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Starting a business in South Africa?

Expanding your business in South Africa?

Then you've come to the right place first!

Welcome to Business Startup Overseas. It's a brand new event launched specifically to help people like you - people planning to start a business abroad, expand a business internationally or trade overseas.

There’s never been a better time to trade in ‘the global market’ – and this is where you can learn all you need to know to succeed.

One place, hundreds of advisers, thousands of opportunities.

Startup Overseas will run alongside the established Business Startup event. Now in its seventh year, it's the first and undisputedly biggest and most comprehensive event for start-up and growing companies, bringing them together with hundreds of people and organisations which can help them to get going... and to succeed.

At Business Startup Overseas, in one single location you can:

Meet hundreds of public and private organisations which can help you start or expand your business abroad
Seek expert answers to the specific questions you have about your chosen destination and business
Choose from a range of seminars covering everything from banking abroad to web-enabled commerce, and every stop in between
Register for one of our specialist, interactive workshops, each of which explores the specific challenges and opportunities of a particular region
Review your business plans and ideas with enthusiastic experts
Meet the PLUs - 'people like us' who've tried and tested the theory of starting up overseas: learn from their fortunes and failings
Forge valuable new business and personal contacts for your new life
...and it's all FREE!

There's never been a better time to start or expand a business overseas... and there's never been an event like this anywhere in the world to help you.

See you there!

General Information Why South Africa? South Africa is an interesting combination for potential investors. In recent years they have obtained a sound level of economic stability, but they are also an emerging market, meaning a lot of opportunities for investors and much potential for new businesses. English is the main business language, and as a result of a British presence in the past, the legal systems are similar, as are business practices. The two countries have strong trade links, with a lot of UK investment in South Africa already. They also have a government committed to growth and economic stability. Another plus is the cost of doing business, which appears quite favourable if it’s a country with an emerging market that you are looking for. What are the currency and the exchange rate? The currency of South Africa is the South African Rand. £1 = R 15.790300 A Rand was worth more than a US Dollar when it was first introduced in 1961. It remained stable until the 80’s when it fell, eventually to R2.50 per Dollar. With the break-up of apartheid, continuous reforms within the country, along with other local and international events, by the end of the 1990’s the Rand was trading at 9 Rand to the Dollar. In 2001 it was at R13.84 to the Dollar – the lowest ever. It rallied from 2002-2006, but with high inflation and a large current account deficit it fell again – it is now at R 8 per US Dollar. What sort of opportunities are there in South Africa? One of South Africa’s driving forces at the moment is the desire for dynamic growth. They want to encourage industrial and commercial development as well as training to encourage employment and economic growth. One of the ways that they have highlighted for achieving this growth is through international investment. Therefore, South Africa is encouraging fixed investment in their increasingly expanding economy (at the moment they are exceeding their target of 10% growth in fixed investment). However there are still challenges for business in South Africa; employment issues resulting from the ‘Broad-based Economic Empowerment’ regulations can be complicated, and there are issues with crime, power and water sources, skilled labour, and red tape. The South African government are aware of the problems of bureaucracy and red tape. Small business is a sector identified as key in helping South Africa to achieve growth targets. As a result the government has set up a special unit to try to help reorganise the regulations that they have decided hamper small businesses. Cabinet has adopted a plan to remove some ‘unnecessary regulatory obstacles’ hampering small business; tax, labour regulations and bylaws are some of the things mentioned. Some of the growth industries, or industries with opportunities are: agriculture education and training infrastructure – water, power, sanitation, telecommunications, road, rail, airports sports / leisure construction engineering healthcare – manufacture / administration and management tourism What’s the climate and weather like in South Africa? Compared to many other countries at the same latitude, South Africa’s temperatures are milder. This is as a result of the Bengula current on the West Coast, and the altitude of the Central Plateau. In winter temperatures on the plateau can drop quite low, therefore, the coasts are the warmest place to be in the winter. The East Coast is warmer than the West Coast due to the warm Agulhas Current. South Africa does not get a lot of rain. Average rainfall is about 464mm per year. Average temperatures (max and min)– degrees Celsius July – minJuly – maxJan – minJan - maxBloemfontein311517-2Cape Town2616187Durban28212311George2515197Johannesburg2615174Kimberley3318193Musina3421257Piertermaritzburg2818233Port Elizabeth2518209Pretoria2918205Skukuza3321266Thohoyandou31202410Upington3620214 Where should I base myself? Probably best answered by visiting the various parts of South Africa and seeing which place seems right for you. South Africa boarders the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Its neighbours are Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. The climate, as well as the style of the city or town, can vary a lot. A lot would also depend on the type of business you were thinking of. Obviously in the larger centres, there is a lot more scope for business. There are 9 provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape. Some of the major towns and cities are; Johannesburg (pop. 2867500) The capital of Gauteng. It is Africa’s most advanced city. It is also a source of a large gold and diamond trade as it is in a mineral-rich area. Johannesburg has been rated as one of the most dangerous cities in the past, but now there are measures in place to reduce crime for 2010. Cape Town (pop. 2686000) The Capital of Western Cape. It is also the Legislative capital of South Africa, and the home of the National Parliament. Cape Town is a popular tourist destination, with a good climate and infrastructure. It is famous for its harbour and table mountain. Durban (pop. 2354900) The home of the busiest port in South Africa. It is a popular tourist destination due to a sub-tropical climate and its beaches. Durban is a popular spot for holiday-makers from Johannesburg, especially with the golden-mile (a stretch of beach-front). Pretoria (pop. 1228200) The administrative capital of South Africa (and the de facto capital). Situated in a sheltered, fertile valley, Pretoria is also home to the largest university in South Africa. It is an important industrial centre – iron and steel are major industries. Port Elizabeth (pop. 833900) The ‘friendly’ or ‘windy’ city. It is one of the major ports in South Africa and the home of the country’s automobile industry. It is also a major tourism spot because of the nearby beaches. Pietermaritzburg (pop. 420500) The capital of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa’s second largest city. Major industries are aluminium, timber and dairy products. It is also the start or finish of the famous ‘Comrades marathon’. Benoni (pop. 406400) A very multi-cultural city. It used to be a mining town, but now focuses more on industry and services. There are many lakes in the area. Vereeniging (pop. 385600) The predominant language here is Afrikaans. Nearby is Sharpeville, site of the Sharpeville massacre (1960). A very important manufacturing centre: iron, steel, pipes, bricks, tiles, lime etc. Bloemfontein (pop. 371200) The ‘city of roses’ is the capital of the Free State province. It is also the Judicial Capital of South Africa. It is called the city of roses because there are many flowers and a rose festival. Newcastle (pop. 244300) In the shadows of the Drakenberg mountains. It is also a stop on the journey between Durban and Johannesburg. Newcastle serves the surrounding agricultural industry, but is also home to coal mining. There is a lot of industry here; a steelworks, a rubber plant, textile factories and chrome chemical manufacturing. East London (pop. 236100) South Africa’s only river port. East London is situated between the Indian Ocean, the Buffalo River and the Nahoon River. It is also close to the East Coast Resorts, therefore tourism has been growing here. It is a big industrial centre, especially cars. Welkom (pop. 226100) Famous for its international racing circuit, Welkom services the mining industry. It is the home to the Free States’ gold fields, but there are also uranium and mineral ore mines. Kimberley (pop. 189500) Famous for diamond mining in the past, it now has a tourist industry heavily linked to its mining industry. The famous ‘De Beers’ company was one of the major miners in the area. Business in South Africa What are the main industries in South Africa? The main economic sectors in South Africa are; finance, real estate and business services; manufacturing; hotel and restaurant trade; government services; transport, storage and communications; mining and quarrying. South Africa has become a lot more focused on foreign trade in recent years. In 2001, exports accounted for 29.1% of GDP, a huge increase from 11.5% just a decade earlier. South Africa has been working to gradually decrease trade restrictions and decrease many of its protectionist tariffs and quotas. What does South Africa export? South Africa’s main exports are; mineral raw materials, agricultural products, chemical products, machinery, electrical appliances, and vehicles. Its main trade partners are the United States of America, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom. Trade between the UK and South Africa has remained buoyant. Imports from South Africa have remained fairly stable, but exports to South Africa have risen dramatically – even in the last five years. The main UK exports to South Africa are; road vehicles, manufactured articles, machinery, beverages, and medication. What does South Africa import? South Africa’s main imports are machinery, foodstuffs, chemicals and petrol products. A number of areas where imports / investment are needed have been highlighted, these include; agricultural products, airport infrastructure and retailing, computer software and services, pharmaceuticals, railway development, security and safety equipment, water and waste water development, and telecommunications. Are there any good trade opportunities? South Africa has several trade agreements with other countries. TDCA – (Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement). An agreement between the EU and South Africa which will remove 90% of all trade barriers over the next decade. Since it was provisionally applied in January 2000, South African exports to the EU have increased by 46%. EU exports to South Africa have increased by nearly 20% in 2000 and 2001, and stabilised in 2002. Contonou Agreement – in 2000 the EU signed an agreement with African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries. This is a 20 year partnership. The agreement focuses on poverty deduction, development aid, and economic and trade cooperation. Bilateral tax treaty with the United States of America. This was initiated in 1998. A bi-lateral trade and investment framework agreement was also signed in 1999. AGOA (African growth and opportunity act) – most of the goods from the countries in this agreement can be exported to the United States duty free. SADC (South African Development Community) – In 1996 a regional protocol agreement was signed with South Africa’s neighbours in order to eventually provide duty-free treatment for 85% of trade. What do I have to do if I want to import goods to sell in South Africa? Average tariffs on imports have reduced from 22% to about 11%. Almost all of the quantitative restrictions have been removed. To ship your goods to South Africa, it is advisable that they are labelled with the importers’ shipping marks and the final destination port. If it is a rail destination, you should also mark the importers name and address. Things to think about: Regulations about labelling of food, cosmetics, and disinfectants. Grading, packing and making of canned fruit and vegetables When using packing and boxes (such as straw, flax, timber etc), this needs to be certified as free of diseases with proof on your documentation. When importing you will need to know the usual processes along with: Permits may be required Exchange for the costs of imports is available from the importers’ bank after presenting documents to prove shipping Payments in advance of shipments are not usually allowed (with some exceptions) The import of certain things aren’t permitted (2nd hand military uniforms, weapons etc) There are strict controls of agricultural products (such as plants, animals, dairy, seeds, cereals etc). You may need a permit from the Department of Agriculture Permits are valid until the 31 December of the same year You may have to register with the Directorate of Import and Exports, depending on the goods South African Customs and Excise use the GATT system of transaction value for customs duties. They also use the harmonised system for its customs tariffs. There are 11,000 separate classifications (due to subcategories) for goods, and different rates of duty. The use of a Clearing Agent is recommended as goods must be classified correctly and the right tariff must be obtained. If this is done incorrectly there will usually be a financial penalty. What other things should I consider? Patents and Trademarks If your product is original, then you should consider applying for a patent. The Patent and Trademark office recommends the service of a Patent Lawyer or Agent as the strength and breadth of protection will apparently depend on the working, specifications, definitions etc of your application. South Africa is one of 124 countries accepting the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). This means that you can lodge an international application for the countries you need. A Patent lasts 20 years, but you must start paying annual renewal fees from the end of the 3rd year. You can apply for a provisional patent yourself – this gives you 12 months to work on the product before completing a ‘complete patent’ application. Apparently the assistance of a Patent Attorney is ‘essential’ for a Complete Patent. The current application fee for a Complete Patent is R266 and the process usually takes about six months. Another idea would be to register your trademark. This means that your brand name, slogan, logo, specific shape, can be protected forever, provided it is renewed every 10 years by paying a renewal fee. Forms / further information can be obtained from the CIPRO (Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office) www.cipro.co.za Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) B-BBEE is becoming a key element in doing daily business in South Africa. It aims to accelerate the participation of ‘Black’ people in the economy. This is done through encouraging change in: ownership; management control; employment equity; skills development; preferential procurement; enterprise development; corporate social investment etc. The B-BBEE Act is only legally binding on State and Government bodies, but if you want to do business with a government enterprise, you will have to comply. You will gain ‘points’ on your scorecard and even things like your suppliers will affect your ‘scorecard’. For further information see HYPERLINK "http://www.businessmap.org.za" www.businessmap.org.za What is the employment situation in South Africa? Unemployment is quite high in South Africa, at 25.2% (2005). One of the possible problems in South Africa for new business is the shortage of skills in specific fields. The Government has introduced ASGISA (Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa), which is a set of interventions and policies to combat issues in South Africa – one of these being employment creation. This means fast-tracking development and acquisition of skills, including their importation. Applications for immigration by skilled workers in skill-shortage areas are encouraged. If you wish to employ a foreigner, they will need an employment contract in order to apply for permanent residence. An employee can also apply for a temporary visa. Employment law is based around the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997. This gives information on hours, overtime, meal breaks, public holidays etc, as well as a section on written particulars of employment which must be given to the employee. A working week in South Africa is no more than 45 hours. A working day is no more than 9 hours. Annual leave entitlement is 21 days. Minimum wage rates (these vary between jobs, sectors, town and country, provinces etc) for the various sectors can be found by contacting the Department of Labour, or some information is available on their website HYPERLINK "http://www.labour.gov.za" www.labour.gov.za Information on Immigration Do I need a visa to go to South Africa? If you are going to live and work in South Africa you will need a visa. But if you are a British passport holder you can visit for up to 90 days without needing a visa. A visit to South Africa would be a good idea, and then you can see which part of the country appeals to you. Can I immigrate – what type of visa do I need and can I get a visa? There are several ways to get a visa; two of them are discussed below: A General Work Permit This visa is valid for up to three years – but extensions can be made. It usually costs R1520. You will also need the following things: A repatriation deposit to the value of a single plane ticket An employment contract, signed, with terms and conditions of employment The employer must obtain a certification from a Chartered Accountant of the job description, the fact that the position exists, and that it will be filled by the applicant Independent certification of the applicant’ skills, qualification and experience A statement from the employer explaining the correlation between the needs of the position and the skills/qualifications/experience of the applicant Proof that short-listed candidates have been interviewed A letter from the employer to show that they have attempted to find a South African citizen for the post, and why they were not suitable Proof of an advertisement A letter of approval from the Department of Labour A Business Permit This is for people who want to invest in, open, or own a business in South Africa. The permit is issued for 24 month at a time. It costs R1520 each time. As well as documentation relating to marriage, divorce, birth etc, you will need: Proof of funds available To register with a statutory body if applicable To have a business track record to show entrepreneurial skill Proof that the business contributes to a geographical spread of activity Proof that 5 people will be employed You must also have certification from a Chartered Accountant that two of the following have been met (one must be the capital): Proof that the business is in one of the listed business sectors The export potential of the business A transfer of technology new to South Africa A business track record Contribution to a geographical spread of economic activity Capitalisation requirement of R2.5 million A business permit is issued for 24 months at a time and costs R1520.00. For more information contact the South African Department of Home Affairs or the local South African Consulate. HYPERLINK "http://www.home-affairs.gov.za" www.home-affairs.gov.za Information on Taxes What is the tax like in South Africa? For companies In 2008 companies are taxed at 29%. Also, they must pay Secondary tax (STC) at 10% (Oct 2007) on all income distributed by way of dividends. Small Companies (annual turnover less than R14 million) have a graduated tax system. 0% - on the first R43,000 10% - on income R43,001 to R300,000 R25,700 + 29% on income in excess of R300,001 For sole traders / individuals R 1 – 112 500 18 % of each R1 112 501 – 180 000 20 250 + 25% of the amount above 112 500 180 001 – 250 000 37 125 + 30% of the amount above 180 000 250 001 – 350 000 58 125 + 35% of the amount above 250 000 350 000 – 450 000 93 125 + 38% of the amount above 350 000 450 001 and above 113 125 + 40% of the amount above 450 000 Trusts are taxed at 40 %. The rates also vary for mining companies, oil/gas companies, insurance companies, and non-resident companies. Do I need to pay tax in South Africa? You are counted as a South African resident if you live there for more than 183 days a year. South African residents are taxed on world-wide income – however certain types of income are exempt, and credits are calculated for tax already paid in another country. The UK has a double-taxation treaty with South Africa – so you avoid paying tax twice. What do I have to do register for tax in South Africa? First of all you will have to decide what sort of ‘structure’ your business is: Sole Proprietorship; this is a business owned and operated by one person. All income from the business should be included in your individual tax return. There is unlimited liability. Partnership; a business run / owned by two or more people. This is not a separate legal entity, so each partner is taxed on their share of the profits. You can’t have more than 20 partners. There is unlimited liability. Close corporation – this is similar to a company. It is a separate legal entity, and it must register as a taxpayer. Members don’t have shares, but a percentage interest. The maximum number of members is 10. There is no share capital so there are no shareholders. The members are usually family etc. Private Company – this is a separate legal entity, therefore it must register as a taxpayer. The owners are shareholders, and the maximum number of shareholders is 50. There is limited liability for shareholders. There also exist; Small Business Corporations, Personal Service Companies, Personal Service Trusts, Labour Brokers, and Independent Contractors. The tax year is the first of March until the end of February. Individuals pay tax twice a year. They pay a provisional payment at the end of August (based on earnings in previous years), and the final payment at the end of February. Companies have three payments; the payments at the end of August and February, but they can also have a third ‘topping up’ payment which is voluntary. This is paid within six months of the end of the year, and the aim is to avoid a large end of tax-year payment. What sort of registrations will I have to complete for tax? New businesses must file with South African Revenue Services (SARS) for; provisional income tax, value added tax (VAT), and employees tax (SITE or PAYE). Once you have registered as a Company or a Close Corporation with the Registrar of Companies or Close Corporations, SARS will be notified and your business is automatically registered as a provisional taxpayer and issued a registration number. You must also appoint a public officer, within one month of starting business, to represent you in dealings with the revenue authorities. What’s an income tax number? This is a number given to you by SARS to identify you when it comes to dealing with tax etc. If you’re a company you will be automatically applying for this at the same time as you register your company Otherwise as soon as you start a business, you must register with your local SARS office to get an income tax number. This must be done within 60 days. The IT77 form can be obtained from a SARS office or from its website. What’s VAT? VAT (value added tax) is a tax of 14% added to the price of goods and services (there are some exceptions such as some basic foods). Businesses with annual turnover/supplies of more than R150,000 must register for VAT. If you have turnover of less than this, you can register voluntarily. Some things (such as financial services) are exempt from VAT and some things are zero-rated (such as exports, sale of a business as a going concern). You must register; Either at the end of any month where supplies in the preceding 12 month period were more than R150 000 Or, at the start of any month in which you think that the value of supplies in the coming 12 months might be more than R150 000. The registration form is available from SARS and is the VAT101. Vat returns are usually completed every two months. There are two different methods of accounting for VAT returns; The invoice basis – where the supply of goods and services are accounted for on a invoice basis The payments basis – if your business isn’t incorporated and it earns less than R2.5 million per annum you may apply to account for vat on a payments basis – you calculate vat based on the period in which supplies are paid for. What if I am employing people? All businesses with employees must register as employers and account for employees’ tax; SITE (Standard Income Tax on Employees) and PAYE (Pay As You Earn). If an employee earns R60 000 or less (after talking off pension/retirement deductions), then only SITE is payable. These employees do not need to render an annual tax return. If it is more than R60 000, both SITE and PAYE are applicable and the employee must render an annual tax return (SITE and PAYE taken off income are credited against the tax assessed). Employers must register with the local SARS office (form IRP101). They must register with 14 days of becoming an employer. They must then pay the SITE and PAYE deducted to SARS, and this is done monthly. For further information on taxes in and the tax system in South Africa, contact the South African Revenue Service (SARS). HYPERLINK "http://www.sars.gov.za" www.sars.gov.za Day-to-day information What about banking in South Africa? There are many major banks in South Africa. Here are just some of them: ABN AMRO Bank African Bank Barclays of South Africa Citibank South Africa First National Bank First Rand Bank Imperial Bank Investec Bank MEEG Bank Mercantile Bank Ned Bank Peoples Bank Sasfin Bank Standard Bank of South Africa WesBank Setting up a bank account in person in South Africa is relatively easy – you will need to show proof of identity and proof of your address in South Africa. It would be wise to check out bank websites before you open an account to find information on services and fees (as some banks can charge quite high fees). If you want to open an account before leaving the UK you will probably need more documentation. You could also see if your bank in the UK has an agreement with banks in South Africa – they can help you to open an account with a bank before you leave - although they may charge you a fee. You can obtain cash through ATMs throughout South Africa, but be aware that they can sometimes run out of money – so be prepared. Daily withdrawals are usually limited to around R2000 Inflation was at 11.1% (CPI, April 2008) Sabour (South African Benchmark Overnight Rate on Deposits) – 11.23% (09/06/2208) Prime (Prime Overdraft Rate) – 15% (09/06/2008) What is the television like? South Africa was one of the last countries in Africa to have television. The first broadcast was in 1975, and the first national broadcast was in 1976. Government control of press and radio was the main reason for television’s late appearance. Television is now broadcast in the 11 official languages as well as German, Hindi and Portuguese. SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) is the country’s semi-public broadcaster. SABC 1 – the most watched channel. It broadcasts news, entertainments and sports, in a range of languages. SABC 2 – a lot of locally produced programmes. There is a range of languages and most of SABC’s Afrikaans programming. SABC 3 – mostly in English with a lot of American and British programmes. SABC Africa – a news and entertainment channel broadcast to the African continent. MNet – a subscription channel. Free to air between 5-7pm. A mix of programming DSTV – a subscription channel, throughout Africa. More than 50 channels. Some channels cater to expatriates. e.tv – free-to-air. A mix of programming, mostly in English. And radio? There are an estimated 10 million radio sets in South Africa – a great way to reach the masses. Public Service radio The public service broadcaster is SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation). It is owned by the government, but is independently funded. The various stations target different audiences: 5FM – national youth music station MetroFM – black urban youth Channel Africa – broadcasting in many languages and throughout Africa UkhoziFM – the isiZulu cultural service (6.38 million listeners per week) Commercial Radio The deregulation of broadcasting in the late 1990’s meant that many non-state controlled stations could start up. Some of the large SABC regional stations were privatised Community Radio There are now over 100 community stations in many different languages and catering for different groups. The Icasa regulates the industry and issues licences. The newspapers? South Africa has 20 daily newspapers and 13 weekly newspapers. 14.5 million South Africans buy urban daily newspapers and 5.5 million buy community newspapers. South Africa is rated above the UK in terms of the most ‘free’ press. Main dailies – in terms of average daily readers (number of readers in brackets); Daily Sun (2.29 million) – aimed at the Black working-class Sowetan (1.54 million) – competition for the Daily Sun, it started out as a free weekly sheet in Soweto. The Star (616 000) – Originally aimed at the White market, now 50% of readers are Black Die Burger (562 000) – Afrikaans language paper, distributed in the Western Cape Citizen (466 000) – Distributed mainly in Gauteng Cape Argus (407 000) – An afternoon daily, aimed at middle to upper-class readers in Cape Town Isolezwe (391 000) – An isiZulu newspaper Bleed (364 000) – an Afrikaans language daily. Is the water safe to drink? Tap water is safe to drink in most places, as it has been treated. However, in informal and shack settlements you might want to drink bottled water. In some places the water is rich in minerals and you might experience an upset stomach for a few days until you get used to it. In the Cape the water contains humic acid, which means it is a strange colour – but apparently it is harmless. What is the health system like? The State provides basic primary health care, but it is under-resourced and over-used. To fill this gap in healthcare a lot of people turn to private healthcare, which has become a fast-growing industry. Most highly qualified health professionals work in the private sector. As a result, most high and middle-income earners tend to be members of medical schemes (about 18% of the population). The public services can also depend on where in the country you are. The government allocates money to each of the provinces, so healthcare standards can vary between provinces. With less resources and more poor people, places like the Eastern Cape have bigger problems and challenges than wealthier provinces. Will my UK appliances work in South Africa? The electricity supply is 220/230 volts – except for Pretoria (230V) and Port Elizabeth (200/250V). Most plugs have 3 round pins, but some have two small pins, so you will need a few adaptors. South Africa has also been having problems with their electricity supply in recent times. In January 2008 there were national rolling blackouts. At this time Eskom warned that regular blackouts will continue for five years or more until new power stations are built. They are also considering rationing for households. How about internet and phones? The international dialling code for South Africa is 0027. To call the UK from South Africa, you will need to dial 09 44 and then the number. All numbers in South Africa are 10 digits long (this includes the three digits for the area code), and even if a call is local you will have to dial all 10 numbers. South Africa has a very good telephone infrastructure. There is also a well developed mobile telephone network. Mobile phones can even be hired in the airport. Coverage is extensive apart from some more remote areas. Telkom and Neotel are the two main fixed-line operators in South Africa. Vodacom, MTN and Cell C are the three mobile phone operators, and nearly 80 % of the population are subscribers. The number of internet uses has increased 121% in the last two years. However, bandwidth, until now, has been a little limited and expensive. But between Government initiatives and private companies, wireless systems and fibre-optic cables are either being installed or are in the plans for the near future. What are the opening hours of shops and businesses? Business hours are usually between 8am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Bank hours are 8.30am – 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and 8.30am-11am on Saturday. Shops are usually open until 6pm, sometimes later depending on the area. Most major shopping centres and malls are open on the weekend, as are tourist areas. But in smaller towns and rural areas most things will be closed on a Sunday. How do I get around? You’re most likely to fly into Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban airports. There are shuttle buses from the airports into the cities, or taxis if you prefer, however the airports suggest using official airport taxis or shuttles. There is also a service between Durban airport and Pietermaritzburg. There are free shuttles between the international and domestic terminals in Johannesburg if you need to catch a domestic flight. In Cape Town you can walk between the two terminals. All of the airports are slightly out of the city centres. Trains in South Africa go from one end of the country to the other –with over 22 000 kilometres of rail lines. The Government has started a project to improve rail safety, but also to revive railways as a viable public transport option. The Blue Train is a famous luxury train, and there are also Shosholoza Meyl trains which transport 4 million people a year between major cities. Trains also link up to other countries, such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. In the pipeline, is the Gautrain – a project which will connect Johannesburg, the airport, and Pretoria. Planes are a better bet if you are travelling a major distance. Other major airports in South Africa include; Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Kimberley, Upington, Bloemfontein, and Pilansberry. There are 145 airports throughout the country with paved runways, and there are many aerodromes. The airlines which fly domestically in South Africa are; South African Airlines, South African Express, Airlink, Kulala.com, 1time, Mango and British Airways. Buses are an option if you don’t want to drive the long distances between some of the towns. Bus lines are; Intercape, Greyhound, Translux, SA Roadlink. For more luxury there is also Compassline. Cars are another option, especially if you plan on spending an extended period of time in the country. There are thousands of kilometres of road in South Africa. The speed limits are; 50/60 km/hour in towns, 100 km/hour outside of towns, and 120 km/hour on national highways. If you decide to buy a car, fully comprehensive insurance could be a good idea; insurance isn’t compulsory in South Africa, therefore about 70% of drivers are uninsured, and repairs are costly. Another option if you are not in South Africa permanently is a buy-back scheme. This is where the seller guarantees to buy the car back at the end of your stay. Getting there How do I get to South Africa? The plane trip usually takes about 12 hours from the UK to Johannesburg. The following airlines all travel to South Africa from the UK: Air France Etihad Airways Egypt Air Lufthansa Ethiopian Airlines KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Emirates Virgin Atlantic British Airways Go South African Airways Iberia BMI TAP Air Portugal How do I move myself and my belongings to South Africa? There are several companies which specialise in moving belongings from the UK to South Africa, from a few t-boxes to a household. Here are a few: Anglo Pacific Movers Excess International Movers Abels International Moving Services Ltd All freight International Removals PSS International Removals Bishop’s Move 1st Move International European Van Lines Robinsons Burke Bros Greens Removals Pickfords

Banking in South Africa

List of Banks

ABSA Bank 160 Main Street Johannesburg 2000 Tel: +27 11 350 4000 www.absa.co.za First National Bank PO Box 1153 Johannesburg 2000 Tel: +27 11 369 1088 www.fnb.co.za Nedbank PO Box 2752 Johannesburg 2001 Tel: +27 11 220 1720 Fax: +27 11 220 1730 www.nedbank.co.za Rank Merchant Bank PO Box 786273 Sandton 2146 Tel: +27 11 282 8000 Fax: +27 11 282 8008 Email: info@rmb.co.za www.rmb.co.za South African Reserve Bank 370 Church Street Pretoria 0002 Tel: +27 12 313 3911 Fax: +27 12 313 3197 www.reservebank.co.za Standard Bank Group Limited 9th Floor Standard Bank Centre 5 Simmonds Street Johannesburg 2001 Tel +27 11 299 4701 www.standardbank.co.za

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