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 Overview |
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Area: 1,221,040 square kilometers (471,443 square miles)
Situated at the southernmost tip of Africa, South Africa is the single most developed country on the continent. It features one of the most progressive constitutions in the world; possesses a vibrant and diverse population; and it produces a quarter of the Gross Domestic Product for the entire continent. The country is made up of nine provinces: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, North West, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and Kwazulu-Natal.
Situated in the Western Cape, Cape Town is well-known for Table Mountain, Robben Island and one of the most diverse floral kingdoms (known locally as 'fynbos') in the world. Despite its size, Gauteng, the smallest of all the provinces, is the economic heart of the country. |
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Population |
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The results of the second democratic Census (Census 2001) were released in July 2003.
On the night of 10 October 2001, there were 44,819,778 people in South Africa. Of these, 79% classified themselves as African; 9,6% as white; 8,9% as coloured; and 2,5% as Indian/Asian.
A total of 21 685 415 people in South Africa are male, and 23 662 839 female.
The South African population consists of the following groups: the Nguni people (consisting of the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi); the Sotho-Tswana people, who include the Southern, Northern and Western Sotho (Tswana); the Tsonga; the Venda; Afrikaners; the English; coloureds; Indians, and those who have immigrated to South Africa from the rest of Africa, Europe and Asia and maintain a strong cultural identity. A few members of the Khoi and the San also live in South Africa. |
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Climate |
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South Africa possesses a warm, temperate climate that, as a result of factors such as altitude and proximity to the coast, varies greatly between regions.
Average temperatures in Cape Town (on the west coast) are 20 degrees Celsius in summer and 12.6 degrees Celsius in winter. In Durban (on the east coast) these go up to an average of 23.6 degrees and 17 degrees in summer and winter, respectively. In the interior, Johannesburg (which lies at a height of 1753 meters above sea level) sees temperatures of 19.4 and 11.1. Unlike the rest of the country, Cape Town experiences winter rainfall.
The climate on the east coast is subtropical. In summer, temperatures in excess of 30 degrees are not uncommon, and humidity, too, is typically high. Rainfall occurs mainly during late spring and summer and during this time daily late-afternoon thunderstorms are the norm.
Given its considerable height above sea-level, Johannesburg (situated on the interior plateau area known as the 'Highveld') experiences a favorable year-round climate. Summer temperatures are warm yet mild and though cold at night, winter days are seldom overly unpleasant. Summer rainfall can be expected on the Highveld and the annual average in the region is around 600mm.
Seasonal breakdown
Summer: December – February
Autumn: March – May
Winter: June – August
Spring: September - November |
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Religion |
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Almost 80% of South Africa's population follows the Christian faith. Other major religious groups are the Hindus, Muslims and Jews. A minority of South Africa's population does not belong to any of the major religions, but regard themselves as traditionalists or of no specific religious affiliation.
Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the Constitution, and the official policy is one of non-interference in religious practices |
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Language |
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To cater for South Africa's diverse peoples, the Constitution provides for 11 official languages, namely Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.
Recognising the historically diminished use and status of the indigenous languages, the Constitution expects government to implement positive measures to elevate the status and advance the use of these languages.
According to Census 2001, isiZulu is the mother tongue of 23,8% of the population, followed by isiXhosa (17,6%), Afrikaans (13,3%), Sepedi (9,4%), and English and Setswana (8,2% each).
The least spoken indigenous language in South Africa is isiNdebele, which is spoken by 1,6% of the population. |
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Food |
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It is generally the women of Sub-Saharan Africa who do most of the work related to food. This includes work on the "plantations" or "shambas" (as cultivated fields are called), such as planting, weeding, harvesting, as well cooking as cooking and serving the food.
The African kitchen is traditionally outside or in a separate building apart from the sleeping and living quarters. By far the most traditional and to this day the most common sight in an African kitchen is a large swing blackpots filled with meat, vegetables, and spices simmering over a fire. The pot usually sits on three stones arranged in a triangle, and the fire slowly consumes three pieces of wood that meet at a point under the pot.
Common Ingredients for Traditional African Food
(where available)
| Vegetables | Meats | Spices | Other |
| Yams | Chicken | Garlic | Lemons |
| Okra | Pork | Melegueta pepper - West African (substitute use cardamon) | Rice |
| Watermelon | Beef | cloves | |
| Cassava | Fish of local varieties | black peppercorns | |
| Groundnuts | | cardamom | |
| Black-eyed Peas | | nutmeg | |
| Cabbage | | turmeric | |
| Maize - corn | | pilau mix | |
| Groundnuts | | curry powder | |
| Sweet Potatoes | | | |
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Currency |
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The official currency is the South African Rand (ZAR, or more commonly, R). One hundred cents comprise a rand. Minor coin denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. Larger denominations are R1, R2 and R5. Notes come in 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 rand variants. In recent years, the rand has seen something of a resurgence against the dollar and has until recently remained range-bound at R6 to the dollar (US). As of June 2005, the currency has seen a slight devaluation and one dollar will cost you around R6,80.
Most banks change travellers cheques in major currencies, usually at a commission of around 1%. Although the First National Bank has a higher minimum charge, it takes a lower commission so it can work out cheaper if you're changing a few cheques. Keep a few exchange receipts as you'll need them to reconvert your rands when you leave.
Credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted. More and more ATMs will give cash advances; if your card belongs to the worldwide Cirrus network you should have no problem using it across the country.
South Africa has introduced new coins and notes, but old coins are still common so it's hard to become familiar with what you're jangling. The R200 note looks a lot like the R20 note, so take care. |
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Livings Cost |
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Cost of living is relatively cheap and Johannesburg is rated as one of the cheapest major cities in the world; a quarter of that of a city such as Tokyo, for instance. A loaf of bread and a liter of milk from your local corner store, for example, will cost the equivalent of about $.60 and $.75 respectively. Prices at more upscale supermarkets such as Pick n' Pay and Woolworths will be higher, though. Although considered a third-world country, South Africa offers first-world luxury and amenities at a fraction of the cost available in other parts of the world. |
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Visas |
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Nationals from countries such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the USA (among others) do not require visas if they intend to remain in the country for less than 90 days. This has the added benefit of making it easy for those considering immigrating to the country to visit beforehand. If you have an offer of employment and wish to visit the country to attend an interview or simply wish to assess the country, a work-seeker's permit can be applied for. This is NOT a work permit, but simply allows one to enter SA with the intention of meeting with or speaking to your prospective employers. These are valid for a three-month period and if the offer of work is taken up, an application for a work permit must be made.
Work permits, on the other hand, function as a kind of temporary residence visa as they allow foreign nationals to live and work in the country for up to a maximum of twelve months. Extensions to this period, it should be noted, can be applied for. Although there are numerous categories under which applications for work visas can be submitted, persons wishing to invest in the country and highly skilled workers who can contribute to the broadening of South Africa's economy are the two most likely to be given utmost consideration. The tariff for work permit applications is approximately $132. When applying for a work permit, the following documentation will be required: |
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Education |
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In South Africa primary school sees learners from grade 1 through grade 6 and high-school from grade 7 to grade 12. Typically, children enter grade 1 at the age of seven. As is the case in many countries, the South African school system is made up of private and public schools, which vary greatly in price, resources and ultimately, quality.
State-funded schools differ in the extent of aid they receive, some offering a completely subsidized education, while others require parents to pay school fees in order to function. Overcrowding, lack of funds and poorly trained staff are just some of the problems facing many public schools. The teacher/child ratio in these schools is around 1:30 whereas in private schools this can be as low as 1:15.
Prices vary greatly, but private school fees can range from $1,500 - $5,200 per year, excluding boarding. More exclusive boarding schools can charge in the region of $16,000. By comparison, a state-subsidized school may cost as little as $900 per year. There are many good schools in both the private and public sector, and it's worth finding out which option is best for your children (contact your local provincial government or the Independent Schools Association once you've settled in). |
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Weights and Measures |
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The official System in South Africa is the Metric system, measuring weights and mass Kilos and grams, and distance and length in kilometers, and centimeters. |
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Electricity |
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South Africa uses 220/230V, 50Hz, three-pronged (round) outlets. |
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Time Zone |
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Time Zone: GMT/UTC +2 |
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