Political influence:

Election Votes % Seats 2009 11,650,748 65.90 264

2004

10,880,915

69.69

279

1999

10,601,330

66.35

266

1994

12,237,655

62.65

252

The party ruling South Africa since the end of apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC).

According to the World Bank, South Africa ranks in the second top percentile of countries for government effectiveness and voice and accountability

o The economy of South Africa is the largest in Africa, accounts for 24% of its Gross Domestic Product in terms of PPP

oPublic spending has been expanding oEconomies generally grow by shifting human and capital resources .

oRice has also become popular as a staple food next to maize. o Countrys black majority has led to a shift to rice .

o Eighty percent of south African population is of Black African ancestry

oSouth Africa was ranked second for murder and first for assaults and rapes per capita .

o Use of advanced equipments oGrowth of communication sector o Focuses on Research and Development o Genetically Modified Organism has been approved in South Africa to be produced .

o South Africa's freshwater supply is almost stretched to its limit. o Crude oil imports. o Natural vegetation cleared for agriculture and urban development.

o Adoption of new and improved

varieties mostly through area and extension

o Rice importation is exempt from the payment of VAT (14%) o o South Africas import tariffs generally range from 0-45% with some exception.