FAQs ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA
Wallacedene Community:
Wallacedene, where most of the Bridges students live, is approximately 40 kilometers from the Cape Town city center. The community is located close to Kraaifontien and Stellenbosch on the wine route. Today, the population of Wallacedene and environs is estimated to be 68,000+ inhabitants. From twenty families squatting on the Uitkyk farm in the 1980s, the settlement grew after the Abolition of Influx Control Act 68 of 1986 (rescinding the pass laws) to become a destination for urban migration within and into the Western Cape Province. As Wallacedene expanded, friction between the surrounding property owners and the expanding informal settlement resulted in a cycle of eviction, demolition and rebuilding.
Residents live in either the Formal or Informal Settlement. Estimated at 10% of Wallacedene housing stock (Statistics South Africa census 2001), the Formal Settlement consists of Government built houses with two rooms (a family area with kitchen and one bedroom) supplied with electricity, indoor toilets and running water. In contrast, housing in the informal settlement are multiple shacks per plot with 7-15 inhabitants/unit, a single bed, no running water, plumbing and a questionable electrical supply.
A total of ten churches are found in Wallacedene. The community has thirteen crèches, two primary schools and one high school. Despite a reduced school fee system (R 7/annum for primary school), many youth are early school leavers due to poverty and are currently unemployed. Statistics: City of Cape Town Census 2001
Entry & Exit Requirements:
- A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay
- Two blank visa pages in your passport
- US citizens entering South Africa for no more than 90 days and for tourism purposes do not need a visa
- A return or onward ticket
Weather:
South Africa is a subtropical location with a lot of sunshine and remains relatively dry. It mostly rains in the summer, except in the Western Cape, where it rains in winter. However, the rain is often interspersed with beautiful days. The winter months in South Africa is from May to July, and August to mid-October is spring. South Africa experiences moderate winter days, with highs about 64°F (18°C), and chillier nights at lows of 45°F (7°C). By August, spring arrives, and the Cape is the most beautiful at that time, with plains of flowers begin to bloom.
What to wear:
- Comfortable shirts and pants (both long and short)
- Warm clothes for the winter months
- Comfortable walking shoes/ hiking boots are optional
- Jackets/ windbreaker
- Raincoat or umbrella
Official language:
There are 11 official languages in South Africa. Xhosa is the most frequently used language used in Wallecedene but most speak English as well. The majority of classes are taught in English at Hector Peterson School.
Immunization:
We at Bridges do not give out medical advice, and advise you to speak directly with your doctor if you have any questions about immunizations. MDtravelhealth.com says the following about visiting South Africa:
- Recommended: Hepatitis A and Typhoid
- Yellow Fever: An International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever is required IF you are arriving from an infected area within 5 days.
- Polio: for any adult traveler who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult.
- Hepatitis B: For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months.
- Rabies: For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and not have access to medical care.
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): Two doses recommended for travelers born after 1956, if not previously given.
- Tetanus-diphtheria: Revaccination recommended every 10 years.
- Malaria: The malaria risk is high in low altitude areas of the Northern Province, Mpumalanga and northeastern KwaZulu/Natal. Malaria can be prevented through the use of anti-malaria tablets, taken regularly before and during your stay. Please consult your doctor for the anti-malaria tablets and for more information.
Electricity:
220/230 volts AC 50Hz (US is 120V, 60Hz, so an adaptor will be needed)
Pretoria: 230V
Port Elizabeth: 200/250V
Weights & measures:
Metric
Telephone dialing code:
27
Currency:
- South African Rand (ZAR)
- The exchange rate as of 10/5/07 is: 1USD = 6.78890ZAR
- Most international credit cards are accepted
Average costs:
Prices in USD
- Internet café $2.00/hr
- Taxi from city to rural areas $58.00
- Meal in a restaurant $15.00
- A bottle of beer $1.00
- International call $0.50/minute
*A value-added-tax (VAT) of 14% is charged to most items. Foreign tourists can request to have their VAT refunded if their purchase is over R250.00. VAT refunds are made at the point of departure with receipts.
Time:
South African time is 2 hours ahead of the GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. South Africa does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
The US Consular Agency in Cape Town
Tel: (27 21) 702-7300
Fax: (27 21) 702-7493
PostNet Suit 50, Private Bag x26,
Tokai 7966
2 Reddam Ave. Westlake 7945
http://pretoria.usembassy.gov/
The U.S. Embassy
Tel: (27-12) 431-4000
Fax: (27-12) 342-2299
877 Pretorius St, Arcadia, Pretoria
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