In everyone's mind, poverty, backwardness, and chaos have always been synonymous with this part of Africa.
However, who would have thought that there was such a country in Africa, which was once very well developed, full of gold and diamonds, and was even called the "Rainbow Country".
As a result, in just a few years, it has regressed all the way to becoming almost the least safe country in Africa, and its economic development is also the bottom.
Which country has experienced such a gap? And what's going on here?
The source of this article comes from the official media [International Online-"South Africa Country Profile"] The specific link is described at the end of the article, but in order to improve the readability of the article, the details may be polished, please read it sensibly For reference only
Once the splendor of South Africa
South Africa is the southernmost part of the African continent, with a land area of more than one million square kilometers, although it is only one-eighth of China, but this land has beautiful natural scenery and has nurtured diverse cultures.
As the "Rainbow Nation", South Africa is also a melting pot of races.
Here, you can see swarthy African natives, fierce white descendants, and sunny Asian faces.
Races of different colors, religions, and customs coexist harmoniously in this land, colorful and colorful, like a brilliant rainbow.
South Africa is blessed with unique geographical advantages and climatic conditions.
Most of the country has a savannah climate, which has given rise to vast agricultural and pastoral areas, creating a livable environment for residents.
The superior geographical location surrounded by the sea on three sides is an important cornerstone of South Africa's development.
Similarly, South Africa's colonial past has had a profound impact.
As early as the 17th century, South Africa attracted the coveted of maritime powers such as the Netherlands and Portugal, and was later occupied by the British, and once became a colony of the "empire on which the sun never sets".
In order to plunder South Africa's rich mineral resources, the colonizers established an initial industrial system here, which laid the foundation for South Africa's later take-off.
South Africa itself is also a treasure, in terms of mining, with rich mineral resources, South Africa is undoubtedly the world's leader in gold, diamonds and other mineral mining.
This has also become the pillar industry of South Africa's economy, and South Africa's mining industry is well deserved.
Its agriculture and manufacturing industry flourished, and tobacco and liquor, as well as fruits and wines, were well-known at home and abroad.
Heavy industry was also the highlight of the time, and the sizable steel and machining industries became a solid pillar of the South African economy.
With a military industry that is capable of producing all kinds of weapons, including nuclear weapons, South Africa has a pivotal position on the African continent.
In 1967, the famous South African doctor Barnard completed the first heart transplant in human history at Groot Shure Hospital, a medical miracle that demonstrated the outstanding achievements of South Africa's scientific and technological strength.
For a time, South Africa's comprehensive national strength was enough to be proud of African countries.
The per capita GDP was as high as 2,400 US dollars, which not only exceeded the level of developed countries at that time, but also made the South African people rich.
If South Africa continues to develop like this, then Africa may not be what it is now.
The contrast between what was once glorious and now bleak is painful.
In just a few years, South Africa has rapidly declined, becoming a poor and problematic country, belittled by the Western media.
The current situation in South Africa today
In this magical land of Africa, the Republic of South Africa was once a shining pearl.
Today, however, this pearl has eclipsed and lost its former glory.
As a "developed country" in the past, South Africa has now been reduced to poverty and backwardness, which is embarrassing.
Today's South Africa, unemployment, poverty, and deteriorating law and order are woven into an impenetrable web that binds the once developed country.
First and foremost is the worsening unemployment problem.
According to the latest statistics, the overall unemployment rate in South Africa is a staggering 30%, and among the younger generation, it is as high as 60%!
In other words, millions of young people in South Africa spend their days doing nothing, or wandering the streets, or eating at home and waiting for death.
Lacking financial resources, they are unable to lead a normal life.
As a result, some people have to embark on the road of breaking the law and committing crimes.
On the streets of South Africa, robberies and thefts are common, as if they have become a "survival mode". What's even more worrying is that homicides are also common news here, after all, South Africa's civilian private weapons are rampant, and it is estimated that South African civilians alone have more than 6 million guns, which is simply impossible to prevent.
The proliferation of guns seriously threatens the personal safety of the people, and an ordinary office worker may be robbed or shot every day when he goes out.
In order to save their lives, the elite at the top had no choice but to install sophisticated anti-theft doors and windows, bulletproof glass and other devices in their homes and private cars.
However, this practice allows them to live a cage-like life.
It can be said that in the dangerous "powder keg" of South Africa, no one can get the security they deserve.
In such a high-risk and chaotic environment, many people have chosen to evacuate.
This has undoubtedly exacerbated the brain and capital outflow from South Africa, making matters worse.
Endlessly high unemployment, rising crime, and a deteriorating investment climate are all dragging down the country from the bottom of the country.
In its predicament, South Africa has lost its former dignity as a developed country.
We have to wonder why this once-fast-growing country is in such a rapid decline. Where is its former prosperity?
The South African economy is gradually regressing
The Republic of South Africa was once the pride of Africa, and its economic strength, scientific and technological level, and even military strength are remarkable.
However, in just a few decades, this pearl has rapidly dimmed.
The rise and fall of South Africa can be called a portrayal of the rise and fall of developed countries, and the lessons contained in it are really thought-provoking.
Who would have thought that behind this prosperity, the undercurrent is turbulent and churning.
A sudden revolution shattered the aura of this "pearl of Africa".
It all started in 1994.
This was the year that South Africa held its first-ever general election without distinction of colour.
N.N.C. Mandela's ANC won the victory and became South Africa's first African president. In an effort to rid the long segregation regime, Mandela pursued aggressive anti-discrimination reforms.
The unreasonable policy of apartheid was outlawed, and the law granted equal rights to all citizens.
Mandela's approach, however, was too aggressive, leading to many irrational consequences.
Mandela forced companies to employ a certain percentage of black workers. Given the low level of education, a large number of inexperienced, unskilled blacks were promoted on an ad hoc basis, which dealt a heavy blow to corporate efficiency.
What's more, some companies simply move their operations out of South Africa and into the arms of other countries in order to avoid legal risks.
As a result, a large number of white technologists left South Africa.
According to statistics, between 1994 and 2004, more than 1 million white experts emigrated to other countries.
This brain drain has undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the South African economy, directly leading to the bankruptcy and closure of a large number of technology companies and an overall decline in the level of science and technology.
The most fatal blow was that Mandela handed over all of South Africa's nuclear weapons, directly cutting off South Africa's voice and military power.
In fact, this is Mandela's own plan at the instigation of the United States in order to eliminate international sanctions.
However, this is undoubtedly a wrong choice.
As a rare "dark horse", South Africa's once proud military strength was "cut off" in this way.
Mandela's "reforms" sparked an economic upheaval and became the trigger for South Africa's decline.
In the 21st century, Mandela's reforms snowballed.
On the one hand, with the rise of emerging economies such as China, South Africa's traditional advantages in various exports have been lost.
On the other hand, cheap goods from Europe and the United States have had a huge impact on South Africa's domestic market, and South Africa's local industries have closed down one after another, and the economy has been losing step by step.
At the same time, the serious problem of unemployment in the country has become increasingly prominent, and the unemployment rate has been rising.
It can be said that South Africa's economy is precarious, and it is constantly suffering from both internal and external blows.
The lessons of the past have shown that once a country loses economic support, unemployment and poverty will follow one after another, and social order will inevitably deteriorate.
Sure enough, street robberies and shootings are commonplace in South Africa, and the safety of life and property is at stake.
In order to ensure their own safety, people have no choice but to install expensive security doors and bulletproof glass in their homes, and live in fear.
South Africa is overly dependent on mineral resources, and its economic structure is seriously unbalanced.
Once the price of resources fluctuates, or the situation in the international market reverses, it will inevitably be in trouble. Without the support of scientific and technological innovation and diversified economy, it may be difficult for South Africa to maintain long-term stability.
Moreover, Mandela blindly followed the wishes of Western countries, lacked strategic vision on military issues, and did not hesitate to give up all of South Africa's leading advantages in the field of weapons, resulting in a fatal crack in the country's national defense and discourse.
This short-sighted decision doomed South Africa to decline.
The most important thing is that, despite the legal granting of civil and political rights, racial contradictions are a social disease that is deeply rooted and has not been resolved.
The South African government has had to take a series of measures to maintain the basic functioning of society.
In order to solve the problem of the proliferation of guns, the South African government has had to introduce measures such as the "Gun Control Act" to try to reduce the number of private guns, maintain social order, and reduce violence.
Also in South Africa, the antagonism between whites and blacks has not only affected national integration, but also hindered economic development.
Only by breaking through the final hurdle of national reconciliation can South Africa's future be restored.
In general, Mandela, although well-intentioned, caused a heinous disaster.
For a country, policymakers need to be far-sighted, pragmatic and follow trends, rather than relying solely on their own will.
Otherwise, it will be like the former "star country" and eventually become a "falling star".
We look back on history, not to repeat those painful experiences, but to learn from them and be alert to crises.
The rise and fall of South Africa has also pointed out to us many pitfalls on the road to development, allowing people to reflect on reality and think carefully.
It is believed that as long as we remain rational and pragmatic, carry forward the spirit of inclusiveness, mutual learning, and advancing with the times, there is hope to rekindle the light of hope for national rejuvenation.
Resources
CCTV News - "South Africa's Strict Control of Guns Act Triggers Controversy" https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1700635190134604069&wfr=spider&for=pc
Behind the xenophobic riots in South Africa: it is all the fault of poverty and unemployment
South Africa Country Profile - International Online
South Africa's economic outlook remains bleak Daily economy
The Rise and Fall of South Africa|Jiemian News · JMedia
BT Finance V "The World's Worst Country: From Rich to Poor in Only 5 Years" https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1654433420823705197&wfr=spider&for=pc