Tag Archive for: expats

Saudika Hendricks
,

Niger – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you while travelling to Niger.

 

Niger population

  • 2 million people.

Capital and Largest City

  • Niamey.

Official Language(s)

  • French.

Currency

  • West African CFA franc.

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 12:30 and 14:30 to 17:00.

Weekend

  • Saturday – Sunday.

Time Zone

  • UTC +1.

Calling Code

  • +227.

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

Government

  • Mohamed Bazoum is a Nigerien politician who served as the 10th president of Niger from 2021 to 2023.

Climate

  • Niger’s subtropical climate is mainly very hot and very dry, with much desert area. In the extreme south there is a tropical climate on the edges of the Niger River basin. The terrain is predominantly desert plains and sand dunes, with flat to rolling savanna in the south and hills in the north.

Transport

  • Niger’s main airport is the Diori Hamani International Airport, located in Niamey. The Niger River is unsuitable for large-scale river transport, as it lacks depth for most of the year and is broken by rapids at many spots. Only a small percentage of Niger’s roads are paved. Nigeriens in both urban and rural areas rely on a combination of motor vehicles and animals for transport of themselves and commercial goods. Niger is a user of the Benin and Togo railway lines which carry goods from seaports to the Niger border.

Economy

  • The main industries in Niger that contributes towards its GDP include mining, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and manufacturing.

Hospitality

  • The most important attribute of the Niger people is their generosity. The people of Niger are known to be friendly, generous, and love goodness for each other. There are good people doing amazing work everywhere, especially in the month of Ramadan, when people will set up many food tables for breakfast of the poor. There is a huge giving culture in Niger. Charitable institutions compete in providing aid to the poor and the rich are interested in looking at those who are less fortunate than them and working to help them in all ways.

Greetings

  • A handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting amongst. Handshakes tend to be warm and linger quite a bit. Handshakes are often accompanied by a gesture in which the individuals touch their right hands over their heart. Women, on the other hand, will raise both hands on each side of the face during handshakes with other women. In some areas a kiss on each cheek may accompany the greeting as well. Due to its large Muslim population, people of the opposite sex often do not shake one another’s hands. Instead, a verbal greeting or nod of acknowledgment is the norm in most situations.

Money

  • The currency in Niger is the West African CFA franc. The West African CFA franc is officially recognised by the Nigerien government and can be used to settle all financial obligations in the country.

Transportation

  • Transport infrastructure in Niger is underdeveloped. The main mode of transport in Niger is via automobile, as there is no existing railway network. Fortunately, most roads within and between the major cities are paved, but as you travel towards the more rural areas, unpaved roads and gravel roads become a more frequent sight.

Safety

  • There are a number of risks that expats may face when travelling to Niger as the country experience trouble with petty crimes, violent crimes, and drug smuggling. Poverty in the capital cities perpetuate these cycles of crime, and it is therefore not considered safe to walk around at night. Additionally, there are health risks that are present such as a deficiency in sanitation. This means that the chances of contracting water-borne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera are relatively high. Malaria is another easily contactable disease that possess a threat to the health of Nigerien citizens. It is advisable that you get all necessary vaccinations ahead of time.

Culture

  • Niger strictly adheres to a group of customs and traditions. Visitors should be mindful of this as locals might deem it to be disrespectful to violate or be ignorant of these customs. Islam is the most widespread religion in Niger, where approximately 90% of the population is Muslim. The prevalence of Islam is influential on the country’s customs and traditions. Adherence to the teachings of the Islamic religion is important and necessary in Niger. Locals place emphasis on preserving the teachings of the Islamic religion, establishing religious rituals, exchanging gifts between relatives and friends, kindness to the poor, and providing all their needs throughout the year.

Shops

  • Niger has numerous stores, shopping centres, and malls that are modern like that of those in western countries, especially in its capital city. Therefore, shopping and entertainment should be no hassle. Niger also has online shopping options.

 

 

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Saudika Hendricks
,

Democratic Republic of Congo – Travel Guide

Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Facts to assist you when travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

DRC population

  • 102 million.

Capital and Largest City

  • Kinshasa.

Official Language(s)

  • French, Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, and Tshiluba.

Currency

  • Congolese franc.

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 17:00.

Weekend

  • Saturday – Sunday.

Time Zone

  • UTC +1 to +2.

Calling Code

  • +243.

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

Government

  • Felix Tshisekedi is the 5th president of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Climate

  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo lies on the Equator, with one-third of the country to the north and two-thirds to the south. The climate is hot and humid in the river basin and cool and dry in the southern highlands, with a cold, alpine climate in the Rwenzori Mountains. South of the Equator, the rainy season lasts from October to May and north of the Equator, from April to November. Along the Equator, rainfall is fairly regular throughout the year. During the wet season, thunderstorms often are violent but seldom last more than a few hours.

Transport

  • The main airport in the DRC is the N’djili Airport, located in Kinshasa. Ground transport in the Democratic Republic of Congo has always been difficult. The terrain and climate of the Congo Basin present serious barriers to road and rail construction, and the distances are enormous across this vast country. Rail transportation is provided by the Congo Railroad Company and the Office of the Uele Railways. The Democratic Republic of Congo has thousands of kilometres of navigable waterways. Traditionally, water transport has been the dominant means of moving around in approximately two-thirds of the country.

Economy

  • The DRC’s main industries that contribute to its economy include mining, mineral processing, consumer products, metal products, lumber, cement, and ship repair.

Hospitality

  • It is very important to know the gestures and mannerisms when interacting with locals, so as to not be considered rude. When in DRC, do not use your left hand as it is used for personal hygiene. It is common practice in the local culture to touch one another when greeting each other, but it is ultimately expressive of their culture and values. Other things that might be important to know is that in the DRC, pointing at someone is considered to be impolite. Objects are to be passed either with both hands or only the right hand, never with the left hand. Also note to never shake someone’s left hand.

Greetings

  • One of the best, most common, and most appropriate greetings for formal settings and to show politeness is ‘’Bonjour’’. This French greeting is widely acceptable as French is the official language of the country is widely spoken.

Money

  • The Congolese franc is the official currency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It used to be subdivided into 100 centimes, however, centimes no longer have any value and are therefore no longer used.

Transportation

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo, unfortunately, does not have an extensive transport network. Many of the roads are not paved or are in a bad condition. Taxis are often the best way to travel between the sights, especially in Kinasha and other towns and cities. In the case that you may want to cover large distances in a short span of time, then road transport is not really an option. Instead, one of the 200+ airports spread around the country may better suit your travel needs.

Safety

  • The DRC is a deeply troubled country with a tumultuous past. The arrival of Europeans in the late fifteenth century, and the colonisation by Belgium shortly thereafter, stripped the country of its abundance of rich natural resources. Post independence violence in the form of war persisted in the country, further disadvantaging the nation. The DRC still struggles to break free from its reputation as a country of ”darkness”. The country faces huge challenges, but its people are welcoming and warm. However, the fact remains that it is not the safest country to travel to.

Culture

  • The culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is varied and reflects the diversity and different customs that coexist in the country. Congolese people have a strong sense of tribal identity. There are 242 languages spoken in the country, with perhaps a similar number of ethnic groups. They combine culture and tradition with religion, as well as taking influences from western culture- owing to the effects of colonisation- and abroad. The vast majority of the population are followers of Christianity, while the rest of them follow traditional religious beliefs. However, even those who follow Christianity often conflate the religion with their traditional beliefs that they hold on to.

Shops

  • There are a few shopping centres in the DRC that resemble that of western countries. There are also some online stores, which are very convenient for expats who have not yet settled in. However, ecommerce is still in the beginning stages in the DRC.

 

 

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Saudika Hendricks
,

São Tomé – Travel Guide

Sao Tome beach with local fishermen in boat

Facts to assist you while travelling to São Tomé.

 

São Tomé population

  • 231 856.

Capital and Largest City

  • São Tomé.

Official Language(s)

  • Portuguese.

Currency

  • The Dobra.

Office Hours

  • São Tomé follows the ILO regulation. This means that employees in São Tomé work an average of 8 hours a day, five days a week.

Weekend

  • Saturday – Sunday.

Time Zone

  • UTC.

Calling Code

  • +239.

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

Government

  • Carlos Manuel Vila Nova is the current president of São Tomé. He has been in office since 2021.

Climate

  • The island of São Tomé, located in the Gulf of Guinea and near the Equator, has a warm tropical climate. The island is hot and humid throughout the year, with a slightly warmer period from January to April and a cooler period from June to August. The island is covered with beautiful forests and hills and experiences a dry season from June to September. The country receives most of its rain from April to May and experiences a second rainy period later in the year that lasts from October to November.

Transport

  • Transport in São Tomé is primarily dependent on road infrastructure for local needs, and airports and sea travel for all its international needs. The main airport in São Tomé is the São Tomé International Airport. There are seaports in São Tomé by Ana Chaves Bay, and another one in Neves.

Economy

  • Sugar plantations were set up under Portuguese colonial rule and the island was used for the transshipment of slaves. Since the 1800’s the country’s economy has been dependent on plantation and agriculture. The economy of São Tomé is still traditionally reliant on cocoa but is experiencing considerable changes due to the country’s investment in the development of its oil industry in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea. The primary crop in São Tomé is cocoa, making up for about 95% of exports. Other export crops include copra, palm kernels, and coffee.

Hospitality

  • Etiquette plays an integral role in São Tomé. When meeting friends and acquaintances, it is important to greet them properly and ask how the person is doing. You may also ask about the person’s family. The elderly are treated with special respect and greeted first, especially if they have many children and grandchildren. In São Tomé being invited to someone’s home is a favour that is most commonly bestowed upon friends. Acquaintances often meet and make small talk outside on the street or by the fence to the garden.

Greetings

  • Due to its Portuguese influence, ‘’Olá’’ is the best choice of greeting for most social situations regardless of the person you are addressing or if it is a formal or informal setting. ‘’Hi” in Portuguese is ‘’Oi!’’, which is used when greeting friends and is very Informal. ‘’Tudo bem?’’ means ‘’How are you?’’ and is suitable for both formal and informal situations.

Money

  • The dobra is the official currency of São Tomé. It is abbreviated as ‘’Db’’ and is divided into 100 cêntimos. The first dobra (STD) was introduced in 1977, replacing the escudo at par. The name derives from Portuguese ‘’dobra’’, meaning “doubloon.

Transportation

  • Driving in São Tomé occurs on the right-hand side, and visitors will need an international driving permit to rent a car. Roads in São Tomé town are paved, but some are in poor condition. Main roads outside of town are paved but are in even worse condition, while secondary roads are often unpaved. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and animals on the roads can be a major hazard especially at night when most roads are unlit.

Safety

  • São Tomé is a safe country with an amazing laid-back nature. Crime is not commonly experienced by visitors, but you should still take precautions by staying out of trouble and not making a target of yourself. Even petty crimes such as burglary and pickpocketing are infrequent and serious felonies such as armed robbery or rape, are unheard of. Same-sex relationships are not illegal in São Tomé, however LGBTQ travelers may face discrimination.

Culture

  • São Tomé is home to a population of around 231 million citizens. Their diverse population groups consist of the mestico, forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicals, and tongas (contract laborers from African countries and their descendants), Europeans, Asians. Portuguese is the official language and is the language spoken by 98.4% of the population. Other widely spoke languages in the country are Cabo Verdian, French, Forro, Angolar, and English. The vast majority of the population follow the Christian faith is the religion of the majority in the nation. São Tomé was once a very traditional country with defined gender roles for men and women. However, women are now employed in various fields like academics, healthcare, and other service-related industries. Women are also represented in politics, administration, and business.

Shops

  • São Tomé’s capital shopping centres and, in other areas that are developed, may also have major supermarkets, clothing stores, liquor stores, furniture, homeware, and electronic shops, in addition to local banks and ATMs.

 

 

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Andrew Stegmann
,

Afrophobia not in SA, Nigeria’s vision for Africa – Nigerian foreign minister

Tshwane – South Africa and Nigeria have resolved to establish an early warning system in response to xenophobic attacks and to strengthen relations between the two nations.

International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and her Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama held a bilateral meeting on Monday. This follows a wave of xenophobic violence in SA in February.

The meeting was attended by several officials from both countries, including Nigeria’s interior minister and South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba.

Ten houses were torched in Rosettenville by angry residents who claimed the homes were being used by Nigerians for drug dealing and prostitution. Several Pretoria homes were raided by community members for similar reasons.

“For some time now, there have been these incidents of attacks and Nigerians have been victims,” said Onyeama.

He added that his government knew that violence aimed at Nigerian nationals in SA was not state sponsored.

‘Dynamic’ South Africa

“We know that the South African government has always condemned this, that the South African people have condemned this. It was the action of a small criminal minority,” he continued.

“We also recognise that not all the Nigerians in SA engage in lawful activity, but the vast majority are,” said Onyeama.

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