annual report

South Africa's mortality rate continued to decline in 2009, with tuberculosis (TB) being the most commonly mentioned cause of death on certificates, says Statistics South Africa.

A new report by Visa shows a 34% increase in tourism spending in South Africa during the first quarter of 2010, and anticipates additional growth from the 2010 Fifa World Cup - with increased spending by visitors from emerging countries indicative of the country's growing stature as a tourism destination.

A report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development into education in South Africa has found that while the education system has achieved a number of positive results in the past 14 years, it is still in a process of transition, and is suffering from a lack of resources and infrastructure.

The South African Police Services released its annual report on crime on 30 June 2008. In a media briefing Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula revealed that while robberies and hijackings increased, contact crime, including murder, showed a marked decrease.

The South African Police Service is to work more closely with communities and government departments to address the social causes of violent crimes in the country - which in the great majority of cases involve perpetrators who are known to their victims.