Suicide rates & proportional mortality trends in South Africa from 1968-1990 were studied. Analyses were stratified by ethnicity, gender, & age. Trends were interpreted using graphs depicting smoothed gender/ethnic-specific suicide rates & proportional mortality rates over time. There were increases in the suicide rate in the young (particularly among white males) & for whites aged 65 & older (particularly for males). Trends for young South Africans mirror those in Europe & the United States, & attention to trends in these countries may predict future trends in youth suicide in South Africa. (32 refs.)