<P> South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions . Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the constitution's recognition of 11 official languages, which is among the highest number of any country in the world . Two of these languages are of European origin: Afrikaans developed from Dutch and serves as the first language of most white and coloured South Africans; English reflects the legacy of British colonialism, and is commonly used in public and commercial life, though it is fourth - ranked as a spoken first language . The country is one of the few in Africa never to have had a coup d'état, and regular elections have been held for almost a century . However, the vast majority of black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994 . During the 20th century, the black majority sought to recover its rights from the dominant white minority, with this struggle playing a large role in the country's recent history and politics . The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation . After a long and sometimes violent struggle by the African National Congress and other anti-apartheid activists both inside and outside the country, discriminatory laws began to be repealed or abolished from 1990 onwards . </P> <P> Since 1994, all ethnic and linguistic groups have held political representation in the country's democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces . South Africa is often referred to as the "Rainbow nation" to describe the country's multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid . The World Bank classifies South Africa as an upper - middle - income economy, and a newly industrialised country . Its economy is the second - largest in Africa, and the 34th - largest in the world . In terms of purchasing power parity, South Africa has the seventh - highest per capita income in Africa . However, poverty and inequality remain widespread, with about a quarter of the population unemployed and living on less than US $1.25 a day . Nevertheless, South Africa has been identified as a middle power in international affairs, and maintains significant regional influence . </P> <P> The name "South Africa" is derived from the country's geographic location at the southern tip of Africa . Upon formation the country was named the Union of South Africa in English, reflecting its origin from the unification of four formerly separate British colonies . Since 1961 the long form name in English has been the "Republic of South Africa". In Dutch the country was named Republiek van Zuid - Afrika, replaced in 1983 by the Afrikaans Republiek van Suid - Afrika . Since 1994 the Republic has had an official name in each of its 11 official languages . </P> <P> Mzansi, derived from the Xhosa noun umzantsi meaning "south", is a colloquial name for South Africa, while some Pan-Africanist political parties prefer the term "Azania". </P>

What is the old name for south africa