Language
Overview
Official languages are Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, North Sotho, South Sotho, Setswana, Swati, Tsonga, Venda.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
03/21/2022 Human Rights Day
04/15/2022 Good Friday
04/18/2022 family day
04/27/2022 Freedom Day
05/01/2022 Workers’ Day
06/16/2022 Youth Day
09.08.2022 National Women’s Day
09/24/2022 Heritage Day
16.12.2022 day of reconciliation
12/25/2022 Christmas
12/26/2022 goodwill day
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
Public holidays that fall on a Sunday are observed on the following Monday.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into South Africa (persons aged 18 and over): 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars and 250 g of tobacco; 1L spirits and 2L wine; 50 ml perfume and 250 ml eau de toilette; Gifts up to a value of R5,000 (no televisions, no consumables such as groceries).
Import regulations
Special permits are required for the importation of plants, plant material, meat, meat products and dairy products. There is an import ban on psychotropic drugs, folding knives, ammunition, explosives and child and animal pornography. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa
Consulate General in Geneva.
Alpenstrasse 29
Bern
Switzerland
+41 (31) 350 13 13.
http://www.southafrica.ch
http://www.southafrica.ch
Mon-Thu 08.00-12.30 and 13.15-17.15, Fri 08.00-14.00. Consular section: Mon-Fri 08.00-12.00.
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa
Consulate General in Munich. Honorary consulates in Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Hanover and Lübeck.
Tiergartenstrasse 18
Berlin
Germany
+49 (30) 22 07 30.
http://www.suedafrika.org
http://www.suedafrika.org
Mon-Thu 08.00-16.30 and Fri 08.00-13.30. Consular section: Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00.
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa
Honorary consulates in Innsbruck, Linz, St. Pölten and Zell am See (Salzburg).
Sandgasse 33
Vienna
Austria
+43 (1) 320 64 93. Consular Section: +43 (1) 320 64 93-19/20
http://www.suedafrika-botschaft.at
http://www.suedafrika-botschaft.at
Mon-Fri 08.00-12.45 and 13.30-16.30. Consular section: Mon-Fri 08.30-12.00.
Business
Business etiquette
Prior appointments and business cards are common, and punctuality is a given.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 08.00/09.00-16.30/17.00, opening hours may vary depending on the shop. Shops and offices tend to close earlier on Fridays.
Business contacts
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code is 0027. The cheapest way to make phone calls is Skype or World Call from the Telkom network operator. Emergency numbers are: police 10111 and ambulance 10177.
Mobile phone
GSM 900/1800, 2G, 3G and 4G networks. Network operators include MTN (GSM 900) and Vodacom (GSM 900). The mobile network covers almost the entire country and usually only does not cover remote areas. International roaming agreements exist. German mobile phones can usually be used in South Africa. South African mobile phones can be hired at international airports.
Internet
Internet provider: Including M-Web. Internet cafes are mostly found in shopping malls and business centers across the country. Free Wi-Fi is available in Cape Town’s township coffee houses, as well as numerous hotels, restaurants, airports and business centers nationwide.
Post office
Postal items to Europe take up to seven days. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-16.30, Sat 08.00-12.00. Some counters close at 3.30pm Mon-Fri and 11am on Sat. The smaller post offices have a lunch break at 13.00-14.00. Post offices across the country accept poste restante items.
Radio
Numerous German-speaking radio stations can be received over the Internet in South Africa.