If you’re considering moving to South Africa, the first question you might have is “what is life like in South Africa?” Let’s look at some of the key points:
The country has a variety of climates and natural landscapes.
In South Africa, there are four major climatic regions: Mediterranean climate, semi-arid climate, tropical climate and humid subtropical climate. The coastal regions have a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. The interior of the country has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. North and south of the country have tropical climates with high temperatures year-round, while East Coast has humid subtropical climates.
South Africans are a friendly bunch
When you go to South Africa, you will find that the people are very friendly. However, crime is a big problem in South Africa and there’s a high rate of murder. In fact, there are 50 murders every day in the country. This is because of high unemployment and poverty levels and gangs that commit violent crimes.
Johannesburg is one of the most dangerous cities in South Africa and it’s advisable not to venture into certain parts of the city at night or on your own unless you want an unpleasant experience with crime or violence. If you’re visiting Cape Town, then be careful around Sea Point Beach because it’s known for robberies at night time – so don’t hang out late when everyone else seems drunk!
English and Afrikaans are the primary languages spoken, as well as Xhosa, Zulu and Northern Sotho.
English is the official language of South Africa and is used in schools and universities. It’s also widely understood by many South Africans who speak other languages at home or with friends.
Afrikaans is the most widely spoken language among white people (the descendants of Dutch settlers) in South Africa today. Its close relationship to German makes it fairly easy for English speakers to learn. Most Afrikaners are bilingual: they speak both English and Afrikaans at home or school, but when asked about their preferred language for business meetings or official documents such as passports, many will say “English, please!”
Struggling economy
The economy is suffering from high unemployment, corruption and poor economic growth. The economy has slowed to 2.2% growth in 2018, with the Rand falling by 20% against the dollar in the last year. Unemployment is currently at 27%.
The government has promised free education for all from pre-school to university level by 2030, but there are concerns about how it will be paid for and how much it will cost students at South Africa’s universities which are among the most expensive in Africa.
Tipping is usually 10 per cent.
Tipping is not required, but it’s the norm to tip 10 per cent. If you receive good service at a restaurant or bar, consider adding on an extra 20 per cent.
Asking for the bill and then leaving without tipping is considered very rude, so be sure you’ve paid properly if you’re not planning on leaving a tip.
In restaurants where service is included in your bill (such as some buffet-style restaurants), do not leave additional money unless there was something exceptional about their service above and beyond what was expected.
You should only tip small services such as hairdressers or taxi drivers.
Traffic can be challenging
Traffic can be challenging in cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg with traffic jams at rush hour. You will need to be aware of the traffic rules, which may be different from those of your home country, and drive defensively.
Healthcare is good
If you’re moving to South Africa, it’s important to understand how healthcare is provided in the country. Healthcare services are of a high standard and medical facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. However, they are expensive compared to most other countries around the world.
Private medical insurance is required for expatriate employees moving to South Africa on a work visa or as a permanent resident—even if they have lived in other countries previously and received their healthcare there. People who qualify for social security (pensioners) can apply for an old age grant which will make up some costs associated with health care services.
Permanent residents can also apply for government medical aid cards once they have been registered in South Africa for three months or more; however, this may take time before receiving approval because of high demand from people applying for these cards who do not meet requirements such as having lived outside of SA continuously over 12 months prior
South Africa can be an attractive place
South Africa is an attractive place to live with its beautiful nature and relaxed lifestyle, though you need to be aware of the crime levels.
The country has many outdoor attractions for people who love sports and the outdoors, which can make it a great place for ex-pats who enjoy these things as well.
You’ll find plenty of white sandy beaches along the coast, surf in Cape Town or Durban, wildlife watching in Kruger National Park and other national parks, lush Winelands in Stellenbosch or Paarl – perfect for cycling tours – mountain ranges like Table Mountain and Drakensberg available for hiking trails (and some running routes) and many more options that allow you to enjoy your favourite pastimes while living here.
Conclusion
Moving to South Africa can be a wonderful experience, but you need to be aware of the crime rates and if you want any kind of life outside of work, then it’s best to live in an area that is safe. You may also spend more money than expected on healthcare because private insurance is required by law.
