Eish! It’s no wonder that South Africa draws more visitors than anywhere else in sub-Saharan Africa, even before it was chosen to be the host of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. World-class wildlife-watching, cos-mopolitan cities like the great big beating heart of Johannesburg, stunning natural panoramas from Table Mountain National Park and vibrant cultures make the country appealing to almost every taste.

And the people! The many faces and cultures of South Africa, despite a difficult past, add vitality to this already amazing nation. Local is certainly lekker, but that doesn’t mean South Africa doesn’t struggle with its fair share of problems as well.

Many South Africans live in fear of the crime which has ravaged the nation.

Whilst not justifiable, it is at least, to some extent understandable; the very rich and the very poor rub shoulders daily, and it is difficult not to notice that whilst some South Africans live in great affluence, many oth-ers live in poverty.

The scars of Apartheid still run deep for some, and reconciliation is a slow proc-ess; South Africa is the stage for the daily drama of one of the world’s greatest experiments in racial harmony.

HIV is a scourge, with millions of people infected with the disease, and many more affected either by the death of family or friends. With more than 1 million children in the nation orphaned by HIV alone, and estimates of up to 20% of the population infected, there are many struggles that South Africa still has to overcome.

Pray that South Africa’s political and religious leaders would have Godly wisdom as they address the many hurts of the past.

Crime rates continue to rise in South Africa. Violent crimes are commonplace and the murder rate is seven times that of the USA. Pray that Christians would be able to make an impact in this hurt-ing society.

An AIDS epidemic is ripping the na-tion apart. 1,200 victims die each day and nearly half a million children are orphaned. Pray for effective so-lutions to slow down this terrible trend. Pray for the differ-ent organisations who are providing care and support for all who are suf-fering.

Pray that there would be strength, unity and vision for the Church in South Africa. Pray that Christians would be able to speak into every level of society, bring-ing truth and hope.

Nearly half the population is under 20. Many young people are poor and can easily get involved with violence and

crime. Pray for South African youth, and the Christians who work with them.

Things are tough for South African mis-sionaries around the world. The South African currency, the Rand, has been massively devalued, making it even harder for South Africans abroad to make ends meet. Pray for support for these missionaries.

Pray for more missionaries to be mobi-lised, especially from previously disad-vantaged communities.