CAPE TOWN STANDARD TIME
Two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time |
CONVERSIONS:
DISTANCE AND TEMPERATURE
Distances throughout South Africa are given in kilometres.
1 mile = 1.62 kilometres
Temperature is given in degrees Celsius. |
CURRENCY AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The South African currency is the Rand.
Exchange rates in May 2005:
US $1 = ZAR 6.25
EUR 1 = ZAR 7.90
Foreign currency can be exchanged at most commercial
banks and Bureaux de Change are widely available.Banking
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 15h30
Saturdays: 08h30 – 11h00
ATMs are widely available and are mostly open 24 hours
a day for cash withdrawals and statements. |
ELECTRICITY
220/230 volts, 50Hz, single phase |
EMERGENCIES
Dial 10111 for the Flying Squad (special police services)
and 10177 for an ambulance. |
ETIQUETTE
The dress code across South Africa is mainly casual,
except in some restaurants and clubs that require more
formal attire.
Smoking is banned in public buildings and on planes,
buses and trains. |
FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED
South African Airways provides passenger aid units
at all major airports. Many hotels offer facilities
for the disabled, as do most rest camps in the Kruger
National Park.
Wheelchairs and other aides are available for hire in
most cities. The larger rental car
agencies can provide vehicles with hand controls. |
HEALTH
AND IMMUNISATION
The only inoculation requirement for visitors is a
yellow fever vaccination certificate for those entering
South Africa within six days of leaving a yellow fever
zone. Babies of one year old or less are exempt. Malaria
is endemic in some parts of Mpumalanga, Northern Province,
and KwaZulu-Natal and it is essential to take precautions
if you intend to visit these areas.
The bilharzia parasite is present in streams, rivers,
lakes and dams in some of the northern and eastern parts
of the country, and visitors should avoid contact with
the water in these regions. There is no immunisation
against bilharzia. |
LANGUAGE
South Africa has 11 official languages and English
is spoken throughout the country. French, German and
Italian are also spoken at many larger hotels and popular
tourist destinations around Cape Town. |
MEDICAL
SERVICES
South Africa has no national health scheme. It is advisable
to purchase travel insurance that will cover medical
expenses during the period of your stay. |
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
A list of South African consulates and embassies may
be found on the South African Department of Foreign
Affairs website or visit the South African Department
of Home Affairs website: www.home-affairs.gov.za.
{w} Foreign
Affairs
{w} South African
Department of Home Affairs
Visa application forms can be downloaded from the South
African Home Affairs website:
{w} South
African Department of Home Affairs |
PETROL
(GASOLINE) FILLING STATIONS
Filling stations are conveniently situated throughout
the country. Unleaded petrol is available. Most filling
stations are open 24 hours a day. South African filling
stations will not accept credit cards so be sure to
have enough cash available for filling up. |
RULES OF THE ROAD
An excellent road network links the largest metropolitan
areas with even the smallest villages. South Africa
drives on the LEFT. The speed limit in urban areas is
usually 60km per hour; on rural roads 100km per hour
and on freeways 120km per hour unless otherwise indicated.
Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory; driving under the
influence of alcohol is a serious offence; and traffic
laws are strictly enforced. Valid driver's licenses
from visitors’ home countries are acceptable provided
that they are in English and include the driver’s
photograph. If your driver’s license does not
comply with these requirements, you should obtain an
International Driving Permit before your departure to
South Africa. |
SAFETY
AND SECURITY
Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance
to Capetonians, but, as always, travellers should take
a few basic precautions to ensure a safe and pleasant
visit:
• Never leave luggage unattended
• Store valuables in your hotel’s safety
deposit box
• Keep your hotel room locked
• Use reliable taxi services
• Avoid displaying expensive jewellery and cameras
• Do not carry large sums of money on your person
• At night, stay away from dark, isolated areas
• When travelling by car, plan your route in advance
• Keep car doors locked and windows closed
• When parked or driving, place valuables out
of sight in the boot (trunk)
• Never give strangers a lift |
SHOPPING
Local manufacturers set a high premium on workmanship,
and at the current exchange rate, visitors can afford
to indulge.
Shopping hours are generally 08h00 to 17h00 on weekdays,
and 08h00 to 17h00 on Saturdays in the bigger cities.
Many shops in bigger cities are open on Sundays. |
SUN
PROTECTION
The South African sun is strong, with a high ultraviolet
rating. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15
or higher is recommended. |
TELEPHONES
Cape Town telephone dialling codes:
International: +27-21-
National: 021-
National Directory Enquiries: 1023
International Directory Enquiries: 0903
To call internationally out of South Africa, dial 09
and then the country code. Cell phones are widely available
for hire, as are ‘starter packs’ if your
personal handset is compatible with the South African
system. |
TIPPING
It is customary to tip waiters, wine stewards, taxi
drivers, porters and caddies. Depending on the service,
the amount should be around 10%-15% of the bill, R5
per suitcase or R20 per golf bag. |
VAT (Value Added Tax)
Currently set at 14%, VAT is included in the marked/quoted
price of most goods and services. Foreign visitors may
claim back VAT paid on items to be taken out of the
country when the total value exceeds ZAR 250.00. Information
leaflets on the procedure to follow are available from
VAT Refund Administration offices at the Johannesburg,
Cape Town and Durban International Airports, and at
the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. |
WATER
In the major cities and towns and at most game reserves,
tap water is purified and 100% safe to drink. |
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