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Essential apps for
South Africa
English & AfrikaansZAR5 apps
Uber and Bolt cover the major cities. Most local businesses use WhatsApp for communication.
🔌
Power & Plug
TypeC / D / M / N
Voltage230V
Freq50Hz
Type M is the large historical plug — many South Africans carry multi-adapters.
🎎
Tipping
Tipping is widely expected; 10-15% is standard in restaurants if no service charge is added. It is also customary to tip car-guards, petrol attendants, and porters a few rand.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
See all →🗺️Navigation & Maps
See all →📱Messaging
See all →Briefing
What to know before you go
✓ Do
- Greetings matter; take time to say hello and ask how someone is before getting to business
- Use a handshake on greeting, sometimes a three-part African handshake among locals
- Respect the country's diversity of cultures and 11 official languages
- Be patient and polite in queues and with service staff
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially in townships or rural areas
- Drive on the left and be courteous with the 'hazard flash' thank-you on the road
✕Don't
- Do not walk alone in unfamiliar areas at night or display valuables openly
- Avoid discussing apartheid or race casually or insensitively with strangers
- Do not leave bags, phones, or laptops visible in a parked or moving car
- Avoid assuming wildlife areas are safe to explore on foot without a guide
⚠️ Common scams to know
- ATM 'helpers' who distract you and swap or skim your card; never accept assistance at machines
- Fake or unmetered taxis overcharging tourists, especially from airports
- Staged car troubles or 'flat tyre' setups that lead to roadside theft
- Smash-and-grab thefts at traffic lights where bags are visible inside the car
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