Changes

The president is the head of state. Following the April 14, 2004 elections, the National Assembly re-elected Thabo Mbeki as President. The president's constitutional responsibilities include assigning cabinet portfolios, signing bills into law, and serving as commander in chief of the military. The president works closely with the deputy president and the cabinet. There are currently 28 posts in the cabinet. Of the 28 ministers, Mbeki appointed two from outside the ANC—one from the former NNP and one from the Azanian Peoples Organization (Azapo). On June 14, 2005, President Mbeki informed the South African Parliament that then-Deputy President Jacob Zuma was being "released" from his duties following the conviction of a close associate on corruption charges relating to monetary payments to Zuma. On June 22, Mbeki named former Minister for Minerals and Energy Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to the position of Deputy President, the first woman to hold this office.

The president is the head of state. Following the April 14, 2004 elections, the National Assembly re-elected Thabo Mbeki as President. The president's constitutional responsibilities include assigning cabinet portfolios, signing bills into law, and serving as commander in chief of the military. The president works closely with the deputy president and the cabinet. There are currently 28 posts in the cabinet. Of the 28 ministers, Mbeki appointed two from outside the ANC—one from the former NNP and one from the Azanian Peoples Organization (Azapo). On June 14, 2005, President Mbeki informed the South African Parliament that then-Deputy President Jacob Zuma was being "released" from his duties following the conviction of a close associate on corruption charges relating to monetary payments to Zuma. On June 22, Mbeki named former Minister for Minerals and Energy Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to the position of Deputy President, the first woman to hold this office.

Following prior allegations, and a finding by Judge Chris Nicholson, that Presient Mbeki may have exerted improper political influence regarding the prosecution of Jacob Zuma, the National Executive Committee of the ANC recalled Mbeki on Sunday, 21 September 2008. He formally tendered his resignation from office on Monday, 22 September, which became effective at midnight on 24 September 2008. Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri served as acting State President from then until the election of the new State President.

Following prior allegations, and a finding by Judge Chris Nicholson, that Prescient Mbeki may have exerted improper political influence regarding the prosecution of Jacob Zuma, the National Executive Committee of the ANC recalled Mbeki on Sunday, 21 September 2008. He formally tendered his resignation from office on Monday, 22 September, which became effective at midnight on 24 September 2008. Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri served as acting State President from then until the election of the new State President.

The ANC's deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe was elected and sworn in as South Africa's third democratic State President, during a full sitting of Parliament on 25 September 2008.  

The ANC's deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe was elected and sworn in as South Africa's third democratic State President, during a full sitting of Parliament on 25 September 2008.  

South Africa has made great progress in dismantling its old economic system, which was based on import substitution, high tariffs and subsidies, anticompetitive behavior, and extensive government intervention in the economy. The new leadership has moved to reduce the government's role in the economy and to promote private sector investment and competition. It has significantly reduced tariffs and export subsidies, loosened exchange controls, cut the secondary tax on corporate dividends, and improved enforcement of intellectual property laws. A new competition law was passed and became effective on September 1, 1999. A U.S.-South Africa bilateral tax treaty went into effect on January 1, 1998, and a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement was signed in February 1999.  

South Africa has made great progress in dismantling its old economic system, which was based on import substitution, high tariffs and subsidies, anticompetitive behavior, and extensive government intervention in the economy. The new leadership has moved to reduce the government's role in the economy and to promote private sector investment and competition. It has significantly reduced tariffs and export subsidies, loosened exchange controls, cut the secondary tax on corporate dividends, and improved enforcement of intellectual property laws. A new competition law was passed and became effective on September 1, 1999. A U.S.-South Africa bilateral tax treaty went into effect on January 1, 1998, and a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement was signed in February 1999.  

South Africa is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). U.S. products qualify for South Africa's most-favored-nation tariff rates. South Africa also is an eligible country for the benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and most of its products can enter the United States market duty free. South Africa has done away with most import permits except on used products and products regulated by international treaties. It also remains committed to the simplification and continued reduction of tariffs within the WTO framework and maintains active discussions with that body and its major trading partners.  

South Africa is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). U.S. products qualify for South Africa's most-favored-nation tariff rates. South Africa also is an eligible country for the benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and most of its products can enter the United States market duty-free. South Africa has done away with most import permits except on used products and products regulated by international treaties. It also remains committed to the simplification and continued reduction of tariffs within the WTO framework and maintains active discussions with that body and its major trading partners.  

As a result of a November 1993 bilateral agreement, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) can assist U.S. investors in the South African market with services such as political risk insurance and loans and loan guarantees. In July 1996, the United States and South Africa signed an investment fund protocol for a $120 million OPIC fund to make equity investments in South Africa and southern Africa. OPIC is establishing an additional fund—the Sub-Saharan Africa Infrastructure Fund, capitalized at $350 million—for investment in infrastructure projects. The Trade and Development Agency also has been actively involved in funding feasibility studies and identifying investment opportunities in South Africa for U.S. businesses.  

As a result of a November 1993 bilateral agreement, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) can assist U.S. investors in the South African market with services such as political risk insurance and loans and loan guarantees. In July 1996, the United States and South Africa signed an investment fund protocol for a $120 million OPIC fund to make equity investments in South Africa and southern Africa. OPIC is establishing an additional fund—the Sub-Saharan Africa Infrastructure Fund, capitalized at $350 million—for investment in infrastructure projects. The Trade and Development Agency also has been actively involved in funding feasibility studies and identifying investment opportunities in South Africa for U.S. businesses.  

===Genocide allegations===

===Genocide allegations===

The African National Congress has been accused of promoting genocide against the Boer in South Africa.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=28421 'Kill the Boer, kill the farmer'], By Anthony C. LoBaido, ''WorldNetDaily.com'', July 28, 2002.  Retrieved July 12, 2007.</ref><ref>Genocide Watch:[http://www.genocidewatch.org/BoersSlain01.htm Over 4.000 Boer Farmers In South Africa Have Been Murdered Since 1991]. Retrieved from Genocide Watch July 29, 2015.http://www.genocidewatch.org/images/White_Genocide_TVA.pdf

The African National Congress has been accused of promoting genocide against the Boer in South Africa.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=28421 'Kill the Boer, kill the farmer'], By Anthony C. LoBaido, ''WorldNetDaily.com'', July 28, 2002.  Retrieved July 12, 2007.</ref>Genocide Watch:[http://www.genocidewatch.org/BoersSlain01.htm Over 4.000 Boer Farmers In South Africa Have Been Murdered Since 1991]. Retrieved from Genocide Watch July 29, 2015.http://www.genocidewatch.org/images/White_Genocide_TVA.pdf

The victims of this ongoing onslaught are usually elderly white citizens with the assailants generally being black Africans.

The victims of this ongoing onslaught are usually elderly white citizens with the assailants generally being black Africans.