EXHIBIT 5.2
April 20, 2022 National Treasury Private Bag X115 Pretoria 0001 Republic of South Africa

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special United States counsel to the Underwriters in connection with the offering by the Republic of South Africa (the “Republic”) in connection with the issuance and offering for sale of U.S.$1,400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% bonds due 2032 (the “2032 Bonds”) and U.S.$1,600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.300% bonds due 2052 (the “2052 Bonds” and, together with the 2032 Bonds, the “Bonds”) in the form of a takedown from the Republic’s Registration Statement No. 333-237299 under Schedule B (the “Registration Statement”). The issuance and offering for sale of the Bonds are collectively referred to herein as the “Offering”. In connection with the Offering we have reviewed the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus dated April 30, 2020 (the “Base Prospectus”), the Prospectus Supplement dated April 11, 2022 (the “Prospectus Supplement” and, together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”), the Fiscal Agency Agreement dated as of February 10, 2017 (the “Fiscal Agency Agreement”) between the Republic and Citibank, N.A., London Branch, as the fiscal agent and the Underwriting Agreement dated December 13, 2013 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), incorporated by reference in the pricing agreement (the “Pricing Agreement”) by and among the Republic and Absa Bank Limited, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, HSBC Bank plc, Nedbank Limited and Rand Merchant Bank (collectively, the “Underwriters”). The Pricing Agreement and the Fiscal Agency Agreement are collectively defined herein as the “Agreements”.

In rendering the opinion contained herein, we have examined originals or copies (certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction) of certificates of public officials, government documents and records and other certificates and instruments furnished to us, and have made such other investigations, as we have deemed necessary in connection with the opinion set forth herein. In rendering such opinion, we have assumed, without independent investigation or verification of any kind, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons signing all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, the truthfulness, completeness and correctness of all factual representations and statements contained in all documents, the accuracy and completeness of all public records examined by us and the authority of the Republic to enter into the Agreements and issue the Bonds. In making our examination of documents executed by parties other than the Republic, we have assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or other, and authority to enter into and perform all their obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all

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April 20, 2022

requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity, binding and enforceable effect thereof. We have further assumed that the Bonds will be delivered by the Republic in accordance with applicable laws and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement.

This opinion is limited to the federal laws of the United States and the laws of the State of New York, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning the laws of any other jurisdiction. Insofar as the opinion set forth herein relates to matters of the laws of the Republic, we have relied upon the opinion of the Chief State Law Adviser of the Republic of South Africa, a copy of which is being filed as an exhibit to the amendment to South Africa’s Annual Report on Form 18-K for its Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2021 (the “Amendment”), and our opinion herein is subject to any and all exceptions and reservations set forth therein.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when the Bonds have been duly authorized, issued, and executed by the Republic and authenticated, delivered, and paid for as contemplated by the Agreements, the Prospectus and any amendment and supplement thereto, the Bonds will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Republic enforceable against the Republic in accordance with their terms under the laws of the State of New York.

The foregoing opinions as to enforceability of obligations of the Republic is subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, conservatorship, liquidation, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and by the application of general principles of equity (whether applied by a court in equity or at law) and the discretion of the court before which any proceedings therefor may be brought (such principles of equity are of general application, and in applying such principles, a court may include a covenant of good faith and fair dealing and apply concepts of reasonableness, mutuality and materiality); (ii) requirements that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in U.S. dollars; and (iii) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currency or composite currency.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Amendment and to the reference to this firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

The opinions set forth in this letter are effective as of the date hereof only. We assume no responsibility to update this opinion letter for, or to advise you of, any fact or circumstance occurring, or of which we become aware, subsequent to the date of this opinion letter, including, without limitation, legislative and other changes in the law or changes in circumstances affecting any party.

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The opinions expressed above are limited to the matters stated in this opinion letter, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond those expressly stated in this opinion letter.

Very truly yours,

/s/ White & Case LLP

MB:DL:BP:NN

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