Until the global economic crisis hit South Africa in late 2008, economic growth had been steady and unprecedented. According to Statistics South Africa, GDP rose by 2.7% in 2001, 3.7% in 2002, 3.1% in 2003, 4.9% in 2004, 5% in 2005, 5.4% in 2006, 5.1% in 2007 and 3.1% in 2008.
From the first quarter of 1993 to the second quarter of 2008, the country enjoyed an unprecendented 62 quarters of uninterrupted economic growth.
Get more info about the South African economy here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_South_Africa