ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA  

Below you can find general information on South Africa. Please follow the links below.

Fast Facts : Language : Culture : Ubuntu : Climate : Currency : Exchange Rate : Banks : Credit Cards : Tipping : TAX : Glossary of terms : Fun with Zulu

Judicial Capital: Cape Town

Legislative Capital: Bloemfontein

Administrative Capital: Pretoria

Independence Day: 31 May 1961, 27 April 1994

Time: GMT +2 hours

Population: 44,800,000 (estimated 2005)

Area: 1,221,037 km²

Currency: South African Rands (ZAR)

= approx. USD$1.00 to R7.25

= approx. GBP1.00 to R13.95

= approx  Euro1.00 to R9.50

(exchange rates 10 Feb ‘07)

Anthem: Nkosi Sikelel iAfrica (God Bless Africa)

Motto: !ke e: /xarra //ke

Religion: Christian (68%), Muslim (2%), Hindu (1.5%), Tribal beliefs (28.5%).

Parliament: National Assembly (400 seats); Provincial counsels (90 seats)

Administrative: 9 Provinces

Coastline: 2798 km

Rivers: Orange, Vaal, Groot Vis, Sunday’s, Berg, Breë,  Limpopo, Caledon, Crocodile, Elands, Umgeni, Tugela, Molopo, Olifants, Harts

Mountains: Drakens, Lange, Soutpans, Outeniekwa, Hexriver, Ceder, Witte, Sneeu, Swart, Table

Roads: 362 099 km (73 506 km tarred)

Rail Roads: 22 298 km

Ports: Cape Town, Durban, East-London, Mossel Bay,  Port Elizabeth, Richardsbaai, Saldanha

There are 11 official languages in South Africa: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsongo, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. The English-speaking visitor will have no problem while traveling through the country.

The people of South Africa are made up of many diverse cultures and hence it is known as the Rainbow nation. It has been a difficult task to unite the people under laws that represent the traditions and beliefs of all groups. The struggle to live together peacefully still continues, but South Africans are generally optimistic about living in harmony with each other, as well as the land that is so undeniably beautiful.

We exist because we other people exist. That’s the crux of the concept of Ubuntu. It is the belief that we are human only because we interact with other people. If we were to ignore the rest of humanity, and try to live in a vacuum, we’d be less than human. It’s certainly not a new idea. But is the mind-set that has kept us going through all our turbulent history – and kept us working towards a society where we can live by that principle. And it is in that spirit that we invite you to come to our country, to visit us, stay with us, and play with us. Celebrate with us the adventure of living on this amazing planet – of being on our astonishing continent, and in our wonderful country. And when you leave, take a little of the magic with you. We have plenty to spare.

South Africa is a big country just south of the tropic of Capricorn, but it is the topography and surrounding oceans that influence its climate, rather that the latitude. Although the climate varies from region to region, it is generally mild and sunny throughout the year. On the whole it is a dry country with a mean annual rainfall of 502 mm. Snowfall is limited to the highest mountain peaks. Summer temperatures average between 15 – 30 degrees C (60 – 96 degrees F) at midday. Kwa Zulu Natal has a sub-tropical climate with high humidity in summer. The southern Gauteng region has hot summers with occasional thundershowers and frosty winters, while in the eastern part of this region (known as the Lowveld) enjoys mild winters. The Cape interior and the Free State have similar weather conditions to the southern Gauteng region. The Western Cape region has a Mediterranean climate with ward, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

Pretoria weather in August is characterized by nearly no rain and temperatures ranging from 10 degrees centigrade in the night to 24 degrees centigrade in the day. Also see the statistics from the South African Weather Service.

The unit of currency is the rand R, which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are in R200, R100, R50, R20, R10. Coins are in denominations of R5. R2, R1 and 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.

The exchange rate tends to be in the international tourist’s favour. The continuing devaluing of the rand means that you should find most local goods very affordable, but imported and specially manufactured items tend to be very expensive. Generally, you will find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world.

Banks in South Africa are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Most banks change all traveler’s cheques in major currencies, but commission can differ greatly.

Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club are honoured by most restaurants, stores, hotels, car rental firms and other points of sale and service. Proof of identity may be requested in some instances and it is therefore useful to carry a passport or some form of photo identification at all times.

This is customary depending on the service and then between 10 – 15%.

VAT of 14% is levied in South Africa. Overseas visitors taking goods out of South Africa are able to reclaim the VAT, which they paid on these goods. Reclaiming VAT is only applicable for goods that you are able to produce at the airport and not for any services whatsoever. When purchasing your products you should request a tax invoice. The shop’s VAT number must appear on this invoice. VAT Reclaim Offices are found at Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town airports.        

Ag Shame: poor thing

Biltong: dried beef  (similar to jerky)

Just now: anything from 10 minutes to 1 hour

Lekker: really nice

Now now: under 10 minutes

Nice: really “lekker”

Robot: traffic light

Totsiens (Afrikaans): goodbye

Good morning: Sawubona        

Goodbye: Uhambe Kahle / Usale Kahle

Yes: Yebo (lazy man’s version of sowubona)

No: Cha

Pardon: Uxolo

Thank you very much: Ngibonga Kakhulu

How are you?: Kunjani?

I am well thank you: Ngiyaphila

Mother: umama

Father: ubaba

This Web site is maintained by Fernando.Camisani@eng.up.ac.za. Please mail us with recommendations.

Last updated: February 26, 2007 11:02:07