About the Embassy

• How can I contact a staff member or specific department at the South African Embassy in Washington DC? 
• How can I contact the South African Embassy in my own or in another country?

Consular Services

• I am a U.S. citizen planning to travel to South Africa.  What kind of documentation (visa, etc) do I need?
• I will be traveling to South Africa and want to take my own hunting rifle.  Can I obtain a permit?  
• I need a police clearance certificate from the South African Police Service.  How do I apply and what does it cost?
• How do I import a pet to South Africa?

Political

• How have the rights of South African citizens changed since the change of government in 1994?
• I am interested in learning more about former President Nelson Mandela.  Can you provide me with biographical information?
• Where can I send a letter to former President Nelson Mandela? 

Trade and Investment

• Is there tax in South Africa?
• Working in South Africa
• How can I do business in South Africa?
• How can I import South African products to the United States?
• Does South Africa have a stock exchange?  What companies are listed on the exchange?
• What should I do if I receive a suspicious letter or e-mail?

Health

• How can I learn more about Health issues in South Africa?

About South Africa

• What is the time difference between the United States and South Africa?
• How is the weather in South Africa?
• What is the population in South Africa?
• How large is South Africa?
• What food do they eat in South Africa?
• What holidays are celebrated in South Africa?
• What does the South African flag look like? 
• Are there online resources about South Africa?
• I am a South African living in the U.S.A.  Are there any clubs or organizations I can join to meet other South Africans?
• Where can I find information about the art styles of different cultural groups in South Africa?
• What is South Africa’s national anthem?

Travellers information/Tips

• Where can I get tourism information on South Africa?
• How large is South Africa?
• Where can I exchange money when I get to South Africa?
• What is the South African currency?
• Can I use my credit card in South Africa?
• How do you phone/fax South Africa and how much is it?
• What is the time difference between the United States and South Africa?
• Does South Africa have the same voltage as the U.S.?
• What are the acceptable standards for tipping?
• I will be traveling to South Africa and want to take my own hunting rifle.  Can I obtain a permit?  

Please refer to Embassy Sections on our website.

South Africa has four offices in the United States. Please click here for a list of South African Representation in the US.

For information on tourism in South Africa, please consult the South African Tourism website.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at commercial banks (banking hours are from 08:30 – 15:30 on weekdays and 08:30 – 12:00 on Saturday), bureau de change, at airports as well as at major hotels. Currency exchange controls require that Reserve Bank clearance is obtained should visitors wish to leave the country with more than R500 in cash.

South Africa’s currency unit is the Rand, R1=100 cents.  Banknotes are issued in denominations of R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10.  Coins are minted in denominations of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c.  The international symbol for the currency is ZAR.  For current exchange rates please click here.

Credit cards or travelers cheques are recommended traveling currencies.  American Express, Visa Card, MasterCard, Thomas Cook and Diner’s Club travelers cheques are generally honored.  Gas (petrol) cannot be paid for with a standard credit card.  Other than for effective automated teller machine networks across the country, banking hours are from 08:30 – 15:30 on weekdays and 08:30 – 12:00 on Saturday. Banks are closed on Sunday and Public Holidays.

Value-added tax (VAT), currently set at 14%, is included in the price of most goods and services.  Visitors are required to pay VAT on purchased goods but may claim refunds on VAT on items taken out of the country when the total value exceeds R250.  Claims can be made at departure airports, harbors, and customs offices by presenting the items with purchase slips. For all inquiries regarding VAT refunds, please contact the South African Revenue Service at info@taxrefunds.co.za or by telephone: 011-27-11-394-1117 or by fax: 011-27-11-394-1430.

South African phone numbers are generally listed with an area code followed by the number.  For example, a Cape Town phone number will read (021) 123-4444.  In order to call South Africa from the U.S. or another country you must first dial the country code, city code without the 0 and then the number.  For example, when dialing the same Cape Town number from the U.S., the caller would dial 011 (to get out of the U.S.), 27 (South Africa’s country code), 21 (Cape Town city code minus the 0), and then the number 1234444.  The number will then read as follow: 011-27-21-123-4444

Geographical location places South Africa in a standard time zone two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year, seven hours behind Eastern Standard Winter Time and one hour ahead of Central European Standard Winter Time.  During winter daylight savings, the U.S. (Eastern Standard Time) is seven hours behind South Africa and six behind (Eastern Standard Time) during summer daylight savings.

The summer season for the entire country lasts from about October to April. The coastal part of the Western Cape has a distinctive Mediterranean climate, while in Kwa-Zulu Natal it is more sub-tropical.  The high inland plateau maintains sharper variations in temperature than these areas.  There are about 8.5 hours of sunshine in South Africa, which can be quite fierce at times.  The moderating affect of the seas (Indian and Atlantic) as well as the Drakensberg Mountains in the northeast ensure comfortable temperatures in most areas throughout the year. For Real-time weather data please click here.

The standard electricity supply in South Africa is 220/230 volts AC 50 Hz.  Appliances compatible with all international plugs are obtainable locally or most hotels will have adaptors available.  If you wish to bring your own adaptor, it can be purchased in any travel store.

In restaurants a gratuity of 10% of the bill generally applies, depending on the standard of the service.  Restaurants do not usually include the tip in the bill.  Luggage porters are given R-6  while taxi-drivers expect 10% of the fare.

The Republic of South Africa covers about 1,277,200 km², which is about 1/8 the size of the U.S. or twice the size of Texas.

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 Embassy does not provide employment information. For information on work permits please click here.

On guidelines as how to do business in South Africa, please click here. For trade and investment concerns, please contact Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA) through their website: http://www.tisaglobal.com or by email: dti@saembassy.org. 

For import regulations and procedures, please contact "Trade and Investment South Africa"  (TISA) through their website: http://www.tisaglobal.com or by email: dti@saembassy.org.

Yes, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is ranked one of the best 15 stock Exchange in the World. For company listings we suggest you contact the JSE directly:

            Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)
            Private Bag X991174
            Sandton, 2146
            South Africa
            Phone: +27 11 520 7000
            Fax: +27 11 520 8586
            Email: coprcomms@jse.co.za
            Website: http://www.jse.co.za

If you have received a suspicious letter or email, please forward it to the Consular Section at: c/o Embassy of South Africa, 3051 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, DC 20008 or consular@saembassy.org  All the letters will then be forwarded to the head consular office in Pretoria. The documentation will be referred to the South African Police Service (SAPS)  or Interpol. For more information, please click here.

South Africa boasts a diverse array of culinary tradition to its rich cultural heritage!Please consult South African Tourism or Southafrica.info for further information onSouth Africa cuisine.

South Africa has 11 official languages, which are .English, IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Sesotho, SiSwati, Xitsonga, Setswana, Tshivenda, IsiNdebele.  For more information about the languages, who speaks them, where they are spoken and other cultural information, please click here

South Africa celebrates twelve official holidays each year.  For a list of South African National Holidays, please click here.

For information on the importing of Firearms into South Africa, please  click here.

This flag was first hoisted on 27 April 1994 a. The design and colours are a synopsis of the principal elements of the country's flag history. For more information about the South African flag click here.

There are many on-line resources available on South Africa. Click here

Here is the contact information for Juluka, a Magazine for South Africans in the U.S.  In addition, there are links below for South African organizations in various geographical locations as well as special interest clubs.

Juluka: A South African Magazine in America.

Managing Editor Charlene Avis

P O Box 4675
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
Tel:  (866) juluka5
Fax: (310) 707-2255

E-mail:  editor@julukanews.com
Website: http://www.julukanews.com

South African Clubs in USA:

• AmaBoston - The Official Web Site for South Africans living in Boston, Massachusetts.
• Vriende.com - Wherever you may find yourself in the world, you will always be able to find a little bit of South Africa at Vriende.Com, your home away from home.
• Springbok Southern Africa Club - Phoenix, Arizona. An informal association of friends from Southern Africa who gather from time to time to network and socialize.
• Springbok Club of Southern California - A club for South Africans living in the Southern California region. Events are organized and hosted by club members on a regular basis, usually once a month.
• Springbok Club of Northern California - We are a Social Club for the benefit of all South Africans and their friends, and anyone interested in South Africa.
• SA Colorado - Our club was founded with the purpose of serving fellow and ex-South Africans, whether living in or only visiting Colorado.
• Texas Springboks - South Africans living down South!

The Constitution for the Republic of South Africa was adopted on 8 May 1996 and amended on 11 October 1996 by the Constitutional Assembly.Please view the South African Constitution to gain further insight into the new laws and rights of South Africa’s citizens.

Matters pertaining to police clearance certificate, please click here

Please refer to the Arts and Culture chapter we compiled for our website.
For related websites click here.

The National Anthem is a combined version of Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika and The Call of South Africa and is played at all  State occasions. For more information on the National Anthem, its lyric and sheet music, please click here.

 

Please read the instructions and fill out the application on our website by clicking here

For more information on health issues in South Africa, please click here.

For a brief biography of Nelson Mandela, please click here.

Please send all inquiries to the following mailing address:

The Nelson Mandela Foundation
Private Bag x70000
Houghton 2041
Republic of South Africa
Tel: +27 11 728-1000/1100
Fax: +27 11 728-1111
Contact: Ms. Zelda LaGrange

South Africa maintains representation in over 100 missions abroad, including Embassies, High Commission, Consulates, Consulate-Generals and Honorary Consulates. Please click here for a detailed list of South Africa's representation abroad.

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