The majority of overseas South Africans live in theUnited Kingdom,Australia andNew Zealand, countries with similar cultural and linguistic heritage to many South Africans, as well as similar climates and latitude positioning in the case of the latter two countries.[4] There have also been a large number of South African immigrants who have gone to the US. Manywhite South Africans, both before and after the end ofapartheid, emigrated to Midwestern states such asMinnesota andIllinois.[5]
Irvine, California has a large population ofSouth African Jews.[6] There are numerous South Africans living inNew York City and Mid-Atlantic states such asMaryland. Most South African immigrants in the US are white people of European origin. Of the 82,000 South Africans living in the US between 2008 and 2009, about 11,000 of them wereBlack South Africans.[7] In the2000 Census, 509 South African Americans reported their ethnic origins asZulu.[8]
The majority of these immigrants are English speaking, with a moderate proportion of these beingSouth African Jews. In the US, South Africans in general — both white and black — live in the US individually, rather than in communities of South African Americans.[9] The highest number of South Africans in the US live in California, notablyLos Angeles County,Orange County andSan Diego,[1][10] while smaller populations reside in theMid-Atlantic and thePacific Northwest.
Indaba ("discussion" in Zulu) is an example of an organization set up by South Africans to promote community involvement. It was founded in the 1990s and sponsors community events and activities. This organization allows the exchange of information through a web site and a mailing list, keeping South Africans informed about international and local events.[11]
The South African consulate in Chicago has close ties with many expatriates and hosts regular events and speakers, including an annual celebration of Freedom Day on 27 April. In 2001, the hosts founded the African Group of the U.S. Women's Action to boost the knowledge and understanding of South Africa among Americans. The South Africans are also in many other forums, such as informal parties, religious activities and rugby matches.[11]
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