Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Africa safe?
What about private and public transport in South Africa?
Is there a dress code I need to be made aware of at my volunteer work?
What is typical traditional South African food?
Which languages are spoken in South Africa?
What is the cost of domestic flights within South Africa?
If I am in need of medical assistance will it be available to me?
Should I get travel insurance?
What vaccinations will I need before coming to South Africa?
What is the South African Climate like?
Do I need a visa when I am volunteering?

Is South Africa safe?

In comparison to a lot of other countries South Africa is less safe. There is a lot of poverty and a huge difference between the rich and the poor which results in high crime rates.

However, in the last couple of years the fight against crime has improved, but you have to be careful at all times. Therefore Khaya Volunteer Projects will help you to plan your journey in the best way possible to minimize your chances of becoming a victim of crime. We will make sure you get picked up and guided upon arrival, get a proper introduction and offer you all the advise you might need for traveling, accommodation and sightseeing.

Please remember that downtown Johannesburg is not the representation of the whole of South Africa. Khaya works with volunteer projects in either rural settings or in cities that are much safer the Johannesburg.

The Soccer World Cup 2010 has showed the world that the picture the media shows is a very different one then reality.

We believe that you should be aware of your surroundings and be cautious; like you would be in Barcelona or New York! Some advise:

• Travel from A to B and plan it beforehand
• Don't travel at night
• Don't hitchhike
• Don't look like a tourist, so no camera's around your neck, silly hats and backpacks on you belly
• Behave confident and know where you are going
• Be aware of your surroundings

Of course there are many more things you could think about; don't worry; we will help you as much as we can and don't forget you are not the first traveler to South Africa and millions of people have traveled here without getting mugged and robbed so be aware and be safe!

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What about private and public transport in South Africa?

South Africa is a huge country and distances are far greater then we Europeans are used to. Also the public transport system in the cities is not as good or safe as in Europe. Having a car makes it much easier to travel around for volunteers and people who have a gap year. For those working for example in areas outside the city centre it is a necessity to have a car.

Buying a car in South Africa is relatively expensive. Most (old) cars cost quite a bit of money; you’ll pay approximately 20.000 ZAR. But as the overall trade-in value is relatively high, you won’t experience a big loss when you resell your car when you leave South Africa after your volunteer project abroad or gap year.

There are a lot of rent-a-car possibilities. Khaya volunteer can help you to find the safest and cheapest options. Remember you need a credit card if you want to rent a car and need to be in possession of an International Drivers license.
In South Africa people drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle. It is possible to get in contact with other volunteers to share a car, which will lower the costs.

Traveling through SA is easier by car, but you can do it without a car! Go to www.bazbus.co.za for the hop-on-hop-off possibilities, they travel to the most beautiful places in SA.

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Is there a dress code I need to be made aware of at my volunteer work?

South African society can be called conservative, partially due to the many English influences. All children wear school uniforms to school and people dress relatively formal to go to work or even when going out.

It is important to be aware of the different habits and ways of dressing. As a volunteer off Khaya you will represent the project you work for. Find out from your coordinators what the dress code is for your volunteer job.

Having dreadlocks, piercings other than in your ears or visible tattoos might be unacceptable at some volunteer projects, make sure to check with Khaya if this is the case.

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What is typical traditional South African food?

South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation because of its variety of cultures and people. Due to this fact the South African kitchen doesn’t really have a specific national dish but boasts with a diversity of dishes. Some of the typical South African dishes are boerewors, stywe pap, mielie pap, vetkoek, rotis and samoosas. South Africans love meat, you will be amazed by the quantity and size of the meat portions. Typical braai meats are steaks, Boerewors (sausage rolled in a spiral) and chops (lamb or pork meat).

Other dishes typical South African are curries, due to Indian and Malay influences. Curies come in many varieties; fish, shrimp, goat meat, beef and chicken are a favourite.

A typical African dish, mostly eaten by the black people is “Umngqusho” or “samp, beans and pap”. Both dishes are made from corn and come with gravy, vegetables and/or meat.

On the streets you’ll see people selling fruit and vegetables, there’s nothing wrong with these products. Most of the times it’s cheaper to buy fruit and vegetables on the street and in this way you support the local community.

These are just some examples of traditional South African dishes, the South African kitchen has a lot of different flavors and dishes to offer, and we recommend trying them all if you can.

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Which languages are spoken in South Africa?

South Africa has 11 official languages. The two most widely spoken languages in South Africa are English and Afrikaans. These languages will give you the opportunity to converse with the locals. These are also the languages used by traffic signs and other communal services.

Afrikaans is a language that developed in the 16th and 17th century and derived from Dutch. With the influence of other languages such as Malay and English, Afrikaans became an official language on its own. The black population speaks English and/or Afrikaans beside their mother tongue e.g. Xhosa or Zulu.

If you are interested, we also offer language courses to volunteers e.g. Xhosa or Afrikaans to further develop the possibilities for you to communicate with the locals. It will make quite an impression if you are able to greet people in their own language.

At your volunteer project there will always be people who speak at least English to translate or communicate for you while volunteering.

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What is the cost of domestic flights within South Africa?

There are several Airlines available flying domestic flights. We advise you to book a ticket to Cape Town or Johannesburg and book the connecting flight to Port Elizabeth or anywhere you need to go before or after your volunteer project.

Cheap tickets can be found on:
www.kulula.com
www.1time.co.za
www.flysaa.com
www.flymango.com

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If I am in need of medical assistance will it be available to me?

Medical assistance in South Africa can be compared to European standards. You can find a doctor (GP) in the Yellow Pages or Phone book under Medical/Medies. In the bigger cities there are 24 hour Pharmacies available. You can find these in the Yellow Pages under Chemist/Apteek.

All projects have emergency plans available in case of medical needs for volunteers and will get you to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.

Usually you have to pay in advance for medical assistance or settle the bill immediately after. You can claim this back from insurance. Do not wait until you’re back home again, but send all documents to your family or friends who can submit the claim in your behalf straight away. Make sure you are aware of the procedures and conditions concerning your insurance, would you find yourself in a situation where medical assistance is needed.

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Should I get travel insurance?

Because you will be away for a certain period, when you are here for a gap year or volunteering, of time you will have to check your insurance. It is best to contact your present insurance broker for advice and explain you are volunteering in South Africa. Check and compare different insurance possibilities to see what suits you best. Find out from the various insurance companies what the procedure will be if an emergency occurs in South Africa and you would need medical assistance. Make sure you bring this information and hand it over at the volunteer project so people always know what to do if something would happen.

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What vaccinations will I need before coming to South Africa?

South Africa is a very big country with a diversity of climates and circumstances. There are various diseases and illnesses present that are no longer common in Europe. Check with your doctor or other institutions to make sure you have the right vaccinations for volunteering at a specific volunteer project and make sure you have received all necessary shots before you leave.

The advice at the moment is to get vaccinations for:

• DTP
• Hepatitis A and B
• Tuberculosis
• Rabies (working with wildlife and in rural areas)

The costs of these vaccinations are in many cases covered by your medical insurance. Please check so you can claim back these expenses.

Malaria

Protection against mosquitoes is always important. The Eastern Cape is Malaria-free, so if you are not going to travel outside the province, do not worry about any anti-Malaria medication.

Malaria areas

• Kwazulu Natal: from October until May
• Kruger Park: the whole year round

N.B.

We are no physicians or doctors and therefore are not able to give any medical advise. Above mentioned comments are general recommendations. Visit your doctor or physician for professional personal advice.

http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/tb.htm

http://www.aids.org.za/hiv.htm

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What is the South African Climate like?

South Africa is located in the Southern hemisphere and the seasons are reversed as opposed to those in the northern hemisphere.

In summer (your winter) it is hot up north and in the east, hot and dry in the interior and sometimes tropically hot in the south. After a drought it can rain for long periods of time especially in areas along the coastline. There can be big thunderstorms, floods and rain, in particularly up north.

In winter (your summer) it can be cold at night and it can freeze up north or in the highveld. So be prepared!

Remember to take some warm clothing as well.

The climate in the Eastern Cape is a fairly mild climate, in summer it can be very hot and humid, while in winter it can cool down quite a bit. Though temperatures rarely get below 14 degrees Celsius so it isn’t necessary for you to bring any winter jackets. A couple of sweaters and a wind jacket will be sufficient to keep you warm. Port Elizabeth is also known as the Windy City, as the wind can blow quite strongly some days. Ideal for surfing and other water sports! So keep in mind that you prepare accordingly before your join your volunteer project.

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Do I need a visa when I am volunteering?

Depending on your country of origin there are different procedures for visa applications for volunteers. If you are from any Schengen country you don’t need to apply for a visa before you leave if you stay shorter then 6 months. When you arrive in South Africa, you will get a visitors permit for 3 months at customs which you can extend if you want to stay longer.

Shorter than 3 months

When you stay in South Africa for a shorter period than 3 months you do NOT have to apply for a visa (depending on the country of origin). You will come to South Africa on a temporary visitors permit for 3 months which you will receive upon arrival at customs. You will have to show the custom’s authorities a letter or declaration from your receiving volunteer project and clearly state that you are here for volunteering. Khaya volunteer will make sure you have such a letter from your project.

Longer than 3 months, but shorter than 6 months (total stay)
In your first weeks in South Africa you must go to Home Affairs in a major city with the following information:

• Letter of invitation from volunteer project
• Return flight ticket
• Copy of travel insurance policy
• Proof of sufficient funds (copy of savings bank account, copy of funds approved by parents, and/or copy of study funds provided by government)

At Home Affairs you have to complete a form and pay approximately 450 ZAR. After a week you can pick up your extended visa.

Longer than 6 months
If you stay longer than 6 months in South Africa for volunteering ore a gap year, you will have to apply for your visa in your country of origin. In general you will only be given such a visa if you can present a letter in which it is clearly stated you’ll work as a volunteer and do not receive any compensation. Khaya will provide this letter for you.

N.B.
Local officials can make the process of extending your visa very complicated. Note that sometimes it will take some time to process your documentation. A lot of patience will be needed!

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