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Hello Cape Town

DISCOVER OUR CITY

Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. It is the country’s oldest city and the seat of the Parliament of South Africa.[ It is the country’s second-largest city, After Johannesburg, and the largest in the Western Cape. The city is part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality.

The city is known for its harbour, its natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region, and for landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point. In 2014, Cape Town was named the best place in the world to visit by The New York Times,[ and was similarly ranked number one by The Daily Telegraph in both 2016 and 2023

Located on the shore of Table Bay, the City Bowl area of Cape Town is the oldest urban area in the Western Cape, with a significant cultural heritage. It was founded by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a supply station for Dutch ships sailing to East Africa, India, and the Far East. Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival on 6 April 1652 established the VOC Cape Colony, the first permanent European settlement in South Africa.

Cape Town outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope, becoming the economic and cultural hub of the Cape Colony. Until the Witwatersrand Gold Rush and the development of Johannesburg, Cape Town was the largest city in southern Africa. The metropolitan area has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, which includes False Bay, and extends to the Hottentots Holland mountains to the east. The Table Mountain National Park is within the city boundaries and there are several other nature reserves and marine-protected areas within, and adjacent to, the city, protecting the diverse terrestrial and marine natural environment.

Climate

We enjoy a Mediterranean climate with Spring/Summer from September to April with average temperatures of 26-28 c. Autumn/Winter from May to August with aver temperatures of 18 c.

Before you Travel

VISAS
Visitors on holiday from most Commonwealth countries (including Australia and the UK), most Western European countries, Japan and the USA don’t require visas. Instead, you’ll be issued with a free entry permit on arrival. These are valid for a stay of up to 90 days. But if the date of your flight out is sooner than this, the immigration officer may use it as the date of your permit expiry unless you request otherwise.

If you aren’t entitled to an entry permit, you’ll need to get a visa (also free) before you arrive. These aren’t issued at the borders, and must be obtained at a South African embassy or consulate in your own country. Allow several weeks for processing. South Africa has consular representation in most countries. The website of the South African High Commission (www.southafricahouse.com) in London has a helpful overview of visa requirements, and listings of which nationalities require visas.

For any entry – whether you require a visa or not – you need to have at least two completely blank pages in your passport, excluding the last two pages.

You can apply for a South African visa extension or a reentry visa at the Department of Home Affairs

MONEY
The unit of currency is the rand (R), which is divided into 100 cents (¢). The coins are 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢, 20¢and 50¢, and R1, R2 and R5. The notes are R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. The R200 note looks a lot like the R20 note, so check them carefully before handing them over. There have been forgeries of the R200 note; some businesses are reluctant to accept them. Rand is sometimes referred to as bucks. For exchange rates, see the inside front cover.

MEDICAL SERVICES
Medical services are of a high standard in Cape Town. In an emergency contact the police (10111) to get directions to the nearest hospital. Many doctors make house calls; they’re listed under ‘Medical’ in the phone book, and hotels and most other places to stay can arrange a visit.
Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital (021-441000: Cnr DF Mala Street and Rua Bartholomeu Dias Plain) The best private hospital; reception is on the 8th fl.

CLINICS
Medi-Travel International (021-419 1888; 1 Clock Tower Centre, Victoria and Alfred Cape Town ; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat) For vaccinations and travel health advice

More Facts

POPULATION
The population is between 4 and 5 million, with an ethnic mix of African, European, Koisan and Malay.

CURRENCY
The currency is the South African Rand which fluctuates. Go to www.capetalk.co.za for the daily rate.

VALUE ADDED TAX
VAT of 15% is added to all purchases. Foreign visitors are able to claim back the VAT, on departure at Cape Town International Airport. All that’s required is the purchase slip (receipt) and your passport.

DRIVING
We drive on the left hand side of the road. Public transport is available, but as the distances between places of interest can be vast, it is advisable to hire your own vehicle or arrange a few sight seeing tours with an approved tour operator. Your Guest House or hotel will be able to help with the arrangements.

VOLTAGE
210/220V

CAPITALS
Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town (legislative) ; Bloemfontein (judicial)

PROVINCES
Eastern Cape ; Gauteng ; KwaZulu-Natal ; Mpumulanga ; Northern Cape; Limpopo ; North West ; Free State ; Western Cape

LANGUAGES
South Africa is a multilingual country. The country’s democratic Constitution, which came into effect on 4 February 1997, recognises 11 official languages, to which it guarantees equal status.

These are:
Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele , isiXhosa , isiZulu , Sesotho sa Lebo , Sesotho, Setswana siSwati Tshivenda Xitsonga

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