South Africa

Brief Fact File

Capital	Pretoria (administrative capital)
Currency	Rand (ZAR)
Language(s)	IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census)
Local time	GMT + 02:00
Telephone code	27
Major cities	Cape Town (legislative capital), Bloemfontein (judicial capital), Johannesburg, Durban

Economy
South Africa has an abundant reserves of gold and platinum. It is a middle-income emerging market but enjoys the highest per capita income in Africa. It has a well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors. Its stock exchange ranks among the top 10 in the world. It is the leading producer of coal and diamonds in the world. Now, South Africa's economy is shaping into service industry for economic growth. The main business partners of South Africa are the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan.

Major Exports:

• Live animals and animal products
  
• Prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco
  
• Mineral products
  
• Pulp, paper and related products
  
• Chemical products
  
• Textiles
  
• Imitation jewellery, stones, pearls, coins, precious stones and retailed articles
  
• Base metals and related articles
  
• Machines, mechanical appliances and electrical equipment
  
• Transport equipment

Major Imports:

• Live animals and animal products
  
• Minerals products
  
• Chemical products
  
• Plastic and rubber products
  
• Textiles
  
• Base metals and related articles
  
• Machines, mechanical appliances and electrical equipment
  
• Transport equipment
  
• Medical or surgical instruments, clocks and musical instruments

Business Practices

Business Dress

• Business attire is becoming more informal in many companies. However, for the first meeting, it is best to dress more conservatively.
  
• Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits.
  
• Women should wear elegant business suits or dresses.

Communication Guidelines

• South Africans are transactional and do not need to establish long-standing personal relationships before conducting business.
  
• If one's company is not known in South Africa, a more formal introduction may help you gain access to decision-makers.
  
• Networking and relationship building are crucial for long-term business success.
  
• Relationships are built in the office.
  
• Although the country leans towards egalitarianism, businesspeople, do respect senior executives and those who have attained their position through hard work and perseverance.
  
• There are major differences in communication styles depending upon the individual's cultural heritage.
  
• They want to maintain harmonious working relationships, so they avoid confrontations.
  
• They often use metaphors and sports analogies to demonstrate a point.
  
• Most of them prefer face-to-face meetings to more impersonal communication mediums such as email, letter, or telephone.

Business Hour
8.30 am to 5.00 pm - Shops (Monday to Friday and until 12.30 pm on Saturdays)
Note:- Some shops are also open on Sundays.

Important Contacts

Associations / Ministries
Department of Trade and Industry
Government of South Africa
Address for Person: 77 Meintjies Street
Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0002
Address for Courier: 12 Esselen Street
Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0002
Tel.: +(27)-(12)-3949500
Fax: +(27)-(12)-3949501
Website: http://www.dti.gov.za

Indian Embassy / Counsulate

Consulate General of India, Durban
The Old Station Building (4th floor)
160 Pine Street
Durban 4001
P.O. Box 3276
Tel.: +(27)-(31)304-7020
Fax: +(27)-(31)-3047008
E-mail: cgidur@saol.com
Website: http://www.indcondurban.co.za

Consulate General of India, Johannesburg
1, Eton Road
Parktown, 2193
P.O. Box 6805
Johannesburg 2000
South Africa
Tel.: +(27)-(11)-4828484 - 9 (Reception & PABX)
Fax: +(27)-(11)-4828492/4648
E-mail: cgijhb@global.co.za
Website: http://www.indconjoburg.co.za

Visiting this Country

Business Visa Rules for South Africa
Business Visitor Visas are required for all foreign nationals, unless there is any related treaty in existence between their country of nationality and South Africa.

Allowable Activities as a Business Visitor
The allowable activities of business visitors are typically limited to the following:

• To attend any business meetings or discussions.
  
• To attend any conferences.
  
• Any short-term, up to 90 days, project related activities for a South African client, provided you remain on home company payroll.

Maximum Period of Stay as a Business Visitor

Visitor visas generally permit a maximum stay of up to 90 days.

Basic Requirements to Apply for a Business Visa

The following requirements for Business Visitors are subject to change or modification:

• The applicant must have a residence and an employer outside South Africa.
  
• The applicant must be traveling to South Africa for a defined, limited pre-set period and have pre-determined plans.
  
• The applicant must not receive compensation from sources within South Africa.
  
• The applicant's period of intended stay must be consistent with the intended purpose of the trip.
  
• The maximum period of stay per entry is 90 days.

Public Holidays

Festival	Date	Detail
New Year's Day	1 January
Human Rights Day	March 21
Good Friday		The Friday before Easter Sunday
Easter Monday		The day after Easter Sunday
Freedom Day		April 27
Workers' Day	May 1
Youth Day	June 16
National Women's Day	August 9
Heritage Day	September 24
Day of Reconciliation	December 16
Christmas Day	December 25
Day of Goodwill	December 26

Travel Tips

• In South Africa, it is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers, caddies and room service. According to the law, hotel rates do not include service charge. Usually 10-15% tipping is expected if service charge is not included.
  
• There is no departure tax.
  
• Passenger above 18 years can carry without incurring customs duty, 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 1l of spirits or liquor and 2l of wine; 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; other goods up to a value of R3000.
  
• Medical facilities in the urban areas are good but expensive. It is recommended to take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers overseas medical costs.
  
• Crime rates are high. Car-jackings, muggings, theft and pick-pocketing are very common. It is advised to visit townships with an organised tour only.
  
• South Africa is a left hand side driving country. Carry your international drivers license. Avoid driving at night since the roads are not well lit up and animals tend to venture on to them. Take care while driving to the approaching roads to Kruger National Park. Reports of carjackings are common over there.