South Africa
South African business people tend to dress conservatively and suit and tie should be worn to meetings. Overall, business customs in South Africa are similar to those in the United States and Western Europe. Business cards are exchanged and are usually simple, including only the basics such as company logo, name, business title, address, telephone number, and fax number. South Africans are very punctual, and South African businesspersons make every effort to be on time for appointments. Appointments should be made in advance of a business call. Office hours are 0830-1630 Monday to Friday.
South Africa is experiencing a serious crime problem that is recognized by both the public and the government. Criminal activity, such as assault and armed robbery, is particularly high in areas surrounding many hotels and public transportation centers, especially in major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban. Visitors should use all available means to protect credit cards, credit card numbers, and personal identification numbers associated with cash cards. Credit card fraud is routinely reported. Visitors should keep in mind that increased anti-crime efforts in city cores have also made the suburbs of major metropolitan areas increasingly attractive targets for car jacking and robbery.
Travelers may also wish to consider avoiding local commuter and metro trains, especially between Johannesburg and Pretoria, as a number of foreign visitors have been the subjects of muggings and violent attacks.
In the Western Cape, police resources have been strained by continuing gang conflicts and vigilante violence in the townships near Cape Town. Travelers should use extreme caution when traveling in affected areas.
Travelers should use caution when driving in the former independent homelands of Transkei and Ciskei. Some areas, such as the Transkei's "Wild Coast", have significant levels of crime, associated with a breakdown of regional security and medical services. This situation, though improving, has caused problems for foreign travelers to the area.
Residential security is of great concern to South Africans as well as foreign nationals residing in South Africa. Security lighting, window grills, and alarm systems for residences are considered essential to thwart burglaries. Private security companies providing armed response capability are primarily relied upon for personal safety in the home, not the police.
Carjackings are quite prevalent in and around major metropolitan areas, with gratuitous violence frequently the norm. While 4-wheel drive and luxury vehicles are attractive targets for carjackers, nearly any vehicle can be targeted. Automobile parts for most imported vehicles are often unavailable in South Africa and must be imported at great expense. Consequently, car thieves frequently steal or carjack vehicles for their parts.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has serious man-power problems which inhibit its ability to provide a viable deterrent to street crime. A lack of marked police vehicles and uniformed officers to patrol city streets emboldens the criminal element to act with near impunity.
There are more than 1,500 licensed hotels in South Africa, ranging from small country hotels to large five-star city hotels. Rates are considered modest depending on the type of accommodations. Reservations should be made in advance, particularly in resort areas during the peak summer months of December and January.
Telephone IDD service is available. The country code is 27 and the outgoing international code is 09. The city codes for major South African cities are, Johannesburg, 11; Pretoria, 12; Cape Town, 21; and Durban, 31. Most main hotels provide fax services. Post office hours are generally 0800-1630 Monday to Friday, 0800-1200 Saturday.
Electricity: 250 volts AC (Pretoria) and 220/230 volts AC elsewhere, 50Hz.
220/240 volts AC; 250 volts AC (Pretoria), 50Hz. Three-pin round plugs are in use.
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A thriving agricultural sector yields excellent fresh produce, meat, fruit and wines and the long coastline produces very fresh and cheap. Bars/cocktail lounges have bartender service. ‘Liquor stores’ are open weekdays 0900-1800 and Sat 0900-1300, although alcohol is now available in supermarkets outside these hours and under certain circumstances on a Sunday. National specialties:
• Sosaties (a type of kebab),
• Bobotie (a curried mince dish, of which waterbolmmetjiebredie, made with a local water plant, is particularly good)
• Potjiekos, a casserole cooked
for hours in an iron pot, usually outside,
• Bredies (meat, tomato and vegetable casseroles),
• Biltong (seasoned dried meat)
• Poetoepap, a sort of polenta made with white maize, is widely eaten with meat.
• Seafood including oysters, crayfish (or rock lobster) and linefish (examples of which are Kingklip, Kabbeljou, Cob and Red Roman).National drinks:
• Umqombothi, a home-brewed sorghum beer.
• Excellent local red and white wines (including chardonnay), sherries, brandies and some unusual liqueurs.Tipping:
Normally 10 to 15 per cent if service is not included. It is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers, caddies and room service. By law, hotel rates do not include a service charge.Nightlife
Cinemas show a variety of international films. In the large cities, there are regular plays, operas and symphony concerts. The local music scene is thriving, and there is a unique South African ‘township’ jazz style, exponents of which can be seen in all large cities. There are a number of nightclubs and discos open until late. The large hotels usually have live music or cabaret.
