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South Africa

South Africa
	Capital	Pretoria
	Population	49,052,489 - 2009 est.
	Area	1,219,912 sq km
	Language	Afrikaans, English, IsiNdebele (Ndebele), IsiXhosa (Xhosa), IsiZulu (Zulu), Northern Sotho (Sepedi), Sesotho (Southern Sotho), Setswana (Tswana), SiSwati (Swati), Tshivenda (Venda), Xitsonga (Tsonga.
	Currency	South Africa, Rand (ZAR)
		1.000000R (ZAR) = 0.137606$ (USD)

South Africa is a land of contrasts….astonishingly beautiful, rich in natural resources,  with a vibrant economy; at the same time it is dangerous, corrupt and poor.
 
Sadly most foreigners have a view of South Africa that is not entirely the whole truth – it is violent in areas and a 5th of the adult population has HIV/AIDS. It is however possible to have a very high standard of living here. There are stunning beaches and fantastic wildlife that can be viewed in the national conservation areas and the game parks.
 
South Africa’s steady economic growth since the advent of democracy in 1994 has created an economic powerhouse; it leads the continent in industrial output and mineral production and it generates a high percentage of all of Africa’s electricity. It has a world class legislative and legal system and is rated as one of the top ten banking sectors in the world. It is significant as the economic gateway to the rest of the African continent.
 

The climate varies hugely: from the extremes of the Highveld around Johannesburg…down to 0degC in the winter to 25degC in the summer, this is an extremely dry area characterised by massive summer storms and hail. Cape Town offers a Mediterranean climate with hot summers, but cool breezes off the sea, and mild wet winters. Durban is humid…with winter temperatures hovering around 24degC and summer ones not much higher, with the rainfall peaking in the summer.

The weather lends itself to outdoor pursuits – rugby, football and cricket are the most popular, and the beach life with excellent scuba diving and surfing adds to the thrill of being here. Gambling is also legal all over the country. 

Health and Senior benefits
The state health system is overburdened by primary healthcare for the poorest; but medical standards are very high, the best in Africa, and competitive worldwide. It comes at a price though and private healthcare insurance is a must for foreigners. Netcare is the biggest private healthcare provider in the country with clinics in all the main cities and towns and an ambulance service. Most private health insurance includes the Netcare911 service which you can also subscribe to separately.
 
Due to the favourable exchange rate South Africa is a viable retirement destination. Pensioners can live in South Africa but first you have to apply for a visa in your home country. You will be required to submit paperwork and evidence that you have sufficient assets to support yourself and that such assets can be transferred to a bank in South Africa. Currently a pension from an offshore source, paid into a local bank account will not be taxed, but this situation is under review.
 
Infrastructure and safety
Undoubtedly the high rate of violent crime in South Africa is a big issue for many expatriates.  Johannesburg competes with Mexico City as being the most dangerous city in the world….there is only the area of Melville where you would feel relatively safe walking in the daytime and even here you should avoid wearing expensive jewellery or looking overtly well off. There are ‘no go’ areas in all the cities and towns and it is always unsafe to walk at night. Many of the affluent South Africans have moved out to the suburbs of the main cities where they live in gated communities with armed guards on duty 24 hours a day. Bars on doors and windows and alarm systems are a necessity.
 
The road system over South Africa is extensive and the roads and highways are generally well maintained. Driving is on the left hand side. Carjackings are common in the cities, particularly in Johannesburg so you need to keep doors locked and windows closed at all times.
 
The train system is mostly used for transporting freight and in the past there has inadequate investment to maintain the rolling stock and the stations, however, work on the new rapid rail link, Gautrain, which is a new passenger line link all the main cities, is well under way.
 
Most locals travel by bus or mini-bus taxis, which although convenient are considered to be unsafe and unreliable. The air travel network between the cities is efficient, and many wealthier South Africans fly their own bush planes to cover the vast distances between houses and farms.
 
Electricity is available in all cities and most rural areas and is one of the cheapest in the world. Telephone and television provision is modern and South Africa now has the fastest growing mobile phone system globally and the majority of people depend on these for both business and private use. Internet is countrywide though most people rely on a system with a small modem activated via mobile phones and this gives coverage over most of the country.  
 
Buying Property
Land transfer and registration is a relatively simple process and all transactions are in English. It is possible to buy real estate here and as a resident you can borrow up to 100% of the cost from local institutions. Allow an additional 10% on top of purchase price for legal fees and paperwork etc. Transfer duties also have to be paid for by the purchaser; this is a government tax levied on all properties over 300.000R (about 40,000USD). The real estate market is buoyant and considered a really good investment at present…the price range is similar to that in the US, but the favourable exchange rate makes it attractive.
 
People and culture
South Africa is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world which is why it is often referred to as the ‘rainbow nation’. Of the estimated 45 million people, nearly 31 million are black, 5 million are white, 3 million coloured and 1 million are Indian. There are 11 major ethnic groups all with their own languages, all of which are considered official.
 
The nuclear family and the tribe are the most important aspects of life and loyalty to both are inherent in the culture. Educated South Africans are hard working and high achieving, and by and large most people are friendly and helpful. English is widely spoken and all road signs are in English. It is also the prime business language.
 
South Africa’s cost of living is one of the lowest in the world…meat, seafood and wine is considerably cheaper than in the US or Europe; electrical and luxury goods are on a par with the US, but again the favourable exchange rate works to the expatriate’s advantage.
 
As a whole, the country still suffers from very high unemployment and poverty, a legacy of its apartheid past, but you can live a very rich life, if you can afford it. 
 
Average monthly outgoings for a couple in an urban apartment/USDollars 
Rent: $700 
Food: $450
Utilites (including internet and TV): $120
Transport: $140
Health Ins: $150
Maid (10hrs/week): $120      
Total: $1680