Country Code for South Africa: +27

Visa Global Assistance: 0800 990 475 

Tourist Boards: Eastern Cape - (0)43 701 9600

Free State - (0)51 411 430 Gauteng - 0860 4288 364

Northern Cape - (0)53 832 2657

North-West Province - 0861 111 866

Emergency Services: Ambulance - 10177 Police - 10111

South Africans are by custom polite and circumspect in their speech, although residents of the major urban centers may bemoan the decline of once-common courtesies. Each of the quite different culture groups—corresponding to home language speakers of English, Afrikaans, Tamil and Urdu, and the southern Bantu Languages, cross-cut by religion and country of original origin—has its own specific expressive forms of social propriety and respect. Africans strongly mark social categories of age, gender, kinship, and status in their etiquette. Particular honor and pride of place are granted to age, genealogical seniority, male adulthood, and political position. Rural Africans still practice formal and even elaborate forms of social greeting and respect, even though such forms are paralleled by a high incidence of severe interpersonal and social violence. While the more westernized or cosmopolitan Africans are less formal in the language and gesture of etiquette, the categories of social status are no less clearly marked, whether in the homes of wealthy university graduates or in cramped and crowded working-class bungalows. The guest who does not greet the parents of a household by the name of their senior child preceded by ma or ra (Sesotho: "mother/father of . . . ") or at least an with an emphatic 'me or ntate (Sesotho: mother/father [of the house]) will be thought rude. The youngster who does not scramble from a chair to make way for an adult will draw a sharp reproof. Comparable forms with cognate emphasis on age, gender, and seniority are practiced in Muslim, Hindu, and Jewish communities according to religious prescriptions and places of original family origin. South Africans of British origin insist on a calm, distanced reserve mixed with a pleasant humor in social interactions, regardless of their private opinions of others. Afrikaners are more direct and sharp in their encounters, quicker to express their thoughts and feelings towards others, and not given to social legerdemain. In general, despite the aggressive rudeness that afflicts stressful modern urban life everywhere, South Africans are by custom hospitable, helpful, sympathetic, and most anxious to avoid verbal conflict or unsociable manners. Even among strangers, one of the strongest criticisms one can make in South Africa of another is that the person is "rude."

Electrical Plug: South African

Voltage: 220 - 240 volts

Modem Plug: South African and American

Source: Korjo Travel Products. Please view the Korjo adapter guide at www.korjo.com.au for further information on this matter.

Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Tsonga, Swati, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Venda, Ndebele.

The following information is intended as a guide only and in no way should it be used as a substitute for professional medical advice relative to a travellers individual needs and vaccination history. No guarantee is made as to its accuracy or thoroughness. For further information, please contact The Travel Doctor on 1300 658 844. All travellers should be up-to-date with their routine "background" vaccinations. These include vaccinations for Tetanus and Diphtheria (with a booster within the last 10 years), Whooping Cough (which is often combined with the Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccination), Polio (with a booster in adult life), Measles, Mumps and Rubella (two combination vaccinations through life), Chicken Pox and a recent annual Influenza vaccination. Vaccination against Hepatitis A is recommended for travellers to South Africa. Vaccination against Typhoid should also be considered, while persons staying in South Africa for extended periods and frequent travellers may require immunisation against Rabies. Cholera is reported in South Africa, but vaccination is usually not recommended. South Africa is considered as a medium risk country for Malaria. Dengue Fever is also present in South Africa, as such insect avoidance measures may be necessary. Please consult a medical practitioner or contact The Travel Doctor for your specific risk to these preventable diseases and the appropriate avoidance measures. Australians travelling to South Africa should also ensure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover the length of their stay. For further information on insurance, please visit the Smartraveller website.

International visitors are often attracted to goods that are proudly South African and the attractive exchange rate against other major currencies means these can be picked up for a song. With gold and diamonds being among our most-famed resources, buying jewellery and gemstones in South Africa is often high on the international visitor's shopping list. Shoppers are often attracted to blue-coloured Tanzanite, a rare stone from Tanzania which is expertly crafted into dazzling pieces. Shopping hours in South Africa are 09H00- 17h00/18h00 Mon-Fri / 08h30/09h00 - 13h00 Sat (smaller centres) / 09h00 - 17h00/18h00 Sat (urban areas) / 10h00 - 15h00/16h00 Sun (urban areas).

The Travel Corporation has partnered with the company Sherpa to provide travellers with the latest government and health restrictions. Simply enter the country you want to travel to for information on safety regulations, border closures, quarantine requirements, your travel visa and more using the Sherpa travel tool.

FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR TRIP

Official travel advice is available by visiting the SmartTraveller Website