Pretoria, South Africa Report of what it's like to live there - 06/01/18
Personal Experiences from Pretoria, South Africa
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Lahore, Mogadishu, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi, Merida, Washington DC, and Riga.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
USA - 18 hour direct flight with an hour on the ground in Accra.
3. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomats.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Nice house with a pool, but the pool can only be used for about 4 months of the year.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is available, but it is massively expensive even with the exchange rate.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Tons of restaurants, malls, and Uber eats (to order in).
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
There is no DPO so you are stuck with pouch and it seems like it takes ages. No.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Live-out mostly. Embassy staff have elevated salaries so expect to pay a very high amount.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Virgin Active. From just a gym to a corporate with swimming pool sauna etc., range varies from R400 - R2000.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
They are, but not for anything online in South Africa. You need a local bank account which you can only open with a letter of residence and two hours at the bank.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Everyone speaks English, but if you have Afrikaner friends do not expect them to do so when you are with them. I gave up going to parties that I was invited to because others would slip into Afrikaans, and I did not feel respected as an English-speaking person.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
I have no experience but have never noticed ramps or any other disability available actions around the city
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No. Only Uber.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Any car but you need to have "smash and grab" film installed. It seems like there are beggars at every stop light. There are constantly serious accidents. I have driven all over the world and to me, it is the most stressful place I have ever driven.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
They just have Faiba, but it doesn't work properly for us and ADSL seems extremely slow.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
If you don't have a local bank account and a job you cannot get a plan. However, for pay-as-you-go you still need a contract which means you need a letter of residence and a passport. Vodacom is the main carrier but their website never works for me and the staff do not seem helpful.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes. No quarantine, but they have to stay around three days at the airport for a vet certificate. You can't use the parks here because there is too much crime so it is not an easy place to walk them.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
I would stay away from any animal related activities, as I would be concerned about fronts for canned hunting.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Professional.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
This is a high crime post. You will have gates and security at your house that seem like Fort Knox. I do not feel safe leaving a door open, even when I am home. I would not walk anywhere after dark.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Local doctors are awesome but it will cost you R400 just for the visit. Netcare hospitals are excellent. SA is the evacuation point for the rest of Africa. There is also the embassy health unit.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Terrible. Unless you are in Durban or Capetown there is bad pollution 100% of the time. I have had sinus problems from the day I arrived. If I drive to Joburg, I can see the pollution in the air.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
It could be difficult for those who suffer from allergies.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The summer is hot from September to January and then it gets progressively cooler until July when you need coats and boots.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes! There still seems to be extreme racism in the country and more so in Pretoria. It has made it very hard for us to live here.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Trips to the beach in Durban and whale watching in Hermanus. I have not been on safari as I am concerned there are unethical and corrupt practices with regard to wildlife in this country.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
No.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
No, not really. It's not like other Africa where there are handicrafts to buy. It is mostly shopping malls with chain stores.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
None.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Everything. I did not realize the level of paperwork required to get one's car registered, get phone, internet, and much more. I really felt as though we were on our own navigating the bureaucracy. I have also felt that there is still much social inequality, and that was very difficult for me to see and live with. This has been a frustrating and emotionally draining experience for me, and I would not personally recommend it, unless one was to live in Durban or Capetown.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No. I was so excited to come here, but my understanding is that several friends and colleagues have left as they were very unhappy.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Everything. You can buy anything here.
4. But don't forget your:
Over-the-counter medications as they are expensive here.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
No.
