South Africa Country Code +27

South Africa has 12 holidays and observances (1 national, 11 public, 0 observances). The national day is Freedom Day, on April 27. Offices and many businesses close on public holidays, so plan calls around them.

“Varies”: the date follows a lunar, religious or weekday rule and changes every year.

Climate:

Mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights

Terrain:

Vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain

Natural resources:

Gold, Chromium, Antimony, Coal, Iron ore, Manganese, Nickel, Phosphates, Tin, Rare earth elements, Uranium, Gem diamonds

Land borders:

Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe

Land use:

agricultural 79.4% (arable 9.9%), forest 18.7% (2023)

Sources: CIA World Factbook (data as of September 2026); area: World Bank 2023.

Currency:

Rand (ZAR)

GDP by sector:

Agriculture 3%, Industry 24%, Services 63% (2025)

Top exports:

Gold, gems and jewelry (20%), Ores (16%), Vehicles and parts (13%), Mineral fuels and oil (8%), Fruit and nuts (5%)

Top imports:

Mineral fuels and oil (18%), Machinery and computers (13%), Electrical equipment and electronics (10%), Vehicles and parts (8%), Other commodities (8%)

Main export markets:

China (11%), Germany (8%), USA (7%), Japan (5%), United Kingdom (5%)

Main suppliers:

China (23%), India (7%), Germany (7%), USA (7%), Oman (3%)

Sources: World Bank (GDP, growth, inflation, ILO-modeled unemployment, sectors), UNDP Human Development Report 2025, UN Comtrade (goods trade 2025, shares of the total by value), ISO 4217. Years in brackets are the latest available.