According to one of the opposition parties South Africa does worse and worse every year in its ranking on benchmark indices. Now while I am sceptical of these indices, they are quite concerning. For example, if the developed world took its own medicine with regard to economic "reform" it will probably be in the poor-box too. To be concrete I heard that every kid in South Korea has a laptop to do their homework (Korea's "laptop penetration index" exceeds SA) - while this may make them better students, apparently they do not play outside. Dunno if this factoid is true, but it illustrates the point. I have fretted on indexes here, here, here, here, here and here.
I have not cited the source so as to prevent the messenger from detracting from the message - but I assume the research is correct.

Information Technology and Global Interconnectedness Indices

• South Africa slipped down all three Information Technology and Global Interconnectedness indices
• It slipped 18 places between 2004/05 and 2008/09 on the Network Readiness Index from 34 to 52
• South Africa was ranked 39 in 2008 on the E-readiness Index as opposed to 32 in 2004
• Despite South Africa moving back to the same spot it held in 2005 on the 2008 Globalisation index, it then fell six places on the 2009 index ending at 54

There are more:

Economic Development Indices

• South Africa slipped down all three of the economic development indices
• It also slipped six places from 28 in 2006 to 34 in 2010 in the Ease of Doing Business Index
• Despite moving up from 35 in 2008 to 32 in 2009, it slipped two places on the 2010 Ease of Doing Business Index
• South Africa also slipped six places on the Index of Economic Freedom from 55 in 2005 to 61 in 2009
• South Africa was ranked 45 in both the 2005/06 and 2009/10 on the Global Competiveness Index – which means it has stayed in the same position
• However, it was ranked 36 in 2006/07 on the Global Competiveness Index – which means it has slipped nine places since then

And just when you thought things could not get any worse

Education Indices

• South Africa performed dismally on both education indicators when it participated in these indices
• It came last in 1995, 1999 and 2003 on both the Maths and Science indexes of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science study
• It dropped 25 places on both the Maths and Science indexes of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science study between 1995 and 2003
• South Africa withdrew from the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science study
• South Africa did not take part in the 2001 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study
• It came last out of 40 countries in the 2006 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study