About SA

South Africa has experienced enormous change over the past 15 years. The achievement of democracy in 1994 led to transformed institutions, new policies and the start of a new society. At the same time, government also had to deal with the legacy left by apartheid and the challenge of integrating South Africa into the world. In line with the democratic constitution, new policies were put in place to improve people’s quality of life. This has constituted a systematic effort to dismantle apartheid social and economic relations and create a society based on equity, non-racialism and non-sexism. 

The many multilateral conferences and major international events hosted by South Africa also measure the country’s integration into the community of nations. These include the Rugby World Cup (1995), the All Africa Games (1999), the WSSD (2002), the Cricket World Cup (2003), the inauguration of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) (2006) and its successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup (awarded in 2004).  

Currency

Our local currency is the South African Rand. The Rand is divisible into 100 cents. Paper notes include: R10 notes, R20 notes, R50 notes, R100 notes, R200 notes. Coins are in denominations of:1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c. Although 1 and 2 cent coins are in circulation they are no longer legal tender and won’t be accepted but as a tourist you may find some in your change! As an added help, all our bank notes are slightly different sizes and each one is a different colour! For the benefit of the partially sighted, the Reserve Bank has introduced geometric shapes on the front of the banknotes.  

In line with promoting foreign investment in South Africa and positioning the country as a financial centre for Africa, foreign companies, governments and institutions may list on South Africa’s bond and securities exchanges.  

Destinations

Often described as ‘a world in one country’, South Africa offers the visitor a breathtaking variety of scenery, from desert and lush forest, to soaring mountains and vast empty plains. Culturally as diverse as the landscape, many visitors are drawn to experience for themselves the miracle of the peaceful overthrow of apartheid. Others are attracted by the endless golden beaches, big game, and activities such as diving and snorkelling, or bird-watching. Whatever their reasons, visitors will find South Africa positively inviting, with world-class infrastructure, transport and accommodation.  

South Africa consists of nine provinces, namely Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Free State, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Each province has its own legislature, premier and executive council. The country has common boundaries with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, while Mozambique and Swaziland lie to the north-east. Completely enclosed by South African territory in the south-east is the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.  

Need to Know

In South Africa we drive on the left side of the road.

South Africa does not change its clocks during the year, and there are no regional variations within the country. South African Standard Time is: 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean (or Universal Standard) Time, 1 hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, 7 hours ahead of the USA’s Eastern Standard Winter Time .

Your passports must also be valid for 30 days after the end of your intended visit. South African authorities state officially that only one blank passport page is required for entry.Keep a photocopy of your passport with you in a separate place to your passport. We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel, medical insurance and medical advise before travelling.  

Some suggestions for looking after your personal effects, jewellery and money: Keep large amounts of money, expensive jewellery, cameras and cell phones out of sight, do not change large sums of money in busy public areas, do not give personal or financial account information details to unknown parties: there are international fraud rings operating in South Africa, as there are in other parts of the world, which may target visitors, foreign businessmen and charities, the risk to visitors travelling to the main tourist destinations is low, consult a reliable tour guide if you are visiting a township, there is a high incidence of credit card fraud and fraud involving ATMs, users of ATMs should be vigilant to ensure their PIN number is not observed by others when withdrawing money, when using an ATM, offers of assistance from bystanders should be refused, do not change large sums of money in busy public areas, closely protect any documents containing details of credit card, PIN numbers and bank accounts.