South Africa Facts - Africa and Asia Venture

South Africa Facts

Back-up

We have representatives throughout east and southern Africa. Kate Groch lives in Philippolis and is our representative there. She or your headmaster/headmistress will help you with day-to-day problems. They are all wonderful at solving a wide spectrum of problems and handing out TLC, when required. Be warned...Kate has a highly contagious virus called "enthusiasm". You will catch it!

People and Places

Capital: Pretoria.
Language: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu.
Population: Nearly 46,000,000.
Population Density: 36.8. people per km²
Size: 1,219,090 km²

Weather

Generally warm all year, although the nights can be quite cold between June and September in Philippolis and westwards. Heading east, it's warm all year, day and night.

Expenses

RSA is not expensive relative to Europe but the huge distances between towns make it expensive to travel, unless there are a lot of you. Backpackers can live quite well for less than £25 a day. Tourist spots and activities are more expensive, so what it costs depends on how you live! There are ATMs in all towns. You advised to bring Visa debit or credit card.

Transport

Excellent roads and regular flights but with slightly erratic trains. Taxis and several bus companies operate throughout the country. Minimum age for car hire is 23 but AV strongly discourages it.

Food and Drink

Excellent local produce, including meat, fruit and wine. The long coastline produces fresh, cheap seafood. Typical dishes include sosaties (a type of kebab), bobotie (a curried mince dish), bredies (meat, tomato and vegetable stews). Poetoepap or stywepap, made with white maize meal, is often served with meat. Biltong (dried meat) is a speciality. Excellent red and white wines are produced, as are sherries, brandies and unusual liqueurs.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Upmarket boutiques mix with street traders. Ceramics and crafts from the continent, fur goods, diamond and semi-precious stone jewellery, gold, and local liqueurs.

Smoking and Drinking

Smoking is prohibited in public places and on public transport. It is also illegal to wander about drinking alcohol in public places, unless licenses allow it e.g. rugby matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 FAQ

South Africa

Malaria Area

 Only in some reserves and the east

Wet Season (Global warming permitting!)

 Jun-Aug but steady throughout the year in Eastern Cape

Internet cafes

 Everywhere

Electricity Type

 UK type 220-240 volt

Plugs

 Large 3 pin, round pin

In Country Reps

 Kate Groch

Language

 Mainly English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu

"Hello!"

 "Goeie dag!"

Money

 South African Rand

Visa or MasterCard

 Visa is best but most are accepted

 

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