Country Profile - South Africa

General Information

Area: 1,219,090 sq km (470,693 sq miles).

Population: 44,560,644 (2001).

Population Density: 36.6 per sq km.

Capital: Pretoria (administrative). Population: 1,080,187 (1991). Cape Town (legislative).

Population: 2,350,157 (1991). Bloemfontein (judicial). Population: 300,150 (1991).

GEOGRAPHY: The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern end of the African continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and is bordered to the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland and totally encloses Lesotho. South Africa has three major geographical regions, namely plateau, mountains and the coastal belt. The high plateau has sharp escarpments which rise above the plains, or veld. Despite two major river systems, the Limpopo and the Orange, most of the plateau lacks surface water. Along the coastline are sandy beaches and rocky coves, and the vegetation is shrublike. The mountainous regions which run along the coastline from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo Valley in the northeast of the country are split into the Drakensberg, Nuweveldberg and Stormberg ranges.

Following the 1994 elections, South Africa was organised into nine regions. These comprise the Western Cape with its provincial and national capital of Cape Town, the Eastern Cape with its provincial capital of Bisho, the Northern Cape with its provincial capital Kimberley, KwaZulu-Natal with its provincial capital Pietermaritzburg, the Free State with its provincial capital of Bloemfontein, the North West Province with its provincial capital Mmabatho, the Northern Province with its provincial capital Pietersburg, Mpumalanga with its provincial capital of Nelspruit, and Gauteng with its provincial capital of Johannesburg.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1910. Head of State and Government: President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki since 1999.

Language: The official languages are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

Religion: Most inhabitants profess Christianity of some form and belong to either Catholic, Anglican and other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Calvinist churches or African independent churches. There are also significant Hindu, Muslim and Jewish communities, and traditional beliefs are still practised widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity.

Time: GMT + 2.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC; 250 volts AC (Pretoria), 50Hz. Three-pin round plugs are in use.

Communications:

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 27. Outgoing international code: 09.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900/1800 networks. Operators include Cell C Ltd (website:
www.cellc.co.za), MTN (website: www.mtn.co.za) and Vodacom (website: www.vodacom.co.za). Coverage extends to most urban areas.

Fax: Most main hotels have this service.

Internet: ISPs include I-Africa (website: www.iafrica.com), M-Web (website: www.mweb.co.za) and Sangonet (website: http://sn.apc.org). Visitors can access their e-mail from Internet cafes around the country.

Telegram: Services are available in all towns.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to 7 days. Post office hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1630, Sat 0800-1130. Some transactions may not be carried out Mon-Fri after 1530 or Sat after 1100. The smaller post offices close for lunch 1300-1400. Poste Restante services are available throughout the country.

Press: The main newspapers are in English and Afrikaans, and include Business Day, Cape Argus, Cape Times, Mail and Guardian, Mercury, The Star, Sowetan, and Sunday Times.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa

Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes No/1 Yes
Australian Yes No/1 Yes
Canadian Yes No/2 Yes
USA Yes No/2 Yes
OtherEU Yes No/1/2 Yes
Japanese Yes No/2 Yes

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 30 days longer than the period covering stay in South Africa required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for business and tourist purposes:

(a) 1. nationals of Australia, Northern Ireland and the UK;

(b) 2. nationals of Canada, EU countries (except Northern Ireland and the UK (see above); Cyprus, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic for up to 30 days; Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia who do require a visa), Japan and the USA for stays of up to 90 days;
(c) nationals of British Overseas Territories, British Virgin Islands, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland;

(d) nationals of British Dependent Territories (except Arguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the Turks & Caicos Islands, who do require a visa);
(e) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, St Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Uruguay and Venezuela for stays of up to 90 days;

(f) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong (SAR), Jordan, Korea (Rep), Lesotho, Macau (SAR), Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Peru, Seychelles, Swaziland, Thailand, Turkey and Zambia for stays of up to 30 days;

(g) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Note: (a) Holders of Visitors visas are not allowed to take up employment in South Africa. However, employment can be taken up under certain circumstances and if the requirements for a work permit are complied with, but only if the Embassy/Consulate is contacted in advance. (b) Unaccompanied children under the age of 18 years must hold written consent from their parents when travelling alone. (c) Study or work permits must be obtained in the country of normal residence before entry into South Africa. However, exceptions may be made.

Types of visa and cost: Visitors, Business and Transit: £33. Study Permits: £33 (depending on level of education). Work Permits: £118. Nationals of India and Zimbabwe are exempt from visa fees. Other nationals must apply for a visa with the appropriate fee. All fees are subject to change without notice; please check with Embassy or Consulate to confirm costs.
Note: Visa fees will only be requested from nationals of Belize, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Hong Kong (SAR), Korea (Rep), Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand and Turkey if the intended visit exceeds 30 days.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section. Applicants in countries where South Africa is not represented may send their applications to the embassy in the nearest country.

Application requirements: (a) Passport, with at least two blank pages, valid for 30 days longer than the duration of the visit to South Africa. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) One completed application form (failure to complete the application fully and in detail may result in visa being delayed or refused). (d) Fee (payable by cash, bank draft or postal order). (e) A stamped self-addressed special delivery envelope if applying by post. (f) A valid yellow fever certificate, if travelling through or from a yellow fever endemic area. (g) Proof of sufficient funds to cover visit. (h) Onward/return ticket and, if in transit, proof of sufficient documentation for admission to the country of destination. For Study permits: (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter, with official letterhead, of admission from a South African education institution, confirming exact period of study and accommodation arrangements. (i) Letter from current place of study, if on a student exchange. (j) Fully completed application form BI-1738. (k) Proof of qualifications. For Business permits: (a)-(h) and, (i) Comprehensive business letters from both the UK and South African companies confirming the purpose, nature and duration of the visit, containing written partner agreements with full details of the partners/directors and their residential status in the Republic, if applicable. (j) Certification by a chartered accountant that the applicant will have at least R2,5 m value invested as part of the book value of the business and will comply with at least one of the other criteria stipulated in regulation 24 (contact Embassy/Consulate for further details). This may include audited financial statements proving viability of any future business.

Note: (a) In the case of failure to comply with any of these regulations, visitors may be required to leave a cash deposit with the Immigration Officer. (b) Visitors must be of sound mind and body. (c) Medical insurance is required by all visitors. (d) There is now no single work permit. The work permits available are: a ‘General Quota’ work permit, an ‘Extraordinary Quota’ work permit, a general work permit, an exceptional skills work permit, an intra-company transfer work permit, a work permit under a corporate permit, a work permit for a corporate worker in terms of an agreement with a foreign state, and a work permit for a corporate worker undertaking seasonal labour. Each of these particular work permits has specific application requirements. These specific requirements can be obtained directly from the Embassy/Consulate or from the form BI-1738, which is available online (website: www.southafricahouse.com/VisTempRes.htm).

Working days required: Applications should be made well in advance. The processing time is 10 days, although visas may be processed quicker if application is submitted directly rather than by post. Nationals applying in the UK for a visa are advised to apply well in advance of their departure date. Work permits may take 12 to 30 calendar days to process.

Temporary residence: Temporary residence permits encompass Study, Work or Workseeker Permits. Contact the nearest Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for further details.

Money

Currency: Rand (R) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of R200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of R5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency exchange: Money can be changed at banks, bureaux de change, some hotels, and larger shops and restaurants. Automated foreign exchange machines and ATMs are available at various locations.

Credit & debit cards: MasterCard and Visa are preferred. American Express and Diners Club are also widely accepted. Some ATMs will give cash advances with credit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Valid at banks, hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Rand against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04
£1.00= 11.75 11.65 12.87 12.50
$1.00= 7.37 6.96 7.07 7.00

Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is limited to R5000 in cash. The export of local currency is limited to R500 in cash. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited provided it is declared upon arrival or departure.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1530, Sat 0800-1130.

Duty Free

Duty Free: The following goods may be imported into South Africa by passengers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

400 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 1l of spirits and 2l of wine; 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; other goods up to a value of R3000.

Prohibited goods: Narcotics, flick-knives, ammunition, explosives and obscene literature.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Mar 21 Human Rights Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Family Day. Apr 27 Freedom Day. May 1 Workers’ Day. Jun 16 Youth Day. Aug 9 National Women’s Day. Sep 24 Heritage Day. Dec 16 Day of Reconciliation. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Day of Goodwill. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Mar 21 Human Rights Day. Mar 25 Good Friday. Mar 28 Family Day. Apr 27 Freedom Day. May 1 Worker’s Day. June 16 Youth Day. Aug 9 National Women’s Day. Sep 24 Heritage Day. Dec 16 Day of Reconciliation. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Day of Goodwill.

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

Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever No 1
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio 2 N/A
Malaria 3 N/A

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving within 6 days from infected areas. African countries formerly classified as endemic zones are considered by the South African authorities to be infected areas. The yellow fever vaccination certificate only becomes valid 10 days after immunisation.

2: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

3: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year in the low altitude areas of the Northern Province, Eastern Transvaal (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern KwaZulu/Natal as far south as the Tugela River. The risk is highest from October to May. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. It is strongly recommended that visitors to these areas take anti-malaria tablets before entering these zones (tablets are available from pharmacies without prescription). The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine plus proguanil (World Health Organisation), chloroquine plus pyrimethamine (South African High Commission) or mefloquine alone.

Food & drink: Mains water is considered safe to drink in urban areas but may be contaminated elsewhere and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the north and east and may be present elsewhere. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A occurs and hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Dengue fever and filariasis are present.

Rabies may be present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Medical facilities are excellent. Health insurance is recommended. A leaflet on health precautions is available from the South African High Commission (see Contact Addresses section).

Travel – International

AIR: South Africa’s national airline is South African Airways (SA) (website: www.flysaa.com). There are frequent direct and indirect flights by numerous major airlines from destinations throughout Europe and North America. For more information regarding airports, contact Airports Company South Africa (tel: (11) 453 9116; fax: (11) 453 9353/4; e-mail: webmaster@airports.co.za; website: www.airports.co.za).

Approximate flight times: From Cape Town to London is 11 hours 30 minutes, from Durban is 14 hours and from Johannesburg is 10 hours 30 minutes. From Johannesburg to New York is 14 hours 30 minutes.

International airports: Cape Town (CPT) (Cape Town International), 20km (13 miles) east of the city (travel time – 25 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change and restaurant/bar. Inter-Cape buses run 24 hours and meet all incoming and outgoing flights. Courtesy buses are operated by some hotels. Taxis are available, with a surcharge after 2300.

Bloemfontein (BFN) (Bloemfontein International), 10km (6 miles) east of the city (travel time – 15 minutes). Airport facilities include ATMs, restaurants, car hire and conference facilities. There is an airport shuttle bus to the city centre (leaving from outside the airport building). Taxis are also available.

Durban (DUR) (Durban International), 16km (10 miles) southwest of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change and bar/restaurant. Airport buses and taxis are available to the city.
Johannesburg (JNB) (Johannesburg International), 22km (14 miles) east of the city (travel time – 35 minutes). Airport facilities include incoming and outgoing duty-free shops, post office, car hire, bank/bureau de change, restaurant and bar. Bus services to Pretoria and Johannesburg are available. Buses link Kempton Park with Johannesburg. Taxis are available. Courtesy coaches are operated by some major hotels.

Port Elizabeth (PLZ) (Port Elizabeth International) is 25km (16 miles) from the city (travel time – 30 minutes). Airport facilities include Nedbank ATM, conference facilities, information desk (tel: (41) 507 7319), restaurants and pubs, shops, a pharmacy, postal services, car hire. There is an airport shuttle bus to the main international hotels in Port Elizabeth. Taxis are also available.

Departure tax: None.

SEA: The main ports are Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. St Helena Steamship Co Ltd runs a regular passenger service from Avonmouth to Cape Town. Cruises are offered by various companies between South Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Cruise lines include Cunard, Eurocruises, Orient Lines, P&O, Peter Deilmann Cruises, Princess, Radisson Seven Seas and Silversea Cruises.

RAIL: The main routes are from South Africa to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. Contact South African Railways (SPOORNET) (website: www.spoornet.co.za) for further information.

ROAD: There are main routes into South Africa from Botswana (via Ramatlabama), Lesotho, Mozambique (now open after a long war – check with local police about state of road and safety), Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (via Beit Bridge).

Travel – Internal

AIR: Daily flights link Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria and with other connecting flights to provincial towns. South African Airways operates on the principal routes.

Flight discounts: An Africa Explorer fare is available to foreign visitors entering South Africa with an IATA airline. It offers a significant saving for anyone planning to use South African Airways’ internal network. The fare is valid for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 2 months: travel may originate and terminate at any point within South Africa which is served by the airline. Travel is not permitted more than once in the same direction over any given sector. There is also a reduction of approximately 30 per cent on some standby fares. South African Airways has various other discount domestic fares including Apex, Slumber, Supersaver and Saver fares.

SEA: Starlight Cruises offers links between major ports.

RAIL: The principal intercity services are as follows: the Blue Train (website: www.bluetrain.co.za) is a luxury express offering routes between Pretoria, Victoria Falls, Hoedspruit, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town; the Trans-Oranje between Cape Town and Durban via Kimberley and Bloemfontein (weekly); and the Trans-Natal Express between Durban and Johannesburg (daily). Rovos Rail offers luxury (partly steam) safaris to the eastern Transvaal. The Transnet Museum also offers various steam safaris around South Africa and Zimbabwe, and the Trans-Karoo Express travels between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria four times a week. All long-distance trains are equipped with sleeping compartments, included in fares, and most have restaurant cars. Reservations are recommended for principal trains and all overnight journeys. There are frequent local trains in the Cape Town and Pretoria/Johannesburg urban areas. All trains have first- and second-class accommodation. Children under 2 years of age travel free. Children aged 2 to 11 years pay half fare.

ROAD: There is a well-maintained network of roads and motorways in populous regions. Around a third of roads are paved (with all major roads tarred to a high standard). Traffic drives on the left. In non-residential areas, speed limits are 120kph (75mph). Fines for speeding are very heavy. It is illegal to carry petrol other than in built-in petrol tanks. Petrol stations are usually open all week 0700-1900. Some are open 24 hours. Petrol must be paid for in cash. Bus/coach: Various operators, such as Greyhound, Intercape and Translux, run intercity express links using modern air conditioned coaches. On many of the intercity routes, passengers may break their journey at any scheduled stop en route by prior arrangement at time of booking and continue on a subsequent coach at no extra cost other than for additional accommodation. Taxi: Available throughout the country, at all towns, hotels and airports, with rates for distance and time. For long-distance travel, a quotation should be sought. Car hire: Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available at most airports and in major city centres. Avis, Budget and Imperial are represented nationwide. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. The minimum age is 23 (or 21 on presentation of an American Express/Diners card). Foreign licences in English are valid for up to 6 months; otherwise, British visitors who are planning to drive in South Africa should check with the AA or RAC prior to departure that they have all the correct documentation.

URBAN: There are bus and suburban rail networks in all the main towns. Fares in Cape Town and Johannesburg are zonal, with payment in cash or with 10-ride pre-purchase ‘clipcards’ from kiosks. In Pretoria, there are various pre-purchase ticket systems, including a cheap pass for off-peak travel only. In Durban, conventional buses face stiff competition from minibuses and combi-taxis (both legal and illegal), which are also found in other South African towns. These, although cheap and very fast, should be used with care. For ordinary taxis, fares within the city areas are more expensive than long distances. Taxis do not cruise and must be called from a rank. Taxi drivers expect a 10 per cent tip.
Travel Times: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Cape Town to other major cities/towns in South Africa.

Air Road Rail
Johannesburg 2.00 15.00 24.00
Durban 2.00 18.00 38.00
Pretoria 2.00 16.00 26.00
Port Elizabeth 1.00 7.00 -
Bloemfontein 1.30 10.00 20.00

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION: South Africa offers a wide range of accommodation from luxury 5-star hotels to thatched huts (rondavels) in game reserves. ‘Time-sharing condominiums’ are developing in popular resorts. Comprehensive accommodation guides giving details of facilities, including provision for the handicapped, are available at all SATOUR offices and from regional tourist offices. Information covers hotels, motels, farm holidays, game park rest camps, caravan and campsites and supplementary accommodation such as beach cottages, holiday flats and bungalows. Rates should always be confirmed at time of booking. It is forbidden by law to levy service charges, although phone calls may be charged for.

HOTELS: All hotels are registered with the South African Tourism Board, which controls standards. For further information, contact SATOUR (see Contact Addresses section). 800 hotels are members of The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA), 2nd floor, NBS Building, 310 Oak Avenue, Randburg (tel: (11) 886 2394; fax: (11) 789 4811; e-mail: fedhasa@fedhasa.co.za; website: www.fedhasa.co.za). FEDHASA has regional offices throughout the country. Grading: The National Grading and Classification Scheme was introduced in 1994. Participation is voluntary. Hotels are graded 1 to 5 stars according to the range of facilities on offer plus an optional classification band grading the level of services and hospitality. The classification band is colour-coded as follows: Burgundy: Acceptable standard of services and hospitality in addition to the required facilities. Silver: Superior services, hospitality, quality and ambience.

Each hotel taking part in the scheme will display a plaque indicating the star-rating and the classification band.

GUEST HOUSES/BED & BREAKFAST: The accreditation programme now applies to guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments. There are very few towns that do not offer this type of accommodation. Advance bookings during the summer season (October to April) are becoming essential, especially in the Western Cape region.

SELF-CATERING: Holiday flats, resorts and health spas are available along main routes. Grading: The Accreditation and Classification Programme for self-catering accommodation is part of the National Grading and Classification Scheme which was introduced in 1994. Self-catering accommodation is graded 1 to 5 stars according to the facilities available and the level of services and hospitality. The classification band is split into three levels.

CAMPING/CARAVANNING: There are over 800 camp and caravan sites in the country; camping is not allowed outside of them. Caravan parks are to be found along all the tourist routes in South Africa, particularly at places favoured for recreation and sightseeing. The standard is usually high. Many caravan parks have campsites. A number of companies can arrange motor camper rentals, with a range of fully-equipped vehicles. Full details can be obtained from SATOUR. Grading: Camp and caravan sites are classed as self-catering accommodation (see above).

GAME RESERVES: Game reserve rest camps are protected enclosures within the confines of the park. Accommodation is usually in thatched huts known as rondavels, or in small cottages. Some camps have air conditioned accommodation. Most rondavels and cottages are self-contained, with private baths and showers, and sometimes kitchens. Some camps have luxury air conditioned accommodation. Conservation Corporation Africa (CCA) (website: www.ccafrica.com) was founded in 1990 to develop sustainable wildlife reserves, achieved through low-density, high-quality tourism. Its lodges are bywords for luxury and elegance, but equally important is CCA’s work to promote biodiversity, invest in the local rural economies and restore land.

FARM HOLIDAYS: There is a wide range of guest farms open to tourists offering stays in various ecological regions. Opportunities exist for adventure activities such as horseriding, mountain-biking and fishing as well as agricultural activities like bee-keeping and cattle-ranching. Full details can be obtained from SATOUR (see Contact Addresses section).

Sport & Activities

Wildlife safaris: South Africa’s wildlife sanctuaries generally fall into three categories: nature parks, private game reserves and national game reserves. Nature parks are noted more for their scenic beauty and hiking trails than for wildlife. Private game reserves offer a personalised game-viewing programme, while national game reserves are generally explored by tourists in their own vehicles. Further information can be found in the Resorts & Excursions section. Besides game viewing from vehicles, walking, horseback, camel and canoeing safaris are becoming increasingly popular. Safaris on foot follow a network of wilderness trails in the (compulsory) company of an armed ranger. A maximum of eight people between the ages of 12 and 60 may participate per trail (which usually lasts for 3 nights and 2 days, with accommodation in designated camps). For reservations and further information, contact the South African National Parks Board (tel: (12) 428 9111; fax: (12) 426 5500; e-mail: reservations@parks-sa.co.za; website: www.parks-sa.co.za); or the Wildlife and Environment Society of Southern Africa (tel: (033) 330 3931; fax: (033) 330 4576; e-mail: alisonk@futurenet.co.za; website: www.wildlifesociety.org.za).

Walking and hiking: Nature parks offer marked self-guided trails (with sleeping huts en route) or guided off-the-beaten-track trails (with an experienced, armed ranger providing information about ecology, plants and animals). Some operators also offer themed walks with a focus on, for instance, flowers (of which South Africa has nearly 24,000 species). Spectacular flower displays can be seen during August/September in the semi-desert area of Namaqualand.

Wine routes: Wine routes: South Africa’s 13 major wine-producing regions have signposted wine routes, of which the best include the Stellenbosch Wine Route (the country’s first, with all wineries situated within a 12km-/7.5 mile-radius of Stellenbosch); the Olifants Wine Route (200km/125 miles long, passing through the Cederberg Mountains, the unspoilt West Coast and Knersvlakte); the Klein Karoo Wine Trust (a 300km/188mile route through the eastern Cape Winelands); the Swartland Wine Route (a 40-minute drive away from Cape Town); the Orange River Wine Trust (comprising the northern wine-making regions, irrigated by the Orange, Vaal and Riet rivers); and the Robertson Valley (a 2 hour drive from Cape Town, known particularly for Chardonnay). Regional wine maps and further details are available from the South African Tourism Board (see Contact Addresses section).

Watersports: South Africa has recently gained a reputation for whale watching and shark-cage diving (with great white sharks) on the Cape. Sharks migrate through the Cape’s False Bay from June to August and move into the Durban area (KwaZulu-Natal) from October to January. For whale watching fans, the Western Cape Tourism Board has established a Cape Whale Route to observe southern right whales, which usually swim very close to the shore. The best time to spot them is from June to September, especially in Walker Bay, where a Whale Festival is held annually during the last week of September. South Africa’s diving infrastructure and facilities are well developed. Reef diving is popular in Sodwana Bay (on the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal), while wreck diving is widespread around the Cape. The Tsitsikamma Coastal Park offers excellent opportunities for underwater photography. Diving certificates are required.

Fishing: One of the country’s most popular sports, fishing can be practised along the coast or on the lakes and rivers in the game and nature reserves. One of the world’s richest fishing grounds lies around the Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean currents meet and large shoals of tuna and swordfish draw increasing numbers of game fishing enthusiasts. The major trout fishing areas are the southern mountain ranges of the Western Cape and the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains (in KwaZulu-Natal). Fly fishing is best in the mountain streams and along the coastline of the Eastern Cape. One highlight on South Africa’s fishing calendar is the Sardine Run, in June, along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, where hordes of feeding game fish and sharks concentrate.

Golf: South Africa has around 500 courses, often situated in spectacular locations. The best time to play is in the cooler months from May to September. Green fees average £10-20 and a caddie costs around £7. Visitors are welcome on weekdays.

Steam trains: South Africa is one of the few remaining countries where steam locomotives are still widely used. They range from the luxury Pride of Africa to small engines on narrow gauge railways like the Midmar Steam Railway near Pietermaritzburg. For those looking for a scenic ride, the famous Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe runs along the Garden Route on a day-trip from George and Knysna and the Union Limited crosses the famous Kaaimans River Bridge, one of the most photographed railway bridges in the world.

Adventure sports: A changing range of adventure sports is available, the most famous of which probably remains bungee jumping, for which South Africa has one of the world’s highest drops – the bridge over the Blaukrans River, Western Cape. At 216m (709ft), this jump is more than twice as high as the jump of the bridge linking Zambia and Zimbabwe across the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls.

Spectator sports: South Africans are ardent sports enthusiasts and the success of national teams has been a source of pride and reconciliation for all sections of the community. The South African rugby team are world class, the football team is one of the best in Africa while the cricket team has proved it is the equal of any in the world. Visitors are made welcome at all these fixtures.

Social Profile

Food & Drink: A thriving agricultural sector yields excellent fresh produce, meat, fruit and wines and the long coastline produces very fresh and cheap seafood. Oysters and linefish (examples of which are Kingklip, Kabbeljou, Cob and Red Roman) are particularly good. Typical South African dishes include sosaties (a type of kebab), bobotie (a curried mince dish, of which waterbolmmetjiebredie, made with a local water plant, is particularly good), bredies (meat, tomato and vegetable casseroles), crayfish (or rock lobster) and many other seafood dishes traditional to the Western Cape province. Curries and chutneys are excellent. Biltong (seasoned dried meat) is a savoury speciality. Potjiekos, a casserole cooked for hours in an iron pot, usually outside, is excellent. Stywepap or Poetoepap, a sort of polenta made with white maize, is widely eaten with meat. Although there is a wide choice of self-service restaurants, most have table service.

There are excellent local red and white wines, sherries, brandies and some unusual liqueurs. Beer is also very good. Shebeens offer Umqombothi, a home-brewed sorghum beer. Bars/cocktail lounges have bartender service. ‘Liquor stores’ are open weekdays 0900-1800 and Sat 0900-1300, although alcohol is now available in supermarkets outside these hours and under certain circumstances on a Sunday. One can generally buy alcohol at shebeens at any time.

Nightlife: Cinemas show a variety of international films. In the large cities, there are regular plays, operas and symphony concerts. The local music scene is thriving, and there is a unique South African ‘township’ jazz style, exponents of which can be seen in all large cities. There are a number of nightclubs and discos open until late. The large hotels usually have live music or cabaret.

Shopping: Upmarket boutiques and supermarkets generally coexist with a mass of street traders selling arts, crafts and anything else profitable. Stores are modern. Special purchases include Swakara hand-crafted gold, coats, gold, diamond and semi-precious stone jewellery, leather, suede and fur goods, ceramics and crafts, of which there are now a bewildering variety including many from the rest of the continent. Local wine, brandy and liqueur are cheap and usually excellent. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700, Sat 0830-1230, although there is an increasing trend to open later and all weekend in major tourist spots.

Special Events: For further details, contact South African Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in South Africa in 2004:
Jan Richmond Show. Jan 3-4 Cape Town Minstrel Carnival. Jan 8-11 South Africa Open. Jan 9-13 Cape Fest World Music Festival, Cape Town. Feb Alfred Dunhill PGA Golf Tournament, Johannesburg; The Windybrow Arts Festival, Johannesburg. Mar 14-22 Cape Town Festival (cultural arts festival). Mar 29-Apr 5 Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Oodtshorn. Apr The Rand Easter Show (Trade and Consumer Fair), Johannesburg; Bosveld Marathon and Land of Legend Marathon, Louis Trichardt. Apr 18-21 Rustlers Easter One World Unity Party, Ficksburg. May Maria Ratchitz Music Festival, Dundee. May-Jun National Hot Air Ballooning Championship, Bethlehem. May 9-25 Cape Gourmet Festival, Cape Town. May 23-Jun 1 The Royal Show, Pietermaritzburg. Jun Apollo Wildfees Film Festival, Victoria West. Jun 26-Jul 5 National Arts Festival, Grahamstown. Jul International Horse Endurance Race, Fauresmith. Jul 5-14 Oyster Festival, Kynsa. Aug Oppikoppie (3-day rock music festival), Northam and Worcester; Lowveld Agricultural Show, Nelspruit; Cape Times Waterfront Wine Festival, Cape Town; Meat Festival, Calvinia. Sep Formula One Powerboat Grand Prix, Hartbeespoort Dam; Cape Town International Opera Festival; Heritage Festival, Dundee; Arts Alive Festival, Johannesburg. Sep 26-Oct 5 Hermanus Whale Festival. Oct Beer Fest, Hogsback; Rose Festival, Bloemfontein; Lanseria Air Show, Pretoria; Oktoberfest, Dundee; Food and Wine Festival, Stellenbosch. Oct-Nov Creations Craft Show, Dundee. Nov National Choir Festival, Johannesburg; Spier Arts Festival, Stellenbosch; Presidents Cup, Fancourt Golf Estate, George; Mountain Film Festival, Cape Town. Dec Million Dollar Golf Challenge, Sun City; East London Beachfront Festival; Long Street Carnival, Cape Town; Magersfontein March, Kimberley.

Social Conventions: Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting someone’s home. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Formal social functions often call for a dinner jacket and black tie for men and full-length dresses for women; this will be specified on the invitation. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings and on public transport. Tipping: Normally 10 to 15 per cent if service is not included. It is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers, caddies and room service. By law, hotel.

Business Profile

Economy: The South African economy dominates the southern part of the African continent. Agriculture is strong enough to allow South Africa virtual self-sufficiency in foodstuffs: livestock is reared extensively, and sugar, maize and cereals are produced in large quantities. Specialised products such as wine and fruit are exported in large quantities. The industrial sector has traditionally been based on mining. The country has considerable deposits of common minerals such as coal, but also of valuable metals and ores which are in high demand but are scarce everywhere else except the Russian Federation: these include chromium, manganese, vanadium and platinum. Its most valuable minerals, however, are gold and diamonds, of which South Africa has long been both the world’s largest producer and exporter. Gold alone accounts for one-third of the country’s entire export income. The only key mineral that South Africa lacks is oil.

Recently, however, the traditional dominance of agriculture and mining has been supplanted by manufacturing and service industries. Manufacturing industry is concentrated in metal-based industries, mainly steel and heavy engineering, with machinery and transport equipment as the principal products. Manufacturing now accounts for around 20 per cent of total economic output. Some advanced technological industries have also emerged in recent years. In the service sector, both financial services and tourism have expanded rapidly and both are now mainstays of the South African economy.

The Mandela government initially committed itself to a gradual economic transition through its Reconstruction and Development Programme, whose principal aim was to tackle the gross inequalities inherited from the apartheid regime. Progress was tempered however, by the Government’s insistence on fiscal restraint. The Government has since designed a scheme under which major economic assets – notably the mines – will be transferred to ‘black empowerment entities’ over a 10-year period. The economy is currently somewhat sluggish but expected to pick up in 2004. Inflation is currently 9.9 per cent and annual growth a moderate 2 per cent. Few inroads have been made into the high level of unemployment, officially at 26.7 per cent.

Perhaps the greatest long-term problem, especially as regards its impact on the workforce, is the very high level of HIV/AIDS infection in the country.

South Africa is the dominant member of the local Southern African Customs Union (with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland); it has also joined the Southern African Development Community and the Organisation of African Unity. The USA, the UK, Germany and Japan are South Africa’s main trading partners.

Business: Suits are usually expected to be worn for meetings. Appointments are generally necessary and punctuality is expected. Business cards are widely used. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: South African Chamber of Business (SACOB), 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Gauteng (tel: (11) 446 3800; fax: (11) 446 3847/9; e-mail: info@sacob.co.za; website: www.sacob.co.za); or South Africa Foreign Trade Organisation (SAFTO), PO Box 782099, Sandton 2146 (tel: (11) 887 9141; fax: (11) 786 3861; e-mail: wldtrade@iafrica.com; website: www.foreign-trade.co.za).

Conferences/Conventions: There are roughly 815 conference venues in South Africa. The main conference venues are in Pretoria and Johannesburg though facilities exist in all other major towns, provided mainly by hotels and universities. The Conference and Incentive Promotions Division of SATOUR exists to promote South African venues and to ensure high standards of service and facilities for conference organisers. Contact SATOUR for details (see Contact Addresses section); or Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI), PO Box 414, Kloof 3640 (tel: (31) 764 6977; fax: (31) 764 6974; e-mail: admin@contactpub.co.za; website: www.saaci.co.za); or Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 19 Louis Gradner Street, PO Box 204, Cape Town 8000 (tel: (21) 402 4300; fax: (21) 402 4302; e-mail: info@caperegionalchamber.co.za; website: www.capechamber.co.za).

Climate

Climate: South Africa’s climate is generally sunny and pleasant. Winters are usually mild, although snow falls on the mountain ranges of the Cape and Natal and occasionally in lower-lying areas, when a brief cold spell can be expected throughout the country.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens and rainwear. Warmer clothes are needed for winter.