Book excerpt: Indeed, since the end of apartheid in 1994 South Africa has become a major diplomatic player both on the African continent as well as further afield. Despite the size of South Africa’s economy, the country currently faces a number of major economic challenges. As of the end of July 2014 the unemployment rate was at 25.5%, according to data from Statistics South Africa, which was among the highest in the world. While the government’s long-term development plans are generally highly regarded, delivery and execution has occasionally been problematic. While there are major hurdles that must be cleared, given the country’s strong institutions and the rapid pace of economic expansion over the past two decades, South Africa should be able to look forward to 20 more years of peace and steady, sustained economic growth.