Cape Town and life

Cape Town in a nutshell

Cape Town, a coastal gem on the south western coast of South Africa, boasts breathtaking landscapes with Table Mountain as a backdrop. Its rich history, from colonial heritage to the fight against apartheid, adds depth to its vibrant culture. The city offers diverse experiences, from exploring Robben Island to savouring Cape Malay cuisine. Pristine beaches, thrilling adventure activities, and world-class wines in the nearby Cape Winelands makes Cape Town a must-see destination.

VOTED BEST CITY IN THE WORLD TO VISIT

(UK Telegraph 2023)

Safety

Cape Town is a modern cosmopolitan South African city. As such, we would advise travellers to exercise the same level of vigilance as when visiting any major global city.

This includes ensuring you follow basic safety tips such as keeping emergency numbers on hand, avoiding carrying large sums of cash and keeping your valuables safe at all times. That said, the overwhelming majority of the 1.7 million foreigners that visited the Western Cape in 2018, had a positive and memorable experience.

The destination is frequently cited among the world’s best holiday destinations and has a high return visitor rate, proving that those who visit want to discover more of the city’s beauty.

Safety TOP-5

Avoid carrying large sums of cash, don’t carry cameras in plain sight and do not leave belongings unattended.
Heed the advice of your hosts, Cape Town Tourism Visitor Centre staff, or locals on where to go after dusk. Avoid walking in deserted and dark places at night. Park in a secure, well-lit area with street guards.
Never allow strangers to assist you in any way at ATMs or cash points.
Street children and beggars may approach you for a handout. If you wish to help, consider giving food, donating to a registered charity or contact Cape Town Tourism for advice.
Keep copies of all valuable documents in a safe place.

Vaccinations

Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Always check the safety and vaccination guidelines of the local authorities before travelling and follow them to the best of your judgment.

Currency

If you are a tourist visiting South Africa, you will need to exchange your home currency for the South African Rand (ZAR) in order to make purchases and pay for services. You can exchange currency at banks, forex bureaux and other authorised dealers, or you can use an ATM or credit card to withdraw money in local currency. It is important to be aware of the current exchange rate to get the best value for your money.

The Rand is available in the following denominations: coins of R1, R2, R5 and 50 cents and banknotes of R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200.

Tipping

While South Africa has no legislation regarding tipping, it is customary to leave a tip of at least 10% of your bill at restaurants and bars.

If you are driving around, you will notice car guards patrolling streets where there is free parking. While you are under no obligation to tip these car guards, it is customary to do so if they have looked after your car for more than 30 minutes. While the amount is at your discretion, locals would normally tip an official car guard about R5.

In South Africa, petrol and diesel are administered by attendants. At most service stations, attendants will offer to wash your windows, as well as check your car’s oil and tyre pressure. This is part of the service, and you are under no obligation to provide a tip unless you would like to.

Powerty and beggars

Some beggars, regardless of age, may occasionally approach people and tourists directly for money or food. No matter how difficult the situation may seem and how much you would like to help them as individuals, prioritise your safety and consider giving in a responsible way.

Social services in South Africa advise against giving money to street children and beggars. If you’re looking to make a difference, donate money to an organisation like the Haven (https://www.haven.org.za) that offers a network of night shelters in and around Cape Town.

Loadshedding

Loadshedding is another term for rolling blackouts and power cuts. Loadshedding happens when there is a large demand on the national power grid that outstrips supply, leading to interruptions to the country’s electricity supply. Loadshedding discontinues the power supply to certain areas, according to a schedule, to allow the power utility to optimise the existing supply and get failed generation units back online if necessary. Loadshedding is implemented in stages and depends on the extent of the shortage of electricity generation.

The City of Cape Town only implements loadshedding when instructed by Eskom’s National Control Centre. The decision to implement loadshedding is therefore beyond the City’s control and often at short notice.

Loadshedding affects everyone to varying degrees. There are places which experience little to no loadshedding, due to their proximity to important government structures such as hospitals and parliament etc. or have alternative energy sources.

Note: You can call ahead and ask whether the area you are visiting or staying is experiencing loadshedding or alternatively download the ESP Eskomsepush App that supplies loadshedding schedules according to area.

Power socket

When travelling to Cape Town or any part of South Africa, it is essential to be aware of the power sockets used in the country to ensure you can charge your devices and stay connected. Here is what you need to know:

Plug Type: South Africa uses Type M power plugs and sockets. These have three large, round pins in a triangular configuration. The pins are quite substantial, so make sure your devices have the correct adapter to fit into the Type M sockets.

Voltage and Frequency: The standard voltage in South Africa is 230 Volts, and the frequency is 50 hertz. If your devices are designed to work with a different Voltage or frequency, you will need a Voltage converter or transformer to avoid damage to your electronics.

Adapters: Before your trip, make sure to purchase the appropriate Type M adapter plugs to use with your electronic devices. These adapters can typically be found at travel stores or online, and they allow you to plug in your devices into the South African power outlets.

USB Charging: Many hotels and accommodations in Cape Town offer USB charging ports in addition to the regular power sockets. However, it's always a good idea to carry your own adapter to ensure you can charge multiple devices simultaneously.

Remember to check the power requirements of your devices before you travel and ensure you have the right adapters and converters to stay powered up during your trip to Cape Town. Having the correct equipment will prevent any charging-related issues and help you have a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.

The 33rd IPMA World Congress