Useful Information for Visitors to South Africa

Table of Contents

1. Communication
2. Currency
3. Driving
4. Electricity
5. Health
6. Local Time
7. Post Offices
8. Tipping
9. Water

Communication

Telephone Dialing codes
Cape Town: National: 021- International 00 27 21-
Telephone and fax numbers should be preceded by the area code for Cape Town (021) if you are dialing from other centres in South Africa by the international code (00-27-21) if you are dialing from outside the country.

When dialing from a cell/mobile phone, land line telephone numbers should be preceded by the area code of the number you wish to dial. i.e. When you are in Cape Town you still have to dial 021 + the phone number.

For national telephone enquiries: 1023
For international telephone enquiries: 0903

Telephones
Public phones are either coin or card operated. Only green public telephones use telephone cards. The cards can be bought at various hotels, post offices, airports, bookshops and supermarkets. Mobile phones, known as cell phones, are widely used.

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Currency and Foreign Exchange

South African currency is the Rand which is made up of 100 cents.
Notes: R10, R20, R50, R100, R200
Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at any commercial bank or the Bureaux de Change. Trading hours for banks:

Monday - Friday  09:00 to 15:30
Saturdays             08:30 to 11:00

Most banks have Automatic Teller Machines (ATM's) which are open 24 hours a day for statements, cash withdrawals and deposits.

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Driving

Drivers licences with integral photos as well as the signature of the holder are required by law in South Africa.  Driving is on the left and speed limits are in kilometres and are 120 km/h on the highways and 60 km/h in built-up areas.  Cash is required to pay for fuel.  No credit cards are acceptable as payment for petrol within South Africa.

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Electricity

Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. A three-point round-pin adapter plug is required for razors and hairdryers and travel irons - these adapters can be purchased in South Africa. 

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Health

No vaccination certificates are required from visitors coming from Europe, however visitors from a yellow fever zone must have a valid certificate.  Visitors to the eastern lowveld of Mpumalanga and Northern Province, the Kruger National Park and the game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal should take a course of anti-malaria tablets before entering these zones.  Consult your doctor for appropriate medication.

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Local Time

South African Standard time is two hours in advance of Greenwich Meantime (GMT + 2), one hour in advance of central European winter time and seven hours in advance of United States eastern standard time throughout the year. There are no time zone differences within the country.

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Post Offices

Weekdays                                       08:00 to 17:30
Saturdays                                        08:00 to 14:00

Sundays                                          10:00 to 13:00

Stamps can be bought at many stationery shops and supermarkets. Private companies offer many of the postal services supplied by the main post office as well as courier and speed post services.

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Tipping

It is customary to tip waiters, waitresses, wine stewards, taxi drivers, porters and caddies. Depending on service, the amount should be around 10-15%. Petrol station attendants often anticipate a tip if they have gone beyond just filling your tank.

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Water

Tap water throughout the Cape Metropolitan Area is safe for human consumption.

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