Relocation services to South Africa is best handled by an experienced, professional moving company such as Nuss Removals. If you have never been there, or not sure what to expect from relocating to South Africa, we have prepared a brief summary of interesting facts about this country and its people.
South Africa has some of the most varied and extreme environments in the world, from the tropical beaches of KwaZulu-Natal to the rolling red sand dunes of the Kalahari Desert. It’s population (over 40 million) is an incredible mix of races, religions and identities, so that it truly merits the nickname “Rainbow Nation”.
South Africa is a huge country – total land area is 1,267,462 sq km (489,367 sq miles) including Swaziland and Lesotho. contained within the country are tropical rainforest in the east, the spectacular mountains of the Drakensberg, the rolling grasslands of Kruger, temperate woodlands along the Garden Route and the endless deserted beaches fringing the entire coast.
There are 11 official languages in South Africa, but English is widely understood and spoken. During the apartheid, Afrikaans was the only other official language with English and it’s still the most widely seen – road signs for example are in both languages.
South Africa’s Economy
South Africa has for many years suffered from having both a developed and a developing economy within the same country. It is incredibly rich in natural resources and the economy is dominated by mining. While a small sector of the population is affluent, the majority suffers from poverty and high levels of unemployment. However, South Africa’s economy is still the strongest in Africa by some margin, contributing about one quarter of the continent’s GDP. In recent years an affluent black middle class has emerged – something that was unthinkable in the years of apartheid.
Did you know that…
– South Africa generates more than 50 % of Africa’s electricity?
– South Africa is the world’s largest gold producer with an astonishing 40% of global reserves?
– the second largest diamond in the world (599 carats) was mined by De Beers, the world’s biggest diamond-mining group, in South Africa in 1988?
– South African wine industry has grown phenomenally in recent years, making the country the world’s ninth largest wine exporter (over 300 million litres in 2007).
– tourist arrivals have grown tenfold since 1994 (640.000 to 9.1 million in 2007), after the end of apartheid in South Africa.
South Africa’s Climate
As a country in the southern hemisphere, South Africa’s seasons are the same as in Australia (or reverse of those in the northern hemisphere). Summer weather is generally hot and in certain areas humid, with temperatures often sore above 30 degrees celsius. Winter days are often mild and sunny, but the temperature can drop quite sharply over night in some areas. Much of the inland and the north of the country are dry with sporadic rain, while areas like Garden Route have light rainfall all year round.
Getting Around South Africa
South Africans rely on their cars, and the road system is correspondingly excellent. A web of highways, known as N roads, stretches across the country linking the major cities. Parts of N roads are toll roads, although there’s always an alternative non-toll route. You must hold an International Driving Permit or a drivers licence valid for at least 6 months. Driving is on the left side of the road, same as in Australia.
In contrast to the excellent roads, the rail system is relatively unreliable. Although comfortable, trains tend to be slow and inefficient. However, a splendid way of experiencing some colonial style is by taking one of the luxury trains which are becoming increasingly popular among visitors. (The Blue Train – www.bluetrain.co.za)
Nuss International Removals provides a full door to door moving and relocation services to South Africa with the option of either a Sea or Air service. Our packing crews are fully trained and we use the very best in packing materials for the ultimate protection of your belongings. Our shipping services to South Africa are available for any type or size of move, and our coordination staff will be able to give you full details of what shipping options are best suited for you as a part of relocation services to South Africa.
