Customs and traditions of South Africa. Russian manicure, techno and a lot of meat: what South Africans love National holidays of South Africa

But the most pleasant store in all respects was at the factory http://www.jewelafrica.com/

There you can separately select any diamond and it will be inserted into any ring, earrings, etc.

A beautiful Russian girl, Natasha, also works there. She talks about the shapes of diamonds, processing methods and much more interesting things.

A very beautiful and rare tanzanite stone is sold in South Africa. It is very unusual in color - it shimmers from blue to purple. The price is about the same as a diamond.

Cape Town is full of different shops, but there are only two large malls: Canal Walk and V&A Waterfront.

Canal Walk is a huge shopping complex. Here are some of the stores I remember:

Department stores Edgars, Woolworths (very reminiscent of Stockmann), Ackermans. They sell everything from groceries, household goods to jewelry and cosmetics.

Waterfront at sunset

If the previous store was something like our “European” store, then this one looks like GUM in terms of its selection of brands. There are MaxMara, Gerar Darel, Armani, LuiVuitton, Burberry, Jimmy Choo and other quality brands. It’s strange, but in South Africa prices are lower than here. Also because of the difference in seasons (we have autumn, they have spring) you can get on sale. I bought a coat at Gerard Darel with a 50% discount (in a Moscow boutique there is a jacket for the same amount).

Also be sure to visit the magnificent bookstore Exclusive Books. We regretted that we didn’t go there on the first day - it was full of all sorts of maps, guides, and albums about the country. And all books are in English, with good quality printing!!! Fantastic place! I lose my composure in two stores - books and cosmetics... A friend recommended me an extraordinary book “Tippi My book of Africa”. An album with a photo of a little girl Tippy, born in Africa. Her parents, French photographers, photographed her surrounded by wild animals against the backdrop of picturesque African nature. This book would make a wonderful gift!

Let's not forget the most important thing - VAT Refund. Everything is very simple here, much simpler than in Europe. Collects ALL checks for ANY amounts where tax is allocated and before checking in for departure, go to the counter (in the international terminal on the floor of the check-in counters on the left), give the checks, show them things if they ask, then stuff them into suitcases and check them in as luggage.

After that, you go to the “Ocean Bascet” to finally get a kick out of oysters, king prawns and other nasty things. I’ll write about African cuisine separately.

Required telephone numbers in South Africa

• Police: 10111
• Ambulance: 10177
• Rescue Service: 122 (from mobile phone)
• Africa Travel provides all travelers with 24-hour support.
• Phone: +2772 403 2002 Elena, +2779 383 12 46
• Consulate Russian Federation in Cape Town: 2nd Fl, Southern Life Centre, 8 Riebeeck Street, Cape Town; tel.: (021) 418-3656, fax: 419-2651
• Consulate of the Russian Federation in Pretoria: 121 Bourke Str, Pretoria; tel.: (021) 344-4820, fax: 343-8636

The country has a developed modern telecommunications network. Most payphones accept payment cards with denominations from 10 to 200 ZAR (green machines), but in some areas there are also machines that operate on 2 ZAR coins. Telephone cards are sold at post offices and most large stores.

Geographical position

In the north it borders with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, in the northeast with Mozambique and Swaziland. The state of Lesotho is located within the territory of South Africa. South Africa is washed by the Atlantic Ocean from the west and the Indian Ocean from the east. The capital of South Africa is Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial).

Climate

Cape Town and the South Coast of the Cape have a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot summers and mild to cool winters. This is where the most precipitation falls. Elsewhere in South Africa, most of the rain will fall from June to August.

Many areas of the interior can be very hot in summer, especially in the Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Winter days inland are cool, but night temperatures can drop below 0°C. The coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal is very humid in summer.

Time

South Africa time is 1 hour behind Moscow and corresponds to the time in Kyiv.

Languages

The Republic of South Africa has 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho (Pedi), Siswati, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. English is widely spoken and almost all signs are in English. But sometimes signs are made in other languages, including Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa.

Tips

Tipping is common in South Africa. In restaurants - 10% of the bill, drivers of excursion buses - 50-100 rand, guides on excursions (from 200 ZAR), etc.

Currency

The official currency is the South African rand. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 10, 20, 50 cents, 1, 2 and 5 rand and banknotes of 10, 50, 100 and 200 rand. 1 rand is approximately equal to 5 rubles. Banks throughout the country can carry out any financial transactions. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:30, on Saturday from 8:30 to 11:00. ATMs are available in most cities and provide 24-hour service. Most hotels have exchange offices, but exchanging money there is not profitable: the exchange rate is usually too high and a commission fee is charged. Credit cards are accepted for everything except gasoline. Most large stores, hotels and restaurants accept plastic cards Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, American Express.

Electricity

Household voltage is 220/230 volts, 50 hertz. Two-pin Euro sockets are suitable for plug sockets. Adapters can be purchased in stores in large cities.

The South African lifestyle can be described as casual. In summer, many people wear shorts, regular shirts and sandals, especially on the coast and in nature reserves. Dress when visiting good restaurants is more formal, but jackets and ties are not necessary.

The sun in Africa is more active, so you need to take sunscreen, sunglasses and a summer hat with you. For safari it is good to have field binoculars (although these are usually provided on safari).

Customs

In the arrivals hall in South Africa, after receiving your luggage, you must go through customs control. To do this, fill out a declaration in English, which indicates the amount of available currency, jewelry and other valuables.

To clear customs in South Africa, there is a system of two corridors – “green” and “red”. The “green” corridor is used only if the number of things you are carrying does not exceed the permitted amount, and also if there are no goods for commercial purposes. If the number of things and goods exceeds the norm, you will have to go through the “red” corridor and, possibly, pay a fee.

You can import duty-free into South Africa: cigarettes - 400 pcs., cigars - 50 pcs., cigarette or pipe tobacco - 250 g., wine - 2 l., other alcoholic drinks - 1 l., perfume - 50 ml., gifts, souvenirs and other goods worth R500 (about US$100).

Persons under 18 years of age are not allowed to transport tobacco or alcohol. You cannot import vegetables and fruits. When imported, weapons, antiques and art are subject to mandatory customs control. Rough diamonds, explosives, ammunition, and narcotic drugs (in any form) cannot be exported from South Africa. If the value of imported items exceeds 10,000 South African rand, a duty of 20% of the total amount will be charged.

You can bring an unlimited amount of foreign currency into South Africa, including in traveler's checks and credit cards.

The import of local currency is limited to no more than R500 per person. This corresponds to the amount that can be carried when leaving South Africa. If you want to carry a larger amount, you should obtain permission from the South African Reserve Bank (The South African Reserve Bank, P.O. Box 427 Pretoria 0001).

Foreigners leaving South Africa can receive the sales tax (Value Added Tax - VAT) they paid at the point of departure if the value of the items purchased exceeds R250. In order to receive a refund, you must receive proof of payment for items purchased during your stay in the country. VAT is 14% and is charged on most goods and services. For the refund procedure, you must have a valid passport, required document forms and cash receipts.

Health information

It is advisable to take a first aid kit with you on your trip, which will include: a painkiller, an antipyretic, an acid neutralizer (for the stomach), a remedy for allergies and intestinal problems. It’s also good if your first aid kit contains a bandage, antiseptic, scissors, tweezers, thermometer, lip balm, and sunscreen.

To enter South Africa, a citizen of the Russian Federation and Ukraine does not need an international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever or other diseases. In most tourist areas, malaria does not occur, so you can simply forget about it. However, in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, Limpopo River and northern KwaZulu-Natal areas there is some risk of malaria during the summer months and it is advisable to take preventive measures (tablets at the traveler's discretion) and use of repellents.

Safety

South Africa has a high crime rate, especially in Johannesburg. Therefore, walking around the city alone is not advisable, especially in the dark.

As with everyone, be careful about HIV infection and take normal precautions. AIDS is widespread in African countries, and South Africa is no exception.

Unlike many African countries, in South Africa you can safely drink tap water. In some areas, the water is rich in minerals, so you may experience some discomfort in the first days while you get used to it. However, drinking water directly from rivers and streams may be unsafe, especially if they flow close to settlements. Moreover, the water in mountain springs is usually absolutely clean.

At a hotel, do not allow persons who are not hotel employees to take care of your luggage. Store documents, money and valuables, including passports and airline tickets, in your hotel safe.

On the street

• Carry a map and plan your movements before heading out into the city
• Check with your nearest hotel tourist center or with the staff of “Hello Africa!” about reliable taxi operators
• When crossing the street, use pedestrian crossings, where possible and be careful. Look right, left and right again before crossing the street. Remember that in South Africa you drive on the left.
• Please do not give money to street children and beggars. If you want to help them, contact any tourist center.

On the beach

• Swim in areas supervised by lifeguards
• Never swim alone.
• Do not dive in unknown places. What seems deep may turn out to be shallow. Safety first.
• Solar radiation in South Africa is very strong. Protect your skin with a cream or lotion with a protection factor of at least 20. Try to avoid being in the sun during the most dangerous time, from 11:00 to 15:00.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, even if you don't feel thirsty. Your body needs water to cool it and replace salts lost through sweat.

Automobile

Remember: in South Africa you drive on the left!

If you rented a car, follow the rules:

• never leave the car with things even for a very short time;
• never get out of a car with the engine running, even if you only need to ask for directions;
• always carry your car keys with you;
• car thieves mainly hunt for car radios, cameras, video cameras, so try to remove them from sight when leaving the car in the parking lot;
• If, while driving in the car, someone asks you to stop, do not do so until you reach the “Service Area” (Area de Servicios)

South Africa is famous for the endless facets of its culture and the diversity of traditions associated with the intersection of customs of many peoples inhabiting the country.

South Africans are extremely great importance give to the family, this is a cult beginning. At the same time, the understanding of family varies from the nuclear family (only parents and children) to the tribal union as the main form of society.

Polygamy (polygamy) is officially and traditionally allowed in the country; a ransom of cows is required for the bride. Girls can get married at a young age, starting from 13-14 years old. According to tradition, permission to marry is given by the chief of the tribe.

The main bearer of strength and power in the family is the man. The worship of a male deity is one of the most powerful cults of Africans.

Also, the indigenous people, no matter what beliefs they belong to, believe in the transmigration of souls and the presence of supernatural natural forces, and have a lot of taboos. It is also common to believe in tales and legends. Thus, many do not eat fish and seafood, because, according to legend, the water is dangerous and inhabited by underwater inhabitants.

South Africa is famous for its contrasts. This is clearly expressed in the difference between rural and urban views of the world. Village residents tend to honor the traditions of their ancestors, take care of their family, and they have a rather narrow vision of reality. City dwellers value success and material values ​​(this is especially true for residents of Johannesburg). In Cape Town are more important family bonds, although social position is also important to earn.

The atmosphere in South Africa is quite relaxed, there are few strict rules regarding clothing, appearance or formalities of behavior. Characteristic feature South Africans are punctual; being late is considered disrespectful and bad manners.

Population

In total, South Africa is inhabited by approximately 49.3 million people. Population classification is usually done by race and then by nationality. Africans are the predominant number in the country - 79% of the inhabitants. These include representatives of such nationalities as the Zulus (38.5%), Sotho (27.5%), Xhosa, Shangaan, Tsonga, Bushmen, Hottentots, Tswana and others.

Unlike most African countries, South Africa has a significant white European population, represented by Afrikaners and Anglo-Americans, about 10%. The Europeans are mainly based in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. 11% of the country's population consists of Chinese living in the southwestern part of the country and Indians in the coastal areas of the southeast. And Cape Town is marked by a group of Cape Malays numbering 0.2 million people.

Today in South Africa there are processes of mass emigration of the country's white population, as well as a large number of deaths of the African American population due to disease and high level crime. Thousands of immigrants from neighboring countries of the African continent (most of all from Zimbabwe) enter the country every year.

The average life expectancy in South Africa is very low, it is only 49 years, and only a few years ago it was 43 years. Unusually, women live shorter lives on average than men.

Language

The multinationality of South Africa has also led to linguistic diversity: the country has as many as 11 officially recognized languages, approximately equal in status. In terms of frequency of use, Afrikaans, a distorted form of the Dutch language, and English lead among others.

A tenth of the population speaks and actively uses Bantu languages, including Zulu, Xhosa and Swazi. South Africans often speak several languages ​​at once, including international English, so tourists should not have difficulty communicating with the local population.

Religion

The population is predominantly Christian (80% of residents). Hindus and Muslims each account for approximately one and a half percent, but there are fewer Jews - only 0.2%. 15% of the country's citizens are not at all interested in religion, considering themselves atheists.

About 5 million residents of South Africa are adherents of traditional beliefs of African tribes, which are based on long lists taboo and faith higher powers nature.

In general, it is worth noting that South Africa is distinguished by complete freedom of religion; the state in its policy does not interfere in the affairs of various types of churches and denominations.

Behavior rules

Because many traditions and customs intersect in South Africa different nations, The best way take the right line of behavior - observe the behavior of local residents and be careful in your movements and words.

The clothing chosen by the visitor must be appropriate to the situation. You can opt for sneakers and shorts when going on a picnic or other informal event. In business communication, men wear a tie and suit, women wear businesslike, but beautiful dresses and suits.

When meeting, men exchange the usual handshake, and women, as a rule, kiss each other on the cheek.

When visiting the home of a local resident, the invitee brings with him a small gift - wine or a bouquet of flowers. You can choose any flowers, although carnations are sometimes associated with funeral associations. Cigarettes, whiskey, and souvenirs with symbols of the tourist’s homeland are also good options. There is no need to try to buy the most expensive gift possible, no more than $50.

If the visitor himself received the gift, then it should be unpacked right away and accepted either with both hands or only with the right one. It is not customary to leave uneaten food on the table. The guest's complete satiety is demonstrated by the position of the fork and knife next to the plate, and the crossed fork and knife are a sign of an unfinished meal.

There is no need to try to sunbathe completely naked if you are not on a special nudist beach; this can cause an acute negative reaction. We should not forget about correctness towards representatives of different races. Thus, Afrikaners are very offended when they are called “Dutch” and their language “kitchen Dutch”.

Special rules apply to golf clubs common in South Africa. Playing in jeans is not acceptable, suitable clothing is required. You should definitely visit the club bar “halfway house” and have a sandwich, thereby showing solidarity with other players.

National holidays of South Africa

• 1st of January - New Year;
• March 21 - Human Rights Day (Sharpeville Day);
• April 13 - Good Friday;
• April 16 - Family Day;
• April 27 - Constitution Day;
• May 1 - Workers' Day;
• June 16 - Youth Day;
• August 9 - National Women's Day;
• September 24 - Population Day;
• December 16 - Day of Reconciliation;
• December 25 – Christmas;
• December 26 is Thanksgiving Day.

South Africa or South African Republic- a state located in the southern part of the African continent. In the north it borders with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, in the northeast with Mozambique and Swaziland. Inside the territory of South Africa there is the enclave state of Lesotho. The western coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and the eastern coast by the Indian Ocean. The length of the coastline is 2798 km. South Africa has an area of ​​1,219,090 sq. km, the country is the 24th largest in the world.

The highest point in South Africa is Mount Njesuti in the Drakensberg Mountains.

Most countries in the world recognize Pretoria as the official capital of South Africa, but this status for the city is very conditional: the government is located in Pretoria, while the rest of the supreme authorities are located in other cities - the parliament is in Cape Town, the Supreme Court is in Bloemfontein.

South Africa is divided into nine provinces: Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, North Western Province, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Free State, Hauteng, Northern Cape, Limpopo. Provinces differ from each other not only in size, but also in climate, landscape and ethnic composition of the population.

The country has rich mineral resources, and is also the most economically developed on the continent and has a relatively strong global position.

Climate

South Africa has a variety of climate zones, from the dry Namib Desert to the subtropics in the east near the border with Mozambique and the Indian Ocean coast.

Summer in South Africa lasts from October to March. It's sunny in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon - this contrasting weather is typical for the entire country, with the exception of the Cape Provinces, where rain falls mainly in winter. In the Transvaal and Natal, on the contrary, the winter months are the driest. In summer, the average daytime air temperature is about +30°C, at night the thermometer drops to +15..+20°C.

Winter lasts from June to August. During the day the weather is dry, sunny and cool (up to +20°C), at night the temperature drops sharply to +5°C. In KwaZulu-Natal, winter is warmer: from +10..+15°C at night to +25..+27°C during the day. Spring (August - September) and autumn (April - May) are short in the country.

The highest temperatures are found inland, with a temperature of 51.7°C recorded in the Kalahari near Upington in 1948.

The most suitable period for visiting national parks is from May to July.

Population

South Africa has a population of 49,052,489(2009). Among them, the majority (79%) are black. The remaining 21% was divided among themselves by whites, coloreds (mostly mulattoes), also Indians and Asians (2.5%).

The Afrikaans language (close to Dutch) is considered native by 65% ​​of the country's population, and English (about 15%).

The number of whites in the country is gradually decreasing due to their emigration to North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand- in 1985-2005, about 0.9 million whites left South Africa, mostly under the age of 40 and their children. The share of the black population of South Africa is growing due to the influx of black emigrants from Zimbabwe.

The religious composition of the population is quite varied - there is no absolute religious majority in the country, and adherents of various religions and worldviews live: Christian Zionists (11.1%), Pentecostals (8.2%), Catholics (7.1%), Methodists (6 .8%), Dutch Reformists (6.7%), Anglicans (3.8%), other Christians (36%), Muslims (1.5%), adherents of other religions (2.3%), undecided (1 .4%), atheists (15.1%).

South Africa is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa and has the largest proportion of white (~9.6%), Indian and mixed populations on the continent. Ethnic white Europeans (Afrikaners and Anglo-Africans) live dispersed throughout the country with significant concentrations in the cities of Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

Due to a highly conflictual colonial history and violent racial and linguistic rivalries, especially between Europeans and Africans during the apartheid period, the South African population has traditionally reproduced the pattern of racial segregation also typical of the United States.

The average income of the population is approaching the lower limit of the world average income. However, in general, the economic situation of society is extremely unstable. The apartheid regime that reigned here for a long time and previous colonialism affected the social and property stratification of society. About 15% of the population live in best conditions, while about 50% (mostly black) live in abject poverty, which can easily be compared with the situation of residents of the poorest countries in the world. Not all residents have electricity or water supply, and poor sanitation conditions in many settlements contribute to the spread of various diseases.

One of central problems countries - the massive spread of HIV infection (mainly among the black population), for which South Africa ranks first in the world (according to UN data published in 2003 and 2007), while South Africa is in fourth place in terms of infection rate ( after Swaziland, Botswana and Lesotho). In total, about 5.7 million people are infected with HIV, which is about 18.1% of the country's adult population (in 2007). Due to AIDS, the mortality rate in the Republic of South Africa for a long time exceeded the birth rate, but now this problem has been solved and a slight population growth has been achieved (0.28% in 2009).

According to the Constitution of South Africa, the official languages ​​of the republic are 11 languages ​​of various nationalities and ethnic groups inhabiting the country: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, Sutho, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Pedi.

Currency

Currency: South African rand (ZAR), 1 ZAR = 100 cents,

1 USD ≅ 9.95 ZAR, 1 EUR ≅ 12.6 ZAR.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:30, on Saturday from 8:30 to 11:00. ATMs are open 24 hours a day, just like bank offices at airports.

All major stores, hotels and restaurants accept major types of credit cards, but only cash is suitable for payments at gas stations. Travel checks can be cashed at banks and tourist offices (commission is about 1%).

Communications

Dialing code: 27

Internet domain: .za

Police: 101-11, Ambulance: 101-17.

City codes

Johannesburg - 011, Pretoria - 012, Cape Town - 021. Operator codes mobile communications: 072, 073, 082, 084.

How to call

To call South Africa from Russia from a landline phone, dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 27 - area code - subscriber number.

To call South Africa from Russia from a cell phone, dial: +27 - area code - subscriber number.

To call from South Africa to Russia you need to dial: 09 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Landline communications

The country has a modern telecommunications network. Telephone cards are sold at post offices and most large stores.

For international calls from payphones, dial 09 and the country code. To call another city within the country, you must dial the code of the desired city before the subscriber number, while “0” is dialed before the city code.

cellular

In the offices of cellular communication companies and in stores you can purchase SIM cards and rent phones, which is much more profitable, since local tariffs are significantly lower than international roaming. Communication standard GSM 900/1800. Roaming is available to subscribers of major Russian operators.

When entering South Africa you must register your Cell phones by presenting your passport details and handset serial number (IMEI). This information will be entered into a special database. If the tourist does not fulfill this condition, his device will be blocked by all GSM operators operating in the country.

Internet

There are several Wi-Fi access points throughout the country. Basically, they are paid. Russian operators do not have GPRS roaming. There are quite a few Internet cafes throughout the country.

Mail

Post offices are open Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 16.30 and on Saturdays from 8.00 to 12.00. Courier services offer services for the delivery of correspondence within the country at any time of the day “from hand to hand”, and you can also use the services of companies providing express delivery services for correspondence to other countries of the world within 4-8 days.

Telephone tones in South Africa are different from those in Russia. A double beep with a long interval means that the line is free and you need to wait for the subscriber to respond (the same as long beeps in Russia). Short beeps, as in Russia, mean that the line is busy.

Shopping

Most stores are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00, on Saturdays from 8:30 to 15:00. Some shops are also open on Sundays from 9:00 to 13:00. Large retail chains usually set longer opening hours.

In the big cities of South Africa you can buy anything: from a fur coat to a bag made of crocodile or ostrich skin, a carpet self made or designer jewelry. Indian bazaars specialize in oriental jewelry, silk items and spices. The best places to buy diamonds are Johannesburg and Cape Town. Products of black artisans are also brought from all over the continent to Cape Town and Johannesburg “flea markets” - flea markets.

Wine and alcoholic beverages can only be purchased in department stores from Monday to Friday, from 8.00 to 18.00, and on Saturday from 8.30 to 14.00 (some until 16.00). Stores selling alcoholic beverages are identified by the Liquor stores sign. On Sunday, the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Alcohol is not sold to children under 18 years of age and must be consumed in designated areas such as bars and restaurants. In supermarkets you can only buy light wines and beer; there are no strong drinks on sale.

When purchasing mass-produced souvenirs, we advise you to check their quality.

Story

The first written record of permanent European settlement dates back to April 6, 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck, on behalf of the Dutch East India Company, founded a settlement at the "Cape of Storms", later called "Good Hope" (now Cape Town).

In the XVII and XVIII centuries Colonists from the Netherlands arrived in South Africa, as did French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in their homeland, and settlers from Germany.

In the 1770s. the colonists encountered the Xhosa advancing from the northeast. A series of clashes ensued, known as the Kaffir Wars, mainly caused by white settlers' claims to African lands. Slaves were also brought to the Cape Colony from other Dutch possessions, in particular from Indonesia and Madagascar. Many slaves, as well as the indigenous population of the Cape region, mixed with the white colonists. Their descendants are called "Cape Coloureds" and now make up up to 50% of the population in the Western Cape.

Britain first gained control of the Cape Colony in 1795, during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War: the Netherlands were then under Napoleon's rule, and the British, fearing that the French would gain control of this strategically important region, sent an army to Capstad under the command of General James Henry Craig to seize the colony on behalf of Stadtholder William V. The governor of Kapstad did not receive any instructions, however, he agreed to submit to the British.

In 1803, the Peace of Amiens was concluded, under the terms of which Batavia (that is, the Netherlands, as they became known after the French conquest) retained the Cape Colony.

After the resumption of war in 1805, the British again decided to take over the colony, and the resulting Battle on the slopes of Table Mountain in 1806 English troops under the command of David Baird entered the fort of Kapstad.

In 1806, under pressure from various forces within the country, the British Parliament banned slavery, and in 1833 this provision was extended to the colonies.

1836-1838 - mass resettlement of Boers, the so-called. The “great migration” led to increased political instability in the region and new territorial conquests by the European population.

1843 - The second British colony of Natal was founded on the east coast.

1852 - The Republic of South Africa was formed (since 1856 - the Republic of Transvaal).

1854 - The Orange Free State was formed.

1859 and 1875-1877 - the disunity of the white population and the instability of the situation gave rise to numerous problems, and the efforts of British government officials George Gray and Lord Carnarvon did not lead to the creation of a stable unification under the auspices of Great Britain.

The discovery of rich deposits of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) on the Witwatersrand led to the economic growth of the colony and an increase in the outflow of capital to Europe, a sharp increase in immigration to the Boer republics and a deterioration in the situation of the natives. These events, instigated and encouraged by the British government, eventually led to conflict between the Europeans and the Boers.

In 1880-1881, the first Anglo-Boer War took place, during which the Boers managed to defeat regular English units (largely due to better knowledge of the terrain and the use of khaki clothing, while the British in red uniforms became easy prey for snipers) and defend your independence. At the same time, the British established themselves in Natal and Zululand, having won the war with the Zulu.

In 1899-1902, the second Anglo-Boer War took place, in which the Boers, despite initial successes, still lost to the better trained and equipped British. After the defeat of their semi-regular troops, the Boers under the command of Christian De Wet turned to tactics guerrilla warfare, which the British fought by creating a network of blockhouses, as well as collecting Boer women and children in concentration camps.

After four years of negotiations, the Union of South Africa was formed on May 31, 1910, which included the British Cape Colony, Natal, Orange River Colony and Transvaal. It became a dominion of the British Empire. In 1934, the United Party was formed, which united the South African Party (pro-British) and the National Party (Boer). It dissolved in 1939 over disagreement over whether South Africa should follow Britain into the Second World War. world war- the right-wing National Party sympathized with the Third Reich and advocated strict racial segregation.

In 1961, the Union of South Africa became an independent republic (the Republic of South Africa), which seceded from the British-led Commonwealth of Nations. The withdrawal was also due to the non-acceptance of the apartheid policy in South Africa by other members of the Commonwealth (South Africa's membership in the Commonwealth was restored in June 1994).

Apartheid and its consequences.

In 1948, the National Party won the general election and introduced several very strict laws restricting the rights of the black population: ultimate goal This policy was to create a “South Africa for whites”, while blacks were supposed to be completely deprived of South African citizenship.

During apartheid, blacks were effectively deprived of the following rights, partially or completely:

The right to South African citizenship (in most cases this has become a privilege).

The right to participate in elections and be elected.

The right to freedom of movement (blacks were prohibited from going out after sunset, as well as from appearing in “white” areas without special permission from the authorities, that is, in fact, they were forbidden to visit large cities because they were in “white” areas).

The right to mixed marriages.

The right to medical care (this right was not formally taken away from them, but they were prohibited from using medicine “for whites,” while medicine “for blacks” was completely undeveloped, and in some areas was completely absent).

The right to cultural and entertainment leisure (the main cinemas and other entertainment establishments were in “white” areas).

The right to education (the main educational institutions were located in “white” areas).

The right to be hired (employers were officially given the right to use racial discrimination in hiring).

In addition, during apartheid, communist parties were banned - membership in the communist party was punishable by 9 years in prison.

The UN has repeatedly recognized apartheid as “South African fascism” in its resolutions and called on South Africa to end its policy of racial discrimination. However, South Africa did not pay attention to these demands.

The international community sharply condemned the existing regime and imposed sanctions on South Africa, for example, prohibiting South Africa from participating in the Olympic Games.

One of the consequences of apartheid was a huge social gap between the descendants of Europeans who lived by better standards Western world, and the majority lived in poverty (though not nearly as deep as in many other African countries).

All this caused protests, strikes and unrest within the country, the peaks of which fell in the mid-50s, early 60s, mid-70s and 80s, as well as international concern, which threatened the country with sanctions.

In September 1989 Frederick de Klerk was elected president of the country, who began to take active steps to eliminate the apartheid system (the white population had to give up its dominant position). Many laws were repealed, Nelson Mandela was released from prison - and in 1994 the first truly general elections were held, won by the African National Congress, which is still in power.

Despite the end of apartheid, millions of black South Africans still live in poverty. This is due to the fact that in terms of the level of education, social responsibility and labor productivity, blacks at the current stage are objectively unable to meet the standards of a developed post-industrial society.

The level of street crime is extremely high, including the percentage of serious crimes, however, the authorities refuse to yield to the wishes of society and introduce the death penalty.

True, the social housing program has yielded certain results, improving the living conditions of many citizens, which has led to an increase in tax collection.

IN beginning of XXI century, the problem of illegal migration also became very acute in South Africa. After the abolition of apartheid and a significant weakening of controls on external borders, a flow of illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique and other East African countries poured into the country.

In total, in South Africa (at the beginning of 2008), according to various experts, there are from 3 to 5 million illegal migrants. The massive influx of foreigners is causing discontent among South African citizens. The complaints against migrants are mainly that they take away jobs from citizens of the country, agreeing to work for lower wages, and also commit various crimes.

In May 2008, mass protests by South Africans against migrants took place in Johannesburg and Durban. Groups of local people armed with clubs, stones and bladed weapons beat and killed immigrants. During the week of unrest, more than 20 people died in Johannesburg alone, and thousands fled their homes. Immigrants were forced to take refuge from angry locals in police stations, mosques and churches. The local police actually completely lost control of the situation and were forced to turn to the president of the country with a request to bring in the army to restore order.

On May 22, 2008, South African President Thabo Mbeki authorized the use of troops to quell unrest in the country. For the first time since the abolition of apartheid, the South African army was used against citizens of its own state.

Diving in South Africa

Diving in South Africa is carried out all year round. Divers on the Atlantic coast admire numerous species of fish, seals, sea lions, dugongs and diving penguins. The heat-loving corals in these cool waters are replaced by an abundance of fancy ocean algae.

The southern tip of Africa has the bad, but attractive reputation for divers, as a graveyard of sunken ships.

In 1905, the world's largest diamond, the Cullinan, was mined in South Africa, weighing 3106.75 carats.

Kruger National Park has the most innovative management system and is the most profitable national park in the world.

In South Africa, right-hand drive cars of the Mercedes Benz C Class, BMW 3 Series and Volkswagen Golf/Jetta brands are produced for all countries of the world.

There are differences in greeting rules between white and black South Africans. If it is customary in white culture to youngest first greeted the elder, then in black culture the situation is the opposite: the younger must wait until the elder greets him.

Just like Russians, South Africans shake hands when meeting each other. At the same time, the distance between acquaintances differs from the distance adopted by Russians. Between whites it is greater, between blacks it is less than among Russians. White South Africans prefer a strong handshake, while Africans prefer a weak one.

A black South African will most likely prefer to give you a gift with both hands. This is a sign of special respect. In addition, it is customary for blacks to accept what is given to them with both hands. This is how they show gratitude.

Black South Africans, even when interacting with strangers, love to ask about health and family. This is considered a sign of openness and friendliness.

In public places, white and black South Africans have different attitudes towards voice strength and conversational volume. While it is not customary for whites to speak loudly, blacks adhere to different traditions. According to their ideas, to speak quietly means to gossip, to speak badly about another person.

Don't call your South African contacts after 9 pm. Many South Africans go to bed early because they rise early. Therefore, in South Africa it is considered acceptable to call people at 7am or make business appointments at 9am.

Spacious private South African homes usually have just one telephone. So when you call your South African contacts, wait a little longer than usual. Perhaps the owner of the house simply did not have time to get to the device yet.

In South Africa, it is customary for the caller to introduce themselves immediately. Therefore, the first question you will be asked over the phone is: “Who’s speaking?” (“Who’s speaking?”) Before you ask to speak to the person you need, first introduce yourself.

Since South Africa drives on the left, passers-by walking along institutional corridors or street sidewalks will keep to the left and try to pass you with right side. Keep this in mind to avoid collisions.

In a taxi, passengers sit in the back seat. It is not customary to sit next to the driver. But when traveling with your friends in their car, one of the passengers sits next to the driver. Usually his wife sits next to the driver. However, if an older married couple is traveling in your car, then it is preferable to offer a seat in the front seat to the man, the head of the invited family.

Hunting in South Africa

South Africa is one of the most famous hunting destinations in the world, with a great abundance of game and a well-developed hunting infrastructure. You can hunt in both public and private hunting grounds and farms.

Hunting in South Africa is strictly controlled and regulated by the state and hunting associations: there are quotas for the shooting of animals, which are distributed annually by the authorities in each individual province. There is even a kind of “waiting list” for the rarest animals. The hunting season lasts all year round, and the choice of hunting area depends on the time of year, but the main “hunting season” in the country is from April to October.

For hunting you can use either rented or your own weapons. A temporary permit for the import of hunting weapons is issued for a period of 90 to 180 days upon entry into the country. At the end of the trip, all weapons specified in the permit must be removed from the country. Those wishing to come to the country to hunt with their own weapons must apply for the import of weapons 8 weeks before the start of the safari. Hunters who did not have time to obtain a temporary permit to import weapons can obtain it at the border by declaring it at passport control. It is also necessary to have proof of weapons rights (license and permission to export weapons from your country).

The cost of hunting consists of the cost of trophies and support. The price of support, as a rule, includes: accommodation, meals (full board), huntsman services, all licenses, transportation of the trophy to a taxidermist, laundry services. In different hunting farms, this price will range from 200 to 500 USD per day per hunter, depending on the type of animal and the level of service of the hunting farm. At the same time, for hunting specific type animals require a certain period of time and a corresponding number of days.

Arguments against amateur hunting:

1. Hunting fosters such negative qualities as complacency, vanity, gloating, boasting, lies, envy, hypocrisy, cruelty, etc.

2. People did not have cows and pigs before, and therefore, in order to survive, they were forced to hunt and kill wild animals. Now they kill in amateur hunting not for the sake of survival, but for fun, which cannot be considered normal.

3. During hunting, “selective shooting in reverse” is carried out, since the largest, most noticeable individuals that represent the greatest trophy value are shot, which leads to degradation and disruption of the social, age and sex structure of bird flocks and herds of animals.

4. Hunting is a cruel medieval atavism, a relic of the past, like witch hunts, bullfighting, dog fighting, etc.

5. It is a sin to have fun at the expense of the death and suffering of others.

6. During the hunt, the hunter uses such immoral techniques, unworthy of a decent person, as deception, deceit, ambush, attacking from around the corner, pursuing the weak with the strongest, finishing off the downtrodden, using his love, hunger, etc.

7. There is a huge difference between killing an animal for food and killing an animal for entertainment.

8. You can do without hunting. There is enough decent entertainment for real men.

9. Hunting violates the animal’s rights to life, to protection from unnecessary suffering caused by humans, to dignity, etc.

10. Hunting brings suffering to animals.

Tourists should not carry expensive items or large sums of money with them, or leave valuables in their rooms outside the safe.

Close the door to your hotel room and be sure to lock it. Leave valuables in the safe, which is available in any hotel.

Going for walks alone is dangerous. Always take someone with you if you are going swimming, hiking or hiking. In the evenings, try not to travel on city buses, minibuses and trains. If you do decide to do this, be sure to take someone with you so as not to be at risk of attack. If you need to go somewhere urgently, use a taxi.

In June-August in South Africa it gets dark around 5 pm, and in December-February it gets dark around 7 pm. At night, you should only move around the city by car.

When crossing the road, look first to the RIGHT and then to the left. Remember that in South Africa you drive on the left.

Once you get into the car and close the door, you must immediately lock it and roll up the windows. Especially in the evening, and in unsafe areas. When driving through such areas, the window in the car is not closed completely, leaving a couple of centimeters on top, but so that you cannot stick your hand in from the outside. A window that is not completely closed is more difficult to break. You can gain time and increase the gas while the attacker swings a second time.

The country has an extensive and consistent program to limit smoking. It is an offense to smoke in most public places, including closer than the officially established distance from the windows of houses, ventilation air intakes, passages or entrances to buildings public purpose- for such a violation a fine is imposed. Smoking in bars and restaurants is also noticeably limited, since the owner of the establishment, who does not ensure the protection of rights to Fresh air those who do not smoke (including the employees themselves) face a fine. Smoking in public transport, train stations and airports has been prohibited for about 25 years, but certain sanctions are introduced for smokers at bus stops or near schools.

Drinking water and most local soft drinks are generally safe to drink, but it is still recommended to use mineral or commercially packaged drinking water.

The quality of food in the vast majority of cafes and restaurants is consistent sanitary standards. Street stalls and bistros are also considered safe.

Small helminths, schistosomes, living in the water of local lakes and rivers, as well as poisonous snakes, mosquitoes (especially the anopheles anopheles mosquito, common on the coastal plains of the east coast), crocodiles, hippopotamuses and other wild animals pose a certain danger.

Solar Activity. The country has very high levels of solar radiation, so protective glasses, creams, hats and light clothing with long sleeves are highly recommended.

Many South African beaches have a high risk of shark attacks, especially in late August and early September when they migrate from Seal Island, where the seal colony is located, in False Bay to beaches that usually have warning signs. Every year, three to four cases of shark attacks on people are recorded in South Africa. It is recommended to swim on beaches where a special protective metal mesh is installed.

Hotels in the country are high-class and their level of service fully corresponds to international standards. The choice is wide: from budget options to luxurious five-star ones. IN national parks and nature reserves, accommodation facilities, as a rule, are lodges and camps.

What clothes to take with you to South Africa?

In hot summer weather, light cotton clothing is most comfortable. During the day, South Africans dress casually, except business people, working in offices, who certainly wear a suit and tie. An elegant style (“smart-casual”) is quite suitable for visiting theaters and restaurants. Some restaurants may ask men to wear a jacket and tie for dinner. In resorts and beach hotels, shorts and a T-shirt will be quite appropriate, even when visiting local restaurants. Appearing “topless” on the beach is not prohibited, but it is not always appropriate.

Summer nights get cooler and you may need a light jacket or jumper, especially as winter approaches. During winter, warmer clothing is necessary, although winter is not nearly as severe as in the Northern Hemisphere.

When observing animals in nature reserves, it is better to wear clothes in neutral shades such as beige, brown, khaki or olive. In addition, insects are said to be attracted to bright colors and white. Clothing with long sleeves is also a good idea to protect against bites. Shoes must be suitable for walking. Sunscreen and a hat are very important, not only on the beach, but also while walking.

When going on a trip, it would be wise to take a raincoat or umbrella with you. Rain is, of course, a joy for South Africans. However, as a rule, it is a heavy downpour. You should also keep in mind that there is rain in winter and summer. different regions countries.

How to get to South Africa

International airports are located in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The national air carrier South African Airways (SAA) operates regular daily flights on the Moscow - Johannesburg route together with Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), British Airways (via London) and Aeroflot (via Zurich, Paris, London and Frankfurt).

There are also regular daily direct flights via London and Frankfurt to and from Cape Town (without stopping in Johannesburg).

Daily flights from St. Petersburg operate via Frankfurt and London.

Emirates aircraft fly every day from Moscow to Johannesburg via Dubai.

In addition, many major airlines operate regular daily flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town - Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Air France, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Swiss.

All leading airlines operate regular flights from the CIS countries to Johannesburg and Cape Town with transfers in major European cities.

The flight duration excluding connecting time is 14-15 hours depending on the airline.

South African mentality

South Africa has always been famous for the versatility of its culture, as well as the diversity of customs and foundations associated with the frequent overlap of traditions of the many nationalities inhabiting this country.

Local residents attach truly great importance to family and kinship relationships; they are considered a cult principle. At the same time, the father-child relationship and the tribal union, as one of the fundamental forms of society, are viewed differently.

Polygamy is officially recognized in the country; the groom must pay a ransom to the bride's parents. Such compensation is given in cows. It is customary for girls to be married off from a young age - from the age of thirteen. In this case, only the leader of the tribe must allow the marriage; parental consent is not required.

Absolute patriarchy

Only the man is responsible for all decisions in the family. One of the main cults among Africans is the worship of a common male deity.

No matter what faith the locals belong to, there is a common feature: they all believe in the presence of powerful supernatural powers nature and transmigration of souls. It is believed that local tales and legends have true roots; therefore, many, considering the water and its inhabitants dangerous, do not eat fish or any seafood.

Life in South Africa is quite contrasting

This is most clearly expressed in the difference in how urban and urban people see the world. villager. The inhabitants of the village rely and rely on traditions in everything, they honor them; they see reality rather narrowly. The most important thing for them is taking care of their family. City dwellers are open-minded and value material possessions and social status above all else. This is especially true for residents of Johannesburg.

South Africa has a very relaxed atmosphere and there are no set rules regarding dress, behavior or appearance. Punctuality is main feature Aboriginals. Being late here is considered bad manners and is equated with bad manners and disrespect.

Population

South Africa has a population of almost fifty million people. Classify people by race and nationality. Almost eighty percent of the country is inhabited by Africans. The main nationalities living are Sotho, Zulu, Shangaan, Bushmen, Tsonga, Xhosa, Tswana and some others.

South Africa is different from other African countries big amount resident Europeans, who are mainly located in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Another fairly large group is the Chinese and Indians, who live mainly in the coastal areas of the southern part of the country.

One of the main problems at the moment for South Africa is the high mortality rate of the population due to disease and increased crime rates, and as a result, the mass emigration of the white population. A fairly large number of immigrants from neighboring countries constantly enter the country.

The life expectancy of the average African has increased significantly over the past few years and is now 49 years. As we can see, this is very little. It’s quite strange, but women’s lives here, unlike other countries, are shorter than men’s. Language.

The country has 11 official languages. This is due to the multinationality of its population. However, Afrikaans can be recognized as the leading language; its ancestor was Dutch and English. The natives also speak the Bantu dialect. Very often local residents speak several languages, so tourists who speak English language There should be no communication problems.

Religion

Basically, such a religion as Christianity is widespread among the population. There are also few Muslims and Hindus in the state, and very few Jews. A significant part of the population quite rightly considers themselves atheists. Some Africans worship natural forces; these beliefs have a whole list of taboos that must be strictly adhered to. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the government is loyal to any type of religion and in no way interferes in the affairs of the church.

Behavior

As you remember, South Africa is a multinational country, therefore general tips It's quite difficult to give here. When arriving in a new place, it is best to first observe how the natives behave, and only then adapt to them. It is advisable not to get into trouble at the first moment, but to take a wait-and-see attitude.

The clothing worn by the tourist must be adequate according to the situation. If you wear shorts and a T-shirt, then this is a picnic or excursion, but if the purpose of your trip is a business meeting, then men wear a suit and tie, women wear a strict but elegant suit or dress.

When meeting, men shake hands and women kiss each other on the cheeks. When you go to visit, it is customary to take a small nice gift with you - it could be flowers for the hostess of the house or wine. You can also present something from the tourist’s homeland or cigarettes. The value of your gift should not exceed fifty dollars.

If the owners of the house decide to surprise a visitor, then it must be unpacked immediately. It should be taken either right hand, or both, in no case with the left. Do not leave anything half-eaten - this is a sign of bad taste. If you are full, then you can show this to the lady of the house by placing the cutlery next to the plate. If you want to continue the meal, then place the knife and fork crossed.

It is not customary to sunbathe naked on public beaches. There are specially designated places for this. Be careful, the reaction of local residents can be very sharp, negative and unpredictable. Be correct and loyal in your behavior to all nationalities. Afrikaners get quite offended when someone calls them “Dutch”.

Golf clubs in South Africa have their own special rules. For example, it is permissible to play only in special clothing; jeans are under no circumstances allowed here. You should also definitely visit the bar in the club and have a sandwich there, as if you were showing commonality with other players.

Approved holidays in South Africa

Just like all over the world, Africans celebrate the New Year on January 1. Next holiday for them it is Human Rights Day, which falls on March 21. On April 13, Good Friday is a separate celebration, on the 16th is Family Day, and on the 27th is Constitution Day. On May 1, as in Russia, – “Peace. Work. May." - Workers' Day. June 16th - Youth Day. They celebrate Women's Day on August 9th. And then September 24 is Population Day, December 16 is Reconciliation Day, Christmas is on the 25th and Thanksgiving is on the 26th. As you can see, there are not so many holidays, apparently Africans are hardworking people.