Plugs and voltage
South Africa uses Types M and N sockets; Type C is also found. Mains supply is 230 V at 50 Hz.
Type M is still the most common socket; the newer Type N (SANS 164-2) is replacing it and also accepts Europlugs (Type C).
At 230 V, devices made only for 100–127 V (many American and Japanese hair dryers, curling irons and some shavers) will be damaged without a step-down converter. Chargers labelled “100–240V” work fine with just a plug adapter.
Adapter guides: from United States · from United Kingdom · from Australia · from Germany
Money
R South African Rand ZAR
| 1 USD | 16.69 ZAR |
|---|---|
| 1 EUR | 18.65 ZAR |
| 1 GBP | 22.36 ZAR |
| 1 JPY | 0.1061 ZAR |
Price level 43 (US = 100, 2025)
Everyday household prices in South Africa are about 43% of US prices when converted at market exchange rates: cheaper than the median country (50). All countries
Language
- Englishofficial31%
Also official in some regions: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Swati and 2 more.
Bars show the share of the population that speaks each language (CLDR estimates).
Time
South Africa is on UTC+2, with no daylight saving time.
Driving
Traffic in South Africa drives on the left, so the steering wheel is on the right. All left-driving countries
Public holidays in the next 12 months
14 national public holidays from 2 November 2026. Banks, offices and many shops close; regional holidays are not shown. Dates marked “estimated” follow a lunar calendar and can move by a day.
November 2026
- Local Government Elections
December 2026
- Day of Reconciliation
- Christmas Day
- Day of Goodwill
January 2027
- New Year's Day
March 2027
- Human Rights Day
- Human Rights Day (observed)
- Good Friday
- Family Day
April 2027
- Freedom Day
May 2027
- Workers' Day
June 2027
- Youth Day
August 2027
- National Women's Day
September 2027
- Heritage Day
Travel advisories
United States · State Department
Level 2 Exercise increased caution
Read the full advisory. Checked 2026-11-02.
United Kingdom · FCDO
No warnings The FCDO does not advise against travel to South Africa.
Updated 2026-07-08. Read the full advice. Checked 2026-11-02.
Advisories are written for each government's own citizens and change without notice: read the original before you travel.
Other practical facts
- Calling code
- +27
- Internet domain
- .za
- Measurement
- Metric
- Paper size
- A4
- Week starts on
- Sunday
- Read more
- Wikipedia
More in Southern Africa
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