Cape Town Favourites!

December 5, 2015

Cape Town has quickly become one of my favourite places in the world. We have explored the city on our own, with visiting friends and family, and now with our 3 small children and dog!

Despite the changes in our family size, we still have the same criteria on how we like to enjoy our time in the Cape, finishing the day with a G&T sundowner, eating incredible food (either on the beach or at one of the many restaurants), admiring beautiful views each and every time we jump into the car, swimming in the various sea’s, shopping up a storm, and of course a visit to the aquarium! I couldn’t begin to put everything into one post, so for now here is how we will be spending our 3 weeks over Christmas in Noordhoek: 

Covering:

1. Noordhoek and daily life

2. Where to source local food (Meat, Fish, Cheese etc) 

3.  Day Trips

4. Winelands

5. Cape Town - Shops, Coffee Shops, Biscuit Mill  

6. Christmas Events:

If You Know Of Any Events / Shops Or Places That Aren’t On Our List - Let Us Know In The Comments Section At The Bottom Of This Page.

Why Noordhoek? It’s much quieter than Cape Town particularly at this time of year, and wonderful place for families, close to a number of beaches a few wonderful family friendly restaurants, farm shops and deli’s. Previously we have booked houses through Cape Holiday Lets (now known as Cape Villa Collection), who specialise in Family Friendly homes, this year however we went for a place through Airbnb which was much cheaper.

 Daily Life In Noordhoek:

The majority of our time will be spent on the beach, and at the Farm Village in Noordhoek. Whilst the sea at Noordhoek is flippen freezing there is a little rock pool for the kids to play in, the sand is soft but fun to play a bit of cricket or ball, plus there is horse riding. Then to play in sea and build sand castles we usually head over to Fish Hoek (which isn’t as pretty but much more functional for the kids), with parking right next to the beach, a little cafe for ice cream and a jungle gym.

There is Cape Point Vinyard  which has a brilliant Market on a Thursday, stunning views, wonderful picnics, plus a jungle gym! Certainly be here for the odd sundowner, and long lunch.

Noordhoek Farm Village - most mornings we will pay the deli a visit on the way back from my run (or hung over stroll down the road) to pick up croissants and fresh bread from the deli. In addition to the deli, there is a chilled out cafe (Cafe Roux), which serves great brunches (my favourite is the eggs Benedict with courgette rosti, its incredible!) We have spent many a meal here, meeting friends, listening to live music, generally eating great food, drinking lovely wine and enjoying life with friends. The more up market restaurant - The Food Barn, is one for sunday lunch, evening meal or special occasion. Then there is sushi and tapas - both also deliver!

Park Runs

The past few months I have really enjoyed taking part in the Delta Park Run, so I am excited to check out different Parkruns in Cape Town. Parkrun is global movement, voluntary operated 5km timed runs, that start at 8am each Saturday morning, I have found it to be a wonderful community event, with range of ages and fitness levels taking part.

The main park runs in Cape Town are Green Point and Rondesbosch Common, with runs taking place in Stellenbosch (Route 44), Fish Hoek and Big Bay. Constantia

In addition to the play area and restaurants there is also accommodation and few shops, and it is all sat at the base of Chapmans Peak Drive. Quite simply this place is the reason we return to Noordhoek, its not often you get incredible food, wine, variety and wonderful activity for the kids.

We have friends staying next door at Kommeji and Scarborough, so our meeting place will probably be - Imhoff Farm - which has a number of activities for the kids to do (camel rides, petting zoo & newly opened 3D wooden maze), a beautiful view from the Blue Water Cafe, and great farm shop with wonderful cheeses, and old fashioned chutneys (love their Apple and Date chutney), good to note the Blue Water Cafe also does take away!

Where We Will Be Shopping For Food:

Lovely thing about Cape Town is the small local shops, whether it be at one of the vineyards or farm shop, selecting fresh cape produce. Here is where we will be sourcing our Christmas goods from:

Meat:

The Butcher Man - Wonderful biltong bar and sit down bar so you can eat in or take away, some of the finest cuts of meat in the Cape

and

Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants - who source their beef from small independent farmers, the majority coming from Eastern Cape. Its all clean, ethnical and sustainable.

Fish - straight out of the sea from the guys at Kalk Bay Harbour, also Hout Bay is meant to be good! 

Fruit Veg/ eggs / herbs - Farm shop or Deli at Imhoff and Farm Village

Cheese: Culture Club Cheese - 215 Bree Street 

Bread - Jasons Bakery -185 Bree St 

Wine - Either locally from the vineyards, or through Get Wine or Cyber Cellar 

I hope to head to Bree Street as there is a great little strip consisting of:

 Bacon on Bree,

Culture Club,

Mothers Ruin Gin Bar, 

and Little Saint - great new restaurant serving real food. 

The staples we will do an internet shop at Woolies so we don't have venture that close to shopping mall during our holiday.

Many of our friends are also staying in the area, thus babysitting and visiting restaurants may not be as easy, so we have decided to hire in a private chef for a meal or two, to bring the yummy food to us. We adore cooking, but it will be nice to sit back and relax for the odd night. Neil Anthony has been highly recommended to us - but we are on the look out for another chef if you know of anyone?

We were keen not to over book ourselves as we are staying in such a lovely area with friends all around us so most the time we will be on the beach and chilling by the pool, but there are a few favourite things we like to get up too where we may venture a little further:

Day Trips:

Kalk Bay

Love this quirky little place, there is always a new cafe, coffee and smaller art gallery explore. We tend to get our fresh fish here to take home and braai, straight from the guys at the habour who are skinning and gutting them for local restaurants and suppliers.

Harbour House is also a firm favourite of ours, probably not with younger kids (we will be having fish and chips on the beach), but for older kids or no kids its certainly worth a visit!

We may even take the train to Simons Town - see the penguins have lunch at the Meeting Place Upstairs,  or The Salty Dog for fish n chips.

Hout Bay

On route to Hout Bay we may stop off at Jonkerhuis at Groot constantia - we have had lovely brunch and incredible curry for lunch here, its very relaxed with lawn for kids to run around.

Bay Harbour Market every Friday, Saturday Sunday,  

Chapmans Peak Hotel - great for Calamari and Chips / Sundowners

Kitima Thai Restaurant - we have heard nothing but great things and are excited to give it a try this year. 

Winelands 

You can’t really visit the cape without at least one lunch in the vineyards. Here are some of our favourites. 

A full list including grape tasting for kids, jungle gyms, types of food head over to a great article on the Stellenbosch Mom

Babylonstoren - the most talked about wine estate, tables very hard to come by, organic farm shop (which does sell online), spa, hotel, gardens, restaurant.

La Petite Ferme- stunning views and gourmet food.  (kids menu and big lawn)

Dieu Donne - Franschhoek. The terrace below the restaurant overlooks a lawn with a sandpit and a glorious view of the valley, simple food with a kids’ menu, and beer brewed on the spot in a micro-brewery.

Picnics:

Buiten ver wachting - its always been fully booked so yet to try - but heard great things! 

Warwick, Brilliant for kids, who can play in the fountains, and run around the big lawn. Then there is a Safari truck wine tour with beautiful views and grape picking for kids. 

La Mottee - Has a number of walks / hiking trails through the fynbos along a scenic mountain route. This wine farm works hard on biodiversity and if the kids are interested in indigenous flowers, you can do a tour through the greenhouses. They have a wonderful family Sunday lunch, but its very popular so need to book. 

Cape Town

A trip to Cape Town wouldn’t be complete for our kids (or Matt) without a trip to the aquarium. I am hoping to escape to a Gin Distillery Gin Bars are popping up all over the place.  I’m beyond excited to swot up on it! Or escape to the shops whilst the kids are enjoying the fish.

Shops:

The Watershed at the V&A Waterfront, opened in 2014 and is now a beautiful space showcasing the best of social entrepreneurship in South Africa, many of the items here have been made as part of skill share and development projects.

De Waterkant - great for lifestyle shopping, creatives, artists, home wear, boutiques and coffee shops Grab your coffee from the .Origin Coffee.  

Mungo and Jemima - beautiful and timeless pieces all hand picked from some of South Africa’s most well known designers, shop on Long Street and V&A Waterfront.

A few last minute Christmas Presents Ill pick up from the Kin Shop - all South African designers stocking the most beautiful items. 

A Coffee Shop I’m Keen To Visit

Truth Coffee in Buitenkant street, the Telegraph named it as the best in the world, along with Amercian Website - Daily Meal naming it as their 2nd coolest coffee shop in the world!  If you go at night they also stock Hope gin!!!!

Old Biscuit Mill - Woodstock

Home to many designer shops and stalls, coffee shops, restaurants, bars and markets. Most famously -

Neighbourgoods Market (Saturday Morning)

Potluck Club

Test Kitchen - One of the worlds best 50 restaurants! Try to get in quick as Luke Dale Roberts the chef is up to Joburg in January to host a new restaurant at the Saxon.

If you aren’t heading to the restaurants at the Old Biscuit mill not to worry there are world class coffee shops and South Africa’s best ICE CREAM - the Creamery (which is an absolute favourite of Lizzet co owner of Nomads and Co) their naartjie and chic chip being the best a truely south african flavour. 

Then for Coffee: 

- Espresso Lab Micro Roasters Old Biscuit Mill - Woodstock

- Rosetta Roastery - in Woodstock Exchange

Shops to visit - Vamp, Zana, Dear Rae

Christmas In The Cape The open air Summer Concerts at Kirstenbosch are fabulous, and each year Rotary Club organise a Carol Concert. Be aware that these are Carols by Candlelight so don’t start until around 8pm, and its a long walk from the car (with children and picnic stuff), but if you manage all that - its well worth it, to sing carols under the stars with beautiful view. Memories I will take with me forever! It’s a very special atmosphere, for a very special event.

Church:

We love to go to a Carol service and Christmas service at some stage over the Christmas period, so this year we will either head to St George’s Cathedral in the city centre, or  our friends church at Christ Church Constantia.

NEW YEARS EVE: 

• Kirstenbosch New Years Eve Concert

• V&A Waterfront Fireworks

• Grand South Carnival @ Cape Point Vineyards

• Scarborough Beach - New Years Eve Sundowners - The local community all head down to the beach, to toast in the new year as the sun goes down, kids, dogs, and couple guys with bag pipes, this is a secrete gem not to be missed.

Sadly many of the Christmas events in the wine farms and markets take place at the start of December, there is the famous Uncle Pauls Children's party, which we have never managed to be organised enough to get tickets for, but I hear is well worth it, particularly for older children.

South Africa Vs England Cricket

Newlands 2-6th January 2015. Lucky to have tickets will probably have a girls day, boys day and kids day!  

Do You Know Of Any Other Christmas Events I Have Missed?  

Hope This Has Provided You With Some Inspiration On What You Can Get Up To In This Incredible City, For Further Info Why Not Check Out Some Of The Local Blogs:

CAPE TOWN BLOGS: 

1. Lana provides insights into the best gems in Cape Town, giving up to date news on new restaurants, shops and creative tours.

2. The Stellenbosch Mom - Great article on Wine Farms and kids!

3. Clara Wiggins - Expat Partner Survival - great posts on her recent trip to Cape Town

4. Becoming You - Great post on things to do with kids in Cape Town, brilliant indoor ideas if the weather is a little windy!

Summary My Top 12 Family Things Not To Miss: 

1. Noordhoek Farm Village

2. Shop Local - great meat, fish, wine......

3. Kirstenbosch Carols

4. Cape Point Vineyard - picnic, market, sundowner,

5. Atlantic Beach - Scarborough New Years Eve Sundowners

6. Indian Beach - Fish Hoek (avoid boxing day 26th December) 

7. Kalk Bay

8. Test Kitchen  

9. Cape Town - Shopping

10. Cape Town - Gin Distillery

11. Cape Town - Aquarium

12. Wine Lands - many picnics or grape tasting

Please note this blog is all my own personal opinions, I always declared when I have been paid or sponsored to showcase a product or service. 

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/

Provinces of South Africa

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

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

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

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

1. GAUTENG

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. WESTERN CAPE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. KWAZULU-NATAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. MPUMALANGA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. NORTH WEST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. LIMPOPO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. EASTERN CAPE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. FREE STATE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. NORTHERN CAPE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact us with any questions!

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!

A Brief History of South Africa

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

Pre-Colonial History

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

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

1500s

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

1600s: Dutch Settlement

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

1700s: European Expansion

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

1800s: Voortrekkers And British Expansion

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

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

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

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

1900s: Gold, Industry And Union

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

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

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

1994- Today:

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

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

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

South African History Online

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

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

Driving and Buying a Car in South Africa

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

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

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

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

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

Finding a Car

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

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

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

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

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

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

SAFETY FIRST!

Hi-Jacking and Smash-and-Grab

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

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

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

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

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

Smash-and-Grab Protection

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

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

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

Children in Cars

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

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

4x4 Vehicles in South Africa

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

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

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

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

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

How to Register a Car

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

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

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

Documents for the Traffic Register Number

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

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

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

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

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

Insurance and Car Tracking

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

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

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

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

If You Are Stopped…!

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

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

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

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

ENJOY THE RIDE!

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

Hiring Domestic Staff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Things You Need To Know

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

• Common Laws of South Africa

• Labour Relations Act

• Basic Conditions of Employment Act

• Sectorial Determination of Domestic Workers

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

Live-In or Live-Out?

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

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

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

Finding a Domestic Worker

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

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

Professional Recruitment Services

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

• Domestic Bliss

• Domestic Guardians

• Little Sunshines (Au pair agency)

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

Healthcare

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

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

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

Wages

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Employment Contract

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

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

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

Advice For Making A Contract

• Having a job description is vital!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cost of Living and Getting Set Up in South Africa

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

AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET

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

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

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

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

• Electricity / Water/ Waste R3500

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

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

• Car / House Insurance R4000 per month

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

• Food shopping R6500 +/- per month

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

• Entertainment (events, cinema and live shows) R1200

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

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

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

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

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

• Gym R300 - R1500

• Wine ………………. 

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

UTILITIES

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

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

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

POST OFFICE

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

• Local postage

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

• Car license renewals

• Paying for your TV license

Furthering Your Career Whilst Living in Joburg

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

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

VOLUNTEERING OR WORKING FOR AN NPO/NGO

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

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

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

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

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

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

SETTING UP YOUR OWN BUSINESS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TRADITIONAL JOBS

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

Here are some popular job search websites:

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

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

Networking

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

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

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

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

NOT THE RIGHT VISA?

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

Or find inspiration on our Pinterest board here.

THE MAIN POINT IS…

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

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

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

Renting or Buying a House in Johannesburg

Is it best to rent or to buy when moving to South Africa? We give you a run down of the variety of property choices here in Johannesburg…

Many expats choose to live in the northern suburbs of the city (Dainfern, Fourways, Cedar Lakes) due to its close proximity to international schools and its many security estates, which provide a convenient way of living. It’s also more recently developed part of the city, so all properties are newer with a wide variety of styles.

Before you choose to follow the usual expat trail, it’s worth investigating some of the other areas in the massive city of Johannesburg, which might (or might not) fit your family’s lifestyle. (See Where to Live in Joburg)

For expats who will be staying for a limited time, it’s more advisable to rent. Those looking to stay for longer could investigate buying a house, but note that the South African Rand is one of the most volatile currencies in the world, so you may not want to bring in a large sum of money. 

Whether you choose to rent or buy, there are a number of different home types to choose from:

• Free-standing home in a suburb: Freestanding homes will give you more privacy and space, but will also require maintenance and investment into security, for example an electric fence, alarm and voice/camera intercom for visitors. Generally houses in the Parks area are free standing.

• Security village / Estate: A popular option, a security complex will offer residents individual homes within a gated community, often with shared leisure facilities (golf course, tennis courts, etc.) and strict visitor entry/exit criteria at the gate. Big estates are mainly based in the far north of the city in and around Fourways.

• Townhouse / Cluster homes in a complex: Townhouses are split level homes that are larger than an apartment and typically have a small garden or play area. Cluster homes are smaller to estates but are clustered with 3 - 6 other homes behind guarded entrance. There may or may not be shared facilities, but the community is much smaller and compact. You’ll find these in Bryanston, Hyde Park and a few dotted around the Parks.

• Apartment in a complex: With the growth of the city, apartments are now popular and widely available. Newer complexes are typically oriented for 1-2 bedroom apartments. Newer developments are in Sandton, Rosebank, Melrose Arch. Apartment complexes in older, more established parts of the city such as Killarney, Parkview, or Illovo can be larger around 3 bedrooms.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SEARCHING ONLINE

LOCATION & TRAFFIC

Northern suburbs are notoriously gridlocked during peak hours (approximately 7-9am and 4-6pm). Traffic can also be worse in the mornings if you live near to a school, university, or highway on ramp.

This is because business and residential expansion in the Northern suburbs has been rapid, without planning or expansion of the road network, which originally served a farming community. To get around this, live close to your office or school (See school listings here), or consider living near a Gautrain station.

Main highways (the M1 and N1) can be backed up from accidents or road blocks regularly-at any hour. Always factor in extra travel time when needing to drive on the highway. Apps like Google Maps and Waze can help you to figure out alternate routes. 

SIZE

Houses can be a lot bigger than you might be used to and gardens will typically be bigger. The amount of space you are comfortable in can influence where you’ll choose to live, as some suburbs and security complexes have more spacious homes than others.

When looking for a house you’ll also need to factor in whether you’re going to get a permanent domestic worker and if they will stay with you on the property. If so, consider the space available for them with a separate entrance and bathroom.

CLIMATE

Johannesburg has particularly mild and sunny weather, so having a covered patio and outdoor space/garden to take advantage of the weather will make your life very enjoyable. A South African will also make sure to tell you to have adequate outdoor space for your braai (barbeque), which typically is a wood fired or charcoal grill often built into your patio design. Gas barbeques are also becoming more popular.

A swimming pool is very common and can be a wonderful addition in summer, but does require maintenance. Hiring a gardener or pool service can help with maintenance.

NOTE: Check the orientation of your home to make sure it is North-facing to take advantage of the movement of the sun in the southern hemisphere. Houses that face in another direction can be terribly cold in winter.

COST

Rental cost may also depend on whether or not the house is furnished, which might be a more convenient option, but are not as available. Most houses come unfurnished. Below are general prices per month.

Dainfern / Estate Living (3 bed R35,000 - R70,000) 

Melrose Arch / Sandton 1/2 Bed Apartment  R25,000 - R50,000

Cluster Home (Hyde Park / Sandringham/ Bryanston)  R30,000 - R70,000

Free Standing in the Parks 3/5 bed R30,000 - R70,000

For a broad overview of the cost of living in Johannesburg read more here: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/johannesburg

HOW TO GET STARTED

There are a number of different property websites in South Africa, here are the most popular:

Property24: http://www.privateproperty.co.za/to-rent/gauteng/johannesburg/33  
Private Property: https://www.property24.com/to-rent/johannesburg/gauteng/100

Once you have an idea of the type of property you are looking for, get in touch and we will keep an eye out for you. We would love to show you around the various neighbourhoods, and help show you a range of options. Click on the photo below to tell us more about you!

Estate Agents

Relocation agents will work with estate agents. Feel free to contact agents directly, you’ll see advertisements all over the city!

Pam Golding
Jawitz 
Chas Everitt
Sothebys                                                                                                                                     
Vered
Firzt

Its best to call or set up an appointment in person, and get them to show you around!

Find out more: https://www.property24.com/estate-agencies

NOTE: Even when you’ve made a signed offer or lease application, don’t think that an offer is a guarantee! A landlord or seller can refuse an offer at the last minute so be sure to factor this in when looking for a place and making arrangements for furniture transportation, etc.

TIPS

• Visit the estate agent and go through the lease in detail and make sure you understand every single point before signing.

• Understand what is your responsibility to maintain and what is the landlord’s responsibility.

• Find out what utilities are included in the rent, and if possible, organise a pre-paid electricity meter as this will help you manage your electricity bill a lot more easily, especially in winter when you will be using a lot of electrical appliances to keep warm!

• Include in your monthly budget how much help you’ll need to maintain the house and garden, or added estate levies!
  

Health Care Options in South Africa

South Africa has some of the most well-trained doctors and medical professionals in the world, but unfortunately, while you’ll definitely find adequate care in many private facilities, most public healthcare in the country is unfortunately understaffed and under-resourced.

This means that you’ll need to set up a healthcare investment such as medical aid or a hospital plan to make use of private, and more expensive, medical facilities. 

In general, medical aid schemes offer three kinds of plans:

1. Comprehensive: These plans cover all medical expenses, including routine visits to a health professional.

2. Network: A network plan is more affordable, but will mean that you can only make use of certain medical service providers which are part of the scheme’s network, which will require research on your part, to make sure that you can be reimbursed.

3. Hospital Plans: These plans generally cover only medical emergencies and planned hospital visits/procedures, and it’s advisable to take out an additional gap cover policy to make up for the potential shortfall between what your medical aid will cover and the actual cost.

Some professional industries offer their own medical aid packages, for example ProfMed for professionals with certain qualification criteria, GEMS for government employees and CAMAF for Chartered Accounts. Depending on what industry you work in, there may be a particular medical scheme that would work better for you, but this will be a matter of research and finding out what’s available to you specifically.

TOP HEALTHCARE PACKAGES:

While local packages might be more affordable, there are global health plan options for expats who move regularly, and travel frequently, some of the global programmes are run in conjunction with a local company:

BUPA Global Health Insurance

CIGNA Coverage in Africa

LOCAL OPTIONS

DISCOVERY: One of the most common local options is Discovery, which you’ll notice advertising for in many places as they offer a range of benefits, from discounts and rewards programmes at gyms, at the cinema and when purchasing flights online from certain airline companies. (Be aware that with many Discovery packages, you will only be able to make use of specific service providers so do your research before visiting a medical professional/facility to make sure that you will be reimbursed for your claim)

Other local options include:
BEST MED       
BONITAS    
FEDHEALTH       
MEDIHELP     
MOMENTUM

Great tool to use to compare options: Hippo

GENERAL TIPS ON MEDICAL AID

In many cases, be prepared to pay upfront and then claim back from your medical aid, or expect to do research on which specific doctor or hospital to use as some medical aids are very specific about which services they approve. When paying for anything, you’ll be asked if it will go on Medical Aid or Cash. If you plan on making a claim to your insurance provider for the expense, answer “cash”.

For intensive procedures, it’s advisable to get approval from your medical aid upfront, to avoid any unanticipated costs down the line, as claiming back from medical aid can be a lengthy process. Always be sure to get a detailed receipt.

NOTE: Dentists and orthodontics sometimes aren’t covered by medical aid.

GENERAL HEALTHCARE

General regular immunizations are: Hepatitis B, DTP, MMR, and Polio

You might also require a Yellow fever vaccination required when visiting certain African and South American countries. This is valid for 10 years, and you may need to show proof of vaccinations when entering South Africa from a yellow fever area, its a good idea to scan and save a copy for your records.

Some Diseases To Be Aware Of:

HIV/AIDS: Although massive strides have been made to prevent HIV infection, with the distribution of Antiretroviral medication and free testing, HIV/Aids is still an issue in all Sub-Saharan countries, and there is still a lot of social stigma around the disease that often complicates and delays treatment.

As always, preventing HIV infection and STDs means having protected sex and being responsible.

The topic of HIV/Aids will be something to consider, especially in the workplace and when dealing with staff, as HIV positive employees are not obliged to reveal their status by law. If you are employing staff on your property, odds are they will have HIV.  It is good practice to send any care givers on a first aid course which will cover HIV along with all the other conditions. Please note it is very hard to contract the disease- there has to be blood to blood exchange, or sexual activity. HIV treatment has come along way and now with the right medication and care you can carry on living a normal life. It is important as employers to support where we can if you notice a sudden weight loss, or frequent illness. Do seek out further help and advice if you have questions. At least supply healthy food and financial support for medication. For further information see: The Right To Care.

Other diseases to be aware of are tick-bite fever and malaria, which you can get when travelling to the bush, but being aware of high risk areas and taking the necessary precautions should prevent you from getting these.

MEDICATION

A “drug store” or pharmacy is called a chemist in South Africa, and there are individual pharmacists who run stores in some parts of the city, but these have largely been taken over by nationwide franchises over the last decade.

Here are the most popular ones, which also offer basic medical screenings and clinic facilities, and also sell food and homeware items:

Dischem
Clicks
MediRite

NOTE: In stores like Dischem you will obliged to put prescription medication into a cage-like contraption after you get it from the medications counter, and while you make your way to pay at the main checkout till. Once you register your family at a location, try to use that same place repeatedly!

EMERGENCIES

Be aware that if you don’t have medical aid, an ambulance will take you straight to a public hospital and might have to wait for treatment. Its a good idea to know which hospital you would like to be taken to, plus have thought through emergency plan if you are absent and your child gets sick (we have a list of emergency numbers on the fridge, and have a process whereby if there isn't anyone present who can drive, then press our security panic button which is linked to medical response team, these guys drive around the area and so will be quickest to arrive). 

Ambulance
ER24 084 124
Netcare 911 082 911
Hatzollah is a private not for profit organisation that services the Johannesburg Jewish community: 0860 100 101

Police/Fire
From home phone 10111
From mobile 112

National Poison Control
0861 555 777

FINDING A GOOD LOCAL DOCTOR

For routine medical checkups, visit a General Practitioner, or GP, as South Africans call it. It is a good idea to get set up with a GP when first arriving to introduce yourself and your family. Do your research online to find a doctor, or visit your nearest hospital or clinic. Your medical aid will also be able to give you a list of doctors and medical practitioners. 

If you have children, you will need to register them with a Paediatrician, and its also advisable to register with a gynaecologist.  

Ask for recommendations online on expat groups or a residental/neighborhood group. Some online medical resources include:

http://www.intercare.co.za/ 
https://www.recomed.co.za/

HOSPITALS

South Africa has a number of public hospitals, some which are world renowned and serve as training facilities for local medical students. Not all hospitals will have an emergency section, referred to as “casualty” by doctors.

For your own information, here are some of the most well-known public hospitals in Johannesburg:

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (Soweto)
Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital (previously known as Johannesburg General Hospital or “Joburg Gen”)

The main private hospitals that majority of expats use are Sandton MediClinic and Life Fourways Hospital, or the Netcare Hospitals (Sunninghill, Waterfall, etc.)

Everything You Need To Know About South African Visas

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

There are three ways to legally reside in South Africa:

1. As a visitor

2. As a temporary resident

3. As a permanent resident

4. With a work permit

   VISITOR VISAS

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

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

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

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

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE VISAS

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

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

The list of temporary residence visas includes:

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

BUSINESS VISA

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

Application Process for Business Visa

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

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

STUDY VISA

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

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

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

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

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

PERMANENT RESIDENCE

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

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

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

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

WORK PERMITS

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

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

INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER

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

• You can’t extend this visa

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

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

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

GENERAL WORK VISA

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

APPLICATION PROCESS

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

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

ALTERNATIVE PROCESS

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

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

CRITICAL SKILLS VISA

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

APPLICATION PROCESS

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

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

FOR ALL VISA APPLICATIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VISA RENEWALS

Start the renewal process early!

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

IF YOU ARE FLAGGED AS UNDESIRABLE AT THE PORT OF ENTRY

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

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

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

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

Good luck to you and your family!

Best Places To Live In Johannesburg

Choosing a place to live is a personal decision. First, are you going to rent or buy? (Foreigners are able to buy a home in South Africa, however, you have to put down 50% cash deposit.) Then, what type of area would you like to live in? Close to the office? A neighborhood with coffee shops? Walking distance from a park? In an estate or free-standing property?

Here is a short introduction to the various neighborhoods in Johannesburg that the majority of expats choose to live. (Note- know where your routine will be taking you. Often fifteen minutes turns into an hour on the roads here during peak hours!) Once you choose your living space, do get out and explore Joburg’s different areas- there is so much to see! Need a hand to talk it all through - no problem let us know what you are looking for and we can jump on a call to see if we can help you here.

MIDRAND (WATERFALL, KYALAMI, BEAULIEU)

Between Joburg and Pretoria, Midrand is home to many of the larger companies, so living here may make the commute a lot simpler. There are several new estates, affordable housing, and much more space. (Brilliant for horse riding!)

Visit: Mall of Africa/ Lory Park Zoo & Sanctuary/ Nizamiye Mosque/ Riversands Farm

FOURWAYS/DAINFERN

Here are many properties, and lots of high security estates. Dainfern, Fourways Gardens, and Cedar Lakes are some of the bigger ones which are built around golf courses, and have very international, transient communities.

Visit: Cedar Square/ The Design Quarter/ Nicolway/ Fourways Farmers Market/ Montecasino (Complex with restaurants, a Bird Park, casino, entertainment etc.)

BRYANSTON

Close to Fourways, you’ll find central living, large properties, lots of cluster homes to choose from. Quality South African schools, and close to buses for the international schools.

Visit - Bryanston Organic Market

SANDTON

Close to business district, near the main shopping mall, and the Gautrain to commute to Pretoria or the airport. Good selection of apartments, or cluster homes and estates.  

For family sized homes close to a park with a village feel look at Parkmore, where houses are free standing. River Club is the closest estate. Be aware that the traffic is very busy particularly when any of the traffic lights go down.

Visit: Sandton Mall (Sundowners at the Southern Sun balcony), Nelson Mandela statue

HYDE PARK/ SANDHURST

Mix of exclusive cluster homes, large apartments and grand properties. Most houses have beautiful landscaped gardens, their own security guard and large properties.  

Visit: Saxon and Inanda Polo Club, Hyde Park Shopping Centre, Food Wine and Design Fair. 

Let us give you all the information you need Download our Ultimate Moving to SA Planner here.

ILLOVO

Walking distance to the Gautrain, nicely placed near Melrose Arch, Rosebank and Sandton. Great mix of old and new apartments along with some great cluster homes. Wanders Cricket ground is here, alongside the Wanders Sports Club which has a really active Rugby / Squash / Tennis amongst other sport communities. 

Visit: Oxford corner / The Griffin / Thrupps / Fishmonger restaurant / Perron / Yamato / The Patisserie and the Post Office Centre. 

MELROSE ARCH

A newer build neighborhood complex of exclusive stores, great restaurants, and entertainment, with a Premium Virgin Gym. There are a number of penthouses and apartment blocks, making it an ideal and safe place to live if for single people or young couples. Popular with tourists who want to shop and drink outside enjoying the sunshine! 

Visit - The Orient / Melrose Arch 

THE PARKS / ROSEBANK / WESTCLIFF

Parkview, Parkhurst, Parktown North, Greenside, Craighall Park, Dunked West, Saxonwold, these area’s are mainly free standing properties, lots of large parks, restaurants, and smaller village-like communities. A large number of the streets are lined with beautiful Jacaranda tree’s so well worth visiting around October time. 

PARKHURST

Parkhurst has a more European feel to it, with a great strip of restaurants, and locally owned shops and antique dealers along 4th Avenue. You often see people walking their dogs, parents (or nannies) with their pushchairs, kids on their bikes, joggers all out and about - particularly at weekends. The property sizes are smaller and quite close together, great residence association.

Visit: Bistro Vine and Nice (order one of their bread baskets and great for celebrations!)  

LINDEN 

Lies at the foot of Northcliff Hill, a traditionally Africans area hosting the Africans government school), larger properties some with fantastic city views. Great mix of old family run restaurants alongside new trendy coffee shops and entrepreneurs. 

Visit: Cheese Gourmet/ The Whippet/ Arthur Bales haberdashery shop/ Linden Food Market  

MELVILLE

Student area close to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and WITS (University of the Witswatersrand). Great night life, smaller properties, great diverse vibe, lots of journalists, students, and young families, fantastic local restaurants and new shops opening up all the time. 

Visit: Pablo Egg Bar/ The Leopard/ Service Station/ The Great Eastern Food Bar 

PARKVIEW 

Parkview is built around a lovely park, and similarly to Parkhurst has a wonderful strip of shops and coffee shops (go try the egg brunch at Croft and Co). Parkview is more of a family suburb, built around George Hay park, which plays host to many community events hosted by the superb primary and secondary schools in partnerships with the Parkview Residence Association.  

Visit: Croft and Co/ The Perfect Cup/ Fruit and Veg Shop  

WESTCLIFF

Westcliff is home to all the old "Randlords" used to live, its one of the oldest parts of the city. With its large properties with incredible views. It is also home to two outstanding (and over subscribed) schools; The Ridge (boys) and St Catherine’s (girls). Early mornings the famous “Westcliff Steps” are full of fitness fanatics and those wanting a challenge, but the view from the top is certainly worth the effort.  
 

Visit - 44 Stanley Milpark (great hairdresser at the Wyatt)/ Beautiful sundowners at Four Seasons Hotel. 

ROSEBANK 

Rosebank has been recently renovated with Standard Bank, Coke Cola, and PepsiCo all opening new offices bringing in hundreds of young professionals to the area. As a result lots of cool new bars, shops and restaurants are now springing up all over the place. (Like the Keys Art Mile on First Thursdays!) Lots of apartments and young professionals moving in to the area. Great links to town, Pretoria, and Sandton via the Gautrain.

Visit: The Nike Run Club each Tuesday evening/ Keys Mile/ First Thursday/ Johannesburg Zoo/ Zoo Lake (Monthly art market)/ Delta Park/ Emmarentia Park

HOUGHTON

The neighbourhood Nelson Mandela spent his last few years. Large properties situated the other side of the N1 motorway, very near outstanding private schools, and wonderful old sports club - Old Eds now hosts Premium Virgin Active gym. 

BEDFORDVIEW

If you plan to be travelling a lot then Bedfordview is right next to OR Tambo. Has a lovely farm - Gillooly’s, where you can go for picnic by the lake, and check out the beautiful views. Eastgate shopping centre and lots of restaurants.  

JOBURG CITY CENTRE

Braamfontein

Once this was the heart of the business district in Joburg, before all the major companies moved out to safer Sandton. However now its home to many creative and entrepreneurs, the past 5 years this area has once again sprung to life. With a great food market each Saturday: Neighbourgoods Market

Maboneng

Once a no-go area in the East End, now thanks to the vision of Jonathan Liebmann, has become the coolest place to go. There are art galleries, co-office work spaces, a retro cinema, and wonderful market each Sunday based at Arts on Main. You can find a incredible mix of african food, fashion and design in what has become the heart of Jozi city life.   

Visit: Arts of Main (market on main each Sunday) Kruger Street, Che restaurant, 1 on Fox, Urbanology, Newtown  Walking Tour with Past Experiences , Maboneng
 

Have questions or want to learn more about Joburg life, come say hi 👋🏾 over on Instagram here. OR if you would like Hannah to give you a hand in finding your home or apartment in Joburg, let us know what you are looking for here.

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

Setting Up Mobile Phones and Internet in South Africa

(Please note we do not have any paid affiliation or sponsorship deals with any of the accounts mentioned below - all comments are made from our personal experiences)

There are three main service providers, which all use the same telecommunications infrastructure (a legacy of a centralised communication network), and provide essentially the same kinds of contract options, but with some pros and cons:

Cell C: Affordable contracts but limited signal in some areas

MTN: There have been complaints of poor customer service in the past but MTN undoubtedly has the most expansive service network on the continent so with an MTN contract you’ll often get signal in area when others don't, which can be helpful if you intend on travelling to off the grid places.
Vodacom: The most established and accessible service provider (apart from in Bryanston area), you’ll find a branch in most shopping malls, and although there are still complaints around customer service, steps have been taken to improve this.

Similarly to setting up a bank account, to set up a cellphone contract you will need to provide  proof of identity and proof of address, to comply with RICA, the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act, which makes it compulsory for everyone in South Africa to register their cellphone number.

This can be a pain, but to reduce crime, needing to provide a permanent address has recently been introduced to make cheap phones and pay-as-you-go contracts more difficult for criminals to buy on the fly.

You can set up a contract at any franchise store around the country, provided you have the right documentation, but be aware that these stores can be busy, especially on weekends, and are often understaffed.

With rare exceptions, everyone in South Africa will have a mobile phone, but not everyone will have a smartphone, so keep in mind that communicating with some people will be largely via text, calls or Whatsapp. 

Be aware that to get onto a contract you will need to have a work permit that is valid for the full 24 month period. But once on a contract it is cheaper than pay as you go for data and calls.

The best way to get set up is to pick up a SIM card at the airport, (you then don't need to have proof of residence). One company that offers this service is: B4 I Travel https://b4i.travel/za/.   

Internet

If you want to get connected straight away, the fastest way to do this is to purchase a router through Vodacom and use their pay as you go service, this will enable you to get wi fi until you or your landlord set up the fibre or connection for you.

For more info click here: http://www.vodacom.co.za/vodacom/services/home-internet

Tip: Where possible try to get the wifi included in your rent, since often the contracts are 24 months, and hard to disconnect (particularly Telkom) 

Telkom is the national telecommunications provider, and is a company you will often hear South Africans complain about due to poor customer services (although this has also been challenged to improve with recent industry competition).

Fixed Phone Line

Telkom provides fixed line voice and ADSL services, but they only provide the line. Once you have secured a Telkom line (which can sometimes be a lengthy process), you’ll need to take out an additional service provider contract, although they will manage the line for you. 

If you are renting an apartment or house that has been lived in before you’ll often find that there is an existing Telkom line that just needs to be reactivated. In order to set up a Telkom line you will need to set up an appointment for a technician to activate/install the line.

While inconvenient, you will need to set aside a day to be at home, or arrange for someone to be there, as the technicians work on a rotation basis and won’t give you a definite time of arrival. They will also be leaving and coming back in order to check the line and how it corresponds with the central hub for your suburb/area so expect this to take at least an hour or two, depending on whether there is a problem or not.

You will be billed separately for the Telkom and the ISP accounts. You will receive all of the invoices via email.

The easiest way to pay your Telkom is by setting up a private beneficiary on your online banking profile and pay via EFT, otherwise you can pay in person at various physical locations, like Checkers and Pick n Pay stores, Telkom stores or at the Post Office. Easy Pay is another online payment option: https://new.easypay.co.za/ 

There is the option to set up a debit order for payment to your ISP, which you can set up through your online client profile (this is the case with Afrihost).
You will need to buy your own modem, although you can order this through your service provider for an extra fee. You will also need to do the setup yourself but if the Telkom line is working correctly this isn’t difficult at all.

Some options include:

Afrihost
Webafrica
MWEB

Some Reviews

https://mybroadband.co.za/news/adsl/174116-best-and-worst-adsl-isps-in-south-africa-3.html

https://mybroadband.co.za/news/adsl/172311-south-africas-adsl-isps-ranked-by-customer-service-levels.html 

NOTE: When dealing with Telkom, especially when logging a fault (when your internet doesn’t work), always get a reference number.

Fibre

In many areas of Joburg there are various companies setting up fibre-optic lines, which are contracted by suburb.

Check with your apartment complex manager or residents association to find out which fibre optic service providers are in your area, and to find out specifics about contracts. In the case of an apartment complex, there will be a central fibre connection point that all apartments will connect to.

The difference with fibre is that it is independent of Telkom infrastructure, so you can deal with the service provider directly instead of having to go through a third-party line provider.

Some Options:

WebAfrica
Fibrehood
Vumatel
Vox Telecom
Cool Ideas
Vodacom

TELEVISION

To own a television in South Africa, you will need to pay an annual TV licence fee, which gives you access to all of the free national channels: SABC 1, 2 and 3 and eTV.

Read more: http://www.tvlic.co.za/tvlic/index.php?lang=en

To be able to watch a more diverse variety of television shows you will need to subscribe to DSTV. Premium access currently costs R759 a month, with various other packages available depending on the channels you want to watch. Note that there will be an additional cost for the DSTV decoder.

Read more: http://www.dstv.com/topic/compare-packages-20150713?pos4_GetDstv_ComparePackages

While many South Africans will have a DSTV subscription, online subscriptions are also becoming more popular, like Netflix and Showman. Particularly when linked to your own VPN service. 

https://www.netflix.com/za/ 
https://www.showmax.com/eng/welcome/za

Voice Line

It’s not as common for households to have a fixed voice line anymore as everyone is contacted via mobile phone, but in the case that you want one for international calls, you will just need to follow the same contract setup process with Telkom as you would for an ADSL line- you’ll just be paying extra for voice line rental, and for calls.

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.