4- South Africa approved the first artificial human blood

In 2001 South African authorities thought they had an answer to the problem of the country's blood supply, as much as one quarter or more of which was tainted with pathogens like HIV and Hepatitis C. The answer was a product from Massachusetts called Hemopure. Called an oxygen therapeutic, Hemopure was made from cows, and promised to extend the shelf life of blood from six weeks to two years, and could be used in place of blood transfusions. The decision to approve its use in South Africa was a landmark moment in the hunt for a viable solution to a diminishing or tainted human blood supply.

Unfortunately, Hemopure didn't quite live up to its hype and its use has been discontinued.

5- South Africa's constitution provides for a monarchy

The last thing you didn't know about South Africa is that this republic has a regal presence.

Despite the country's status as a democratically elected constitutional republic, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal has a monarchy that is specially mentioned in and provided for by the Constitution. Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, King of the Zulu Nation, enjoys a government stipend. He has 27 kids, he maintains six wives and he can have a new one each year -- all according to tradition.

Granted, he wields no direct political power, but he does have influence (especially over the Zulu population) and, well, he does get to live like a king.

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