Location: Southern Africa
Local Time: GMT+2
Capital City: Pretoria (Administrative), Cape Town (Legislative)
Population: 50 million
Area: 1,219,912357,021 square km, 471,008 square miles.
Language(s): Afrikaans, English, many African languages including Xhosa, Zulu
Dialling Code: 27
Emergency: Varies according to area
TV Standard: PAL
Driving: Driving is on the left. International Driving Licence required
Electricity: 250V AC 50Hz (Pretoria); 220/230V AC 50Hz (elsewhere)
Currency: Rand (ZAR 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: ZAR: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200
Coins: ZAR: 1, 2, 5. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted except for petrol which must be paid for in cash
Opening Hours
Bank: 0830-1530 Mon-Fri, 0800-1130 Sat
Office: 0830-1630 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0830-1700 Mon-Fri, 0830-1230 Sat, 0900-1700 Sat (Shopping centres), some open on Sun on flexi-time basis
Public Holidays
2012
26 Dec : Day of Goodwill
Business/Social Hints: Most business executives speak in English. There is a no smoking policy in all public buildings and on public transport. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping: When a service charge is added to the bill, tips are not necessary. If a service charge is not added tips are around 10%
