Super 6 Jozi Presents For Christmas

Christmas comes early in Johannesburg, mainly because the schools finish for their main summer holiday at the start of December and soon after everyone flees. My first year here I found it lonely and sad with the lack of Christmas Festivities. My favorite home comforts (Christmas Songs on the radio, Christmas parties, Christmas Specials on TV) weren’t here. Now I actually find it quite refreshing, and low key, with the celebration being about holidays and family time rather than the whole commercial take that there is in the UK and US. 

What I have come to love about Christmas Shopping here, is the ability to buy your presents from local small businesses, through the wealth of Christmas Markets that take place across Joburg (for a list of markets see Top Christmas Events for 2019)

Here are my top brands to shop from on Christmas:

1) For Anyone

A Love Supreme - Wonderful South African brand, I have just purchased one of their beach umbrellas - but also check out their cute gift tags.

2) For Him 

Hip Kit - Belts imported from Argentina (they also sell dog collars) 

Melville and Moon - Great place for something a bit different, handmade safari luggage, camping chairs, Leather bags, portable drinks cabinets. Based in Kramerville.  

Simon and Mary - Beautiful hats made here in Joburg. 

3) For Kids

Kapas Baby and Toddler - Beautiful clothes and accessories for the little ones, from Memory Cards to cute muslins and these beautiful blankets. They were also rapidly selling out of their cute clothes too.  

Pool Pillow - Hours of fun in the pool, or use it as a sun bed. These are just great for the whole family. R850 each

Yummy Baby - Great selection of kids toys on 4th Avenue, Parkhurst

PlayToys - This is a smaller toy shop that focuses on great wooden toys, educational games, and high quality playthings. Good from baby to teenager-or older! Shops are now located in Kyalami, Menlyn, and Blubird Center.

4) For You

Patrick Mavros - From Zimbabwe, these exquisite items make the ultimate luxury gift.  Stores on the Fulham Road, London, Harare, Mauritius, and Nairobi. This is a brand you want to start collecting.  I dream to have a dinning table with one or two of his sculptures in the centre one day.  

How can I not include the beautiful Henrietta Botha - I adore every single item! From necklace's to her ear rings, and bracelets an item and price tag for every family member! You can purchase online here.

 5) For Sibling/Friend

I adore these beautiful throws, table linen and blankets from Mungo - if you are in Joburg you can pick them up from A Beautiful Life in Parkhurst.

For the holiday - Stitch and Social Enterprise - cotton picnic blankets, in variety of styles. 

6) Online Shopping

Whilst post in SA isn't the most reliable, more and more retailers are coming online…

Nonna - Great selection of gifts for him, her and kids!

Kramers - based in Cape Town, but head up a few times a year to run markets showcasing the best South Africa designers. 

Hello Pretty - Online network of crafters, artists, and designers across South Africa. Kind of like a local Etsy site!

What else do you recommend?? Let us know across on Instagram and keep a look out on stories as I share my latest festive shopping finds.

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 

Unsplash

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

FAMILY DATE NIGHTS IN JOHANNESBURG

Most of us know the value of a date night with our partner, but how many of us place similar effort into creating family nights? A chance to put away technology and do something that the whole family will enjoy! We have decided to try and have a family night once a month, anything from movie night, or playing games, cooking together or going out for food. It is a European tradition that we would quite like to adopt.  

Whilst it is a bit harder to find kid friendly activities here in Joburg, there are some restaurants and places that we have discovered are really well geared up for the whole family: 

• Night Tour at the Zoo - you get to see animals, take your touches and toast marshmallows on the open fire - what more could you ask for!

• Fishmonger / Craft / Local Grill , Col'Cacchio- these four restaurants are brilliant with kids, as soon as you arrive they bring activities for the kids to do, and have a great kids menu. The real bonus is you would go there without the kids too, so the food is great. (The milkshakes at Craft are out of this world, and ask to do the kitchen tour at the Local Grill - fantastic when you have guests to stay).

• Bambanani - now the food isn’t ideal, but the first Saturday of the month they have a disco and our kids just loved it - allowing my husband and I to have a lovely glass or two of wine.

• Monte Casino - You will love it or hate it, but for a family night, whilst I wouldn't choose to go there with friends or just my husband, it’s really fun with kids. They often run a variety of events - I took ours to the Christmas village for the outdoor cinema and it was brilliant (apart from the rain, and losing two of my children in the lift as the other one ran out into the car park). The event itself was really well put together with dressed up characters, beanbags to watch the family Christmas movie and nice gift shops, despite my parenting fails I am looking forward to going back another time (maybe with my husband next time). In addition to the events, there is the theatre, and cinema there if you have older kids.

• Joburg Theatre - Lovely theatre with some great family shows throughout the year - obviously the Christmas pantomime is a hit, and this year I am looking forward to taking my daughter to the ballet there in October too.

• Johannesburg Country Club, the Auckland Park club has been renovated into a lovely family-friendly restaurant overlooking the beautiful gardens. Each Friday they have the sports team there to provide races, cricket and the bouncy castle for the kids.

Children Specific Restaurants:  

• Spur - Various

• Panettone - Zoo Lake

• Papachinos - Various

• Milkbar - Parkmore

• Mikes Kitchen - Various

• River Cafe - Sandton Field and Study

• Jamie’s Italiane- Melrose Arch

  
  What Have I Missed? Do You Have A Favourite Place You Like To Take The Kids?

Best stop over from Johannesburg to Cape Town

Bloemhofkaroo Guest House, Hygge away from Home

The annual migration from Johannesburg to the coast has become an institution for our family. Perhaps surprisingly, the 15hour drive with three kids, two grandparents and a dog (not in order of importance) is something we look forward to, almost as much as the long holiday stretching out before us. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, we find the trip cathartic, a therapeutic cleansing of the busy period leading up to the Xmas break. The second reason is the Bloemhofkaroo Guest House.

The Bloemhofkaroo is located 25km south of Richmond on the N1, an 8hour drive from Johannesburg. As a result, it is over the half way mark to both Cape Town and Kenton-On-Sea, so purely by the virtues of geography it suits us perfectly. However, to say that this is a pit-stop of convenience would greatly undermine its appeal.  This can best be illustrated by the fact that we have never just stayed one night, two is the minimum, but three we think is perfect.  

What makes the place so special?  

Well, I could wax lyrical about the beautiful historic home with well-appointed rooms, or the legendary long sunsets beheld from the stoep with a gin and tonic in hand, or how the stars at night punctuate the black sky with their bright beaming light. You can see some amazing pictures on the website, so please take a look.   I could write about the hiking, the biking and the safari’s, all of which help the restless, rest. I do want to mention the food, which is unpretentious, plentiful and utterly delicious.  No slate plates, smoke infusions or foam here. Just great family food, morning, noon and night.

 What I want to talk about is how the Bloemhofkaroo makes us all feel.  The best word in the English language would be ‘welcome’ but the Danes would say ‘hygge’, which is probably better.  Staying at this guesthouse is like one long consistent embrace, from the friendly staff, from the comfortable rooms, from the private dining room where our family can sit and eat together, from the slow plodding tortoises and from the whinnying horses.  Each and all, takes our merry band with a grace and patience that very often I don’t feel us-especially after a long drive.  As we drive off the N1 we take a collective sigh of relief, tinged with excitement, for we know for the next few days we will be welcomed.      

 The Bloemhofkaroo is different from other guest houses because they offer a home and not just a house or a bed for the night.  This isn’t easy to replicate. Its not easy to find. But lucky for you, you know just where it is.          

For more information and to check availability please see their website here: http://bloemhof-karoo.co.za/

Have a specific question about your trip? I have a heap of resources across on our Instagram account, come say hi over there, or email me here.

Travelling with Kids - The Kit

Living abroad often means you become a pro at traveling! Whether by car, plane or train with or without kids! Since living in Joburg we have done 16 hours + car journeys, and countless plane trips, it becomes part of life. 

Our Traveling with Kids blog series will review top products, provide helpful preparation tips, ideas on what to pack, and finally hints on how to survive the journey itself. Do you have any recommendations? Or tips that have been really helpful for you? Come join the conversation over in our Moving to South Africa facebook group, click here to join.

Would love to know your hacks, hints and tips for how you get you and your family from A - B.  

The Kit:  

There are lots of new and innovative pieces of kit on the market, but often they come with a high price tag, and only suitable for small age bracket, here are the ones we think are worth investigating. 

Ergo Baby 

- One of the best pieces of kit we brought, we continued to use it for our daughter up to 3/4 years old!

- Carry your child / baby in 4 different positions, depending on your personal preference or the childs' age/ weight. 

 - Great support for your shoulders and back, due to distributing the childs weight across your hips rather than pulling at your shoulders.

$125   

Age - Birth - 3years  

http://store.ergobaby.com

Travel Buggy

 
Rather than take your big buggy - which often will fill up the entire boot of your hire car, get yourself a smaller cheaper travel buggy.  

A great tip - we always used to ask if we could take the buggy on board with us (particularly if you are travelling Business), usually if you can get the buggy right to the aircraft door, and then ask the staff on board they will often find a place for it. Particularly if you are traveling on your own.

MacClaren  - Tried and tested guaranteed quality. Prices from £115 upward 
City Jogger Mini - Easiest buggy to collapse particularly if you will be using it on public transport too. $259 upwards    
Uppa Baby  - G-Luxe or G-Lite   - Really light, and comes with strap so you can carry it too. $159 upwards

Pram Pack  

- Its great at protecting your pram throughout the journey. 
- The pram is itself the bag it is VERY bulky. 
- The up side of it being so big is you can fit your car seat, travel cot, and clothes inside it too!  - 

- Brought In SA from Yummy Baby - R3,7500  / or in the US Amazon $199

http://yummybaby.co.za/shop/strollers/stokke-pram-pack-travel-bag/

Hand Luggage Bags:  

The Bed Box  

- Fantastic idea, extending an average seat to create a bed for your child. 

- Works well if have a window seat - not so good if in the aisle. 

- During turbulence, you would still have your child strapped in, but dependant on the aircraft. 

 - Big bit of kit to take through the airport. 

- It would be amazing if they are kept on board the plane and distributed to you - so then you wouldn't need the hassle of carrying it!  

Rough Age Guide 2 - 3years (the website suggests up to 6yrs) but looking at the size its around the same as a changing matt. 

£119  

http://jet-kids.com/bedbox.html

Flying Leg Pillow 

- Same concept to the Bed Box,

- Inflatable pillow,

- Takes a while to blow up (and then deflate),

- Small and light to carry with you.

- Again great if you have a window seat, probably not so good in exit seat.  

$49.99 (Australian Dollars)  

http://www.1stclasskid.com  

Toby Tiger - Trunki  

Love them or hate them, we have had ours for 3 years for our daughter who adores her Toby Tiger, she packs it herself and its nice and light and good quality. However we brought the UK addition, the product has since been sold to Melissa and Doug in US, and sadly the quality has reduced.   

- Its quite hard for our daughter to pull along herself (steering is no where near as good as normal pull along case). 

- Often I ended up carrying it, so would have been easier to have a normal soft rucksack. 

Rough Age Guide  3 - 5yrs

R999,90

http://trunki-sa.co.za/shop/trunki/tiger-tipu/

Micro Scooter - Luggage  

- Best thing we can brought!  Lots of attention getting through the airport.
- Got our daughter from A - B, kept her entertained whilst waiting.  
- Quite hard transferring it from scooter to pull along bag, but this looks to be fixed in the newer version.   
- Scooter can be used for adults too - so we all had a ride!  

Micro Scooters (suitable for Adults and Children 3/4yrs+):  
New Model £275  
Older Kids Model on sale - £125  
http://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/scooters-age-luggage-scooters.html

Or Zinc Flyte Kids Scooter  
£69  
https://www.zincflyte.com/
  

Samsonite Kids Luggage 

- Reliable

- Easy for kids to push themselves.

- Will last for years!

Age 3yrs +

From R1895   

http://www.samsonite.co.za/kids-suitcases

Trunki Car Seat 

- We have used this since our daughter was 3 years old, check regulations for the country you are visiting since its just a boaster seat rather than actual car seat. 

- Fantastic Back Pack, our daughter loves packing her toys and colouring books in. 

- Brilliant for taking with you and then using in Uber / Taxi to get around. 

Age 4 - 8years

R999

http://trunki-sa.co.za/product-category/boostapak/

As much as we love technology to connect us all, there is nothing better than meeting in person - so come say hi at our next monthly meet up! Click here: What’s On in Joburg to find our next one.

Should I send my child to an International or Local School?

An important factor to think through when choosing a school here in South Africa is to think about whats next for your children. We have interviewed a few families who have transitioned out of the local and international school system to give us their reflections on the choices they made.

Katrin Barass is mother to 3 girls, who left the UK when the girls were 6yrs, 4yrs and 2yrs. Last year they left for Dubai after 4 years here in SA. 

Katrins girls all went to Kingsmead Girls School in Rosebank. 

Why Did You Choose To Send Your Children To A Local / International School ? 

We chose the school because it was the closest to what we left behind. Simple things like uniforms, emphasis on manners and an ethos that we felt would benefit our girls. We chose this over an international school where the turnover of pupils
And staff would be higher. 

I would definitely make the same decision again. Kingsmead was a great building block for our girls

How Has The Transition Been Taking Them Into A Different System.

For the older two who I actually was worried  about, the transition was easy. They filled gaps by reading during the holiday. My youngest has had to have intensive learning support ( 3 lessons a week) to catch up on reading, writing and maths. This has been a year now. I would therefore watch out as to when you transition. So perhaps have the few critical years covered and then move back into the British System. Also choose a school that will provide support within school hours. After school my youngest is not interested or willing to sit at a desk.

Having Now Left Johannesburg, Would You Make The Same Decisions Again?

Yes, I would make the same decisions again.

 
My Advice Would Be:

If you are leaving the SA system, I would transition after 8 years old, (rather than earlier) as the basics will then have been covered.

If you are moving systems Choose a school that understands this transition. A lot of schools in Dubai said they could not help my youngest and would only take her if she was up to her age group level. As a result I didn’t choose what I considered the best school but one that could meet my families needs. I chose keeping my kids together over academic performance. 

Be opened minded, I thought my shy oldest would hate moving to a big school. They moved to a school with over 1,500 students. I was amazed when she told me she actually prefers it as there are no groups of popular and unpopular kids. You think small and intimate is the way forward and that your kid will get extra attention but actually sometimes it can make them feel left out by their peers. My concern over it being a big school was blown out of the water. 
 

Planning a Children's Birthday Party in South Africa

Looking for help planning a birthday party in South Africa? Whether you are looking for child-friendly party venues, party suppliers, birthday cakes or something special, such as a magician or performer, we have you covered. In this mega list, we give you a wide list of resources that will make party planning a breeze. Keep reading! We cover ideas for Johannesburg area AND Cape Town!

Image by the amazing Zsuzsanna Fedak Photography

A Stress-Free Guide to Party Planning in South Africa

First things first, take a deep breath. We know how tough it can be to plan a child's birthday. When you are a long way from home, in a brand new country, without your usual support network, this task becomes even more stressful. To help you get started, we have put together a list of tips, resources and info that make party planning in South Africa as stress-free as possible. (Scroll down for Cape Town ideas!)

1. Birthday Party Suppliers in Joburg

Venues:

REEA Urban Farm (Braamfontein)

Johannesburg Country Club (Auckland Park)

Indaba Hotel (Fourways)

Bryanston Country Club (Sandton)

BOUNCE Trampoline Park Waterfall (Midrand/ Various)

Model Train Park / The Rand Society of Model Engineers -

AcroBranch Melrose (Melrose)

Jungle Joes Party Adventures (Bramley)

Avalanche (Fourways)

Gold Reef City (Ormonde)

Entertainers:

Smilemakers – wide range of entertainment options from magic to face painting

MonkeyMagic – making kids party dreams come true

Magic Circle Entertainment – magicians and illusionists

Facepaint Fanatix – balloon animals, face painting and more

Jumpees Jumping Castles Hire – jumping castles for hire

Baby Boffins – kids art lessons

Cakes:

Paul's Homemade Ice Cream Cakes (Parkhurst/ Rosebank - various)

Emily's Cakes (Observatory)

Inspired Cakes (Sandton)

Cake And Bake (Honeydew)

Decorations:

Flower Spot (Woodmead)

Westpack Lifestyle (Various Branches)

Kidz Cardz & Party Buckets (Alberton)

PartyNet (Edenvale)

Party Planners

Bash

Pudding and Pie (Nicky)

Count on Us

2. Birthday Party Suppliers in Cape Town

Venues

The River Club (Observatory)

The Play Shed (Pinelands)

Lasertag Cape Town (Various Locations)

The Blue Train Park (Mouille Point)

Ottery Barnyard (Ottery)

Clay Cafe (Hout Bay)

Wild Clover Farm (Stellenbosch)

Ratanga Junction (Century City)

Entertainers

Hip Hip Hooray - helium Balloons, jumping castles, parties, carnivals, events and more

Glendini – kids magic shows and more

Face Choice – face painting and other fun

Matt Gore - The Ginger Ninja – hilarious magic and entrainment shows

Rumble Grumble Parties – jumping castles for hire

Cakes

Freya's Speciality Cakes (Meadowridge)

Charly's Bakery (Zonnebloem)

The Velvet Cake Co. (CBD)

Sweetest Perfection Novelty Cakes and Cake Toppers (Kirstenhof)

Decorations

Funky Bananas Party Store (Brackenfell)

King Cake Party City (Various)

Party Planners

SA Kids On The Go

Whimsical Parties

Bazinga Parties

3. Party Pack Ideas

I really hate giving away meaningless party packs, full of additional sugar, and more plastic, but its hard to think of alternatives. Here are a few suggestions, but I would love to know if you have any ideas?

• Balloons with sweets at the bottom

• Play-dough

• Lego pieces

• CD of favourite music

• Biscuits (animal or themed)

• Glow sticks

• Mini puzzles

• Small books

Have a specific question? Or need advice on a party for a certain age, come and ask for feedback inside our Moving to South Africa Facebook Group.

Difference Between International And Local Schools In South Africa

As part of our schooling in South Africa series, we have interviewed a number of expats about why they have made the choices they have. Our friend Kate shares her experience with both a local South African Private School, and International French School.

My Experience with Schools in Johannesburg…

As an expat, I can say that the question of schools has been by far the greatest question, concern and challenge of this amazing adventure. 

I am American, my husband is French with children born in and “home” made in London. How do we know which system is best. Unintentionally, we’ve tried them all!!!

Kate and family

“The best advice I have received is to decide on your final goal - where would you dream for your children to attend university - and step backwards from there.

Now this is a major life choice and sure to be a hot topic, so please don’t shoot the messenger! These are my personal opinions on what worked best for us, not necessarily for everyone.

We started in the British private system in the UK. This was before we started moving around as “expats”. I loved the British system. It was traditional, academic whilst also being nurturing and supportive. Any extra help that a child needed was given and the parents were very involved in the school.

When we moved to Johannesburg our children were 1 and 4 years.

The British school here was too far for us and I had heard wonderful things about the South African private system - we looked at Roedean and St Mary’s and chose St Mary’s (though both are phenomenal schools, along with a number of others). They share the traditional ethos that we valued in the British systems. St Mary’s was incredibly aware of what our specific needs were, the school heads often attend global education conferences (most recently at Harvard - I was sold!).

“This was not a South African school raising South Africans. This was a South African school raising global children.

St. Mary’s School

Our life experiences fit in with many other families at the school whist at the same time, we were welcomed into an incredible local community that expats rarely benefit from or see. This experience has shaped our time here and friendships (both for children and parents) will be amongst our most treasured memories when we go. We always said, if we were staying in SA long term, St Mary’s would have been a wonderful academic choice for us - also the fees are much less but the school has wonderful facilities, sports are paramount whilst arts are very much supported. They have it all.

That said, our reality as expats came crashing in and we had to admit that we could not stay here long term, tempting as it may be! 

“…Our reality as expats came crashing in and we had to admit that we could not stay here long term, tempting as it may be!

We needed to confront that as expats, we would move to different countries and we needed to choose a system that would remain current and balanced anywhere in the world. We were back thinking of the American International System and the French Lycee International System.

We chose the French and have been welcomed into a whole new world.

The French Lycee

The French Lycee is a very academic system and fortunately our children are grasping this well and thriving. They are both now fully bilingual, a huge point for this American who spent decades studying the language (literally decades!). The fact that their approach is bilingual is hugely appealing to be and brings me back to our end goal - where we want them to attend university and what will make them unique and special in the application process. 

My concerns about the French system were these: it is highly academic, it’s focus is heavily on academics and less so on sports and arts, it’s facilities are not a match. That said, I overcame what I thought to be big concerns with ease. My daughter is still as sporty as always and does different sorts teams and evens after school daily. She is still very much into art and drama. So we created that well-rounded balance for ourselves and haven’t looked back. 

When we likely move next year, we will find them welcomed into a new Lycee that has the identical curriculum to this. All lycée’s are governed by the academic body based in France which oversees the curriculum in each school, guaranteeing that children to not fall behind when they move to a new country and guaranteeing the content and quality of the education.

Ironically, being American and very much a supporter of the American education system, we haven’t tried it. But having grown up in the USA myself, I know it to be very warm, welcoming and strong. For us personally, as an American mother and religiously spending summers in America, I wanted our children to have an additional dimension and the French school has worked beautifully to bridge both our families cultures and hopefully shape our children into the global citizens that we dream them to be.... someday!

Have a specific question about a school? Come ask for other expats advice over in our WhatsApp group.

Where to Take your Guests in Joburg

One of the most enjoyable parts about being an expat is having friends and family come over to visit. While living in South Africa might have its frustrations and challenges at times, visitors to South Africa are never disappointed.

While many tourists might head straight to Cape Town or the bush and completely bypass Joburg, having friends come to stay in the city is a wonderful opportunity to show them an African city that is becoming more and more popular with visitors every year.

1. A Drink With a View

Even with the many “koppies” (small hills) in the city, it can be difficult to get a view of the city unless you’re in a tall building.

Make the most of some of the best views in the city by taking your visitors for a sunset drink at Marble in Rosebank, or the balcony of Flames at the Four Seasons Hotel at the Westcliff.

If you’re hungry, and looking for 5-star dining, you can also choose to stay for a meal at either.

If you’re lucky you might catch a summer thunderstorm, or in October, the purple Jacaranda bloom that happens every spring.

2. A Special Treat

The Saxon is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, and is famous for its afternoon tea, and its spa.

Internationally renowned South African chef Luke Dale-Roberts has also set up a restaurant at The Saxon. This is definitely worth visiting if you feel like splurging on a 7-course set menu. 

3. Explore the Cradle of Humankind

Finding out more about prehistory and our early human ancestors is relevant to visitors from any part of the world, so a visit to the Cradle of Humankind is a must if you’re looking for an enlightening and educational experience.

The Cradle is also known for its variety of restaurants and outdoor venues. For upmarket Italian try Casalinga, for contemporary cuisine try Roots at Forum Homini or if you’re looking for something a bit more wholesome try Leafy Greens, a vegan restaurant on the Casalinga property.

4. A Weekend Market

Outdoor weekend markets have become very popular in Joburg, especially since they’re perfect for making the most of the city’s sunny climate, even in winter.

The city’s markets are also a great way to interact with all kinds of different people, as well as get a taste of local food and drinks, and just to have a good time (Joburgers definitely know how to have fun!).

• Saturdays: 
  Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein
  Bryanston Organic Market

• Sundays: 
  Market on Main in Maboneng (go exploring in the Maboneng Precinct afterwards)
  Fourways Farmers Market opposite Monte Casino
  Waterfall Market at Mall of Africa

• Monthly markets are also found in the greater Gauteng area, including:
  Irene Village Market
  Ngwenya Country Market

5. Arts & Culture

Johannesburg is a thriving cultural hub, with several world class galleries and museums. If your guests are here on the first Thursday of a month, take them out to Rosebank, Braamfontein or Maboneng, where all of the art galleries and some stores open late for First Thursdays.

Other well-known art galleries and museums to visit are:

• Apartheid Museum

• Origins Centre (a great complement to a trip to the Cradle of Humankind)

• Constitution Hill

• Keyes Art Mile (Circa and Everard Read Gallery, with Goodman Gallery and David Krut further down the road)

• Lilliesleaf (historical museum in Rivonia)

6. Township Culture

It’s no secret that South Africa’s segregated past is an indelible part of the city, but there’s no better way to engage with than with a visit to Soweto, one of South Africa’s most famous “townships”, or designated residential areas for black people under apartheid.

There are many ways to visit Soweto, which include many different private tour offerings, but you can also go there by yourself and visit some of the following places:

Vilakazi Street: a historical precinct with several restaurants, Mandela House museum and the Hector Pieterson memorial and museum, which commemorates the Soweto Riots that took place on the 16th of June 1976.

Orlando Towers: a repurposed landmark, the well-known Orlando Towers are now a tourist attraction with a bridge swing and a range of other activities on offer.

An easy way to get around Joburg with guests is to take them on a Red Bus tour, which stops at several locations in and around the city centre, as well as the Apartheid Museum, with additional smaller bus trips that take guests to Soweto.

Day Trips in Gauteng

Joburg is a busy city. There’s so much going all the time, and more than enough events, restaurants and activities to keep you busy, week in and week out. But sometimes you need to get out and have a breather, and just take a break from the urban intensity.

Here are some weekend day trip ideas for when you feel like you need to get out and experience something a little bit different:

1. Muldersdrift

It’s crazy to think about, but some of our earliest human ancestors lived in and around Joburg, which is why it is known as the Cradle of Humankind.

The main attractions here are the Maropeng Visitors Centre and Sterkfontein Caves, all recently built or upgraded to offer an insightful look into our ancient past.

Besides that there is a lot to do in the Muldersdrift area, from eating at a variety of restaurants to just enjoying being outside. For more information here are some ideas:   

• Monaghan Farm

• Take your pooch out for a walk

• Enjoy some fine dining at Roots

• Appreciate outdoor sculptures and an event at Nirox

2. Magaliesberg

The Magaliesberg is named after a chief who ruled over the area in the past, Mogale. Today it’s known for its guesthouses, hiking trails and restaurants, which you can read more about on the Magalies Meander website, which promotes tourist attractions in the area.

Hiking in the area is a particularly good way to let off some city stream, but note that you will need to pay an entrance fee and go early, as some of the best places are on private land and will often only let in a certain number of people per day.

The easiest way to take advantage of hikes in the area is the join the Mountain Club. Other places like Mountain Sanctuary are open to the public.

If you’re looking for less exertion, you can also explore the area on an old-fashioned steam train.

3. Soweto

Soweto is one of South Africa’s largest and most established townships, and is a popular tourist attraction. It’s easy to get there from the city on the highway, but you can also go there on an organised tour or even on a City Sightseeing Tour.

Some places to visit and things to do:  

• A bicycle tour with Lebo’s Backpackers

• Eat “Chisa Nyama”, or “hot meat” at one of the many restaurants in and around Vilakazi Street

• Get your adrenaline pumping on the bridge swing at Orlando Towers

• Visit Mandela House museum and the Hector Pieterson memorial

4. Suikerbosrand

There are a number of nature reserves in Gauteng, mostly in and around Johannesburg and Pretoria, but also further afield. One of the most popular, for hiking, biking and general nature appreciation is Suikerbosrand, south of Joburg.

On your way back you can also stop for tea at Her Majestea’s Salon, or even enjoy a meal there.

5. Hartebeespoort Dam

“Harties”, as it’s known to locals, is a historical dam not far from Joburg, and besides water activities there is also a lot to do in the area.

The newly built Harties Cable Way is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the area, and if you’re looking to engage with nature you can walk “trunk in hand” with an elephant at the Elephant Sanctuary.

The Silver Orange Bistro and Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient Hotel are also two dining attractions in the area.

6. Pretoria

A 30-45 minute drive from Johannesburg, or a 40 minute trip on the Gautrain (depending on which station you get on at), the capital city is easy to get to and explore on a day trip from Joburg.

There are a lot of museums and historical attractions in the city centre, but some of the more famous tourist attractions are Freedom Park and the Voortrekker Monument.

The Tswaing Crater near Soshanguve is also another natural attraction to explore just outside of

Some other ideas of things to do in Pretoria:

Market at the Sheds at 012 Central

Park Acoustics

7. Cullinan

Further north past Pretoria is Cullinan, a diamond mining town that has now grown to become a popular weekend getaway for its strip of restaurants which include the recommended As Greek as it Gets.

Here you can also visit Gauteng's version of the Big Hole, or take part in a range of other activities on offer.

Close by you can also visit Dinokeng, the closest you’ll get to the Big 5 in Gauteng, with a number of self-driving routes and lodges that can take you on a game drive in the area.

For more ideas on things to do in and around Gauteng, these websites can give you some ideas:

2 summers

Travel Start

Have we missed anywhere? Where is your favourite place to visit? Let us know over in our Moving to South Africa Facebook Group.

Where To Go On Holiday In South Africa

Planning a holiday is essential, and you’ll need to do so in advance in South Africa. South Africans love to travel and explore, so the good destinations get booked well in advance of the holiday times, and the peak holidays may be crowded at the popular sites. Seeing and enjoying this beautiful country will bring you experiences that will last a lifetime. Jump on board!

When Will You Travel?

For those with school-going children, go here for a printable school calendar! HOWEVER you must check with your school for exact dates. Public and private schools often differ in their holiday schedules.

Since 1994, South Africa has adopted new structures in so many ways, and one of them is incorporation of new holidays. Here is a list of some holidays that you’ll uniquely celebrate here. We will discuss these further in our monthly emails or on our Facebook Group!

Unique South African Holidays

21 March - Human Rights Day, remembering the Sharpeville Massacre
27 April - Freedom Day, remembering the first democratic elections in 1994
16 June - Youth Day, remembering the Soweto Uprising of 1976
9 August - National Women’s Day, a day thousands of women in 1956 marched to petition the extension of pass laws to women
24 September - Heritage Day
16 December - Day of Reconciliation, previously Dingane’s Day, this is a re-appropriation of the rememberance of the Battle of Blood River, which was traditionally celebrated by Afrikaners as a day of victory against Dingane’s Zulu army. For more, visit the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria.

Where Would You Like To Go?

South Africa is divided into nine provinces, Gauteng (Johannesburg’s province) is located just above the middle. South Africa has seven different terrestrial biomes, or types of dominant vegetation, which can influence your choice of holiday. Do you want a beach holiday with whale watching? Mountain holiday? Wine and art scene holiday? Or a desert adventure to see the Namaqualand daisies of the Succulent Karoo?

For a full description of all the different provinces, the different vegetation, climate, and tourism highlights of each area,
please see the post Provinces of South Africa.

Especially if you live here, it is pretty simple to organize your own holiday, but there are loads of local tour guides available to help visitors and locals alike. Sometimes opting to pay a bit extra for a guide is welcome when you have limited time to see things, have no time to look for the best deals, are trying to organize a group of visitors, or are unsure about your safety precautions. Local guides are more than welcome to show you around, even for a city tour where you already live!

Looking for Accommodation?

MT Beds

Bush Breaks

Budget Getaways

Portfolio Collection (for more upmarket guesthouses and accommodation)

South African National Parks

Booking.com

LekkeSlaap (opt for English if you don’t speak Afrikaans!)

But That’s Not All!

Swaziland and Lesotho: Two landlocked countries in South Africa, Lesotho offers mountainous adventures while Swaziland is known for its glass-making industry and game reserves. The Sani pass in Lesotho is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, but be sure to be in a 4x4 car.

Victoria Falls: Considered to be one of the main energy centres of the world, it’s been said that you haven’t been to Africa unless you’ve been to “Vic” Falls.

Madagascar: A bit more off the beaten track, Madagascar’s tourism infrastructure is largely underdeveloped, but there are resorts at places like Nosy Be and also some more rustic accommodation options for those looking for more of an adventure.

Mozambique: The roads from Johannesburg all the way up to Vilanculos is tarred and easy to navigate on a self-drive holiday. It’s best to have a 4x4 if you intend on exploring more rural areas. Otherwise you can fly to Pemba, Inhambane, and Maputo, depending on where you want to go. Popular tourist destinations are Maputo, Tofo, Vilanculos, Ponto Do Ouro, Ponta Malongane and luxury resorts all the way along the coast.

Namibia: Namibia is largely a desert, which means either renting your own 4x4 and taking a drive or joining a tour group on a desert safari. There are a number of luxury and budget accommodations available. The towns along the coast are also popular tourist destinations, fro example, Swakopmund.

Zanzibar: An island destination just off the coast of Tanzania, you can fly direct to Zanzibar from Joburg, and there are affordable package options available that include flights.

Mauritius: A hub for commerce and resort holidays, Mauritius is a popular luxury getaway destination for South Africans, especially for honeymoons.

Seychelles: An archipelago with islands of varying sizes, the Seychelles are also another luxury getaway destination for South Africans.

Other Ideas?

Slackpacking is a way to explore nature without the effort. Find out more about South Africa’s variety of slackpacking trails.

Some planning resources: http://www.openafricatravel.com/

Having A Baby In South Africa - What You Need To Know

Having a baby in South Africa may seem daunting at first. You may be wondering how to find a good gynaecologist or a midwife, you could be trying to find information on how to conceive in the first place, or you may be wondering where to find information that adds genuine value, without further confusing you and your partner. In reality, thanks to the huge range of support options available to parents-to-be, planning your family as an expat does not need to be any less scary than it would back home. The secret to having a baby in South Africa comes down to finding the right specialists to help you plan for your baby. Whether you are trying to conceive, or you have recently discovered that you are having a baby, we have all the information you need to help you plan your pregnancy, safely and simply.

Trying To Conceive In South Africa 

Ready to think about having a baby in South Africa? There are a number of excellent fertility and conception specialists to be found across the country. Our recommended doctors and clinics to help you conceive include specialists in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Joburg Fertility Specialists

Medfem (Sandton)

VitaLab (Sandton)

Gynomed (Roodepoort)
 

Cape Town Fertility Specialists

Cape Fertility Clinic (Claremont)

Aevitas Fertility Clinic (Pinelands)

Hart Fertility Clinic (City Centre)

I Think I Am Pregnant - Now What?

If you are already pregnant or you think you may be expecting, the first step is to find a gynaecologist, followed by a midwife. Both of these specialists will help guide you through the process, so that you know exactly what to expect, from the very first trimesters, all the way to your baby's birth.

Johannesburg Gynaecologists & Midwives

Sandton Mediclinic - Dr Heather Derwent Allan-Gould (Sandton)

Genesis Maternity Clinic - midwife-led, active birthing facility (Saxonwold)

Netcare Park Lane Hospital - gynaecology, obstetric, neonatal and paediatric care (Parktown)

Life Fourways Hospital - wide range of doctors and services (Fourways)

For more advice and referrals on gynaecologists please get in touch and we can connect you to another expat who has recently given birth here. Alternatively join our Moving to South Africa Facebook group and ask for referrals in there. 

Cape Town Gynaecologists & Midwives

Mediclinic Cape Town - Dr Natalia Novikova (City Centre)

Kingsbury Hospital - wide range of doctors and services (Claremont)  

Birth Options - midwives and birthing support (Plumstead)

More Helpful Resources For Parents-To-Be

If you're looking for additional resources to help guide you or your partner through the journey of conception, pregnancy and birth in a new country, we highly recommend the following websites. These sites offer plenty of guidance to parents-to-be, along with practical information, tips and other useful advice.

Get Pregnant - tips and advice for those battling to conceive

Huggies - plenty of tips and resources in the top menu

Nurture - egg donor programme in South Africa

Home Birth - resources for those planning a home birth

Parent24 - general tips and resources for expectant and new parents

For more support on having a baby abroad, head over to Knocked Up Abroad

Or contact Karen Wilmot, at the Virtual Midwife. https://www.thevirtualmidwife.com

Wanting to meet other soon to be parents, or families in Joburg? Come join our Moving to South Africa Facebook Group and we can connect you!

Choosing a School in Johannesburg

Johannesburg has a wide varieties of neighbourhoods and schools, and where you choose to live can influence on where you choose to send your children to school, or vice versa. Here is an overview of the main schools in the area's expats tend to live.  (Or click here to read more of the different neighbourhoods!)

Many expats choose to live in the more recently developed northern suburbs like Fourways, Dainfern, Lonehill, as this is typically where many of the international schools are. Its convenient and comfortable. However, you can also have an amazing, life changing experience living outside of the expat bubble in other areas of Johannesburg.

But, let’s focus on the school details you’ll consider. There are three main types of schools in Johannesburg:

1. International

2. Private

3. Government

If you are moving country every few years, it may help to keep curriculum consistent thus International school maybe your preferred option. However International Schools have higher staff and community turnover and often a high price tag. You may want to look at a local South African School where your child will be exposed to South African sporting and cultural activities, and can develop longer term friendship groups.

Set up a meeting and go to the school, talk to them and get a feel for it. Start the research process early, as spaces fill up quickly and wait lists are very common!

About the South African Education System

Academic Year: January to December (If born Nov/Dec, its common for children to be held back a year.) Private Schools run on a 3 term system, and Government schools mainly 4 term system. All schools have a long summer holiday over December / January.

Times: 7:30am to 2:30pm with sports and other activities in the afternoon

Playgroup/Nursery: 18 months - 3 years

Pre School or Pre Primary: (3 - 6 years)

• Grade 000 = 3 turning 4

• Grade 00 = 4 turning 5

• Grade 0 (also known as Grade R) = 5 turning 6

Primary school: (6 - 13 years)

• Grades 1 to 7

• Grade 1 = 6 turning 7

• Grade 7 = 12 turning 13

High School: (13 - 18 years)

• Grades 8 to 12

• Grade 8 = 13 turning 14

• Grade 12= 17 turning 18. Grade 12 often referred to as Matric (matriculation).

• You need a Matric Exemption to attend a South African university. 

Selection of Schools by Age & Location

Here are a few popular choices for schools around the city. For reviews of the different neighborhoods, read Best Places to Live in Johannesburg. Need a review of a school or feedback? Join our Moving to South Africa Facebook Group!

Midrand Area (Waterfall, Kyalami, Centurion)
American International School of Johannesburg. - International School, Co-Ed, 3 - 18 yrs
Kyalami Prep - Co Ed, Private, 18 months - 13 yrs
Beaulieu - Co Ed, Private, 3 -18 yrs
Pinnacle College - Co Ed, Private, 2 - 18 yrs, Day & Boarding
Redham Schools - Co Ed, Private, 18 months - 18 yrs & Boarding
Cornwall Hill - Co Ed, Private, 3 - 18yrs, Day & Boarding

Fourways/Dainfern
Mi Kinder Educational Centre - Fourways
French Pre School - Fourways
Dainfern College - Co Ed, Private, 5 - 18yrs, Christian
Crawford - Co Ed, Private, 3 - 18yrs
St Peters - Private, Co Ed for college 13 - 18yrs, Girls and Boys schools for prep and primary, 5yr - 13yrs, Anglican
British International School - International School, Co Ed, 4- 18yrs
Fourways High School - Government, Co Ed, 13 - 18yrs
Heron Bridge - Private, Co Ed, 3 - 18yrs, Christian

Lonehill
Crawford - Co Ed, Private, 3 - 18yrs
Lonehill Academy - Co Ed, Cambridge Syllabus, 4 - 19yrs

Bryanston
St Stithians - Private, Boys and Girls School on the same campus, 5 - 18yrs, Methodist
Lycee Francais Jules Verne - International, French School, 3yr - 18yrs
Michael Mount Waldorf - Private, Co Ed, 4months - 18yrs
Redhill - Private, Co Ed, 3yr - 18yrs
Brescia House - Private, Girls, 5- 18yrs

Sandton
The Willows - Sandton, 18 months - 6 yrs, Montessori
St David’s - Private, Boys, 5 - 18yrs,  
Crawford - Private, Co Ed, 3yrs - 18yrs   
Grayston Prep - Private, Co Ed, 5 - 13yrs
Rivonia Primary - Private, 5 - 13yrs, Boys and Girls School 
  
Melrose Arch / Waverly
St Marys Private, Girls, 3 - 18yrs & Boarding, Anglican
Future Nations Private, New Group of Schools focused on project and digital learning. 18 months - 18 years.  

The Parks / Rosebank / Westcliff
Small World Playschool and Pre School - Private, Co Ed, 1 - 6yrs
BlueBird - Private, Co Ed, 18 months - 5yrs
Pridwin - Private, Boys, 5 - 13yrs
The Ridge - Private, Boys 5 - 13yrs
St. John’s - Private Boys 5 - 18yrs & Boarding, Anglican
King Edward’s - Government, Boys 5 - 18yrs 
St. Katharine's Prep, Private, Girls 5 - 18yrs
Kingsmead - Private, Girls 5 - 18yrs, Anglican
Auckland Park Prep - Private, Girls 5 - 13yrs
Roedean - Private, Girls 5 - 18yrs, Anglican
Parktown Girls School - Government, Girls, 13 - 18yrs
Parkview Primary - Government, 5 - 13yrs, Co Ed
Sacred Heart - Co Ed, 3- 18yrs, Catholic 
Hyde Park - Government, Co Ed, 13 - 18yrs
Kiaros - Co Ed, 5- 13yrs, Waldorf Style

Melville
German School - International School, 3 - 18yrs, Co Ed

Bedford View
Crawford Italia Preparatory Private Co Ed, 3 - 18yrs
Holy Rosary School  Private, Girls, 3 - 18yrs, Catholic
Saheti School Private, Co Ed, Greek-Orthodox, 3- 18yrs,  
St. Andrew's School Private, Girls 5 - 18yrs
St. Benedict's Catholic School - Private, Boys, 5 -18yrs,  

Other Religious Schools
Nur-ul-Islam (Lenasia) 
King David - Jewish
Del a Salle (Co-ed) / Brescia House (Girls) St Davids (Boys) - Catholic
St Marys / St Johns / Roedean - Anglican (along with many others listed above)

Remedial / Special Schools
Bellavista
Cedarwood
Crossroads
Forest Town
Hope School 

Further Links: 

Take a look on Jozi Kids for a full listing.

Independent School Association South Africa - http://www.isasa.org/

Alphabetical List of Schools - http://www.saprivateschools.co.za/alphabetical.html

Brilliant blog posts all about the Education system in South Africa written by Joburg Expat, an American who lived in Dainfern. http://www.joburgexpat.com/2016/05/everything-you-need-to-know-about-south.html

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.