1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105 Telephone (+1) 212 903 9000 Facsimile (+1) 212 903 9100 Direct Line 212.903.9014 Direct Fax 212.903.9100 jeffrey.cohen@linklaters.com

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street N.W.

Washington D.C. 20549

Attention: Michael Coco

Office of International Corporate Finance

November 19, 2007

Re: Republic of South Africa Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement under Schedule B File 333-146334

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement under Schedule B (the “Registration Statement”) (Registration No. 333-146334) of the Republic of South Africa (the “Republic”) filed with the Commission via the EDGAR system on November 15, 2007 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On behalf of the Republic, we hereby request that the Commission accelerate effectiveness of the Registration Statement to the close of business on November 20, 2007, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

If you have any questions regarding this request for acceleration, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at (212) 903-9014.

Yours sincerely

/s/ Jeffrey C. Cohen

Jeffrey C. Cohen

For and on behalf of

Linklaters LLP

This communication is confidential and may be privileged or otherwise protected by work product immunity.

Linklaters LLP is a multinational limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC326345 including solicitors of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, members of the New York Bar and foreign legal consultants in New York. It is a law firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The term partner in relation to Linklaters LLP is used to refer to a member of Linklaters LLP or an employee or consultant of Linklaters LLP or any of its affiliated firms or entities with equivalent standing and qualifications. A list of the names of the members of Linklaters LLP together with a list of those non-members who are designated as partners and their professional qualifications is open to inspection at its registered office, One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ, England or on www.linklaters.com.

Please refer to www.linklaters.com/regulation for important information on our regulatory position.