© 2017 South Africa - The Good News
2017 # 1: SA in numbers – Geography, Population, & Economy – compared to the rest of the World:
Nathanael West “Numbers constitute the only universal language.”
Every year the Economist ‘Pocket World in Figures’ brings out a varied set of global rankings covering 190 countries. These range from fastest-growing economies to highest per capita consumption of marijuana to which countries imprison the most people.
And every year the measures are changed – somewhat! It makes for interesting reading!
by Steuart Pennington
The stats in red have been added this year. Some have been removed from last year, all have been updated for 2017.
(The Economist tends to rank the top 1-50 best and the bottom 1 – 50 worst (sometimes the range is less), very often SA in not placed in either, that’s what this newsletter will reflect, unless I can find out more via Google)
There are 230 countries in the world, only 190 are ‘serious enough’ to provide data, and only 80 have a population of more than 10 million.
So, in this three-part series I will:
- Firstly, cover the numbers: Geography, Population and Economy (June 21).
- Secondly, cover the numbers: Infrastructure, Health and Technology (June 27).
- Thirdly, cover the numbers: People, Crime and Environment (July 4).
- Fourthly, conclude with comments (July 11).
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CHANGE HAPPENING BEHIND YOUR BACK IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES!
by Alec Hogg
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my current trip to Johannesburg. Mainly because of the undeniable progress so quickly evident to the external observer.
Noticeable is Sandton’s vastly improved traffic flow; greater utilisation of the Gautrain; a higher presence and increased engagement by traffic cops; and the increased number of municipal workers who are, erm, actually working. New mayor Herman Mashaba may have his hands full dealing with past corruption, but there is no doubt his efforts are already bearing fruit.
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World-class climbers aim to touch 300 000 learners…if they conquer whirlwind SA summit-record
CAPE TOWN. – Four world-class climbers – two of whom conquered Everest – have spent 1600 hours of preparation in 2017 for the goal of summiting nine South African peaks in a record time in pursuit of generating public support of R100000 to equip 350 learners with unique software-development and IT-skills. All of this form part of project #CodeClimber, as Tian Liebenberg, head of the Volunteer24-led project, and three fellow-climbers are embarking on one of the most ambitious South African mountain-summiting adventures ever attempted on South African soil.
If they break the SA record and the SA public generously support #CodeClimber on the crowd funding platform Backabuddy, Liebenberg and Co would purchase code-programs from the organization Code$Change to equip 125 learners with the IT-development, soft-ware programs and technological advancement
The long-term goal is to impart skills to 300 000 learners in 500 schools by 2020.
The four climbers will attempt to reach the peak of nine South African summits in a whirlwind cord-breaking time. The expedition leader Tian Liebenberg is at the helm of this Volunteers24-project.
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THIS WEEK'S FAST FACT
Travel
Jetsetters: According to the Department of Home Affairs, a total of 3,309,712 travellers (arrivals, departures and transits) passed through South African ports of entry during March 2017. One quarter of the travellers (24.7%) were South African residents and three quarters (75.3%) were foreign travellers. (Source www.Eighty20.com
