Useful information

Location: Southern Africa

Capital city: Pretoria (Administrative), Cape Town (Legislative)

Eastern Cape capital city: Bhisho

Population: 44 million

Area: 1,219,912 square km, 471,008 square miles.

Language(s): Afrikaans, English, many African languages including Xhosa, Zulu

Dialling Code: 27

Electricity: 250V AC 50Hz (Pretoria); 220/230V AC 50Hz (elsewhere)

Emergency: Varies according to area

Driving: Driving is on the left. International Driving Licence required

Business/Social Hints: Most business executives speak in English. There is a no smoking policy in all public buildings and on public transport. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years

Climate: Varies from temperate to sub-tropical. In Gauteng Province (Johannesburg area) summers are hot with showers and cold in winter. KwaZulu/Natal (Durban Area) has hot humid summers and moderate winters. Cape Town in the Western Cape Province has a Mediterranean climate, with most rainfall during winter. The rest of the country, including the rest of the Cape Provinces have most rainfall during the summer with the eastern and southern coastal regions tending to be wetter. The west coast and Karoo is a semi desert region

Opening Hours
Bank: 0830-1530 Mon-Fri, 0800-1130 Sat
Office: 0830-1630 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0830-1700 Mon-Fri, 0830-1230 Sat, 0900-1700 Sat (Shopping centres), some open on Sun on flexi-time basis

Money
Currency: Rand (ZAR 1 = 100 Cents)
Coins: ZAR: 1, 2, 5. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50

Currency Import
Local: up to ZAR 5,000
Foreign: currencies and travellers cheques unlimited provided declared on arrival

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted except for petrol which must be paid for in cash

Local Time: GMT+2

Public Holidays: 2010
1 Jan New Year's Day, 21 Mar Human Rights Day, 2 Apr Good Friday, 5 Apr Family Day, 27 Apr Freedom Day, 1 May Workers' Day, 16 Jun Youth Day, 9 Aug National Women's Day, 24 Sep Heritage Day, 16 Dec Day of Reconciliation, 25 Dec Christmas Day, 26 Dec Day of Goodwill.

Note: Holidays falling on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.

Passport & Visa information: The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports: Required by all

Visas: The following DO NOT require a visa:

1) Nationals of South Africa
2) For stays up to 90 days by:
a) Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Rep, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland Rep of, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Virgin Islands (British Overseas Territories Citizen) & Venezuela

b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen"

3) For stays up to 30 days by:

a) Nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong (S.A.R. passport) Hungary, Jordan, Korea (South), Lesotho, Macao (S.A.R. passport), Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Peru, Poland, Seychelles, Slovakia, Swaziland, Thailand, Turkey & Zambia

b) Holders of British passports endorsed British National (Overseas)

Notes: Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the High Commission of South Africa

Air Transit: Required by all except those as noted above and:

1) Persons in direct transit by air, provided holding confirmed tickets and documents for entry into their next destination

Notes: Passengers who require a visa to enter South Africa, will also be required to hold a transit visa when transiting South Africa en-route to any of the following countries Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland & Zimbabwe

Special Notes

1) United Kingdom & United States passport holders must hold passports valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit, which must contain at least 2 blank page

2) Nationals of other countries should contact nearest embassy/consulate for details

3) All visitors must have confirmed return or onward tickets, all documents required for their next destination, sufficient funds for maintenance during their stay and a valid passport.

Duty free: Import Allowances for South Africa

Alcohol & tobacco for persons of 18 years of age or older:
a) 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250gr of tobacco
b) 2 lit of wine and 1 lit of spirits
c) 50ml of perfume and 250ml of toilet water

Prohibited/Restricted: Meat, dairy products, narcotic drugs, knives, explosives