South Af·ri·ca [ sòwth áffrikə ]country in southern Africa. It became a fully democratic republic in 1994 when it rejoined the British Commonwealth (after withdrawing in 1961). Languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu. Currency: rand. Capital: Pretoria. Population: 49,052,489 (2009 estimate).
Area: 1,220,813 sq km (471,359 sq mi) Official name Republic of South Africa
