Azania is one of the few places in Africa that has risen to "God-forsaken hellhole" status. Interestingly enough, the racism there is less metahuman type-based, and more the traditional skin color and tribal affiliation types, as well as a healthy helping of sexism, where appropriate. The Zulu kingdom is part of the Azanian Confederation, and is one of those elven lands that just doesn't get talked about as much as the Tirs, probably because it is in Africa.
Things to know about Africa:
Ghouls. There are so many ghouls that they basically made their own country, and eat anyone who disagrees with them being there.
Shedim. You think Shedim were bad in North America? Imagine what they were like in someplace like Africa, where everything else already wants you dead.
Disease. No surprise here.
Poverty. Again, no surprises.
Azania is one of the nicer parts of Africa, until you get up towards the Mediterranean coast.