survey

Ninety-six percent of South Africans are now proud of their country, with white South Africans closing the patriotism gap with their black compatriots, according to the latest South African edition of the World Values Survey.

Texas-based fund manager John Mauldin pays another visit to South Africa - and is amazed at the difference 13 years can make.

The locals have long known it, and now UK visitors agree: South Africa is the most beautiful country on earth. In the 2006 Reader's Travel Awards by UK magazine Conde Nast Traveller, South Africa's scenery scored 97.8% - the highest in the world - with the country being voted the world's fifth-best tourist destination.

The number of South Africans with bank accounts grew by 11% between 2005 and 2006, reaching just over half the adult population - with low-cost account Mzansi claiming the lion's share of new customers.

Cape Town was voted the top city in Africa and the Middle East and the eighth best city in the world in the 2006 Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice survey, while two lodges in South Africa's Singita Private Game Reserve were together rated the second best resort in the world.

The educational profile of South Africans improved markedly between 1995 and 2003, according to a new report published by the Department of Education.

As South Africa celebrates Youth Day, new research reveals that the country's young people believe they are better off than their parents were - and that their children will be even better off than they are now.

South Africa is the second least corrupt country in Africa, with a slightly improved score in the 2006 Corruption Index by Transparency International. The country is also way ahead of similar major emerging market countries such as China, India and Brazil.

A survey of 252 foreign businesses operating in South Africa has given the thumbs up to the country's economy, reflecting a sharp increase in business confidence compared to 2002 and considerably higher levels of confidence in the government.

Vodacom, First National Bank and Sanlam have been voted tops in a survey measuring customer satisfaction in the insurance, telecommunications and banking sectors. The results suggest that South African customers are more satisfied than their counterparts in Europe and America.