9%): Exports--cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers, beef and poultry. Domestically consumed food crops--corn, pigeon peas, cassava, rice, beef, pork, chicken, and goat.
Industry (31% of GDP; annual growth 10%): Types--food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, and tobacco.
Services (39.7% of GDP; annual growth 4.7%).

Trade: Imports (2008)--$3.29 billion. Import commodities--machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs and textiles. Main suppliers--South Africa, Netherlands, Portugal. Exports (2008)--$2.7 billion.Export commodities--aluminum, cashews, prawns, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber, bulk electricity, natural gas. Main markets--Belgium, South Africa, Zimbabwe.

Languages: 


Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, and unspecified 1.3%.

Ethnic Groups:
African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, and Indians 0.08%.

(CIA FACT-BOOK)