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Living and Teaching English in South Africa - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

South Africa is a popular choice with international tourists and EFL teachers due to its wild and rugged scenery, incredible wildlife, vibrant cities and laidback beach resorts.

If you think it might be a good choice of destination to start your EFL teaching career, take a look at the following guides for a wealth of information that should help you plan your trip.

They cover a diverse range of topics, including general travel advice, guides to the main cities, ideas for things to do in your free time, and a fascinating bio on the country’s most famous citizen, Nelson Mandela.

Since the end of the apartheid system in the early 1990s South Africa has become an increasingly popular destination for travelers from all over the world. Here you will find a brief outline of useful information to know before you head off on your African adventure, from the best time of year to arrive to some local food and drink to try during your stay.

Due to a great mix of attractions including spectacular wildlife reserves, world-class vineyards, pristine beaches, and vibrant cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, there is surely something for everyone to enjoy. You will also find useful tips on the Afrikaans language and a few cultural issues that you might want to be aware of.

As South Africa is one of the top destinations in the world for whale watching, this exhilarating activity is high on the to-do list for many visitors. It introduces the four main species of whale you are likely to see, the best times of the year for whale encounters, and the best locations for setting off on a whale watching trip. If you plan on visiting South Africa, whale watching is one amazing experience you will not want to miss.

If you would like to enjoy this unique experience during your stay take a look at this infographic for a wide range of information. You will also find a useful guide to spotting whales, plus the terminology used to describe their behavior and anatomy.

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and the gateway to the country for a large proportion of international visitors. The city is a popular set-off point for the world famous Kruger National Park where you can encounter all of the ‘Big 5’ in a huge area roughly the size of Israel. This interesting infographic contains many other facts about South Africa’s premier city.

Whether you are just passing through or plan to stay a while, there are plenty of great things to see and do in the area. Other attractions within the city include the former home of Nelson Mandela, Africa’s tallest roller coaster, and Orlando Towers where you can bungee jump from a disused power station.

Although South Africa has eleven official languages, Afrikaans is widely used and understood throughout much of the country. By brushing up on greetings and pleasantries before you arrive, you should find that you are able to quickly settle into your new environment. As well as making it easier to communicate in different situations, a willingness to attempt the local language is a sure-fire way of endearing yourself to the local people.

Here you will find a useful cheat sheet for some of the most common words and phrases that you might need during your visit. Other useful language to know includes numbers, days and months, directions, and how to order things in bars and restaurants.

There are many great rivalries between major international cities and one of the most hotly contested is surely between South Africa’s two biggest urban centers, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Ultimately, the two cities are evenly matched in many areas making it virtually impossible to separate them.

Here the two cities are compared across a wide range of subjects including cost of living, weather, transport and entertainment in an attempt to find a winner. If you are able to visit both these cities in person you will have the chance to choose your own favorite based on what you consider makes a big city truly great.

With a long history that goes back over 100 years, the Kruger National Park in South Africa is one of the oldest and largest game reserves on the whole of the continent. Throughout the park you will find large numbers of lions, elephants, rhinoceros, buffalo and giraffe, as well as smaller numbers of leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena.

As it covers an area of around 20,000 square kilometers there are several different regions of the park where the climate and landscape vary greatly, offering a perfect environment for a wide array of flora and fauna. For many visitors to South Africa Kruger National Park offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Africa’s unique wildlife in one of the world’s most stunning environments.

South Africa’s second most populous city, Cape Town, is a very popular destination due to the great climate, beautiful natural setting, modern infrastructure, and the wide range of things to see and do in and around the city. Many visitors choose to reach the top via one of the numerous hiking trails, while the less energetic can make the journey using the scenic cableway.

Located on the southern coast of Africa, Cape Town is overlooked by the iconic Table Mountain which is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Other popular attractions in the city include the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, as well as several other great beaches such as Clifton and Muizenberg.

Nelson Mandela was undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most famous public figures and he continues to be a positive inspiration to millions of people right across the world. In the intervening years he worked as a security guard, started South Africa’s first black law firm, spent 27 years in prison, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and became the country’s first black president.

This infographic provides a fascinating insight into the key moments of Nelson Mandela’s life, from his birth in a small rural village in 1918 to his death aged 95 in 2013. As one of the 20th century’s most recognizable figures, Nelson Mandela’s legacy is certain to live on for many years to come.