What has made South Africa so successful (post-Apartheid) relative to other countries in the region?

Answered on Quora

In my opinion there have been a number of reasons. Unfortunately as time passes many of these seem to be falling by the wayside. Nevertheless here are some key factors

1. The country has a great deal of diverse mineral wealth - Gold, diamonds, chrome, platinum, uranium to name a few (as opposed to Zambia for example which relied heavily on copper);
2. Well developed first world infrastructures in the Key Cities - Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein etc
3. Country has largely favoured a free enterprise friendly system of economics (for now);
4. A structured nationwide railway system that has been operating for some time;
5. Strong educational institutions at the Post-Secondary Level - Wits University, University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Pretoria, Potchefstroom etc.
6. A highly educated elite class with Professional training (Science and medicine have historically featured highly in the South African mind set);
7. White exodus from the country has taken place but at a much lower rate than the rest of post-colonial Africa;
8. A strong Tourist industry - Game Parks, Sun City, Beach cities etc;
9. Policy of Conciliation followed by the Post-Apartheid government although this appears to be breaking down since the death of Nelson Mandela;
10. Country (at least until now) has held back somewhat on destructive wealth redistribution policies there that impoverish the country as a whole and decrease foreign investment;
11. Industrial base in South Africa was far larger than any other Sub-Saharan African country;
12. South Africa kept the trappings of Democracy longer than most Post-Colonial African countries (the constitution has largely been successfully implemented…this could change in the future);
13. South Africa’s post-colonial government (took power in 1994) was not rocketed by Cold War politics as was the case with many other African countries;
14. Nelson Mandela stepping aside and preventing the country from sliding into a Cult of Personality that favors the strong man liberator (almost always the story in the rest of Africa);
15. The Army is not as dominant a force in the country's politics.
16. South Africa has a very competent farming infrastructure that is capable of generating food surpluses.