Southern Africa Fact file

Background information: After a 14-year war for independence, Angola faced a civil war lasting 27 years that killed more than 1.5 million people and caused 4 million more to be displaced. The war ended with a cease-fire signed in 2002. Presidential elections have been postponed and are set for 2009.

Read the latest issue of ACTSA?s Angola Peace Monitor, which provides information and analysis on the current state of the peace process in Angola

Botswana

Capital: Gaborone

Population: 1.8 million

Life expectancy: 51 years

HIV/AIDS prevalence rate: 24.1%

Religion: 71.6% - Christian; 6% - Badimo

Literacy: 79.8%

GDP per capita: $11,400

Government: Independence achieved in 1966 from Britain; parliamentary republic

President: Festus Gontebanye Mogae since 1998

Background information: Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana has seen four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment creating one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Capital: Kinshasa

Population: 65.8 million

Life expectancy: 57 years

HIV/AIDS Prevalence: 3.2%

Religion: 70% - Christian; 10% - Kimbanguist; 10% - Muslim

Literacy: 65.5%

GDP per capita: $700

Government: Independence achieved in 1960 from Belgium; republic

President: Joseph Kabila since 2001

Background information: The Republic of Congo?s early years of independence were marred by political and social instability. In 1965, Col. Joseph Mobuto seized power and declared himself president in a coup, changing the country?s name to Zaire. Mobutu retained his position for 32 years through several sham elections and the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, sparked by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led to the toppling of the Mobutu regime in 1997 by a rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent Kabila. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second insurrection again backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support Kabila's regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent Kabila was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph Kabila, was named head of state.

Lesotho

Capital: Maseru

Population: 2.1 million

Life expectancy: 40 years

HIV/AIDS prevalence rate: 23.2%

Religion: 80% - Christian; 20% - indigenous beliefs

Literacy: 84.8%

GDP per capita: $2,600

Government: Independence achieved in 1966 from Britain; parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Prime Minister: Pakalitha Mosisili since 1998

Background information: Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 7 years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Botswanan military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Constitutional reforms have since restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002 and 2007.

Madagascar

Capital: Antananarivo

Population: 19.4 million

Life expectancy: 62 years

HIV/AIDS prevalence rate: 0.5%

Religion: 52% - indigenous beliefs; 41% - Christian; 7% - Muslim

Literacy: 68.9%

GDP per capita: $900

Government: Independence achieved in 1960 from France; republic

President: Marc Ravalomanana since 2002

Background information: Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule.

Malawi

Capital: Lilongwe

Population: 13.6 million

Life expectancy: 43 years

HIV/AIDS prevalence rate: 14.1%

Religion: 80% - Christian; 13% - Muslim

Literacy: 62.7%

GDP per capita: $600

Government: Independence achieved in 1964 from Britain; multiparty democracy

President: Bingu wa Mutharika since 2004

Background information: Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the country held multiparty elections in 1994. Increasing corruption, population growth, pressure on agricultural lands, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for the country.

Mauritius

Capital: Port Louis

Population: 1.3 million

Life expectancy: 73 years

HIV/AIDS prevalence rate: 0.6%

Religion: 48% - Hindu; 32% - Christian; 17% - Muslim

Literacy: 85.6%

GDP per capita: $13,500

Government: Independence achieved in 1968 from Britain; parliamentary democracy

President: Sir Anerood Jugnauth since 2003

Background information: A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth, however.

Mozambique

Capital: Maputo

Population: 20.9 million

Life expectancy: 41 years

HIV/AIDS prevalence: 16.1%

Religion: 41% - Christian; 18% - Muslim

Literacy: 47.8%

GDP per capita: $1,500

Government: Independence achieved in 1975 from Portugal; republic

President: Armando Guebuza since 2005

Background information: After achieving independence in 1975, large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, allowing multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. However, it suffered serious setbacks when in 2000 and 2001 it was hit by floods which affected about a quarter of the population and destroyed much of its infrastructure. The reconstruction efforts have been hindered by further flooding early in 2007.

Namibia

Capital: Windhoek

Population: 2.1 million

Life expectancy: 43 years

HIV/AIDS prevalence: 19.6%

Religion: 85% - Christian; 15% - indigenous beliefs

Literacy: 84%

GDP per capita: $7,400

Government: Independence achieved in 1990 from South Africa; republic

President: Hifikepunye Pohamba since 2005

Background information: South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. It was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds, yet it has one of the highest rates of income inequality in the world.

South Africa

Capital: Pretoria (Tshwane)

Population: 44 million

Life expectancy: 42 years

HIV/AIDS prevalence rate: 18.8%

Religion: 78% - Christian; 2% - Muslim

Literacy: 86%

GDP per capita: $13,000

Government: Independence achieved in 1961 from Britain; republic

President: Thabo Mbeki since 1999

Background information: After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds and gold in the late nineteenth century spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. 1994 brought an end to apartheid and ushered in black majority rule. South Africa has the continent's biggest economy, but many South Africans remain poor and unemployment is high. Land redistribution is an ongoing issue, as is HIV/AIDS, with the country facing the second highest number of HIV/AIDS patients in the world.

Read about ACTSA?s campaign for the eradication of all apartheid-caused debts.

To read information on more of the countries in the SADC region click here.