Why is SouthAfrica considered a third world country?

[Kenyankajiwe]

Is it because it is in Africa?

I ask this because I have seen some European countries that can not match SouthAfrica economically and in infrustructure capabiity but they are still considred second and first world countries.

Any reasons?

[Woestynryer]

Hello Kenyankajiwe,

I agree with you people seem to think SA is 3rd world country.They can't be more wrong.
It makes many of us angry because people don't want to invest in SA.It's just an old stigma.They basically stereotyping the country.It's not something recent but comes from days of old.

I've been to some European countries with so called '1st world status' and I can honestly say they looked more like 3rd world to me,compared to SA.

If it was up to everyone in South Africa,I have no doubt that we'll classify ourselves as a 1st world country.Seems the guys that make the rules sit in Europe and America unfortunately.

[ches]

Originally Posted by Woestynryer

I agree with you people seem to think SA is 3rd world country.They can't be more wrong.

Um. What?

This is why people think South Africa is a third world country:

(Click the image to view a larger version.)

Also the 40% unemployment, the 20% AIDS infection rate, the 62.18 deaths/1,000 live births infant mortality rate, the $10,700 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity (GDP per capita), although that isn't as bad as I thought it would be, say, compared to Afghanistan's $700 (2003 est.). (Statistics courtesy of the CIA World Factbook.)

South Africa is by far the most developed country in Africa, but it's still a third world country. It will be while we have people living without access to clean water, medical care or education. There's nothing shameful about being a third world country. We should celebrate our successes even more so given that we are a third world country.

[Woestynryer]

Wow Ches! Now you're making me sound like a liberal

[31-05-1961]

I guess this issue depends on where you live and work. If you are wealthy and live in an expensive suburban area and enjoy 'first world' amenities you can claim to live in a 'first world' place, but drive a few kilometres down the road and you're in a place that is in stark contrast, a clear 'third world' area, and its sad that the majority of people are in this 'third world'.