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Summary

Over a decade after the South African majority gained its independence from white minority rule under apartheid, a system of racial segregation, the Republic of South Africa is firmly established as a regional superpower. With Africa's largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a diverse economy, and a government that has played an active role in the promotion of regional peace and stability, South Africa is poised to have a substantial impact on the economic and political future of Africa. The country is twice the size of Texas and has a population of almost 50 million, of which about 80% is African and 10% white. Its political system is regarded as stable, but South Africa faces serious long-term challenges arising from poverty, unemployment, and AIDS. The September 2008 resignation of President Thabo Mbeki, replaced by interim President Kgalema Motlanthe, is not expected to result in major policy changes prior to the spring 2009 elections. The African National Congress (ANC), which led the struggle against apartheid, has dominated the political scene since the end of apartheid, controlling the presidency, over two-thirds of the National Assembly, all nine provinces, and five of the nation's six largest cities. Jacob Zuma, elected as head of the ANC in December 2007, is expected to be the party's choice for president after the 2009 national elections, although outstanding corruption charges could still affect his eligibility. While the ANC continues to enjoy widespread support in South Africa, the party's dominance may be challenged in the upcoming elections by the emergence of a breakaway party, the Congress of the People (COPE), which was created in response to the ANC's inter-party divisions that led to Mbeki's resignation. South Africa has the largest HIV/AIDS population in the world, with almost six million South Africans reportedly HIV positive. The former Mbeki Administration's policy on HIV/AIDS was controversial. The country has weathered a series of corruption scandals, and continues to struggle with high crime and unemployment rates. Mounting social tensions related to the competition for jobs, resources, and social services led to an eruption of xenophobic violence against immigrants in mid-2008. South Africa has benefitted from steady economic growth in recent years, although economists predict weaker growth prospects for the near future. South Africa is considered to be one of the United States' two strategic partners on the continent, along with Nigeria. Bilateral relations are cordial, however, the U.S. and South African administrations have expressed differences with respect to the situations in Zimbabwe, Iran, and Iraq, and U.S. officials have articulated frustration with the South African government on positions it has taken while serving on the United Nations Security Council. This report will be updated as events warrant. Related CRS reports include CRS Report RL33584, AIDS in Africa, by Nicolas Cook; CRS Report RL34509, Zimbabwe: 2008 Elections and Implications for U.S. Policy, by Lauren Ploch; CRS Report RL31772, U.S. Trade and Investment Relationship with Sub-Saharan Africa: The African Growth and Opportunity Act and Beyond, by Danielle Langton; and CRS Report RS21387, United States-Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Free Trade Agreement Negotiations: Background and Potential Issues, by Danielle Langton.

Related Legislation:
• S.2138

Related Reports:
• RL31697
• RL31697
• RL31697
• RL31697

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