South Africa has been a democracy since 1994, but the legacy of the apartheid regime remains strong. Many blacks have seen their situations improve, and the intention of the government is that everyone should have equal access to education and health care. There is an enormous amount of social discord in society and a large proportion of the population is poorly educated and unemployed. Culturally, the perceptions of men and women are very unequal, and are particularly unfair and harsh towards women. Women have an extremely difficult time asserting themselves both in the labour market and at home.

South Africa is a rich country and it draws a significant amount of immigrants from neighbouring African countries. At the same time, the country struggles with rampant crime and a spiralling HIV crisis. Approximately 18% of the population is estimated to be HIV-positive. The rate of infection is highest amongst those between the ages of 20 – 35 years old. Many of these HIV positive 20 – 35 year-olds are parents, whose children, when they die, are left with no one to look after them. The percentage of orphans in the population is constantly increasing.