South Africa (Global Food Festival Year 2)

The Rainbow Nation
A southernmost country on the African
continent, renowned for its varied
topography, great natural beauty, and
cultural diversity, all of which have made the
country a favoured destination for travelers
since the legal ending of apartheid (Afrikaans:
“apartness,” or racial separation) in 1994.
SOUTH AFRICA

• Top local brands and their brief history
• Top local food products
• Demographic environment
• Geographical setup
• Cultural dynamics/business customs
• Political environment
• Market audit and competitive analysis
• Economic conditions/foreign
exchange
• 2 real-life case studies

Top local brands
and their brief
history

Aspen Pharmacare is a South African multinational pharmaceutical
company that produces and distributes branded and generic medicines, as
well as active pharmaceutical ingredients. Some of its products include
HIV/AIDS antiretrovirals, cancer drugs, and the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
Aspen Pharmacare was founded in 1997 and listed on the Johannesburg
Stock Exchange in 1998. It acquired South African Druggists in 1999 and
expanded into international markets. Today, it operates in over 50 countries
and has more than 9,100 employees. Aspen Pharmacare is the largest
pharmaceutical company in Africa and one of the largest in the world.

Mr Price Group is a cash-based fashion-value retailer, and is a
public company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The
company was established in 1985 by Laurie J. Chiappini and
Stewart B. Cohen but it was in 1987 when the first Mr Price store
opened. The company operates through four segments: Apparel,
Homeware, Financial Services, and Telecoms. As of now, the
retailer has 2,543 stores which are mainly in South Africa, as well as
online channels. It has approximately 25,000 employees.

MTN Group (formerly M-Cell) is a pan-African mobile and
telecommunications operator. It was established in South
Africa at the dawn of democracy in 1994. The company was
founded with assistance from the South African government.
As of December 2020, MTN recorded 280 million subscribers,
making it the 7th largest mobile network operator in the world,
and the largest in Africa. Active in over 20 countries, one-third
of the company's revenue comes from Nigeria, where it holds
about 35% market share.

Nando’s is a South African multinational fast casual chain that
specializes in Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken. It was
founded in Johannesburg in 1987 by Portuguese-born Fernando Duarte
and South African-born Robert Brozin. The restaurant was originally a
Portuguese-Mozambican takeaway named Chickenland, which they
bought for about 80,000 rand (equivalent to about £25,000 at the time).
They renamed the restaurant Nando’s after Fernando’s firstborn son.
Today, Nando’s operates over 1,200 outlets in 30 countries. Their logo
depicts the Rooster of Barcelos, one of Portugal’s most common symbols.

Naspers Limited is a South African multinational internet,
technology, and multimedia holding company. It was founded on May
12, 1915, by attorney W. A. Hofmeyr. The company was initially known as
De Nasionale Pers Beperkt (National Press Ltd) and was a publisher of
newspapers and magazines1. In 2019, Naspers listed its global internet
investment business unit Prosus (including a 31% stake in Tencent) on
Euronext Amsterdam. Naspers currently owns a 56.92% stake in Prosus
and wholly owns Media24 (Africa’s largest publishing company),
Takealot.com (South Africa’s largest online retailer) and Naspers
Foundry, a South African focused venture capital fund.

SABMiller was a South African multinational brewing and beverage
company. It was founded as South African Breweries in 1895 to serve a
growing market of miners and prospectors in and around Johannesburg.
Two years later, it became the first industrial company to list on the
Johannesburg Stock Exchange. SABMiller was acquired by Anheuser-Busch
InBev on 10 October 2016. Prior to that date, it was the world's second-largest
brewer measured by revenues (after Anheuser-Busch InBev) and was also a
major bottler of Coca-Cola. SABMiller’s brands included Foster’s, Miller, and
Pilsner Urquell. It operated in 80 countries worldwide and in 2009 sold
around 21 billion litres of beverages.

Shoprite Holdings Ltd (Shoprite) is Africa’s largest
supermarket retailer, operating 3,152 stores across the continent
(as of January 2023). The company's headquarters are in
Brackenfell in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Shoprite
is a public company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange,
with secondary listings on both the Namibian and Lusaka stock
exchanges. The Shoprite Group employs more than 152,000
people and is the largest private sector employer in South Africa.
The Shoprite Group of companies was established in 1979.

Sibanye-Stillwater is a multinational mining and metals
processing group with a diverse portfolio of projects and
investments across five continents. It was established as Sibanye
Gold Limited in February 2013, through the unbundling of Gold
Fields Limited’s 100% owned subsidiary GFI Mining South Africa
Proprietary Limited which owned the Kloof, Driefontein and
Beatrix gold mines. The company has established itself as one of
the world’s largest primary producers of platinum, palladium, and
rhodium and is a top-tier gold producer. It also produces and
refines iridium and ruthenium, nickel, chrome, copper and cobalt.

Standard Bank Group, often simply referred to as
Standard Bank, is one of the largest financial institutions in
Africa. Standard Bank was founded in London on June 15, 1862,
by a group of businessmen including John Paterson, who
aimed to establish a financial institution to facilitate trade and
investment between Britain and the Cape Colony (now part of
South Africa). The bank's primary focus was to support the
burgeoning mining industry in South Africa.

Tiger Brands Limited is a South African packaged goods company. It
was founded in 1921 by Jacob Frankel with the help of business entrepreneur
Joffe Marks. The company, originally known as Tiger Oats Limited, started as
a small family-owned business based in Newtown, Johannesburg. Its first
product was a breakfast oatmeal brand called Jungle Oats, which is still
produced by the brand today. In 1925, Tiger Oats launched Jungle Oats
featuring the iconic Tiger in the grass logo, which remains a firm favorite on
breakfast tables across South Africa. Over the years, Tiger Brands has
expanded its portfolio to include a broad range of food, beverage, personal
care, and home care brands.

Menu
Colonization and the slave trade affected the country’s
gastronomy. The Dutch East India Company, for instance,
increased the trade of goods and enslaved people between
South Africa, Europe, and India. As a result, foods from India,
China, and Indonesia influenced the South African diet.
European colonizers also brought their own food cultures
that are still recognizable in South African cuisine today.
The Cape Malay community founded a distinctive diasporic
cuisine, derived largely from Asian culinary traditions.
Today, South African cuisine is a fusion of cultures and flavors,
celebrating its many influences through its revered and
delicious dishes.

Biltong is a dried and cured meat snack
that originated in Southern Africa. It is made from
various types of meat, such as beef, game, or
ostrich, that are sliced and marinated in salt,
vinegar, and spices. The meat is then hang to dry
for 3-5 days (good airflow and relatively cool
temperatures are key to successful biltong
making). It has a high protein and low carb
content, and is rich in iron and other nutrients.
Biltong can be eaten as a snack, added to salads,
sandwiches, or soups, or used as a pet treat.

Bobotie is a much-loved South African dish. It is a
delicious mixture of curried meat and fruit with a
creamy golden topping, not dissimilar to moussaka. The
dish consists of spiced minced meat baked with an
egg-based topping.
S A ’ S N A T I O N A L D I S H

South African chilli bites, also known as
bhajia or bajjia, are a popular snack or appetizer
in South African cuisine. They are made by
frying a mixture of chilli, onion, coriander and
spinach in a gram flour batter.

Frikkadel is a traditional Afrikaner dish consisting
of usually baked, but sometimes deep-fried, meatballs
prepared with onion, bread, eggs, vinegar and spices.
These meatballs can be served hot or cold. One thing
that is very unique about the South African frikkadel is
the use of soaked white bread as a binder. South
African frikkadel are most often served with mashed
potatoes or rice and a tomato sauce.

Gatsby is a South African submarine sandwich
that originated in Cape Town and is popular
throughout the Western Cape province. It consists of a
bread roll filled with chips (French fries) and a choice of
fillings and sauces. The sandwich is typically large and
shared by several people. The filling of a Gatsby
comprises chips with any number of other ingredients
such as meats, fish and eggs. The fillings are
commonly dressed with achar pickles or peri peri
sauce.

Geelrys, also known as “yellow rice” in English, is a
classic side dish in South African cuisine. It gets its
yellow color and lovely flavor from turmeric and curry.
The dish is traditionally served with the national dish
called bobotie. Along with the cinnamon, it creates an
Asian flavor, and the dish looks like something you
might find in an Indian restaurant.
Traditionally, raisins are mixed into the geelrys to
bring some sweetness to the dish. This helps to balance
the slightly bitter flavor of the turmeric and gives
variation in the texture.

A koeksister is a traditional Afrikaner confectionery
made of fried dough infused in syrup or honey. It has a
golden crunchy crust and liquid syrup center, is very
sticky and sweet, and tastes like honey.
The name derives from the Dutch word “koek”,
which generally means a wheat flour confectionery.
Koeksisters are prepared by frying plaited dough strips in
oil, then submersing the hot fried dough into ice cold
sugar syrup.
These sticky treats are sold on every major street in
South Africa, and today they can even be found in most
supermarkets. They are extremely popular in South Africa.

M
Malva pudding is a sweet and sticky dessert from
South Africa, similar to the British sticky toffee pudding.
It’s made with apricot jam, butter, sugar, vinegar, flour,
milk, eggs and baking soda. After baking, it’s soaked in
a creamy sauce made from sugar, butter, cream and
sometimes golden syrup or brandy. It’s typically served
hot and accompanied by custard, cream or ice cream.
The name ‘Malva’ has various theories behind it - it
could be named after a woman, a wine, a flower or even
a marshmallow.

Pampoenkoekies, also known as South African
pumpkin donuts, are a traditional Afrikaans fritter that
can be served as a dessert, a snack, an appetizer or even a
side. They are one of the most emblematic recipes of
South Africa.
The ingredients include pumpkin or winter squash,
flour, egg, sugar, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg. They are
light, fluffy and literally melt in your mouth. After being
fried until golden brown, they can be drizzled with
caramel sauce, rolled in cinnamon sugar or dusted with
powdered sugar.

M
Vetkoek, which literally translates to ‘fat cake’ in
Afrikaans, is a traditional South African fried dough
bread which can be filled with a variety of sweet or
savory fillings. It can be filled with minced meat, tuna
and mayo, syrup, curried minced meat, cheese, or
basically anything you feel like using.
It’s a popular meal for many people living in South
Africa where it is served plain or with a filling.

Beverages
I N S O U T H A F R I C A

Rooibos is a type of herbal tea that
comes from the leaves of a South African
plant called Aspalathus linearis. It is also
known as red tea or red bush tea. Rooibos is
naturally caffeine-free and low in tannins,
which makes it a good choice for people
who want to avoid or limit these
substances. It is also rich in antioxidants.
Rooibos has a sweet and earthy flavor
that can be enjoyed hot or cold. It can be
brewed like black or green tea, with or
without milk and sugar. It can also be used
to make iced tea, lattes, cappuccinos, and
other beverages

Amasi, also known as maas in
Afrikaans or mafi in Sesotho, is a
fermented milk product that is similar to
cottage cheese or plain yogurt. It is a
popular snack in South Africa and Lesotho.
Traditionally, it is made by storing
unpasteurized cow’s milk in a calabash
container or hide sack to allow it to
ferment. The fermenting milk develops a
watery substance called umlaza; the
remainder is amasi.

Boeber is a traditional Cape Malay
sweet, milk drink from South Africa, made
with vermicelli, sago, sugar, and flavored
with cardamom, stick cinnamon, and rose
water. It is a type of pudding that has
become a customary dish served on the
15th night of Ramadan to celebrate the
middle of the fast. The dish bears a close
resemblance to kheer or payasam, desserts
from the Indian subcontinent. It can be very
liquid when hot but does thicken
significantly from the vermicelli and sago
when it cools. A boeber mix is available in
some supermarkets, corner cafes, and spice
shops in South Africa.

DEMOGRAPHIC
ENVIRONMENT
More than 30 million of
the population are male
(48.5%)
About 31.9 million of the
population are female
(51.5%)
Population (2022 census)
> 62 million
Growth Rate: 1.8%
Source:
Statistics South Africa, RSA

Median age: 28 years
Age distribution:
0-4 years: 5.7 million
Life expectancy:
The life expectancy for South Africa in
2022 was 64.63 years
DEMOGRAPHIC
ENVIRONMENT

Birth rate: 19.328 births per 1000 people
Death rate: 12 per 1000 people
Fertility rate: 2.33 births per woman
Infant mortality rate: 24.3 deaths per 1000 live
births
Urban vs Rural
In 2022, the urban population in South
Africa was reported to be 68.33% of the total
population. This means that the rural
population would be approximately 31.67%
DEMOGRAPHIC
ENVIRONMENT

DEMOGRAPHIC
ENVIRONMENT
ETHNIC AND RACIAL COMPOSITION
Black Africans: 81.4% Coloured: 8.2% White: 7.3% Indian/Asians: 2.7%
BONANG MATHEBA
TV and radio host, actress
TREVOR NOAH
Comedian and writer
CANDICE SWANEPOEL
Victoria’s Secret lingerie model
BRYONI GOVENDER
Miss South Africa 2023

Human Development Index (HDI)
According to the latest Human
Development Index (HDI) report released on
8 September 2022 and based on data
collected in 2021, the HDI of South Africa for
2021 is 0.713. This puts the country in the high
human development category, positioning
it at 109th out of 191 countries and territories.
The HDI is a summary measure of average
achievement in key dimensions of human
development: a long and healthy life,
knowledge, and a decent standard of living.
DEMOGRAPHIC
ENVIRONMENT

RELIGION
Religion in South Africa is dominated by various
branches of Christianity. According to the 2022 census,
Christianity is the largest religion, comprising 85.3% of
the total population. 25.4% of that belong to African
Initiated Church (AIC) while Catholicism has only 6.8%,
other religions include:
No religion: 10.9%
Traditional African religions: 4.4%
Islam: 1.6%
Hinduism: 1.0%
Judaism: 0.1%
Other religions: 2.7%
Undetermined: 1.4%
DEMOGRAPHIC
ENVIRONMENT

LANGUAGE
South Africa is a linguistically diverse
country with at least 35 languages indigenous
to the Republic. The country recognizes 12
official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele,
Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda,
Xhosa, Zulu, and South African Sign
Language.
South Africa has one of the highest
literacy rates among sub-Saharan African
countries, with 95% of the population age 15
and over being able to read and write.
DEMOGRAPHIC
ENVIRONMENT

EDUCATION
South Africa's education system is governed by
two departments: the Department of Basic Education
(DBE), which is responsible for primary and secondary
schools, and the Department of Higher Education and
Training (DHET), which is responsible for tertiary
education and vocational training. The government
spends 21% of the budget on education, higher than
the OECD average. However, challenges include
poverty, inequality, violence, poor infrastructure, low
quality teaching, and insufficient funding.
DEMOGRAPHIC
ENVIRONMENT

HEALTHCARE
South Africa's healthcare system ranks 49th out
of 89 countries in the 2020 Global Healthcare Index,
with poor healthcare accessibility in rural areas and
issues retaining physicians. The country operates a
private healthcare system and a public healthcare
system, with 80% of the population relying on the
public system. The private system has 80% of doctors,
serving only 20% of the population, primarily middle-
class families and expats. The country's constitution
ensures everyone has access to healthcare services,
including expats, refugees, and asylum seekers.
However, all foreign nationals must subscribe to a
health insurance plan to access public or private
healthcare services.
DEMOGRAPHIC
ENVIRONMENT

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
South Africa is a country located at the
southern tip of the African continent. It is bordered
by Namibia to the northwest, by Botswana and
Zimbabwe to the north, and by Mozambique and
Eswatini to the northeast and east. Lesotho, an
independent country, is an enclave in the eastern
part of the republic, entirely surrounded by South
African territory. The coastlines border the Indian
Ocean to the southeast and the Atlantic Ocean to
the southwest. The country possesses two small
subantarctic islands, Prince Edward and Marion.
Land Area: 1,220,813 sq. km. (24th largest country in
the world by land area)

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
CAPITAL CITIES
Pretoria (executive capital, left); Bloemfontein
(judicial capital, center); Cape Town (legislative capital,
right)
Other major cities include: Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East
London, and Pietermaritzburg

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS
South Africa is divided into nine provinces.
These provinces are:
• Eastern Cape
• Free State
• Gauteng
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Limpopo
• Mpumalanga
• North West
• Northern Cape
• Western Cape
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
7
TOPOGRAPHY
• Most of South Africa's landscape is made up of
high, flat areas called plateaus. These lands are
covered with rolling grasslands, called highveld,
and tree-dotted plains called bushveld.
• To the east, south, and west of the plateau lands is
a mountainous region called the Great
Escarpment. The eastern range, called the
Drakensberg, or Dragon's Mountain, is filled with
jagged peaks, some more than 11,400 feet (3,475
meters) high.
• Interestingly, South Africa has another country
within its borders. Nestled in the Drakensberg is
the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. Much of
South Africa's water comes from the snowcapped
peaks of this tiny, landlocked nation.

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
7
BIODIVERSITY
South Africa is one of the most biologically
diverse countries in the world. It is ranked 6th out of
the world’s 17 megadiverse countries. The country is
home to 10% of the world’s plant species, 7% of reptile,
bird and mammal species, and 15% of marine species. It
has nine terrestrial biomes, 31 river ecoregions, three
coastal biogeographical zones, and numerous types
habitats.
The country has high rates of endemism,
meaning that many of its species are found nowhere
else in the world. For example, 65% of its plants and
70% of its invertebrates are endemic.
However, biodiversity is under threat from various
factors, such as habitat loss, invasive species, climate
change, pollution and overexploitation.
Springbok
Antidorcas marsupialis
King Protea
Protea cynaroides

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
7
CLIMATE
The landscape varies from desert to semi-desert in the drier
northwestern region to sub-humid and wet along the country’s
eastern coast; approximately half of the country is classified as arid or
semi-arid.
South Africa has both sub-tropical and temperate climate
conditions, which are influenced by the ocean along the east and
west coasts as well as the interior plateaus, bringing a cool, wet
climate in the Drakensberg region, to warm, sub-tropical in the north
east, and a Mediterranean climate in the south west and a warm dry
desert environment in the central west and north west. Average
annual rainfall in South Africa is about 464 mm.

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
7
TIME ZONE
South Africa operates in two time zones:
• South African Standard Time (SAST): The majority of
South Africa, including cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria,
Durban, Bloemfontein, and Port Elizabeth, follows South
African Standard Time (SAST). SAST is UTC+2, meaning it is
2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
• South African Daylight Time (SADT): Some parts of South
Africa, particularly the areas closer to the far eastern
border, observe South African Daylight Time (SADT) during
the summer months to make better use of daylight. SADT
is UTC+3, which is 3 hours ahead of UTC.

7
NATURAL RESOURCES
South Africa is abundant in minerals, including diamonds,
gold, iron ore, platinum, manganese, chromium, copper,
uranium, silver, beryllium, and titanium. Although no
commercially exploitable petroleum deposits have been found,
there are moderate quantities of natural gas off the southern
coast and synthetic fuel is made from coal at two large plants
in the provinces of Free State and Mpumalanga. The mining
sector continues to form the core of the South African
economy, with gold being the world's largest producer. Coal is
produced primarily for export and electricity generation. South
Africa is the world's largest producer of platinum and
chromium, with deposits mainly in the northern Cape province.
The country also produces uranium, palladium, nickel, copper,
antimony, vanadium, fluorspar, and limestone.
GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
COASTLINE
The coastline of South Africa, stretching
1,740 miles (2,800 kilometers) From
Mozambique to Namibia, is presided over by
two great oceanic systems: a powerful current
on one side of the continent and a strong
upwelling on the other.

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
LANDMARKS (NATURAL)
Table Mountain is a flat-topped
mountain located in Cape Town, South
Africa. It’s a significant landmark and
the city’s number one attraction. The
mountain derives its name from its
unusual flat-top shape and is one of
just 12 flat-top mountains around the
world. Standing at over 3,500 feet tall,
it is thought to be over 600 million
years old.

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
One of Africa's largest game
reserves, Kruger National Park is
renowned for its incredible biodiversity
and the opportunity to see the "Big Five"
(lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and
rhinoceros) in their natural habitat.

GEOGRAPHICAL
SETUP
LANDMARK (MAN-MADE)
Muizenberg Beach Huts are
popular attraction located on the
shoreline of Muizenberg Beach in Cape
Town. These brightly colored huts, also
known as “bathing boxes” or “beach
houses”, date back to the early 1900s
and were initially constructed as a
response to Victorian ideas of morality
governing sea bathing etiquette.

POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENTS
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT
Multiparty republic with two legislative houses (National Council of
Provinces [90 members]; National Assembly [400 members])
OFFICIAL NAME
Republic of South Africa (English)
Republiek van Suid-Afrika (Afrikaans)

The 1996 South African
constitution defines the republic as a
sovereign democratic state based on
human dignity, nonracialism,
nonsexism, equality, and human
rights. It emphasizes cooperative
government and the
interdependence of national,
provincial, and local spheres. The
president is the head of state and
presides over a cabinet with a deputy
president and a designated leader.
POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENTS

HEAD OF STATE
His Excellency
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, GCB
Fifth and current president of South Africa
(February 15, 2018-present)
POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENTS

THE NATIONAL FLAG
Discussions about a new South African flag
design originally surfaced in 1990 after Nelson
Mandela's release. It arrived at a time when the
nation needed change, serving as a unifying sign
of freedom and hope as well as a mark of a true
rainbow nation.
The South African flag was designed by
State Herald Frederick Brownell in March 1994.
The current flag, initially intended as an interim
flag, became an official symbol of the new
democracy. It was first hoisted on 27 April 1994
when the country held its first free elections, and is
traditionally flown on Freedom Day.
POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENTS

Officially, the South African flag colours
do not hold any symbolism, although it can
also be said that the colours do hold
unofficial meanings.
The "Y" symbol represents diversity
convergence in South African society,
promoting unity and pride in their colorful,
symbolic flag, easily recognized at
international events.

ELECTORAL SYSTEM
South Africa's national and
provincial elections take place every
five years. Voters vote for a political
party, not individuals. The political
party then gets a share of seats in
Parliament in direct proportion to
the number of votes it got in the
election. Each party then decides
on members to fill the seats it has
won. This is called a proportional
representation (PR) voting system.
POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENTS

POLITICAL LEADER
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (born 1918) was a
South African anti-apartheid activist and politician. In
1994, he became South Africa’s first democratically-
elected president and its first black head of state. His
government focused on dismantling the legacy of
apartheid by fostering racial reconciliation. Mandela’s
legacy in South Africa is profound. He is revered as a
symbol of peace and social justice.
Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his anti-
apartheid activities and dedicated his life to
guaranteeing civil rights for black South Africans who
had long faced oppression at the hands of a white
minority.
POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENTS

BBC News. (2013, December 6). APARTHEID 46 YEARS IN 90 SECONDS - BBC NEWS [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f2k6iDFCL4

HUMAN RIGHTS
The Bill of Rights is a fundamental document
that outlines the rights of all citizens, promoting
democratic values of human dignity, equality, and
freedom. It binds the legislature, executive,
judiciary, and state organs. Basic human rights
include equality before the law, freedom from
unfair discrimination, life, human dignity, and
freedom. Since 1994, the focus has shifted from an
adversarial to a restorative criminal justice system,
with the Service Charter for Victims of Crime aiming
to consolidate legal frameworks and eliminate
secondary victimization.
POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENTS

POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENTS
South Africa is a
member of the
United Nations
since 1994
UN
A continental organization
that aims to promote unity,
solidarity, development,
and cooperation among
the 55 African countries.
African Union
The SADC’s goal is to further
regional socio-economic cooperation
and integration as well as political
and security cooperation among 16
countries in southern Africa.
SADC
BRICS is an acronym for the
combined economies of Brazil,
Russia, India, China, and South
Africa predicted to collectively
dominate the global economy
by 2050.
BRICS
World Trade
Organization
An international association
of 56 member states, most
of which are former
territories of the British
Empire.
Commonwealth of
Nations
BRICS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
AFFILIATION OF SA

Cultural
dynamics/business
customs

CULTURAL
DYNAMICS
The cultural dynamics of South Africa are diverse and multifaceted,
reflecting the country’s rich history and varied population.
South Africa is known for its ethnic and cultural diversity. Almost all
South Africans speak English to some degree of proficiency, in addition to
their native language, with English acting as a lingua franca in
commerce, education, and government. South Africa has eleven official
languages, but other indigenous languages are spoken by smaller groups.
The cultures, languages, and heritages of South Africa are multiple,
diverse, and dynamic. Intersectional issues of gender, ethnicity, and race
further complicate the matter of identity and make it highly inadvisable to
categorize the different people contained within South Africa’s borders.

CULTURAL
DYNAMICS
South Africa is heir to a legacy of autochthonous livelihoods
(most famously, the Khoi and the San) as well as Bantu immigration;
slavery; colonization; settler economies; and liberation movements.
These histories have all had a drastic effect on the makeup of South
Africa’s population.
Some 22,000 years ago, they were the largest group of humans
on earth: the Khoisan, a tribe of hunter-gatherers in southern Africa.
San people in the desert. Khoikhoi (or Khoe), means 'men of
men' or 'the real people'.

CULTURAL
DYNAMICS
The Apartheid state legally classified South Africans into one
of four race groups, determined where they could live, and enforced
segregation in education, work opportunities, public amenities, and
social relations. Although these laws were abolished by the early
1990s, the apartheid racial categories remain ingrained in South
African culture, with South Africans continuing to classify
themselves, and each other, as belonging to one of the four defined
race groups (blacks, whites, coloureds and Indians).
PHOTO: In 1970, under pressure
from anti-apartheid groups, the Miss World
committee agreed to allow two contestants
from South Africa – a white one and a black
one. South Africa sent Jillian Jessup (first
from left) and Pearl Jansen (second from
right), to the competition in London, England.
Jansen, who was the first coloured woman to
represent her country at this level, competed
as “Miss Africa South” due to apartheid.
Jansen was ranked 2nd place in the
competition while Jessup finished fourth
runner-up.

CULTURAL
DYNAMICS
In terms of art and heritage, the oldest art objects in the world were
discovered in a South African cave. Dating from 75,000 years ago, these
small drilled snail shells could have no other function than to have been
strung on a string as a necklace. The scattered tribes of Khoisan peoples
moving into South Africa from around 10,000 BC had their own fluent art
styles seen today in a multitude of cave paintings. They were superseded
by Bantu and Nguni peoples with their own vocabularies of art forms.
In conclusion, the cultural dynamics of South Africa are shaped by its
history and diversity. It’s a melting pot of cultures that continues to
evolve over time.
An ancient San rock art mural

BUSINESS
CUSTOMS
Business customs in South Africa are influenced by the country’s
diverse cultural dynamics. Here are some key aspects to consider:
Hierarchy
The South African economy is dominated by large corporations
with a relatively underdeveloped small and medium enterprise sector.
The traditional South African organizational structure is a pyramid,
consisting of many layers with a strong vertical inclination. However,
due to global management trends, structures have been flattening.
Meetings
Meetings can be rather informal. Be punctual according to
schedule, yet do also plan some time in between two meetings in case
the other will make you wait. There will considerable time to engage
in small talk at the beginning of a meeting, to greet the participants
and exchange business cards.

BUSINESS
CUSTOMS
Negotiations
The most important aspect of South African business culture is
building stable personal relationships because the majority of South
Africans want to trust the person they are dealing with. Direct
confrontation is rare. Most South Africans do not appreciate haggling
over profit and expenses.
Dress Code
The general business attire for men is a business suit and tie, and
for women, a dress or business suit. However, this is also industry-
dependent.

BUSINESS
CUSTOMS
Time Perception
Planning is short-term (one-year) to medium-term (five-year).
Nevertheless, a lot of larger and progressive organizations have
developed long-term strategic plans and initiatives covering up to ten
years or more.
Business Cards
Although there are many technological ways to swap contact
information, South Africans still prefer the traditional business card.
An example of South African business card

Market audit and
competitive
analysis

MARKET AUDIT
• ·South Africa is the most advanced, diversified, and
productive economy in Africa. It was expected to grow
by 1.5% in 2024.
• The country’s four largest banks (Standard Bank, Absa,
FirstRand, and Nedbank) paid R18.6 billion in direct
taxes in first half of 2023.
• The economy faced challenges due to the COVID-19
pandemic, 2021 riots, and floods, leading to a 7%
contraction in 2020, but it rebounded with a 4.9% growth
rate in 2021.
• South Africa has a well-diversified economy with a
significant tertiary sector (trade, transport, and services)
accounting for 69%.

MARKET AUDIT
• The country is well-integrated into regional
economic agreements, including the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) and the
African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).
• The United States and South Africa have trade
agreements, including the African Growth and
Opportunity Act (AGOA), Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA), and Trade, Investment,
and Development Cooperation Agreement (TIDCA).
• The U.S. is a critical trading partner for South Africa,
and South Africa's middle-class growth makes it an
attractive market for new-to-market ideas.
• South African companies are open to various
partnering arrangements with U.S. companies, such
as joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions.

MARKET AUDIT
Some of the major industries that SA relied on in 2022 were:
• Mining: South Africa was the world’s largest producer of platinum
group metals, gold, and chromium. Mining contributed to about
8% of the GDP.
• Automobile Manufacturing: South Africa was the largest
automotive producer in Africa. The sector accounted for 6.9% of
the GDP and 27.6% of the manufacturing output.
• Finance and Banking: South Africa had a sophisticated and well-
regulated financial system, with the largest stock exchange in
Africa and the 17th largest in the world. The sector contributed to
21.3% of the GDP.
• Agriculture and Agro-processing: South Africa was a net exporter
of agricultural products, such as maize, citrus, wine, and sugar. The
sector employed about 10% of the workforce and added 2.6% to
the GDP.
• Communications and Information Technology: South Africa had
the most advanced and diversified ICT market in Africa, with a
high penetration of mobile phones, internet, and broadband
services. The sector contributed to 4.4% of the GDP.

COMPETITIVE
ANALYSIS
• South Africa’s competitiveness has regained momentum after the
recent political landscape shift and climbed seven places in 2019.
• The country is a regional financial hub with well-developed equity,
insurance, and credit markets.
• Firms have used their market power to drive up prices and limit
competition.
• Important state-owned monopolies provide low-quality services
while representing a fiscal drag.
• Existing regulations inhibit the entry of both domestic and foreign
firms.
Aerial view of Johannesburg Central
Business District

Economic
conditions/foreign
exchange

ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of South Africa in
2022 was $405.87 billion. However, it’s important to note
that although GDP reached an all-time high in 2022, the
economy has only grown by 0.3% from the 2019 pre-
pandemic reading of R4.58 trillion.
The GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
which takes into account the relative cost of local goods,
services and inflation rates of the country, was $952.60
billion. In 2022, the GDP per capita based on PPP for South
Africa was $13,470.03.

ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS
Electricity supply shortages have constrained South
Africa’s growth for several years. Rolling scheduled power
cuts (load-shedding) started in 2007 and have intensified
exponentially, reaching close to 9 hours daily in 2022.
South Africa has recovered its pre-pandemic GDP but
not its employment level. At the end of the second quarter
of 2023, there were still about 74,000 fewer jobs than at the
end of 2019.
Inequality remains among the highest in the world, and
poverty was an estimated 62.6% in 2022.

ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS
Additionally, South Africa is the largest trading
partner of the Philippines (bilateral relations established in
November 1993) in Africa. In 2020, bilateral trade between
the two countries was approximately P10.56 billion.
There are about 1,890 Overseas Filipinos stationed in
South Africa, most of them working in the garments and
packaging industries, with a minority in the professional
sector.

ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS
As for distribution and marketing systems:
• The areas in and around the cities of Johannesburg,
Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, and Gqeberha hold
approximately 90 percent of South Africa’s
economically active population.
• The distribution chain within a given industry varies
depending on the nature and type of the imported
equipment and/or products.
• Wholesalers often import industrial raw materials and/or
consumer goods requiring maintenance of stocks.

ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS
• Many exporters of consumer goods sell directly to South
African retail organizations.
• South Africa offers the full spectrum of retail outlets:
small general dealers; specialty stores handling a single
product line; exclusive boutiques; chain stores;
department stores; cash and carry wholesale retail
outlets; and co-operative stores serving rural areas.
• Franchising is well established in South Africa, with the
sector showing strong and continued growth.

FOREIGN
EXCHANGE
The South African rand
(ZAR) is the official currency of
the Southern African Common
Monetary Area, which includes
South Africa, Namibia
(alongside the Namibian
dollar), Lesotho (alongside the
Lesotho loti), and Eswatini
(alongside the Swazi lilangeni).

FOREIGN
EXCHANGE
Here are some key points about ZAR:
• The currency symbol for the South African rand is R.
• The name ‘rand’ is derived from the word ‘Witwatersrand’,
which means ‘ridge of white waters’. This refers to the
ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most
of South Africa’s gold deposits were found.
• The rand was introduced in the Union of South Africa in
1961, three months before the country declared itself a
republic.
• The South African Reserve Bank is responsible for issuing
the ZAR.

FOREIGN
EXCHANGE
South Africa’s foreign exchange reserves were measured
at USD 47.4 billion in August 2023.
Almost 90% of South Africa’s exports to the rest of Africa
go to the SADC economies. In 2018, South Africa exported
and imported goods to and from the rest of Africa to the value
of US$25 billion and US$11.5 billion, respectively.

FOREIGN
EXCHANGE
The estimated exchange rate of South African Rand
(ZAR) to US Dollar (USD) and Philippine Peso (PHP) in
2022 are as follows:
ZAR to USD: The highest exchange rate was 0.06898
USD per ZAR on March 30, 2022. The lowest was 0.05432
USD per ZAR on October 24, 2022. The average exchange
rate over the year was 0.06135 USD.
ZAR to PHP: The highest exchange rate was 3.1796
PHP per ZAR on July 28, 2022. The lowest was 2.8286 PHP
per ZAR on May 25, 2022. The average exchange rate over
the year was 2.9928 PHP.

CASE STUDY # 1
SABMiller's Innovative Approach to
Alleviating Poverty
Background
SABMiller, now part of AB InBev, is one
of the world’s largest brewing companies,
with brewing interests and distribution
agreements in over 60 countries across six
continents. The company has transformed
itself into a global business through
acquisitions, and has put down roots in
Europe, Asia, North and South America.

CASE STUDY # 1
Problem Identified
One of the challenges faced by SABMiller was the need
to support development and alleviate poverty in the regions
where it operates. Traditional models of corporate
philanthropy were not sufficient to address these issues.

CASE STUDY # 1
Solution Implemented
SABMiller moved beyond
conventional models of corporate
philanthropy and found ways in which
they could create economic
opportunity for poor people through
their core business activities.
The company worked through its
supply chain to create sustainable
economic opportunities for small
entrepreneurs in several of the
developing countries where it
operates.
SABMiller Supporting
Shopkeepers in Latin America

CASE STUDY # 1
A recent external review of SABMiller’s
smallholder farmer programmes in Africa and
India found that the programmes delivered
material socio-economic benefits to
participating farmers and their communities, in
addition to the business benefits generated for
the company.
This case study of SABMiller provides a
useful example of how core business activities
can contribute to sustainable development.
UN
Sustainable
Development
Goal 1

CASE STUDY # 2
Standard Bank's Pioneering Green Bond:
Financing Sustainable Development in Africa
Background
Standard Bank Group, based in South
Africa, is one of the largest financial institutions
on the African continent. The group operates in
various countries across Africa, providing a wide
range of financial services, including retail and
commercial banking, investment banking,
wealth management, and insurance.

CASE STUDY # 2
Problem Identified
Standard Bank identified the need to contribute to
sustainable development and reduce carbon emissions.
They wanted to finance projects in renewable energy, energy
efficiency, water efficiency, and the development of
environmentally friendly buildings. However, they needed a
framework to identify qualifying activities and report on the
impact of their green bonds.

CASE STUDY # 2
Solution Implemented
Standard Bank issued its
inaugural green bond, marking a
number of firsts for the bank and
the country. The $200 million green
bond was used to finance projects
that the International Finance
Corporation (IFC) estimates will
reduce 3.7 million tonnes of
carbon dioxide over five years.
Cover page of SBG’s
Sustainable Bond
Framework

Climate Bonds Initiative. (2021, February 12). What is a green bond?. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZcxWzWVWkw

CASE STUDY # 2
They put together a sustainable bond framework
that sets the parameters for the bank’s green bond
issuance, identifies qualifying activities, and sets out
how the bank will report on the impact of its green
bonds. The framework identifies seven areas of focus:
financial inclusion; job creation; infrastructure;
African trade and investment; education; climate
change and sustainable finance; and health.
SBG’s social, economic and environmental (SEE) Strategy

CASE STUDY # 2
The bond was listed on
the London Stock
Exchange’s Sustainable
Bond Market, and the bank
plans to use the framework
for programmatic issuance
of green and social bonds
on an ongoing basis. This
initiative reflects Standard
Bank Group’s strategic
focus on sustainable
finance in line with their
social, economic, and
environmental value drivers. Sustainable Bond Framework

REFERENCES
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Business Etiquette | Customs and Etiquette in South Africa | Expat Guide. (n.d.). Expat Cape Town. https://www.expatcapetown.com/business-etiquette.html
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DOBLADOS
George Manuel
Group 5
“It always seems
impossible until it's
done.”
- Nelson Mandela
BACOLOR
Mark Jhonn
CASTRONUEVO
Jeremie
ELLURAN
Jessboy
LAPUZ
Abdul Rashid
PAGUNTALAN
Annaliza
RAUTO
Ninaliza

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