Climate

Cape Town has a mild Mediterranean climate. The warmer months are from Dec – Mar which is also the windy season. Winter’s are wet and cold. Johannesburg enjoys favourable weather throughout the year. Afternoon thunder showers occur during Summer. Durban has a tropical climate.

Accommodation

The majority of suitable expat housing is located within certain areas and there are many suitable free-standing homes monitored by security companies. Secure estates or “compounds” are also available and these are also monitored by security guards or companies. Most homes have electric fencing.

Schooling

There are a number of excellent private schools in most South African cities. International Schools offering American, British or IB curriculums are available in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Healthcare

South Africa has great private medical facilities and hospitals. World class chemists/pharmacies, private doctors and other medical practitioners are all available. Full health insurance, is highly recommended. Check with your local health centre before departure about vaccinations required or recommended. Water in urban areas is safe to drink.

Shops

Most businesses and shops are open from 09h00 – 17h00. Some supermarkets have longer hours on week nights. Shops are open on Saturdays until 13h00 while most shopping malls are open longer hours. Alcohol can not be purchased on Sundays.

Culture 

There are vast differences between the values of the rural and urban dwellers. People from Johannesburg can quite often be regarded as having materialistic values, and being more interested in what you own rather than who you are but they are very friendly to newcomers. People from Cape Town are very proud of their city, and often appear to have a superior attitude about their city versus the rest of the country. Family ties, long-term friendships and social standing are all important to Capetonians.

Money

The unit of currency is the Rand, it is a relatively stable currency. Cash can be changed easily at major banks and foreign exchange (forex) bureaus. US dollars, UK pounds and euros are easy to exchange. All banks have a network of ATMs that accept international credit cards.

Hospitality

South Africans love to entertain guests in their homes and this is usually done in the form of an
informal “braai” or barbecue where food is cooked outdoors over a wood fire. Dinner parties are also a popular way to entertain. If you are invited to a South African’s home a gift of flowers, good quality chocolates, or a bottle of good South African wine is appreciated.

Transportation

Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Public transport is limited and not recommended. It is common practice for expats to purchase a vehicle for each adult driver in the family and to drive themselves to work and school etc.

Greetings

When dealing with foreigners, most South Africans  shake hands firmly while maintaining eye contact and smiling. When greeting a black South African the handshake is a bit more intricate than the Western Style handshake and involves a grip of the thumb between 2 handshakes. Some women do not shake hands and merely nod their head, so it is best to wait for a woman to extend her hand. Men may kiss a woman they know well on the cheek in place of a handshake. Greetings are leisurely and include time for social discussion and exchanging pleasantries. Greetings among friends are informal and casual. “Howzit” is a popular form of greeting and replaces “Hello” among friends.

Safety

South Africa has a reputation for high levels of crime and it is important to practice vigilance while in the country. Most homes have high walls, security systems and electric fencing. Avoid driving in areas you do not know especially at night and be especially wary when arriving or leaving your premises. Walking at night anywhere is ill-advised, never carry valuables on you and try to avoid looking like a tourist! Avoid leaving anything visible in your vehicle. Keep your credit card within sight at all times to avoid credit card fraud. Report all incidences of crime to a police station within 24 hours.

Other
“Just now” and “now now” are two terms that cause much confusion for foreigners. “Just now” means in a while, probably a few hours time. “Now now” is more immediate and means something will be done in a few minutes.