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South Africa in a nutshellWhat does Madiba say? "I believe that South Africa is the most beautiful place on earth. Admittedly, I am biased, but when you combine the natural beauty of sunny South Africa with the friendliness and cultural diversity of our people, and the fact that the region is a haven for Africa's most splendid wildlife, then I think even the most scrupulous critic would agree that we have been blessed with a truly wonderful land. I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to come and see for yourself the splendour of South Africa. I know that my people will be delighted to welcome you and I think you will be enchanted by their warmth and hospitality. I am equally sure that you will enjoy our culture, our cuisine and the warmth of our people." THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE Land: Beautiful and diverse South Africa, a large, scenically splendid and humanly diverse country at the foot of the African continent, is home to over 44 million people from at least 20 ethnic groups. It is as large as Germany, France and Italy put together. At 35 degrees south latitude, Cape Town is about the same distance from the equator as Sydney, Australia, or Los Angeles in the Northern Hemisphere. The cold Benguela current on the Atlantic and the warm Mozambique-Agulhas currents on the east wash the country's 2954 km coastline. The climate is moderate and the topography ranges from highveld grasslands to semi desert to subtropical swamps - home to some of the world's most diverse animal and plant kingdom. South Africa is the only country with an entire floral kingdom - the Cape fynbos - within its borders. Geography: Two main regions Broadly speaking the country consists of two main regions, a huge inland plateau fringed by a narrow coastal plain on three sides. Separating the two is an escarpment of mountains and hills, dominated by the might Drakensberg range. Other spectacular mountain ranges grace the southern and western Cape. There are no commercially navigable rivers and many in the drier areas flow only in the rainy season. The main harbours are at Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay. Climate: Generally temperate Thanks to the wide expanse of ocean around it, South Africa enjoys a temperate climate, though weather patterns and rainfall vary widely. The western Cape enjoys Mediterranean - type winter rains brought by strong northwesterly winds. Other coastal areas enjoy rainfall throughout the year, but 80% of the country's rain falls during the summer months of October to March, often accompanied by hail and thunderstorm. Overall, South Africa is a dry country with annual average rainfall of 464 mm, against the world average of 857mm. 65% of the country receives less than 500mm annually, the usual minimum for dry land farming. Some of the high mountains receive rainfall of 2000 mm but along the west coast the average drops to 50mm. Like much of the sub-Saharan Africa, the country periodically suffers from severe drought. On the highveld, summers are warm to hot and winters dry and sunny, with occasional cold spells and frost. Snow falls on the higher mountains around the country. The Western Cape can be chilly, windy and wet during the winter. People: Early origins Southern Africa boasts some of the earliest evidence of the emergence of the human species, of between one and three million years ago. For the past 100 000 years, the area now known as South Africa has been populated by San hunter-gatherers (Bushmen). Some 2000 years ago the San turned to pastoralism, acquiring livestock from Bantu speaking people migrating southwards. The Khoikhoi (Hottentots) migrated down the west coast and were the first indigenous people to encounter Dutch settlers under Jan van Riebeeck, who established a base for the East India Company at the Cape in 1652 to provision ships with food, water and medical facilities. Over on the east, Bantu tribes from south of the Limpopo River began migrating southwards. The Nguni (Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, Ndebele) occupied present day KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape; the Sotho (North, South) and Tswana populated the central regions, while the Venda, Lemba and Shangaan-Tsonga remained in the north. In the 1860's indentured labourers from India arrived to work on the sugar plantations on the east coast. The white population grew substantially in the 1800's with the arrival of large groups of British settlers and later, fortune seekers on the mines. Although not as numerous as Afrikaners, the English speaking community has been in the forefront of industry and commerce. Today Africans comprise roughly 77% of the population, Whites 10%, Coloureds or mixed race 9% and Asians 1%. Demographics Present day South Africa has nine provinces, created in 1994 out of the four provinces of the old SA. Most people live in the eastern regions of the country, where the higher rainfall, better soil and rich minerals offer more employment opportunities. Over a third of South Africans live in the four high population conurbations of Johannesburg / Pretoria / Vereeniging in Gauteng; Durban / Pinetown / Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal; the area around Cape Town and the Port Elizabeth / Uitenhage region in the Eastern Cape. While the homelands policy of the apartheid government has affected ethnic distribution patterns, the situation is changing rapidly as rural black people flock to the urban areas in search of work and sustenance. Millions of blacks live in urban townships or in squatter shacks adjoining cities and towns. Whites are predominantly urban based and widely spread, while most coloureds are to be found in the Western Cape and Asians in KwaZulu Natal. THE RAINBOW NATION The rainbow nation is a description coined by Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the euphoric aftermath of the transition from (white) minority to majority rule. The term captures the extraordinary diversity of races, tribes, creeds, languages and landscape that characterizes South Africa. It is a term of hope and promise. Yet the after affects of the country's divisive past are still with us and the goal of racial harmony remains elusive. Nevertheless the various tribes and peoples have learned to live with one another and even to celebrate their differences. South Africa has one of the newest and most progressive constitutions in the world, and as in Eastern Europe, people are still learning to live with freedoms hitherto denied them. The Constitutional Court has the difficult task of extending and protecting human rights in a society in the throes of transition and faced with serious problems of unemployment poverty, crime and HIV/AIDS. Brash, vibrant and assertive, the rainbow nation is not for the faint of heart - whether they be residents or visitors. MADIBA - THE FATHER FIGURE That the new South Africa has held together so well is largely thanks to the example set by the country's most famous citizen, Nelson Mandela, popularly known by his clan name, "Madiba". Mandela emerged from 27 years in prison forgiving of his captors and with his ideal of a united, non-racial South Africa intact. While insistent on social and economic reforms, he nonetheless went out of his way to heal past wounds and reconcile old foes. By gestures such as combining "Die Stem" with "Nkosi Sikelele Africa" as the country's new national anthem and donning a Springbok rugby jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, Mandela endeared himself to his apprehensive white countrymen. LANGUAGES South Africa has eleven official languages - English, Afrikaans and nine black languages - Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda, Ndebele - of which Zulu and Xhosa are the most widely spoken. Most South Africans can communicate in more than one language but English is the most commonly spoken and the language of official business and commerce. RELIGION About 80% of South Africans are Christian, 11% have no religious affiliation and 4% are Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or other faiths. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution. ARTS AND CULTURE The arts in South Africa are alive and well - even if perennially under funded. The country's first artists were the San, who decorated their caves with superb paintings of animals. European - style painting began with Thomas Baines, followed by artists such as Pierneef, Battiss, Stern and Sekoto. Township paintings, sculptures and pottery have become very popular. Among contemporary artists, William Kentridge, who transcends various art forms is best known. The music scene is even livelier, ranging from the distinctive Kwela (pennywhistle) and kwaito (African pop), to the Afrikaners traditional boeremusiek and the Cape's tiekiedraai, to soul, jazz and reggae. Hugh Masikela and Dollar Brand are two of the best-known contemporary musicians. Classical music still draws enthusiastic audiences to urban concert halls. Literature is the field in which South Africans are best know. Writers such as Olive Schreiner, Alan Paton, Nadine Gordimer, Laurens van deer Post, Andre Brink, JM Colette and playwright Athol Foulard are well known the world over. FOOD AND DRINK South Africa's many nationalities and cultures are reflected in its cuisine. While meat and chicken form the basis of many dishes, a wide variety of seafood is also available at affordable prices. Regional specialties include Cape Malay dishes such as babotie (minced meat topped with baked egg), sosaties (spicy kebabs), smoorvis (a fish kedgeree) and breyani (lamb or chicken with baked rice and lentils), and in KwaZulu Natal, hot and spicy curries and delicacies such as samoosas, deep fried doughy triangles filled with meat or vegetables and roti, a flat bread. Traditional Afrikaans fare includes bredie (a meat stew), potjiekos (a slowly cooked meat and vegetable stew), boerewors (spiced sausage), biltong (strips of dried meat), melktert (milk tart) and koeksisters (sweet plaited dough). Putu, a stiff dry corn meal is a staple of African diets, together with amasi, a sour milk. Traditional weekend fare for South Africans of all races is the outdoor braaivleis (barbecue) consisting of chops, sosaties, chicken, boerewors and putu. Wine made from imported grape varieties such as chenin blanc, chardonnay, merlot and shiraz has been made in the Western Cape for the past three centuries. Two local specialties are Muscat d'alexandrie (or hanepoot) a sweet dessert wine and pinotage, a uniquely South African cultivar developed form pinot noir and cinsaut (hermitage) grapes. South Africans are prolific beer drinkers, especially when eating outdoors or watching sport. Best known brews are Castle and Black label, while maheu, a sorghum based beer is widely drunk in shebeens and beer halls. SPORT Open space, dry climate and inexpensive access to facilities make South Africa an ideal sporting playground. And South Africans are keen sportsmen and women. Soccer is the most popular sport and other team sports - baseball, basketball, cricket, rugby and netball are played everywhere. South Africans have excelled internationally in golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, rugby and cricket. Golf boasts hundreds of courses, some of them a century old, others brand new, which offer visitors world class standards at exceedingly low fees. Access to tennis and squash and bowls venues is reasonable and there are wide, unconfined opportunities for outdoor sports ranging form horse-riding to hiking, mountain climbing to angling, sailing and wind surfing to biking and swimming. There are exceptional facilities - at a price - for hunting, shark diving and 4 x 4 trailing. GOVERNANCE AND POLITIES CONSTITUTION The new democratic Constitution, signed into law at Sharpeville in 1996, embraces all South Africa' shops and is seen as a barricade against racism and any infringement of individual rights. The Constitution is the highest law of the land; no law or government decree may supersede it. It is implemented by an independent, 11 member constitutional court, currently presided over by Mr Justice Arthur Charkalson, with Mr Justice Pius Langa as his deputy. The Constitution provides for a federal state, composed of a central government and nine provincial governments. It entrenches the separation of powers, offers appropriate checks and balances and includes a far reaching bill of Rights. Socio economic rights such as housing, health care, access to food and water, social security and basic education are also recognized. The Constitution makes the Bill of Rights 'horizontal' in its application, i.e. it binds private persons as well as the State. The courts through common law are bound to develop the notions of fairness to the individual so that legal reforms are likely to be gradual and incremental. Parliament comprises a 400 seat National Assembly and a 90 seat National Council of Provinces. The Constitution also makes provision for continued recognition of traditional chiefs and customary law. The Constitution was almost universally welcomed, though some minority parties criticized it for failing to devolve sufficient powers to the provinces. It introduced the concept of co-operative governance, in which disputes between tiers are to be resolved by mediation and negotiation. Complex mechanisms have been devised for resolving disputes between the National Assembly and the new Council of Provinces, but the system provides no process for defining power of provincial level or the political and economic relationship between local government and the higher tiers. The current tendency is still towards central control, particularly of the fiscus. Third tier government is still in the process of consolidation and transition. The Constitution provides for three categories of municipality: metropolitan, district and local area. Since the 2000 municipal elections, metropolitan government has been instituted in Johannesburg, Pretoria, East Rand, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Political developments South Africans entered 2002 with a clarion call from President Mbeki to ask themselves a single question: "How can I lend a hand in the national effort to build a better life for all?" That will be a national them oft repeated in the months to come. Mbeki also committed his African National Congress government to achieving nine specific goals. These were: 1. Reduce poverty
By a cruel irony, his vision for a prosperous and democratic Africa continued to be betrayed by neighbouring Zimbabwe, where political turmoil intensified and South Africa felt obliged to state publicly that future relations would be contingent upon a free and far presidential election in March 2002. The relationship between the ANC and its political partners - the trade unions (Cosatu) and the Communist party - continued to be tense, especially over the government's commitment to privatisation of parastatal organizations and Western style free enterprise. Though differences cannot be papered over, there is no likelihood of a split in the foreseeable future. Though there is no suggestion that corruption is rampant or endemic, it has caused official concern. A former Chief Whip of the ANC is awaiting trial on charges of improperly benefiting form South Africa's multi billion rand arms deal and other officials may yet be embroiled. Other instances of corruption - particularly in the provinces have come under the spotlight and a Moral Regeneration Summit is being planned as a matter of urgency. Internally, the 1999 election proved a turning point for the country. It marginalized extremists and marked the demise of Afrikaner nationalism, the dominant political force throughout the nearly 50 years of apartheid. Yet race continues to be the distinguishing feature of South African polities. Despite concerns over the non delivery of essential services, the ANC comfortably retained power in the third tier municipal election held in December 2000, winning 59% of the vote against the Democratic Alliance's 23%. In the topsy turvy world of polities, a defection from the DA ranks in 2001, enabled the ANC to form a coalition government in the Western Cape, thus obtaining at least a share of power in all nine provinces. It did so by absorbing the defectors from the New National Party - a curious alliance since the NNP is in reality the old National Party, inventor of apartheid. TOURISM INFORMATION SA has to be one of the premier tourist destinations in the world - especially in the wake of the sharp depreciation of the rand at the end of 2001. South Africa has to be one of the premier tourist destinations in the world. Visitors spending hard currency, especially the US Dollar and the British Pound, find first class restaurants and hotels downright cheap. Potential investors and businessmen and women can only be impressed by how inexpensive it is to do business here. In terms of office space, homes and other costs of doing business, South Africa is the fifth least expensive place in the world and the second least expensive in Africa. But it is not only inexpensive, the standards are exceptionally high. Shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants, hotels, resorts, and sports facilities are all modern, clean and five star standard. For those who want to eschew the big hotels, bed and breakfast places in the cities and off the beaten track are readily available. The Kruger Park, about the size of Israel, is one of the largest game reserves in the world. Good, clean facilities and good roads make the search for the big five - lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo and elephant - a pleasant as well as an exciting venture. For those who prefer a little more comfort, there are many up-market and luxurious private reserves where one can see an abundance of wild life in natural settings. Some are within a short drive of the bigger cities. But South Africa is more than wildlife and modern shopping malls. For the sport minded, it offers some of the best golf courses in the world (at prices that in US$ terms seem ridiculously low). Soccer is a national passion as are cricket and rugby. And at almost any time of the year there is an international match in progress in one of those sports. There are hiking trails along the coast and in the mountains, beautiful beaches, horse riding, camping grounds and venues for many other sports like jogging and tennis or sailing. The country's advanced infrastructure makes it easy for the visitors to design their own programmes. Roads, telephones, bus service, railroads, airlines and communications are modern and reliable. One can rent a car and drive from one side of the country to the other on good roads. Or take the luxurious Blue Train or Rovos Rail. Or get Sable Executive Services to organize your programme for you. South Africa has a fascinating history that can be captured at its many battlefields and museums. Music and the arts thrive. One can find classical music or township jazz, ballet or Zulu dancing. Concert halls and theatres in the major cities offer a great variety of local and international artists, year round. In short, almost any pursuit of interest to the tourist is available and at reasonable prices. Tourism as an industry is well advanced in South Africa and South African Tourism, a government body, is the key body for promoting tourism. The organization works closely with the private sector to make South Africa better known as an exceptional destination for business and tourism. The number of overseas visitors coming to South Africa each year is growing, especially from the key markets of UK, US, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The number of cruise ships visiting Cape Town and Durban has increased substantially as has the use of time shares in South Africa. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that travel and tourism contributed about 4.5% to GDP in 2001 and projected that it could reach between nine and ten per cent by 2011. South Africa has the attractions and the infrastructure to support that kind of growth. TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ¢ KRUGER NATIONAL PARK - one of the world's largest game reserves Each of South Africa's nine provinces offers important attractions whether you be a casual visitor, shutter bug, history buff, bird watcher, museum goer, beach comber, sports fan, big game seeker or casino crawler. A mini menu: Eastern Cape Free State Gauteng KwaZulu Natal Mpumalanga Northern Province North West Northern Cape Western Cape HELPFUL HINTS FOR TOURSITS ACCESS Many international airlines, including south African Airways, link the country with the rest of the world. FLYING TIMES BETWEEN JOHANNESBURG AND MAJOR CITIES International Atlanta 17h50m Domestic Bloemfontein 1h 25m ACCOMMODATION South Africa offers a wide variety from five star hotels, camps and caravan parks. Tariff range from R85 - R1500 per day according to the grade, location and style of establishment. Accommodation is generally difficult to find at the coast in the summer holiday months (Dec/Jan), at Easter and in mid June/July. AIRPORTS South Africa's main airport, Johannesburg International Airport, is 30 km from Johannesburg and 60km from Pretoria. Airport buses to the SAA terminal in central Johannesburg run every 30 minutes. There is also a service to and from Pretoria. Metered taxi are also available. Two other airports, Cape Town and Durban are also classed as international. Bus and taxi services are available at each. An airport departure tax of R100 is usually included in the ticket price. SAA, the national carrier and other smaller airlines offer numerous flights each day linking SA's major cities. BANKING Most major commercial banks offer foreign exchange services and automatic teller machines (ATM's) and are open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Several international banks have offices in the main cities. BEACHES South African beaches are not only beautiful but swimming is exceptionally safe and hygienic. Tests conducted by the CSIR show that the seawater off South Africa's beaches is among the cleanest in the world. Shark nets protect most KwaZulu Natal beaches. BEST TIME TO GO On the highveld, there is sunshine the year around. Summers are hot and thundery, winters bright, dry and cold. At the Cape the summers and early autumn months form Jan to May are best; winters can be wet and chilly. In KwaZulu-Natal summers are hot, thundery and humid at sea level. June/July is a good time to visit Durban and the coast. June-August are the best months for game viewing. BUS TRAVEL Luxury coaches link the major centers, while travel companies offer a variety of tours around the country in comfortable buses. COMPUTICKET This computerized booking service has over 300 branches in South Africa, catering for more than 40000 events countrywide. CONVERSIONS - DISTANCES AND TEMPERATURES Distances throughout South Africa are given in kilometers. One mile is equivalent to 1621 kilometres. Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (also known as Centigrade). Ten degrees Celsius is equivalent to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 20C - 68 F, 30C = 80F. CREDIT CARDS Most international credit cards are accepted such as American Express, diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates. However, use may be restricted in small towns and country areas and in some retail shops. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are situated outside most banks in towns and cities, and operate 24 hours a day. Petrol (gasoline) must be paid for with a special garage card or cash. Be careful around isolated ATM's. CURRENCY The currency unit is the rand, denoted by the symbol R. R1 = 100 cents. South Africa has recently introduced new notes and coins but the old currency is still in circulation. CUSTOMS Personal effects are allowed into the country duty free. Visitors are also entitled to bring in goods worth R500. duty is leveled at 20% thereafter. One may not bring in or carry out South African banknotes above the value of R200. DRIVING South Africa's roads are good and well signposted, so traveling by car is a fine way to see the country. Driving standards vary widely and it is wise to drive defensively at all times. Drivers must have a valid driving license (which carries a photograph and is either printed or authenticated in English) or an international driving permit. South Africans drive on the left. The speed limit on motorways is 120 km/h (75mph); 100 km/h (60 mph) elsewhere and 60km/h (35mph) in built up areas. Do not stop for hitchhikers and do not leave valuables in parked vehicles. Car hire companies have depots in airports and in the cities. ELECTRICITY Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. Adaptor plugs should be brought for razors and hair dryers. EMERGENCIES In dire need, dial 10111 for the flying squad and 10177 for an ambulance. ENTRY Visitors need a passport that is valid for six months beyond the date of departure from SA. Visa requirements have recently been relaxed and visas are not generally required. Visitors are given an entry stamp valid for 90 days if they have no onward ticket and show they can support themselves during their stay. Holders of visitor's visas are not allowed to take up employment. ETIQUETTE The dress code of South Africa is casual, except in some restaurants and clubs that require more formal attire. Topless swimming and sunbathing is not allowed, though the rules are disregarded on some beaches. Alcohol may not be drunk on beaches or in public places and smoking is banned in public buildings and on planes, buses and trains. FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED South African Airways provides passenger aids units at all major airports. Many hotels offer facilities for the disabled as do most rest camps in the Kruger National Park. Wheelchairs and other aids may be hired in most cities. The larger car hire companies can provide vehicles with hand controls. A directory of services for the visually handicapped is available from the SA National council for the Blind or the National Council for the Physically disabled. FISHING Angling is one of South Africa's most popular sports. Many game and nature reserves have dams or rivers - or even a stretch or coastline - where fishing is enjoyed. There are about 250 species of freshwater fish in southern Africa and some 1500 seawater species along its coastline. GOLF South Africa's excellent climate makes golf a year round attraction. There are over 300 registered courses to choose form and some are outstanding. Visitors are welcome at most courses., but it is advisable to call the Club Secretary and ask for a confirmed starting time and dress codes. HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE Vaccinations for cholera and smallpox are not required but travelers from a yellow fever zone must have a valid certificate. Medical treatment and hospital fees must be paid direct. Special travel insurance is recommended. Most hotels have a list of doctors, whose names may also be fun in the medical section of telephone directories. Visitors to game parks must take anti-malaria tablets, which are available across the counter at any pharmacy (drugstore). Malaria regions include Northern Province, Mpumlanga and northeast KwaZulu Natal. Preventative medication is obtainable at all pharmacies. It is important to consult a pharmacist for advice on the best drug or drug combination to take in a malaria region, avoid wearing perfume or after shave lotion and wear long sleeves and trousers at night. The bilharzias parasite is present in streams, rivers, lakes and dams in some of the northern and eastern parts of the country and visitors should therefore avoid contact with the water in these regions. The Eastern Cape, like most of the country is bilharzias free. MUSEUMS Nearly half of Africa's one thousand museums are situated in South Africa. They range form museums of geology, natural history, archaeology, history and art to those of mining and agriculture. The oldest is the South African Museum in Cape Town, noted for its collection of Bushmen rock art and natural history exhibits. The Transvaal museum in Pretoria, famous for its skull of Master Ples, depicts the development of life in Southern Africa. North of Johannesburg are the famous Sterkfontein Caves, where the world's oldest human remains - a 3.5 million year old skeleton - were discovered in 1998. At the Big Hole in Kimberley visitors can view the largest excavation ever made with pick and shovel. RELIGION Most denominations are represented. Churches, mosques, temples and synagogues are located in most major cities. Consult your hotel reception desk. SECURITY Crime is prevalent in the big cities. Do not walk in deserted areas or alone at night and do not carry large sums of money or expensive cameras in city centers. Use the hotel safe deposit box for valuables. Police have advised visitors to take elementary precautions for their own safety. SOME DO'S AND DON'TS ¢ Always consult your host /guide / hotel keeper before going exploring.
And travel in company. SHOPPING Local manufacturers set a high premium on workmanship and at the current rand value visitors can afford to be extravagant. Shopping hours are generally 08h00 to 17h00 on weekdays and 08h00 to 13h00 on Saturdays. Many shops in the bigger cities are open on Sundays. SUN PROTECTION The South African sun is strong, with a high ultraviolet rating. Screening products with sun protection factors of 15 and over are recommended TAXIS Telephone for a taxi or go to a taxi rank, as local taxis do not cruise. If the taxi does not have a meter, negotiate the fare in advance. Beware of sharp operators. Visitors should be aware that cab services do not always conform to international standards. Hire cars are a ready alternative. TELEPHONES A direct dialing service connects all centers except for villages in the more remote rural districts. The international telephone service links south Africa with countries around the world. International dialing codes are to be found in all SA telephone directories. Calls form hotels generally carry a surcharge. The international dialing code for South Africa is 27 followed by the area code (minus the first zero) and the subscriber's number. Telephone cards can be used at green public telephones and are obtainable at post officers, airports and branches of CAN in denominations of R10. Cellular (mobile) phones are widely used and can be hired on a daily , weekly or monthly basis. Enquiries (national and international) 0903 TIME DIFFERENCES Throughout the year Standard Time in South Africa is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time and seven hours in advance of Eastern Standard Winter time. TIPPING In restaurants, 10% of the bill usually applies. Restaurants do not usually include the tip in the bill. Taxi drivers should also receive 10% of the amount charged. R5 per bag is generally given to porters. TRAIN TRAVEL Good trains, with first and second class sleeping accommodation, link South Africa's major cities. The internationally famous five star Blue Train runs between Pretoria and Cape Town, with stops in Johannesburg. VAT (VALUE ADDED TAX) Currently set at 14%, VAT is included in the price of almost all goods and services. Foreign visitors are not exempt from paying vat on purchased goods. They may however, claim back VAT paid on items taken out of the country when the total value exceeds R250. The refund may be claimed at the airport of departure, or various harbours and at customs offices. The following documentation is required: original tax invoice, VAT refund control sheet and foreign passport. The items on which a refund is claimed must also be presented. For more information contact the VAT refund administrators. Phone 011 484 7530 . Information leaflets on the procedure to follow are available from vat Refund Administration offices at Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town International Airports. VISAS See under entry WATER Tap water is quite safe to drink throughout South Africa. WILDLIFE South Africa's wildlife can be seen in its natural habitat in various game parks and reserves. Conducted game trails are offered by most parks. WINING AND DINING South Africa is acclaimed for its top quality fresh produce and culinary excellence.
In the main cities there are outstanding restaurants, featuring French, Italian,
Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Mexican, Cape Malay and many other types of cuisine.
The country is also internationally renowned for its fine wines. Most unlicensed
restaurants invite patrons to bring their own wine.
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