The Meaning behind South African Public Holidays

Apart from internationally relevant public holidays like New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and May Day (Worker’s Day), many of South Africa’s public holidays commemorate important historical and political events from the recent past.

Here is a brief summary of each:

21 March (Human Rights Day):

On the 21st of March 1960, police opened fire on a group of protesters outside a police station in Sharpeville, Gauteng. The protest was against the extension of pass laws, which limited the movement of black South Africans within the country.

This became known as the Sharpeville Massacre, and brought international attention to the discriminating laws that were being enforced in the newly established Republic of South Africa, making the country even more isolated within the international community.

27 April (Freedom Day):

After a long period of struggle, negotiations and violent upheaval in various parts of the country in the early 1990’s, the first democratic elections in South Africa took place on the 27th of April 1994, a date which is commemorated annually and which brought in the “New South Africa”. It’s a special day in South African history as it was the first time that most South Africans had ever voted, and people famously queued for hours all over the country.

16 June (Youth Day):

During the height of resistance against apartheid in the 1970s, students in the township of Soweto in Joburg took to the streets to protest against the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in schools. Police retaliated and many students were killed or injured.

This was the height of revolt against a regime that offered inferior education to the black majority, and these riots were another turning point in the course of South African history, largely influenced by the Black Consciousness student movement lead by resistance icon Steve Biko.

9 August (Women’s Day):

On the 9th of August 1956, thousands of women from all over the then Transvaal, and other parts of South Africa, marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the introduction of pass laws to women, which restricted their movement and obliged them to live in certain areas. The movement was organised by famous women leaders from various backgrounds, including Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and Fatima Meer.

24 September (Heritage Day):

Formerly celebrated as Shaka Day by the Zulu population of South Africa, to commemorate the revered King Shaka, the 24th of September is now celebrated annually as Heritage Day, to celebrate the diversity of South African culture. After a recent publicity campaign by a well-known South African chef, Jan Braai, Heritage Day is also known as “Braai Day”.

16 December (Day Of Reconciliation):

Formerly a date that commemorated two different historical events, one the victory of the Afrikaner Voortrekkers over the Zulu army at the Battle of Blood River, and the other the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC) liberation movement, this day is now celebrated as the Day of Reconciliation, which brings two significant events together in a gesture of cultural unity.

Keep an eye out for events that celebrate these public holidays if you’d like to learn more! Interestingly, a lot of these events took place in and around the Gauteng area, so it’s easy to visit these places and learn more about the events that took place there if you’re interested:

Voortrekker Monument, Pretoria

Union Buildings, Pretoria

Sharpeville Memorial

Hector Pieterson Memorial, Soweto

Some Interesting Places Further Away:

 Where Mandela first voted, Natal

Battle of Blood River memorial, Natal

Dog Walks In Johannesburg

Spring is springing and now that we have a little more freedom (both us and our hounds) there is no better time to explore with your dogs some incredible parks around Johannesburg.

This a great variety to choose from whether you want to go on or off leash, a gentle stroll or a bit of adventure trail. Whichever option you go for, please make sure that you take only socialized dogs especially for off lead adventures. 

If you are new to dog walks in Joburg, keep your possessions on you to a minimum and hidden. Keep hydrated, especially if you’re not used to the Joburg summer sun. Walks earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon are mor enjoyable for you and your dogs. 

Tips and Etiquette 

• Please take a poop bag with you

• Leash always (even if you’re planning on an off leash walk you never know what might happen with other dogs)

• Water if you think it’s going to be a long walk especially in summer 

• If it’s too hot for you, it’s definitely too hot for your dog (rather walk when its cooler)

• Leave your dog toys at home … it may just cause issues with other dogs wanting to play

Here are some of my favorite walks that we love to go on in and around town. 

Delta Park in RandburgDelta Park is popular with dog walkers due to  hectares of lush green grasslands and woodlands. There are also several dams for the dogs to wade in, and an heaps of bird life to keep an eye on. 

A couple of the entrances also sell doggie products and coffees for the humans.

Do keep an eye out for cyclists as the walking and bike trails often intersect and they can come through at a speed. 

Daria Photography KUIER.co

Emmarentia Dog Park ,is a firm favourite with dogs and their humans! 

Check your entrances to see if you can enter off/ on leash. The off leash entrances are the top entrance on Thomas Bowler or Orange Road. There are a couple of dams where in summer, the dogs just love to jump in and cool down. 

It also has a great community atmosphere and apart from the entrance there is little interaction with cyclists.

The Wilds – one of Joburg’s most beautiful park, The Wilds has been declared a National Monument. Its located sits in the dead centre of urban Johannesburg and is easy to drive by if you don’t know what you’re looking for.  The park is open for walking tours during the summer months and you can bring your dog provided it’s on a leash. The views from the top of Joburg are spectacular and you get the added additions of seeing some of artist, James Delaney’s Owl and other animal installations 

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Sandton Field and Study Centre – is located near the Sandton business district,  this tract of urban greenery is fenced off for safety and allows for dogs to run free and off-lead. The horses in the land across from the park are in eye-view for the dogs, making for much excitement. 

There is also a fabulous café on the property to cater for the humans.

James and Ethel Grey park – is a small park close to the suburb of Birdhaven, just south of Melrose Arch, and started its life as a bird sanctuary - hence the rather apt name for the suburb closest to the park. Sandspruit River that winds through a range of beautifully landscaped lawns, indigenous vegetation, walkways and benches. 

By the main entrance in Birdhaven there is an area for the dogs to potter around off leash and it’s a hugely socialble part of the park. The views of the Joburg skyline are fabulous as well. Grab a cup of coffee from Voodoo Lily up the road and enjoy the scenary.

Melville Koppies Nature reserve - is not only a reserve but also a Johannesburg City Heritage Site. It is the last conserved remnant of Johannesburg's ridges as they were before the discovery of gold in 1886. Its open daily, but it is recommended that you walk in groups. Definitely not a walk for elderly or injured dogs. There are also monthly guided walks if you want to learn more about the reserve and dogs on leads are welcome 

Here are some other places to consider in and around Joberg

• Echo Dog Park in Fourways 

• Walkhaven in Muldrersdrift  

• Faerie Glen in Pretoria

• Huddle Park Golf & Recreation in Linksfield

Organized walks 

Before COVID there was an increasing number of night dog walks being run by either breed groups or organisations such as dotsure Night Walkies.

There are often in parks and well organised with water, night lights etc (also something fun to do with the kids) 

As we start to open up again keep an eye out for night walks as something different to do with the pets (and your family).  

Enjoy the summer and your fur babies 

Writer: 

Daria Higgins 

KUIER.co

What you need to know for South African Lock Down

Its official, South Africa has been placed into lock down, the most compassionate thing you can do right now is to stay home.

Have time to volunteer?

Charities and their beneficiaries need your assistance now more than ever!

You can still create social impact while remaining safe, without leaving your home.

#1 Virtual Volunteering. Volunteer from where you are, taking on small digital tasks like social media support, marketing, writing, translation, design, video mentoring, data capturing and more.

#2 Donating Money. Sometimes the best way to help, is just to give money. Donations from R50+ are accepted.

#3 We've also created this very special #CoronaVirus campaign, where we highlight all the needs being posted daily by forgood's 400+ NPOs. See below - and please help us by sharing this campaign.

Check out ForGood’s opportunities here: https://www.forgood.co.za/campaigns/volunteering-in-the-time-of-coronavirus

For more information & recommendations come and join the conversation over in our Moving to South Africa Facebook Group Click here and come say hi!

Provinces of South Africa

Well-traveled individuals from all over often say their favourite holiday was in South Africa. Living here, we can see why people love it. South Africa is a land of big skies where people live knowing we are surrounded by the natural beauty of the land and animals. We cannot control the wild thunderstorms and heavy rains, the strong Cape winds, or the thundering of the elephants in the bush. We cannot change history and pretend there was no long struggle for freedom. But we can learn the stories of all the different people, tribes, animals and places of South Africa, and celebrate the diversity that makes this place so uniquely beautiful.

Read below for more about the difference provinces below. We review the environment, climate, and highlights that each area has to offer, so you can help narrow in on what you’d like to see during your time in South Africa!

(Note- if you are traveling in the Northern provinces and are concerned about Malaria, do ask your doctor for prevention pills. But always carry sun block and bug spray with you, just in case!)

Map from http://www.southafricanholidays.info/

1. GAUTENG

Gauteng (Pronounced ‘how-teng’) is the smallest but most populated province. Most people leave the city on holidays. However, Joburg in December is quiet, which is also a nice change. With so much to see here, don’t let your family come to visit but only see Cape Town!

Gauteng falls into the bushveld or grassland biome, which means that the province is largely flat, with rolling hills. The exception is the Magaliesberg mountain range about an hour outside of Johannesburg which is known for its beautiful hiking trails and natural pools.

With a very temperate climate, Gauteng is considered to have some of the best weather in the world, with sun almost every day of the year, summer thunderstorms, dry and only mildly cold winters. (The coldest place will be your house, as the sun will warm you quickly in winter!)

• PRETORIA: As the capital city, Pretoria is an interesting place to visit to get a sense of the country’s history, with many historical attractions and museums. Pretoria is also a bit more laid back than Joburg, and has a number of outdoor markets and restaurants. Day Trip Idea: Take the Gautrain to Pretoria and then an Uber to the city’s weekend market at 012 Central.

• JOHANNESBURG: As you’ll soon discover, Joburg is known for its busy nightlife, many restaurants, and art and cultural events. Check out our calendar for what’s going on.

• SOWETO: An acronym for South Western Townships, Soweto is one of South Africa’s largest and most established townships, and is a popular tourist attraction for its many historical sites, including Nelson Mandela House. Other things to do: Lebos Backpackers Cycle Tour; Chisa Nyama in Soweto; Bridge Swing; Mandela’s House, Tour with Thami

• Magalies Meander: One of the country’s many tourist routes, follow the Magaliesberg Meander for restaurants, hikes, getaways and other places to visit.

• Dinokeng: The only Big 5 reserve within city limits in the whole world, Dinokeng is just past Pretoria and an accessible option for game viewing, with a number of self-drive routes and accommodation options.

• Cullinan: Close to Dinokeng is the old mining town of Cullinan, where you can visit a mining hole enjoy the town’s many restaurants.

• Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve: South of Johannesburg you’ll find open spaces and nature reserves like Suikerbosrand where you can go for walks and escape the city buzz.

• Cradle of Humankind: This area of the province is where the oldest hominid fossils have been found, which you can learn more about at the Maropeng Visitors Centre and Sterkfontein Caves. There are a number of restaurants and outdoor activities in the Muldersdrift area. More places to visit in the Cradle of Humankind are the Monaghan Farm, Walk Haven, Forum Homini, Nirox Sculpture Park 

2. WESTERN CAPE

The Western Cape is South Africa’s top tourist destination, with Cape Town at the hub. Not only is Cape Town a center of food, art, and culture, but is full of historic landmarks from the spice trade. The area is world renowned for the wine industry, and the unique natural beauty of the land, flora and fauna.

The Western Cape is the fynbos biome, or the Cape Floral Kingdom, which is entirely located in South Africa and you won’t see anything like it anywhere else in the world. There are more than 8,000 species of plants, and nearly 70% can only be found here. But the soil isn’t great, and the mountains are vast, and the winds are heavy... This all means the plants here are hardy, tough, and short. There are not a lot of big game animals naturally, but the birds, insects, small mammals and lizards are many! The Fynbos is where the protea thrives (the national flower), and where the rooibos is native (used mainly in tea). Inland, the valleys between mountains have fertile grounds, where settlers found amazing soils for vineyards centuries back.

As the Western Cape is the Southern most area of Africa (Cape Agulhas being the most Southern point), you’ll have a mix of the two currents from the oceans meeting. This means amazing viewing of sea life at certain times of year. It can be very windy and wet in the winter, but long dry spells of summer make for an almost desert-like scene in some areas. Its often likened to the climate in the Mediterranean.

• CAPE TOWN: The “Mother City” as it’s known is a very popular tourist destination with beaches, winelands, world renowned restaurants, and nature reserves. Do not miss Table Mountain and the Cape Point. (Often done with a tour guide to make sure you see it all within your time frame.)

• GARDEN ROUTE: East along the N2 from Cape Town you’ll be spoilt with mountain ranges, winelands, and even whale sightings in season.

• Train trips: Although it is possible to travel on Shosholoza Meyl from Johannesburg to Cape Town, there are some luxury options including The Blue Train and Rovos Rail.

• Paternoster: North West outside of Cape Town, the town of Paternoster is a popular holiday destination along the coast, known for its fresh seafood and white-washed houses.   

• Some online resources to plan your trip: Route 62, Cape Town Travel, West Coast Way, Garden Route

3. KWAZULU-NATAL

A diverse province that has everything from rolling hills, mountain ranges, and coastal forests, KwaZulu-Natal (often referred to as KZN) offers a number of different kinds of holidays, only limited by the time you have to spend! Durban is the heart of KZN, but you’ll find great destinations all around the busy metro area that will amaze you.

KZN is part of the savanna, or bushveld, though the sub tropical climate along the beaches will vary differently from the mountain sides, especially in winter where you may find snowy ski resorts! In summer, it is very lush and beautiful in many areas and feels more like a jungle than the savannah!

Very humid in the summer, but more temperate year round due to the warm ocean currents. It is a great option for a winter break from Joburg.

• DURBAN: A popular holiday destination year-round, Durban is popular for a beach get-away. Many resorts are North and South of the city center.

• LESOTHO (Sani Pass): Accessible as a day trip from Durban, the Sani Pass is a rugged pathway into the Drakensberg Mountains, and an off road adventure for anyone who’s into 4 x 4’s.

• DRAKENSBERG: This extensive mountain range has a number of different peaks to climb and lodges to stay in at all times of the year.

• Battlefields (Rorke’s Drift, Spitskop): in the early years of British colonialism in South Africa, there were many epic battles between the Zulu and the British in the interior KwaZulu-Natal region. With a knowledgeable guide, exploring this region is like taking a step back into the past, and gives a insight into the early beginnings of South Africa as a country. (We highly recommend a stay at Fugitives Drift - its a once in a life time experience!)  

• Hluhluwe: A park famous for its rhino conservation, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is a private reserve well known for its variety of animals.

• iSimangaliso: a wetland park and UNESCO heritage site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (also known as La Lucia), is home to a number of endangered species and wonderful place to learn more about South Africa’s marine life.

• For more information and travel resources: Zulu.org, Durban Experience, Battlefields Route

4. MPUMALANGA

A diverse province when it comes to scenery, and has everything from misty, fly-fishing getaways to your prized 5-star luxury wildlife safari getaways around Kruger.

Mpumalanga is a mix between the grassland and bushveld, with some mountainous areas. The area does have a lot of farms and plantations you’ll see on the roads. To learn more about the land, visit the Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Nelspruit.

When visiting, prepare for rains and mosquitos in the summer but the winter will be colder and dry, though the sun will warm you during the day. If you plan on a safari to see animals, prepare to start before sunrise and bring warm clothes and hats for open-air safari rides!

• Kruger National Park: the world renowned park spans a wide area of the north eastern part of the country and extends into the Limpopo province, so here there are various types of terrain, from bushy shrub to more sparse, Baobab dotted landscapes. With so many different kinds of accommodation available, you’re likely to see all of the Big 5 here, and more.

• In addition to Kruger, there are so many other different game parks and private reserves to visit, from luxury Londolozi to more affordable family-getaways. One of the most popular tourism routes is the Panorama Route, which will take you to all of the most popular destinations in the area, including God’s Window.

• Dullstroom: A popular getaway for people living in Gauteng, Dullstroom is known for its fly-fishing, outdoor activities and it’s variety of restaurants.

• Some resources to use to plan your trip: Bush Breaks, Mpumalanga.com, South Africa.net 

5. NORTH WEST

The North-West province is best known for its platinum mines and its main tourist attraction: Sun City, only a couple hours drive from Joburg.

With rolling savanna and bushveld, the North-West province has some of the country’s best known game reserves.

The climate here is much like Joburg in Gauteng. You’ll have plenty of sun all year with colder winters and hot summers.

• Hartebeespoort Dam: take a day trip out to the dam to eat at one of the area’s popular restaurants (Silver Orange Bistro and Orient- one of the top 10 restaurants in the country), or go up the newly built cable car to get a view over the surrounding area. There is also an elephant rehabilitation centre where you can walk “trunk-in-hand” with elephants.

• Pilanesberg: Pilanesberg is easily one of the country’s most underrated game reserves. Easily accessible from Joburg, this Big 5 reserve offers a range of accommodation options, and is also very close to Sun City.

• Sun City: a gambling mecca, Sun City is an expansive resort that hosts an annual golf tournament and a popular outdoor water park and outdoor activities centre- great for kids!

• Madikwe: One of the most famous and luxurious game reserves in the country Madikwe is close to the Botswana border.

• Groot Marico: a historic area famous for the stories about it written by South African author Herman Charles Bosman, the Groot Marico is a quirky, off-the-beaten path literary and cultural destination.

6. LIMPOPO

Previously known as the Northern Province, Limpopo is named after the river that forms the boundary between South Africa and its neighbouring countries. It is less populated by large modern cities, but boasts much larger influence from traditional African tribes. You can drive here from Joburg or Kruger within a few hours.

Made up of a variety of different landscapes, from savanna to forests, a section of the province is the Kruger National Park, with the rest of the province home to a number of other wilderness areas. You’ll find a lot of Baobab trees in this area.

Limpopo can get very hot, and is a welcome escape from Gauteng in the winter because it will still be cold only at night here.

• Waterberg: An accessible getaway from Joburg, there are a number of private game reserves in the Waterberg area, which is malaria-free.  

• Venda: a lush and fertile area, Venda is one of South Africa’s official languages, but one of the less well known tribes, but high in cultural significance.

• Mapungubwe: The ruins of Mapungubwe show evidence of an advanced civilisation, which wasn’t given credit until recently, which makes it an important cultural destination.

• National Parks: Marekele National Park is one of South Africa’s national parks, with a variety of accommodation options available.

• Magoebaskloof: known for its forests and famous cluster of cycads, Magoebaskloof is a beautiful escape from the surrounding bushveld.

• Some ideas of things to do and where to stay in Limpopo: Leshiba, African Ivory Route, Go Limpopo, Limpopo Overview 

7. EASTERN CAPE

The Eastern Cape is a bit of a drive from Joburg, but for an extended getaway a road trip down to the Eastern Cape will be well worth your time, with lots of stops to make along the way. Or, you can opt to fly to Port Elizabeth and then rent a car.

The Eastern Cape landscape ranges from semi-desert Karoo to rolling grasslands, savanna and coastal thicket. You’ll find beautiful forests and amazing beaches. You’ll easily fall in love with the landscape here!

The climate can be windy and cooler on the coast and hotter inland, much like the Mediterranean feel. You might see a lot of surfers enjoying the water!

• Kenton: A popular seaside holiday destination for families, Kenton-on-Sea has both a large beach and a river nearby, if you’re looking to ski or take part in watersports, and have access to a boat. There are also some game reserves nearby which make this a destination with lots to see and do in the area.

• Wild Coast: A largely underdeveloped part of the country (and formerly an “independent” country), the Wild Coast is an idyllic getaway for those looking for something more rustic, although there are a number of luxury resorts and lodges as well.

• Graaff Reinet: A Karoo town with beautiful historic architecture, Graaff Reinet is an ideal stopover on the way to the Eastern Cape coast, for its history and nearby game reserves, the most famous of which is the Valley of Desolation. The town also hosts an annual wine festival called Stoep (Porch) Tasting.

• Addo Elephant Park: One of South Africa’s most diverse national parks in terms of terrain, Addo covers everything from dunes to forest, and is most famous for its elephants, although you’ll also see a variety of other animals as well.

• Port Elizabeth (PE): a thriving port city, PE infrastructure got a substantial upgrade before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and has several historic sites worth visiting, as well as an underrated variety of restaurants and coffee shops.

• Jeffrey’s Bay: A surfing town made famous by the movie The Endless Summer for its right break wave, Jeffrey’s Bay is still a surf mecca, and a popular tourism destination along the N2.

• Mahkanda (formerly Grahamstown): Historic and beautiful. Famous for its annual arts festival, which takes place in July.

• East London: Another coastal hub along the N2, East London is South Africa’s only river port, and also a gateway to many of the province’s tourist attractions. Nearby Chintsa is a popular holiday destination.

• Another resource to help plan your trip: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/mountain_zebra/

8. FREE STATE

A largely agricultural area, the Free State is known for several agricultural fairs, it’s history, and Bloemfontein- the judicial capital of the country.

The interior of South Africa has wide open grassland spaces, and moves towards mountainous terrain closer to the Lesotho border.

The continental climate will bring hot summer suns, and maybe even snow in the winter time in the mountainous areas.

• Bloemfontein: the judicial capital is also a convenient stop over along the N1 highway. An administrative hub for the surrounding region, Bloemfontein has a number of historic buildings.

• Clarens: right next the beautiful Golden Gate Park (named for the range of sculpted sandstone mountains), Clarens has become a popular getaway only 4-5 hours away from Joburg. The town has an annual craft beer festival in February.  

• Ficksburg: right next to the Lesotho border, the town of Ficksburg hosts an annual cherry festival.

• Gariep Dam: a prominent water source for the rest of the country, the Gariep Dam is an impressive structure to see, and there are a number of resorts and places to stay nearby, as its also a convenient N1 stopover.

9. NORTHERN CAPE

The area is mostly semi-desert Karoo vegetation, made up of two different areas: Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo. Seeing the desert flowers in this area is one of the truly beautiful experiences you will ever have.

As it is mostly desert, there is not much rain, colder nights, and hot summers.

• Kimberley: the place where the South African diamond rush took place, Kimberley is an administrative hub for the surrounding region and a historic centre, with the Big Hole a prominent tourist attraction. We reocmmend staying over at the Kimberley Country Club.

• Upington: A prominent agricultural and miningcentre, Upington is a gateway for further travel in the area.

• Richtersveld: a reserve famous for its “halfmens” plants and quiver trees, this rugged terrain is popular for those looking to experience a different kind of wilderness.

• Namaqualand: famous for its annual bloom of desert flowers, you’ll need to plan ahead to make the most of this natural event. The coastal Groenspoeg area is a recent addition to the national park in the area.

• Tankwa Karoo: an area known for its stargazing, there is another national park in this area as well as the annual Afrikaburn festival.

• Sutherland: one of the coldest places in the country during winter, Sutherland is the best place to go stargazing, and the home of SALT, an internationally run astronomical telescope and centre.

• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: An international collaboration between South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, the Kgalagadi is a large expanse of wilderness with a lot to see and do within it.

That’s just a taste of what South Africa has to offer.
Enjoy your adventure!

Contact us with any questions!

A Brief History of South Africa

South African history is complex, and still evolving. We can definitely recommend reading more in-depth books and articles about South Africa’s past, especially its most recent history, but just to give you an overall picture, this blog post will give you a very brief overview of some of the highlights:

Pre-Colonial History

Although only discovered in the 1900s, hominids like Mrs Ples and Little Foot, some of our earliest human ancestors were living in the area in and around Johannesburg, now known as the Cradle of Humankind.

Long before Europeans arrived in Cape Town, San and Khoi pastoralists were living in South Africa. Nguni tribes were also making their way down into the southern part of Africa in the period between … and by the … were settled as far down as the present-day Eastern Cape province. Read more 

1500s

It’s rumoured that ships from China had already visited Africa before the 1500, but the most celebrated “discovery” of the South African coast was by Portuguese explorers, who were the first to map out a route to the East by rounding the Cape, which they called Cabo das Tormentas (Cape of Storms).  Read more

1600s: Dutch Settlement

As part of finding a better way to trade with the East, the Dutch East India company (VOC) set up a refresh station at the Cape, which became a more permanent settlement as the need for fresh food, and farmers, grew.

1700s: European Expansion

With an established presence in the Cape, European residents began to resent the control of the VOC and started moving into the interior to set up their own farms as “Free Burghers”. This led to conflict with the Xhosa in the Eastern Cape.

1800s: Voortrekkers And British Expansion

With a drive to grow their empire, Britain soon looked to the Cape and Natal to further solidify their international maritime and colonial growth, which led to conflict with the Dutch authorities, and eventual takeover of the Cape and Natal provinces by the British.

Dissatisfied with being British subjects, farmers known as “Voortrekkers”, moved into the interior in several phases and under different leaders, and settled their own republics in the Transvaal (now Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga), parts of Natal and the Free State.

During this migration, known as the Great Trek, there was conflict between Voortrekkers and local groups of people like the Zulu, mostly famously at the Battle of Blood River.

British control intensified when diamonds and gold were discovered in the interior in the latter part of the 1800s, which led to conflict with the so-called Boer republics, and the Zulu.

1900s: Gold, Industry And Union

In the early 1900s, South Africa was still a divided country, but eventually, after several negotiations and conflict, South Africa was united as a single country in 1910, and the famous Union Buildings in Pretoria were built to commemorate the occasion.

Since then, there has been an intensive period of conflict and struggle, from involvement in both World Wars, the introduction of segregation by law, the declaration of South Africa as a republic, the rise and fall of apartheid, and the last 20 years of post-apartheid growth and adjustment.

Resistance to apartheid is an integral part of the last 100 years of South African history, and has been there from the very start, when segregation was first enforced. However, it was in the last 40 years that resistance became violent, and uprisings changed the nature of the conflict.

1994- Today:

The New South Africa brought in a different era of South African history, one that still faces challenges of rectifying the wrongs of the past.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the CODESA negotiations were a fundamental part of bringing in this time of change, and Nelson Mandela’s humility helped to create the country we know today.

To expand on this very brief overview, we definitely recommend the following:

South African History Online

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

The Illustrated History of South Africa by Herman Giliomee and Bernard Mbenga

Driving and Buying a Car in South Africa

In South Africa, the majority get around in mini-bus taxis or buses, but as an expat, it’s likely that you will be able to afford your own car and will prefer to drive yourself. This is the easiest and most convenient way to get around Joburg (unless you’re stuck in peak traffic, which happens!) Owning a car as an expat involves some effort, but with all the right documents, and patience, you’ll be able to buy and register a car.

We recommend that each adult has access to a car (it will make your life much easier). But, make sure you are both prepared to drive on the right side of the car, left side of the road!

Driving in South Africa happens on the left side of the road, and the driver is on the right side of the car.

You do not need an additional drivers license unless your ID card is not in English. In this case, you need a International Drivers Permit. Always carry a copy of your passport, your drivers license, and the car registration tag (usually posted on the windshield). If you are getting residency, then you will need to apply for a South African Drivers License.

NOTE: Services like Uber are very popular, so make use of them, especially if you’re going downtown or plan to drink alcohol. 

Finding a Car

For the price difference, you may want to look to buy a second-hand car in good condition. You can research online to see what’s available, as the models available might differ slightly from other countries: http://www.autotrader.co.za/  

To give you an idea, here is a list of the top 10 passenger cars sold in South Africa as of July 2016: 

    1.    Volkswagen Polo Vivo
    2.    Volkswagen Polo
    3.    Toyota Corolla Quest and Auris
    4.    Toyota Etios
    5.    Ford Fiesta
    6.    Ford EcoSport
    7.    Toyota Fortuner
    8.    BMW 3 series
    9.    Renault Sandero
    10.    Ford Figo

Other common models, especially in Gauteng, are Mercedes Benz, Volvo, Hyundai i10S, Honda Jazz and Toyota Quantums and Volkswagen Kombis (the car of choice for mini-bus taxis).

Most cars in South Africa are manual transmission but automatics are becoming more common. It’s advisable to get a car that also has ABS breaks, power steering, airbags and adequate boot (trunk) space, especially if you have children.

You’ll see most of these popular cars are white in color. This is because white will reflect the hot sun just a little bit more, and it blends in so that you don’t stand out.

SAFETY FIRST!

Hi-Jacking and Smash-and-Grab

There’s no need to be overly paranoid, but know that in certain areas of Johannesburg, especially in the wealthier suburbs and downtown, that vehicle crime is an unfortunate reality. 

To mitigate your risk, know which cars are targeted for hi-jacking by criminals. These models are popular and easier to take apart and to be used as spare parts. These high-risk models include:

    •    Toyota Fortuner
    •    Volkwagen Polo
    •    Toyota Quantum
    •    Toyota Hi-ace
    •    Nissan 1400
    •    Toyota Hilux
    •    Toyota Venture
    •    Toyota Corolla

Avoid driving in high-risk areas or at late night/early morning, but unfortunately hi-jacking may happen anywhere. Take an Uber if you feel unsafe in a certain area.

Smash-and-grab can also happen anywhere. Keep your valuables, purses, laptops out of sight from passersby, either under your seat or in the boot of your car at all times. When leaving your car, always be sure to keep your valuables in the boot where they cannot be seen. Double check your doors are locked, as it is common that criminals have remote lock jamming devices to keep your doors open. If your car will not lock, get back in and drive away.

Smash-and-Grab Protection

This is a plastic film will prevent the glass shattering if someone breaks your window during what is known as a smash-and-grab, where a criminal will break a window to steal something out of your car when you are stopped at a robot (traffic light). Keeping your window open a fraction also makes breaking a window more difficult.

Other preventative tactics include always leaving adequate space in front of you and the next car when stopped at a robot, this will give you a chance to maneuver in the event that someone does try to break your window. 

Also, it is common that people do not come to a complete stop at intersections when roads are open and cars are not seen. We recommend you drive safely and defensively at all times, but if you ever feel unsafe or threatened, put your safety first!

Children in Cars

It is the law for children 3 and under to be strapped into a car seat at all times. Beyond that, the laws are few and rarely enforced. It is estimated that much less than 60% of children in vehicles even use car seats, and the thought of this is frightening. We recommend you secure your children in the car as you see fit… and get a car seat!

You can buy car seats at Baby City, Babies R Us (Toys R Us), Makro, Game, or other stores that carry baby items. You can also find ones from people in your area or expat groups selling old ones which works out well, provided they have never been in an accident.

4x4 Vehicles in South Africa

In Johannesburg 4x4 or SUV’s are common. One of the South African customs we adopted as a family is to go on long road trips to the coast, and so now need a larger car to pack all the bikes / beach gear etc, plus its great to get off road exploring either on safari or in Lesotho. (Most game reserves will allow you to drive you own car, but 4x4 cars will have access to more roads and be able to get through rougher terrain than others!)

Note that you’ll spend a lot more on fuel though!

To give you an idea of what’s available, here are the top 10 SUV’s in South Africa in 2016:

    •    Ford EcoSport
    •    Toyota Fortuner* (See above)
    •    Renault Captur
    •    Toyota Rav4
    •    Ford Kuga
    •    Nissan Qashqai
    •    Nissan X-Trail
    •    Volkswagen Tiguan
    •    Jeep Grand Cherokee
    •    Toyota Prado

Land Rovers, BMW X5, and Volvo's are very common amongst the expat community and you can often pick one up from someone that is leaving. Other common utility vehicles, which you’ll see more of in rural areas, are Ford Rangers and the Toyota Hilux.

How to Register a Car

In order to register a car, you will need to buy one first and organise the requisite finance (if needed). To secure finance you will need to have a bank account (See post on finances).

You’ll first buy the car (pay a deposit and secure finance), and will then receive a certificate of registration from the car dealership where you bought the car. This can be an issue if you do not have South African credit already accumulated. Discuss with your employer, sponsor, relocations agent, or bank representative what’s possible in your situation.

Without a South African ID, you will need to get a Traffic Register Number, but please note that the laws keep changing on this. Often you can only get a Traffic Register Number if you have a valid work permit or permanent visa (but not always!). 

Documents for the Traffic Register Number

To get a Traffic Register Number, register your car with the Traffic Department, and provide the following, which your car dealership should provide:

    •    Roadworthy certificate
    •    Current registration
    •    Invoice/Proof of payment

In order to get license plates for your car, go through the registration process at any branch of the Traffic Department. This can be very busy, so plan plenty of time!

In addition to the above documents, you will also need to provide the following documents to register a car:

    •    Proof of identification: Passport and passport pictures (for processing)
    •    Proof of residence: Lease agreement
    •    Proof of drivers license: Foreign drivers license

Insurance and Car Tracking

As crime is a problem in South Africa, it’s important to take out comprehensive insurance. Many South Africans also install a tracking device in their cars so they can be more easily traced if they are stolen.

There are various options available but the following are popular companies that operate around the country:

    •    Outsurance
    •    Miway
    •    Hollard
    •    Dialdirect
    •    Tracker
    •    Cartracks
    •    Matrix

Your car dealership will also be able to offer you some options to consider, and may be also able to organise this on your behalf.

If You Are Stopped…!

In the past few years there has been a noticeable increase in police and metro police presence in Johannesburg so be sure to always keep your driver’s license with you and make sure that your vehicle license is up to date. If not, you will be fined, and could potentially be arrested, if any of these are out of date.

Road blocks are not uncommon, but are not to worry about. Just keep your license, registration, copy of your passport with you. If you are flagged by a police officer at day in a busy area, you can pull over. They mostly just make sure your documents are in order.

With many minibus taxis notoriously unroadworthy, metro police have taken a hard stance on infringements, particularly DUI, so be careful and don’t drink and drive (stricter laws have just come into play). Even two drinks is too much. If you don’t have a designated driver, just take an Uber!

If you are asked to pay for an infringement that you do not agree with, you can always call your embassy, and tell the officer you will be doing this. Keep this number handy on your cell phone, and make sure your phone is charged!

ENJOY THE RIDE!

You will not avoid driving in South Africa, as public transit options are very very limited and walking or biking is often not an option for the commute. Make it a comfortable journey for you and your family- connect your bluetooth to your phone, get some excellent music, podcasts, audiobooks, even when driving around the city. Traffic jams are common, but just drive defensively, keep your phone charged, carry a pair of sunglasses, and you’ll be just fine.

Hiring Domestic Staff

The employment of household staff is common in South Africa by both local and expat families of all races, due to the large social-economic gap pervasive in the country (for cleaning, gardening, child care, etc.). It can be complicated, both morally and practically, and can dramatically improve your lifestyle in some ways. But, at the end of the day, it’s a personal choice for what’s best in your situation. 

When I first came to South Africa I was firmly against employing full time household staff but then I found Francina working and living in the home we were moving in to. My choice changed to hiring someone or whether to make a middle-aged woman unemployed and homeless. It made my decision easier… Although she retired shortly after my first child was born!!! Very wise of her!!  

I have been very lucky with the people we have employed. Each has been fantastic and we now have the most wonderful and joyful lady working with us. Nonhlanhla has been a massive blessing to my family, she brings fun and laughter to our house, loves our children, and looks after any guest like royalty.   
  
In truth, I now believe the moral question is not whether you choose to employ or not. Rather, if you do employ someone, how will you do it? In his inspirational The Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela wrote that:

“A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones”.

I firmly believe that you can judge the character of a person and a household by how happy, engaged and fairly paid the domestic worker or nanny is.  (Please note that the term “maid” is used often but can be considered derogatory, and the word domestic worker is used instead.) 

Some South Africans are amazing employers and are helping in their own homes to rewrite the wrongs of the past. Many South Africans pay for their domestic worker’s children to attend the same private schools their own children go to, others pay for driving licenses, loans to buy property, cars, to put them through apprenticeships… there are 101 ways you can support an individual or family that makes your life a bit better.

Unfortunately here are still some who do still take advantage of people needing work. It is common to hear that employers don't pay a fair wage because they think they can always get someone else at a cheaper daily rate look after their children and homes. There are others who treat their employment as charity, expecting to be thanked, and favours to be returned for their generosity. There are also those who feel let down, betrayed or misunderstood.   

At the start of employment, I’ve always asked each person what they would like to do and will offer to pay for training in order for them to upskill (and ultimately let them escape us). Our first nanny took courses in health and safety, food preparation and crafts.  Our current nanny (the aforementioned Nonny) decided she would like to be a teacher. Each Saturday morning she attends college, and now has a job as a pre-school teacher.  

Having staff in the home is a big cultural difference if you aren’t used to it, but you can approach it the same as any other form of employment or relationship. Keep communication open and regular. Ask yourself if you could do that role, work those hours, and for that pay. I am sure you will hear good and bad stories, but your experience will be uniquely yours.

Things You Need To Know

The domestic worker industry has come a long way since 1994 at the end of apartheid. This is now a regulated industry that will require complying with the following legislation: 

• Common Laws of South Africa

• Labour Relations Act

• Basic Conditions of Employment Act

• Sectorial Determination of Domestic Workers

There is a domestic staff workers union who advocates for the industry, but it is rare that you hear of any formal reporting happening by employees or employers at this time, partly out of lack of information (and fear, honestly). But it does happen. Overall, it’s important to establish clear lines of communication and expectations upfront. A language barrier might be something you may need to overcome in some instances, as many domestic workers don’t speak English as their first language (common first languages are Zulu, Tswana, Pedi and Sotho). 

Live-In or Live-Out?

Most domestic workers will travel long distances for their jobs if they are live-out. Consider this in your pay rate or your expectations on hours and over-time work.

Most houses that you will see around the metro areas have domestic quarters on the property. You can choose to have a live-in support, or live-out support in either case. Be sure you see this attached or detached cottage and understand what quality of house you can provide for a domestic worker, if you want someone live-in.

Naturally, these women have lives of their own as well, and many have children. If they do have children, would the children be able to stay living with them, or are the children enrolled in a school across town? If they are living with you, how will the children interact with you and your family? We find it a blessing to have added South African family/siblings to our household, but not everyone is so open. Think about what works for you and your family and be clear about what you expect!

Finding a Domestic Worker

The most common way of finding a domestic worker is to reach out to your network for recommendations. If you are just moving here, you may not have a network yet, so you can either wait until you find someone to trust, use a professional recruitment service. Ask your realtor or relocations group for advices.

It is common for your residential neighborhood, area, workspace, or whatever community you find yourself in to have a Facebook Group or WhatsApp Group. Its a great way to ask for recommendations. At any time, you are welcome to ask for advice on our Moving To South Africa Facebook Group as well!

Professional Recruitment Services

• Sweep South (A newly established online portal where you can book cleaning appointments online with screened domestic workers. This is includes insurance and is very affordable for ad hoc cleaning.)

• Domestic Bliss

• Domestic Guardians

• Little Sunshines (Au pair agency)

To employ domestic workers to look after children, make sure you have a more in-depth research and interview process. Many service providers can offer this support to find the right fit. 

Healthcare

HIV/AIDS is notoriously prevalent in South Africa, although it is illegal to require someone to reveal their status. However, many professional recruitment services will require domestic workers to have a tuberculosis (TB) screening.

SEE OUR HEALTHCARE BLOG POST FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE ON HIV AND DOMESTIC WORKERS.

You may want to outline expectations about healthcare upfront. There are public hospitals that will provide services, and you should find the one closest to your home in an emergency. It is your choice if you want to support your worker or worker’s family in the case of a health crises. It may be something you want to consider, as we often hear of problems surrounding ongoing medication, tests, doctor visits, emergencies, and the like. Set an agreement about what you will and will not consider when health is a challenge.

Wages

Wages are paid at month’s end. You can pay in cash, EFT, or even send money via your bank App. Whatever suits your worker.

When determining a wage for your domestic worker, you’ll need to consider the following:

    •    Hours of work
    •    Overtime pay
    •    Salary increases
    •    Deductions (for example, rental for a live-in space)
    •    Annual and sick leave

Minimum wages differs between urban (A) and non-urban areas (B), so make sure you know what you need to comply with, although in most cases (unless you live just outside of Johannesburg), you’ll need to comply with the wages set out in A. Most people will pay at least R350 per day, plus money for transport, and meals in addition. This then will be increased each annual in line with inflation. 

About meals… on a regular day, you should be sure to feed all your domestic helpers, including gardeners and cleaners. It is standard to give them tea and a breakfast, and lunch. If you choose not to do this, tell them in advance and give them a small bit of extra pay for the day’s meals.

This is a great tool if you are employing someone full time, to ensure you are covering basic costs of living: http://living-wage.co.za

Follow this link for everything else you need to know (including a contract template).

Employment Contract

It’s advisable and legally required to have a formal employment contract set out before hiring a domestic worker full-time. See link above for a template. Part-time workers usually do not expect a contract, but you can choose to create one that clearly outlines expectations.

Also consider that you will need to register and deduct costs like UIF from your employee’s monthly wages. UIF is the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Some people opt to deduct costs like health insurance and airtime from monthly wages, but this is not regulated and will need to be agreed to in the contract.

Be aware when hiring someone that labour law is very strict in South Africa, and if an employee feels that you have dismissed them unfairly you will taken to the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration), so make sure understand all the legal requirements and a clear contract agreement in place to avoid any potential conflict. 

Advice For Making A Contract

• Having a job description is vital!

• It is helpful to set up a cleaning schedule and lay out clear expectations as some domestic workers may be more experienced than others, and some will need some guidance as to where, how and how often to clean, and which cleaning products to use.

• LEAVE: Ensure that in the employment contract annual leave is clearly defined as to whether it is entitled to or on an accumulation.

• TERMINATION: Termination of a contract should always be in writing. It is custom to help find your domestic worker another job, and to pay anywhere between 3 months - 1 year salary as compensation.

• SUNDAY: Sunday work needs to be agreed on by both the employee and employer. Generally, if the employee works on a Sunday he/she shall be paid double the daily wage. Of it it is the routine to work Sundays, he/she shall be paid one and a half times the wage for every hour. Paid time-off in return for working on a Sunday may be agreed upon.

• Family Responsibility leave is for five (5) days.

• The Sectorial Determination prohibits an employer from deducting any monies from the workers’ wages without his/her written permission.

• LANGUAGE: Your domestic worker’s language skills may not be the same as yours! Be sure to sit down with her/him and go over your contract verbally so you both understand the expectations and ask questions of each other.

If you choose to employ workers in your household in any capacity, we hope you find the right person to make your life just a bit more enjoyable here in South Africa!

Cost of Living and Getting Set Up in South Africa

We have already discussed Bank Accounts and Mobile Phones and Internet. This week we look at the general cost of living and setting up all your utilities.

AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET

Your monthly budget will depend largely on your lifestyle, and what sort of corporate package (if any) you are on. There is a brilliant comparison website Numbeo whereby you can type in your current city, and new destination to compare all the typical living costs.

But to give you a rough idea here is our average monthly budget. 

There are some things such as security (R600 per month) and private School Fee's that you may not pay for back at home. However eating out, wine, and entertainment is much cheaper. 

• Rent (3 bed house) R30,000 - R70,000 per month

• Electricity / Water/ Waste R3500

• Healthcare (family of 5) around R4000- R8000 per month

• School Fees R3,500 - R7,500 per child per month

• Car / House Insurance R4000 per month

• Petrol R2500 +/- (keep this in mind when choosing a place to live and daily distances travelled)

• Food shopping R6500 +/- per month

• Eating out and coffee (a very popular past time in Joburg) about R3500

• Entertainment (events, cinema and live shows) R1200

• Phone account (both landline and cellphone) R450 - R1500

• Internet (Fixed landline and ISP or just fibre, depending on whether this is available) R950

• Domestic Worker (depending on the contract, this can involve paying for airtime as well, as it’s common for home helpers to run out of airtime and this can make it very difficult to get in touch) R6500 +/- 

• Gardener R350 per day (1500 per month for 1 day a week) 

• TV R800 for DSTV, or if you have a smart TV use netflix

• Gym R300 - R1500

• Wine ………………. 

In addition to the above, your car will be much higher cost, you can expect to pay at least R300,000 + South Africa imports of their cars, and they come along way - so they are very expensive.  Its also good to remember there is a high import tax applied to most luxury goods, to most branded items are much more expensive to buy here. 

UTILITIES

In most rental agreements, water is included, but if you don’t have a prepaid electricity meter, its best you ask for your electricity to be added to your monthly rental invoice, and your landlord can send you the meter reading so you can check it.

Refuse removal is also included in most rental agreements if you live in an apartment complex or housing estate. Note the day that refuse is removed in your area, and make sure your bin is out first thing in the morning, or you take your rubbish to the collective waste removal area in your apartment or housing complex.

Recycling still isn't that wide spread, some area's will pick up your paper, but recycling still tends to happen by people looking for work, and thus going through bins to collect your recycling and taking it to the relevant centres for you (they then get paid per bottle or container). We sort our recycling out and put it in a clear bag at the top of our bins. There is also a great organisation that is formalising this process by employing the same collection people to work directly for them - http://wholeearth.co.za/

POST OFFICE

The national postal service has come under fire recently for poor service delivery due to internal management issues, but while you can’t always rely on the post office 100%, it’s still functional and can help you with the following:

• Local postage

• International postage (although for speedy delivery it’s advisable to use a courier service like DHL, Aramex, PostNet, Dawn Wing or FedEx, even though these services will be more expensive. Note that when receiving an online shopping purchase from an international retailer you might need to pay import tax duties so take this into consideration when making the purchase)

• Car license renewals

• Paying for your TV license

Furthering Your Career Whilst Living in Joburg

Living in a new place is daunting, and sometimes wears on our confidence of who we are, and what we are capable of. Sometimes, to live the life you want you need a new purpose or new perspective. Here are some things for you to think about as you think about your time living in Joburg, whether it is temporary or permanent!

It is important to think how to create a weekly routine in your new life. It helps to give you the certainty and structure that we crave. Whether you are in full time employment or have time to fill, here are our suggestions on how you can gain new skills and further your career whilst living in Johannesburg.

VOLUNTEERING OR WORKING FOR AN NPO/NGO

In general, South Africa is a fairly advanced country when it comes to most kinds of technological and industrial development, but what you’ll find is that there is a glaring gap between those who have access to the direct benefits of this development and those who don’t.

As a visitor and expat, this economic divide can be very overwhelming and uncomfortable, but there is a lot that you can do to contribute to organisations that are working to build an economy that supports education, entrepreneurs, and the growth of small to medium businesses (SME’s).

As Johannesburg and Gauteng have the largest population density in the country, you’ll find no lack of opportunities to work with people if that is something you are interested in. As ad hoc volunteering is welcomed, but often not conducive to sustainable change, taking up a more extended position at a local or international NGO could be an option if you are looking to do something rewarding with your time in South Africa.

NGO Pulse is an online publication that gives a broad overview of the Non-Profit and Non-Governmental landscape in South Africa, and also lists available vacancies: http://www.ngopulse.org/

For Good is an online search engine that connects your skills and availability to current opportunities. https://www.forgood.co.za/   

Contact an organisation that works in an area that you’re passionate about and ask about how to get involved. Volunteering is a big tourism industry in South Africa, which charges international visitors to take part in volunteer and internship programmes. You can sidestep paying to volunteer, unless this is affordable or something of interest to you (the main target market for these programmes are university students and recent graduates).

SETTING UP YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Unemployment is a huge problem in South Africa, and entrepreneurship is highly encouraged. Setting up your own business can be a great opportunity. If you choose to hire someone that could be added opportunity to pass on your skills to a local and help them grow their career!

Depending on your visa and what work you’re allowed to do, here are some ideas of growing industries in South Africa to consider:

eCOMMERCE PLATFORMS: with the success of online retailers like Yuppiechef, Superbalist and One Day Only, this industry is growing as people start to trust online retailers more and courier services become more efficient.

VIRTUAL ROLES: Virtual assistants are becoming more and more popular, and with increasing numbers of people starting up online businesses, support assistance is needed. This is most needed for administrative and marketing support, so it could be worthwhile investigating a role that suits your skills and needs, and which could also provide some flexibility. 

EDUCATION: With an education system that is changing but has historically not served the majority of the population, especially in more rural areas, there is definitely a need for skills development and education in all areas, so investing your time in supporting an educational initiative could be very worthwhile.

Skills development is also a major component of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), which aims to rectify the injustices of the past by prioritising the development of previously disadvantaged individuals.

It’s important to note that BEE has been introduced to bridge the gap created by historic lack of access to education and employment. Preference will always be given to locals with the relevant criteria, so keep this in mind when applying for a job as a foreigner. 

Want to find out more or have questions on how to start your own business? We often run online webinars and meet up events to discuss the opportunities. Contact us with questions, or join the Portable Careers for Expats Facebook Group for regular updates or webinars!

TRADITIONAL JOBS

It’s not impossible to get a job in South Africa, especially if you have certain critical skills and speak different languages, but you will need to go through an extensive process to apply (see BEE note above).

Here are some popular job search websites:

Bizcommunity: http://www.bizcommunity.com
Career24: http://www.careers24.com/
Career Junction: https://www.careerjunction.co.za/

It’s more old school, but also keep an eye out for listings in local newspapers… as you never know! Noticeboards at supermarkets or community centres also post job listings.Check out…
The Rosebank Killarney Gazette
Sandton Chronicle
Randburg Sun

Networking

Using your network has a huge influence on finding a job. Make use of social media pages and groups! Join groups like LinkedIn and update your profile to showcase your personal story and brand! With more online networking in South Africa than ever before, it can also be helpful to join a local organisation or group to meet people and discover all kinds of opportunities.

Internations Johannesburg
MeetUp.com
Moving to South Africa (Run by Translating Me!)

Or join a CO-WORKING SPACE to have opportunity to rub elbows with other entrepreneurs! There are co-working spaces all over the metro area, and some actively encourage networking. Find a space near you at this site.

If you speak a foreign language, want to learn one, or are interested in expanding your international network, here is a list of organizations in the area at Expatica.com.

NOT THE RIGHT VISA?

If you have a Visitor Visa and are unable to work locally, you might consider working remotely. Here is a post we put together: Careers to Start From Home.

Or find inspiration on our Pinterest board here.

THE MAIN POINT IS…

Don’t let a lack of confidence or the wrong visa make you think you need to put your life on hold. You can further your career and professional development in all kinds of ways. Online tools are getting more accessible every year- making opportunities to study, work, learn, network, and use your skills! Alternatively, there’s nothing wrong in choosing to enjoy your new expat life and focus on your family, traveling, and learning about South Africa. Just be sure to take care of yourself and your needs at the same time!

Make sure you join our Portable Careers for Expats Facebook Group, or reach out to us directly if you have any questions!

To read more about how to find your “Sparkle”,
continue on our Translating Me blog:
Staying Relevant Whilst On Your Career Break.

Everything You Need To Know About South African Visas

You won’t live in Joburg for long before you hear a horror story involving visas. The laws change regularly, and sometimes require you returning to your home country for 6-8 to process. This information is correct at time of publishing, however you should contact your immigration agency if you have one, or email us directly (hello@translatingme.org) with any questions.

There are three ways to legally reside in South Africa:

1. As a visitor

2. As a temporary resident

3. As a permanent resident

4. With a work permit

   VISITOR VISAS

Visitor visas are valid in South Africa for 90 days, and many countries are exempt from having to apply for a visa in advance, although there have been many changes in the last year or two, so it’s best to double check with a South African embassy official in advance.

As an overall checklist, to visit South Africa you’ll need the following:

    •    A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your intended stay that will not expire within three months
    •    At least two blank pages in your passport for endorsements
    •    A valid visa (If required from your country)
    •    Sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay
    •    A return or onward ticket
    •    Yellow fever certificates if your journey starts or passes through a yellow fever area in Africa or South America

NOTE: If you are traveling with minor children you will need to provide a certified unabridged birth certificate for each child, and if traveling without your spouse, you’ll also need to provide an certified affidavit from the missing parent. Click here to download a template affidavit form. 

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE VISAS

If you would like to stay for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a temporary residence visa. 

One of the major changes to visa legislation over the past while is that you can’t apply for a temporary residence visa while in South Africa on a Visitors Visa. So, to stay legally in South Africa for longer than 90 days you’ll need to apply for this visa before you arrive in South Africa. (Though this has just been changed for visa exempt passport holders. Please check with your airline to confirm what you need!)

The list of temporary residence visas includes:

    •    Business visa
    •    Work permit/visa (the terms permit and visa are used interchangeably)
    •    Study visa
    •    Exchange visa
    •    Retired Person's' visa
    •    Relatives' visa
    •    Medical treatment visa

BUSINESS VISA

This is a visa for a foreign professional that wants to start their own business or would like to invest in a South African business. To qualify, you’ll need to invest R5 million into South Africa with funds that come from abroad.

Application Process for Business Visa

    1.    Submit an application for recommendation at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). This will be then be forwarded to the South African mission if the business is feasible and of national interest. You will be notified of this but won’t know if the recommendation was positive or negative.
    2.    The South African mission will then submit the notification in support of the business visa application, which will be approved or denied.

NOTE:
    •    A business visa can be extended from within South Africa.
    •    Annual conditions listed will need to be acted on annually if the visa is approved.
    •    A business visa holder can apply for permanent residence in South Africa at a VFS Centre immediately after the business visa is issued.

STUDY VISA

A study visa is required for any foreigner who would like to study in South Africa at any educational institution that is recognised by the Department of Education. If your child is attending a South African school they will need to have a Study Visa (from the year they turn 6 years). 

VALIDITY: The study visa will be issued in line with the course of study at the chosen institution. The maximum period of time is 8 years for primary school and 6 years for secondary school. 

MEDICAL AID: To qualify for a study visa the applicant will need to prove that they have adequate medical aid/insurance for the intended period of study and that this is recognised in South Africa. 

ACCEPTANCE OR ENROLLMENT LETTER: You’ll need to provide an acceptance letter or enrollment letter from the chosen institution to apply for a study visa.

NOTE: 
A study visa can be extended from within South Africa.
A study visa can be changed to a different visa from within South Africa if the study visa doesn’t have any conditions. 
It is possible to apply for South African permanent residence on a study visa but certain conditions apply.

PERMANENT RESIDENCE

To be a permanent resident in South Africa you can get one of two visas:

    •    A direct-residence permit: You can only apply for this once you have been a temporary resident for 5 years (please note IntraCompany visas do not qualify). 
    •    A residency-on-other-grounds-visa: this requires you to qualify for application. Read on to find out more.

A residency-on-other-grounds visa is more complicated, and communication around changes has unfortunately been unclear, but in general, you can only apply for this visa if: 

    •    have an offer for permanent work in South Africa, or
    •    have exceptional skills and qualifications
    •    plan to set up a business in South Africa
    •    qualify as refugee
    •    qualify as retired person
    •    are financially independent
    •    are relatives of a South African citizen/permanent resident

WORK PERMITS

If you are NOT a permanent resident, and you would like to work in South Africa, you will need to apply for a work permit. This includes the following three visa categories:

    •    Intra-company-transfer work permit
    •    General work permit
    •    Critical skills work permit

INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER

If you are employed by an international company that operates in South Africa, or an affiliated company, for a minimum of 6 months, you can qualify for an intra-company transfer work visa.

• You can’t extend this visa

• You don’t qualify for permanent residence with this visa.

• An intra-company transfer work visa is only issued for a maximum of 4 years.

• A skills transfer plan is a very important support document when applying for an intra-company work visa, that needs to be implemented for each position at the company in South Africa

GENERAL WORK VISA

This visa applies to all applicants who don’t qualify for any critical skills, as listed in the Government Gazette. This will generally require you to have a sponsor who can support your application for employment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

    1.    Apply for a recommendation from the Department of Labour. The Department of Labour will then forward the recommendation to the South African mission (note that this can take a while). Processing at a South African mission can take between 10 to 60 working days.
    2.    One the applicant has been notified that the mission has received the recommendation, the applicant can then submit the application.

NOTE:
    •    You will not be granted a visa if there is a South African resident with the same qualifications and experience that can fill the position
    •    The application for a recommendation at the Department of Labour can take 2 - 6 months to be processed. The application can only be submitted once the notification from the Department of Labour is received
    •    A general work visa is issued for a period of 5 years or in line with the employment contract
    •    You can apply for permanent residence after a period of 5 years of continuous employment

ALTERNATIVE PROCESS

In the event that an applicant’s employer can provide a strong motivation, an application for a waiver from certain requirements can be submitted to the South African mission instead of the application for a recommendation at the Department of Labour. 

This application for a waiver will be processed by the Department of Home Affairs, which can take 3-6 months. The South African mission will be notified on the outcome of the waiver application, and your employer will be given notification of the finalisation of the application, which will be submitted by Home Affairs in support of the general visa application.

CRITICAL SKILLS VISA

You can qualify for this visa if you have one of the critical skills listed in the Government Gazette. Click HERE for full list. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

    1.    Apply for an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), which will evaluate the foreign qualification according to the standards in South Africa. The processing period at the South African Qualifications Authority is 15 working days, provided that the verification from the Educational Institution abroad can be done within the given timeframe. The verification from abroad can cause a very long delay. (Please note they often require a breakdown of your university degree scores)
    2.    Register at the relevant professional body recognised by SAQA. This will provide the necessary letter of confirmation from the relevant professional body that is recognised by SAQA or relevant Government Department. The processing period at the various professional bodies are between 10 - 60 working days.

NOTE:
    •    Critical skills work visas are issued for 5 years or in line with the employment contract
    •    You can extend this visa from within South Africa
    •    If you change your employer, you’ll need to submit an application at a VFS Centre in South Africa
    •    Once you have gained Critical skill visa you qualify to apply for permanent residence

FOR ALL VISA APPLICATIONS

You will need the following to apply for a visa/permit:

    •    Two recent passport photographs
    •    A passport valid for 6 months after you intend to leave South Africa*
    •    A medical report signed and stamped by a doctor to prove that you aren’t a medical risk
    •    A chest X-ray and report to prove that you do not have TB (not required for children or pregnant women)
    •    Your full birth certificate
    •    Police clearance certificates for applicants who are 18 years and older, from all countries where they have for more than one year (Applying for this in itself can take a while).  
    •    Completed application form
    •    Yellow fever certificate if you have been traveling or have passed through a high-risk area

NOTE:
    •    You will need to visit the South African mission or VFS in person to submit your application.
    •    You will need to pay the prescribed fee in the prescribed format when visiting the South African mission to submit the application.
    •    All supporting documentation must be in English or translated into English by a sworn translator.
    •    Supporting documentation is only valid for 6 months

APPLYING FOR A WORK VISA AS AN ACCOMPANYING SPOUSE ON A VALID WORK VISA: 

It is possible to apply for a work visa as an accompanying spouse on a valid work visa, provided that the spouse qualifies for a suitable work visa and that there is no condition on the accompanying spouse visa. For more information on various work options available to "accompanying spouses” go to TranslatingMe.org, Portable Careers for Expats Facebook Group, or join us at a meet-up near you!

GENERAL NOTES:
All personal documentation in support of an application should be available in South Africa at all times. This includes: 

    •    Qualifications
    •    academic transcripts
    •    unabridged marriage certificates
    •    unabridged birth certificates
    •    divorce decrees
    •    medical aid that is recognised in South Africa

VISA RENEWALS

Start the renewal process early!

You can renew your visa from within South Africa (apart from Intra-Company Transfer), but take note that you need to wait for the renewal to be granted before you leave the country otherwise you won’t be able to re-enter.  Check your passport expiration dates, and if you need to apply to transfer a valid permit to a new passport (Otherwise, the old passport with visas will need to be carried with you at all times along with the new one!)  

IF YOU ARE FLAGGED AS UNDESIRABLE AT THE PORT OF ENTRY

A visa only shows that you have gone through the necessary rigmarole to legally enter and stay in a country, it does not guarantee entry. If you are caught for whatever reason, try to avoid them stamping you as “undesirable” - its a lengthly process to reverse.  

You can apply to have an overstay uplifted electronically at the Department of Home Affairs office, but only with a strong motivation. The outcome will be received in an official electronic letter. If you have questions, please contact us!

The wonderful team at Immigration Boutique put together a great crib sheet outlining the various Visa options. Click Here to Download It. 

At any time, join Moving to South Africa Facebook Group to ask a question or get advice in this process!

Good luck to you and your family!

How to Open a Bank Account in South Africa

Getting all of your finances sorted can be stressful when you’ve just moved to a new country, and in South Africa, there are a number of bureaucratic processes that you’ll need to go through to open a bank account which can be potentially frustrating and time consuming.

But no need to worry, we’ve got all the information you need, which will save you some time and hassle!

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

To initiate any kind of administrative process with an official institution in South Africa you will always need to provide proof of residence, whether you are a local or a foreigner.

This is because of the implementation of FICA, or the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, which requires everyone to provide proof of residence as part of reducing financial crime.

Another document you will always need to provide is proof of identification, which for South Africans is the green ID book or newly implemented ID card. As an expat, use your passport.

In some instances it is perfectly acceptable to provide a driver's license as proof of identification, for example, when checking in at the airport, but this isn’t the case when dealing with a bank.

As a foreigner, this means you will need to provide your passport and proof of residence when conducting any kind of transaction. Proof of residence can be a copy of a lease (entire lease or a letter from the guest house / hotel you are staying at) or a utilities bill sent to your address (which you probably won’t have yet).

Sadly many banks will not open a bank account for you unless you have a work permit. Also joint bank accounts also come with large amount of paperwork, and often require you explaining exactly what you expect from a joint account. It took me a good 6 months to get full access to my husbands account (which was meant to be a joint account) so I could pay for bills etc. 

Documents Needed

Proof of ID and permanent visa/work permit
Proof of residence
Starting deposit (can help with monthly fees)
3 months Statements from existing bank (not always required) 
Letter from employer confirming contract and monthly salary

For Spouses…

When your family signs up for a bank account, you will be able to get full privileges on the account, but you need to make sure it is set up for you to use online and on your mobile phone App. This way, you can manage accounts, pay for school fees, make your own EFTs, see balances, etc.

When going to the bank, be sure you have your original passport with visa and original proof of residence, and maybe even marriage certificate if you have one handy! Sometimes getting full access takes a while because you might not have the right documents. But don’t give up! As a Spouse, having access and knowledge of your accounts is important!

CHOOSING A BANK

In South Africa the three most popular banks expats use are: 

ABSA (which Barclays has just sold)
Investec
First National Bank (FNB) / RMB - Private bank

You will find most of these banks in any big shopping malls in Johannesburg, and ATM’s (Automatic Teller Machines) can be found in various locations in the city, at shopping malls, strip malls and petrol stations.

TIPS

Banks charge you a fee for holding an account here, they also often have number of additional fee's for services (such as drawing money out of ATMs). So make sure you are fully aware of all the fee's.  

When taking out cash - try to choose an ATM within a busy shop and be aware of your surrounding.

FNB App is the most user friendly in our opinion, plus it has a great rewards programme, giving you access to Slow Lounges at the airports amongst other benefits. Their personal banking operation however, isn't as good as Investec, who also operate a good global rewards programme.   

Most South Africans use Debit and Credit Cards to manage their transactions, although mobile apps - Zapper and Snap Scan are becoming increasingly popular. Especially at pop up markets and outdoor events. Don't be surprised if you are asked to sign for your purchase in addition to entering your pin. 

You will need to learn how to make an EFT (Electronics Fund Transfer) as lots of independent operators and contractors prefer to be paid this way. This can be done through your bank’s online portal or their App on your phone.

Be prepared to receive notifications after every transaction (often both you and your partner will get text messages or email alerts), this is great to pick up on any fraud, not so great for your partner to know how much you just spent shopping.......... ;)

The South African postal service is not 100% reliable at the moment, so rather opt to receive updates via email, although most banking communication is moving towards online communications anyway.

NOTE: Banks are notoriously busy at lunchtime and weekends so if you need to talk to a bank employee face to face, it’s best try and go in the morning during the when it’s inclined to be less busy. 

If you have your own local expert - they can assist you with completing all the necessary paperwork for you. If you would like a list of all paperwork and certification process for your chosen bank, then request your own personalised report here.  

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

South African banks are very strict about any money coming into and out of the country, so when receiving funds from abroad, it can be easier to use something like PayPal (which is currently only affiliated to First National Bank). You will however, pay a transaction fee and it is a bit of a process to set up the account and to make withdrawals or deposits.

When receiving a PayPal payment or a fund transfer from abroad you will always need to give a reason for the transaction before funds are allocated. There are a variety of options, just choose the most appropriate one. Your bank will charge a fee for any incoming or outgoing transaction so just be sure to check.

Making a FOREX payment can be done online on your online banking profile, but you will need a SWIFT/BIC code when making a foreign payment. You’ll also need to provide your bank’s SWIFT/BIC code when you’re going to be receiving funds into your account (it makes the process a lot quicker). 

The private banks are much better set up to receive foreign funds - but still prepare for it to take some time in getting cleared. 

You can not exchange Rand into a foreign currency unless you have an airline ticket

For more information for banking click here.