South Africa is nation with a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions. The constitution officially recognises 11 distinct languages, which is among the highest number of any country in the world. English is commonly used in public and commercial life.

South Africa is ranked as an upper-middle income economy by the World Bank, and is considered to be a newly industrialised country. Its economy is the largest and most developed in Africa, and the 28th-largest in the world. It has become increasingly popular as a popular tourist destination, and a substantial amount of revenue comes from tourism. Yet its economy is highly-diversified - last year, South Africa was ranked as the top African Country of the Future by FDi magazine based on the country's economic potential, labour environment, cost-effectiveness, infrastructure, business friendliness, and Foreign direct investment Strategy.

Although a number of South African traditions have survived strongly, the country has become increasingly urbanised and Westernised and aspects of traditional culture have declined. Members of the middle class have lifestyles similar in many respects to that of people found in Western Europe, North America and Australasia.