The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), located in Sutherland, is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. (www.salt.ac.za)

This week’s theme: South African elements

The proportion of households burning wood, paraffin, dung and coal for cooking has dropped from 41% in 2002 to 31% in 2007. The proportion using electricity has increased from 56% to 66%. (GHS 2002, GHS 2007)

This week’s theme: South African elements

73% of urban adults in KwaZulu-Natal agree with the statement ‘I don’t think we are doing enough to protect our wildlife and environment’. For those in the Northern Cape, the proportion is 42%. (Future Fact 2008)

This week’s theme: South African elements

2.6 million households in South Africa (20% of all households) say they experience air pollution in their community. (GHS 2007)

This week’s theme: South African elements

776,000 South African households (7% of all households) do not have access to tap water. The province with the highest proportion of no access is the Eastern Cape, at 29% of households. (AMPS2008B)

This week’s theme: South African elements

South Africa was ranked 53rd out of 212 countries for ‘Government Effectiveness’ by the World Bank in 2008. Topping the list were Singapore, Denmark and Switzerland. The governments of the Dem. Rep. of the Congo, North Korea and Somalia were the least effective. (Word Bank World Governance Indicators)

This week’s theme: SA vs. the rest

64% of urban South Africans agree with the statement ‘South Africa should look after itself and its own people, not worry about the rest of Africa’. (Future Fact 2008)

This week’s theme: SA vs. the rest

53% of South African adults with no education think the statement ‘I would rather live in South Africa than anywhere else’ is very true. For those with a post-matric education, the proportion is 40%. (AMPS2008B)

This week’s theme: SA vs. the rest

South Africa ranks second in the world (tying with France) in terms of budget transparency, behind only the United Kingdom. (Open Budget Index 2008)

This week’s theme: SA vs. the rest

The median daily parking rate for Sandton is $10.02 (Cape Town $9.02, Durban $3.76). In the City of London a day’s parking will cost $68.07, and in Delhi $1.75. (Colliers International)

This week’s theme: SA vs. the rest