South Africa: Multinational Corporations
What do we know about South Africa and the effects that multinational
corporations have on the economy, culture and people of this diverse country?
The next few pages will provide the information that will fully answer the
above question.
Multinational corporations have funneled foreign direct investments into
South Africa due to the diverseness and rich resources that has made South
Africa very desirable. Unfortunately, there have also been many economic and political entanglements that have influenced, and in some cases, stalled the influx of foreign direct investment. Facing this economic reality, South Africa has had to make significant improvements in order to foster an environment that would attract investors.
South Africa is at the southern tip of the continent of Africa. The terrain of South Africa can vary from farmland to tall mountain ranges. What is not obvious is that underneath those mountain ranges are vast amounts of crystalline rock formations. This is an invaluable resource, because this allows South Africa to be the world’s largest producer of gold. It is also instrumental in allowing this country to be a top exporter of coal, diamonds and platinum. South Africa also has a very diverse population that is made up of many different races and ethnic groups. Although for most countries this is desirable, South Africa has suffered due to its diversity in many various ways.
The population of South Africa is 24 million and it is composed of multiracial and multiethnic people of all walks of life. Three quarters of the population is black and they represent various tribes as the Zulu ...