It is advisable to carry a mobile phone while in South Africa. You may find it useful to have an “unlocked” cell phone with international roaming capability to use while in South Africa. The Independent Communication Authority of South Africa has established new rules that require all new cell phones and SIM cards to be registered. Information on how to register may be found on its website.
You may buy an inexpensive SIM card to use with your "unlocked" cell phone and airtime once you arrive in South Africa. SIM cards and airtime may be purchased at many retail outlets, including Woolworths, Pick ‘n Pay, Spar, Checkers, and most grocery stores and cellular retail stores such as Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, etc.
Rental mobile phones are widely available and may be rented from kiosks at major airports. The nationwide emergency number for the police is 10111, and the nationwide number for ambulance service is 10177. It is not necessary to dial an area code when calling these numbers.
HIV and AIDS remain major public health concerns in the Republic of South Africa. According to the UNAIDS Report on the global AIDS epidemic (2010), about 5.6 million people are estimated to be living with HIV in South Africa, with 17.8 percent of the adult population (15-49) affected.
Women are disproportionately affected, accounting for approximately 55 percent of HIV-positive people. Women in the age group 25-29 are the worst-affected, with prevalence rates of up to 40 percent. For men, the peak is reached at older ages, with an estimated 10 percent prevalence among men older than 50 years. Public awareness in the country as to how to protect against infection is wide-spread and increasing. However, we recommend you exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in sexual activity, or if you are exposed to a blood source other than that supplied by a hospital for transfusion purposes.
You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.