Definition: The word "South Africa" is a country located in Southern Africa, specifically on the southern continent of the African continent. It shares borders with Namibia to the northwest, Botswana across the border from the east, and Zimbabwe to the south. The country's official language is English, but it also has a significant number of Hausa, Wolof, Xhosa, and other languages spoken there. The South African constitution was adopted in 1996, establishing a federal parliamentary system of government with a president as head of state. The country is divided into 38 provinces (since the establishment of the South African province in 1969), each governed by a provincial council elected by its people through universal franchise. South Africa has a long and diverse history that includes slavery, apartheid, and current socio-political tensions. It's often referred to as the 'Motherland' because it is home to many famous figures including Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko.