Geography
Volunteer South Africa
South Africa is unlike any other African country and offers a unique gap year experience. South Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent and is large enough to border Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. Despite its landmass, South Africa’s largest neighbour is the ocean and the Cape Peninsula marks the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
As a volunteer in South Africa you will discover that the landscape and climate can be incredibly varied. The inland Karoo plateau, where rocky hills and mountains rise from sparse scrubland, is very dry, particularly in the north-west towards the Kalahari desert. In complete contrast the eastern coastline is lush and green, while the south-west is renowned for its Mediterranean climate and persistent wind!
In terms of biodiversity South Africa is one of the richest countries in the world, making it an exciting destination for volunteer work abroad. South Africa is home to more than 20,000 different plants, as well as some of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife, including lions, rhinos, hippopotamuses and giraffes. It’s also world famous for its marine life and a gap year in South Africa wouldn’t be complete without a boat trip to see sharks and whales in their natural habitat.
History
Gap Year AbroadThe ‘Rainbow Nation’ of South Africa has had as colourful a past as its epithet suggests. By Volunteering in South Africa you can immerse yourself in a nation and culture with a fascinating history.
Modern humans have inhabited southern Africa for more than 100,000 years, but it is not until European settlement that we can track its history accurately. In the mid-17th century the Dutch established a trading post at what would later become Cape Town, and by the early 19th century the British had established a colony there. Territorial disputes soon arose between the Boers (original Dutch, Flemish, German and French settlers), the British and indigenous tribes and the discovery of diamonds and gold caused further conflict, eventually leading to the Anglo-Boer War.
For those considering gap yeas, South Africa’s modern history is probably much more familiar. In the 20th century South Africa gained independence from Britain, but the country then entered one of its darkest periods as racial segregation became strictly enforced in a system later known as apartheid. After years of international condemnation, economic failure and domestic opposition the Afrikaner government was forced to negotiate the end of apartheid. In 1994 the country held its first democratic elections leading to the appointment of Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s first black president.
Despite this positive progress South Africa continues to struggle with high unemployment and social inequality. By taking part in volunteer work in South Africa you can help tackle some of these issues on your gap year abroad .
Population
Gap Year Volunteer“We of many cultures, languages and races are become one nation. We are the Rainbow People of God” Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 1994
While the diversity of South Africa’s population has been problematic in the past, it is one of the reasons why working as a volunteer in South Africa is such a fascinating experience. South Africa is a nation of about 50 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages and religions. The largest group within this is Black Africans who make up around 80% of the population, while those officially classified as White and Coloured each constitute around 9% of the nation.
According to the 2001 national census, around 80% of the population is Christian though this covers a range of denominations. Amazingly South Africa has 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English and Zulu. While English is only spoken at home by a small percentage of families, it is often a second or third language and those wanting to teach in South Africa will find themselves well received.