SOUTH AFRICA

TEACHING

INTERNSHIP

Congratulations on joining LoveTEFL’s South Africa Internship - we’re looking forwards to working with and supporting you throughout the duration of your programme. By the time you’ve finished the practical element in South Africa; you’ll have had an incredible time and will also have teaching experience that puts you in a great position for English teaching jobs around the world – and a certificate to prove it! It will also give you a great range of transferrable skills useful for any number of professions and industries. Our team in the Head Office in Leeds, UK are on hand to guide you through your pre-departure steps and your initial online TEFL training studies and, once you arrive in South Africa, the team in-country will be there to support you. They will ensure that everything goes smoothly and make sure you get the most from your internship.

Before you travel!

Please ensure that you do all the following BEFORE you fly to South Africa:

Send a copy of your CV and a recent photo to support@lovetefl.com

Complete the personal information form and send it back to support@lovetefl.com

Arrange to get a police check if you do not have one already – more information further on! When you have it please send it to support@lovetefl.com

Complete the 120 hour on-line TEFL training course – you will have received your log-in details when you booked the programme

Ensure you have all relevant vaccinations for your 2 months in South Africa – please check with your local doctor or travel medical clinic

Purchase travel (including medical) insurance to cover you for the full duration of the programme – this will be checked on arrival and you will not be able to participate in the programme without travel (including medical) insurance in place

Book flights to land into Cape Town International Airport (airport code CPT) on the arrival day (between 6am and 4pm on the arrival day) and inform LoveTEFL of all your flight details prior to the programme start date (if we don’t have your flight details, we can’t pick you up!).

o Note: Please let us know if you are planning to arrive in a different day or outside these hours

Review our packing list – it’s important that you do have appropriate clothing for the programme

Dates of the Internship

10th October 2013 to 8th December 2013 (11th December with Kruger trip)

16th January 2014 to 16th March 2014 (19th March with Kruger trip)

Itinerary Day 1 - Arrive into Cape Town

When you touch down in Cape Town you’ll be met by the LoveTEFL shuttle and whisked off to the

internship house in Fish Hoek, a short 45 minute drive away. You’ll spend the rest of your day getting

acquainted with your new home, doing a spot of food shopping and breaking the ice with your

fellow interns. Don’t miss the welcome dinner at 18.00pm, with all the activities going on you’ll need

to fuel yourself up!

Day 2 – Orientation day!

Orientation will begin with a series of talks covering the essentials of South African life, health and

safety, and general travel advice. There’ll be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may

have regarding the weeks ahead. Once the serious stuff is over, you’ll head out to the

Masiphumelele Township so you can meet some of your pupils and see where they live. You’ll also

get the chance to meet local crafters, visit the library and have lunch at the locally famous Nonny’s

Café. Have a sweet tooth? At Nonny’s you can try their delicious cakes and sample an array of baked

treats. Before you return you’ll have a chance to check out the local shops and pick up things you

have missed on the day before.

Days 3 and 4 – The Weekend

Your first weekend will give you and your fellow interns a chance to let your hair down in fabulous

Cape Town! Recently voted ‘The Best City in the World’, Cape Town offers endless possibilities for

you and new friends to explore. See the Penguins of Simonstown, Cape Point and take a trip to the

local wine farms where you can sip (yes, sip!) on the local vintage. If you manage to make it past the

vineyard, there’s always Table Mountain, Robben Island and the hours of shopping that can be done

at the VNA mall.

Days 5 - 9 - Meet your Students

Make sure you don’t have too much of a good time in Cape Town, as Monday begins bright and

early! Depending on which school you are allocated to, you will need to catch a bus or mini bus taxi

at 7.15am so you can meet the teachers and children before you start. Your day will finish at

2.30pm.

Teaching Experience: Mondays to Fridays will be spent at your school, in the mornings you will be

assisting the teachers and also working one on one with the children. During break time you will help

keep an eye on the children and in the afternoons you can help with homework and games! This will

be an amazing work experience allowing you to understand the lives of South African students and

their teachers. You will build new skills and develop as you learn more and more about the culture of

your allocated school.

Day 52 – Fly home or onwards to Johannesburg

Say goodbye to Fish Hoek as you travel to Cape Town to head off on your Kruger adventure(or home

if you have chosen that option). You will need to book a flight to Johannesburg for the Kruger trip

(there are many airlines you can use – BA, SAA, Kulula and Mango but please let us know if you need

any advice).

On arrival you’ll be met at the American Express Counter by a LoveTEFL representative. You will then

transfer to Pretoria Backpackers, where you’ll stay a night in a dorm room with a tasty dinner

included.

Day 53 - Kruger National Park (Kruger Option only)

Departing from Pretoria in the morning, you’ll head out to the Kruger Park and enter via the

Southern Border. After stopping for lunch (at your own cost), we will Safari until late afternoon

before checking into your rest camp in the Kruger. Chill out and enjoy dinner by the campfire,

prepared by your guides.

Day 54 - Kruger National Park

After waking up to your first Safari sunrise, you’ll head out into the park on some of the best game

drive routes, giving you the opportunity to view the varied landscapes, ecosystems and most

importantly, the abundant wildlife! Make sure to have your camera ready. Breakfast is once again

prepared by your guide and enjoyed in the park before you set off. The morning will be spent game

viewing, bird watching and stopping off at waterholes along the way. At lunchtime we leave the park

and make our way to the Tshukudu Private Reserve where we will be treated to an open jeep sun set

drive, returning to camp with the air filled with the smell of BBQ! Here we will stay overnight at

Tshukudu.

Day 55 - Kruger National Park

Early morning wake-up call and a coffee before we set off on a bush walk to view the smaller animals

and insects and to learn from our ranger as he points out interesting facts about the African Bush.

After breakfast we get set for departure to Blyde River Canyon on the scenic route back to arrive at

Jo’burg/Pretoria late afternoon (Note: you will be dropped off at the airport at 6:00pm so please

don’t book an early flight home). Alternatively you can spend another night at Pretoria Backpackers

and catch a shuttle/train to the airport the following day (at own cost).

The internship itself

LoveTEFL’s South Africa internship gives you a unique opportunity to not only learn and develop your skills as a teacher but also to experience the ‘real’ South Africa and to make a significant impact on the lives and futures of the students you teach and help. Before you travel you’ll complete the in-depth 120 hour TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training course giving you all of the tools and techniques you’ll need to get started in the classroom. Once you are settled into your school, you’ll put the theory you’ve learned into real practice by working as a teacher! Throughout the practical experience the in-country team will be on hand to guide and assist (although of course you do need to push yourself as well). If you do need any help with your teaching practice then the team are there to help you, and for anything else for that matter!

Our partners in South Africa

You will be well looked after by the South African team while you are on your teaching internship. They will be your main contact point for any questions and will be there to support you throughout. Alison Bell-Leask manages her team of able individuals and they are dedicated in making sure that you have a great and productive internship. If you are expecting mail to be delivered while you’re in South Africa please send to the postal address listed below depending on the location of your project.

Alison Bell-Leask E. alibl@mweb.co.za T. +27 (0) 82 306 8877

Postal

134 Kommetjie Road Fish Hoek Cape Town 7975

How do you get a police report /criminal background check?

You will need a police check for the internship as you are working directly with children. You’ll need to follow the following process to get a police check as relevant to your country. We recommend you do this as soon as possible. If you’ve worked in the UK previously in a teaching role or working with vulnerable people then you may well already have a CRB report. If you do, and the check was done in the last 12 months then this is perfect for your application. UK based:

Apply for an ACRO POLICE CERTIFICATE at the following link:

http://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx

It costs £45 for a 10 working day turn around and £80 for a 2 working day turn around

(recommended)

Ireland based:

You need to contact your local police station and make a written application for a POLICE

CERTIFICATE

This is issue free to Irish citizens and as the turnaround time isn’t specified you are advised

to do this as soon as possible

US based:

You will need to contact either your local police department (recommended) or alternatively

the FBI (http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/faqs)

Charges may apply and the FBI process may take several weeks so we recommend

requesting from the local police department if you are able to

Canadian based:

You will need to contact your local police department. For further information see here:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/fing-empr2-eng.htm#Application

A fee may be charged and the process may take several weeks

Other:

Please follow up with your local police department for your local requirements. You will

need a certificate or a letter stating that you do not have a criminal record and if you do, it

must detail what that is.

Visa information

What type of visa do I need?

You need a tourist visa to enter South Africa. Dependent on your nationality you can get a 90 day

tourist visa on arrival for free. If you stay for a longer period in South Africa you can extend your visa

in country. Make sure you do this before 60 days has passed otherwise it may not be possible.

Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date and showing at least 2 blank pages. Passport holders of the following countries can get a visa on arrival for 90 days: United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I am not from one of the countries listed above, what next? Please contact your closest embassy/commission to see what your requirements are to get a tourist visa for South Africa. Applying for your visa before departure? Make sure you apply for your visa well in advance to avoid delays (e.g. not getting your passport and visa back before your departure). If you are from one of the listed countries above we would suggest getting your visa on arrival as this is much easier. Note: We always recommend that you check with the embassy/commission on what the application procedure will be as these can change. Useful contact details: Please note: there may be other embassies closer for your convenience United Kingdom & Ireland United States South African High Commission Embassy of South Africa Trafalgar Square 3051 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 220 London WC2N 5DP Washington D.C. 20008 T. +44 (0) 207 451 7299 T. +1 (202) 274 7991 W. www.southafricahouseuk.com E. consular.wa@foreign.gov.za W. www.saembassy.org Canada Australia & New Zealand South African High Commission South African High Commission 110 Sheppard Ave East, Suite 600 Corner State Circle and Rhodes Place Toronto, Ontario Yarralumla, Canberra M2N 6Y8 ACT 2600 W. www.southafrica-canada.ca T. +61 (02) 6273 2424

E. info@rsa.emb.gov.au W. www.rsa.emb.gov.au

Health and Inoculations

Your health is a vital thing to take care of while you’re away! Getting ill can ruin an amazing experience so be sure to be prepared before you go. We recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor or a local travel clinic to discuss your inoculation requirements for your trip. We’ve included a useful link to get you started below: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/south-africa.aspx

Packing Suggestion Packing is one of the most challenging areas for most travellers as there’s a fine line between taking too much and not enough. We have listed some items that we think may be useful to take with you but this list is not exhaustive. General

Light weight shoes and/or trainers

Sandals and or/flip flops

Sun hat and sunglasses (with UV protection)

Personal drink bottle

Towel

Torch (for use during power cuts)

Camera

Wet wipes or waterless soap (very useful when working with kids)

Padlock (to secure belongings when travelling)

Day rucksack/backpack

Personal hygiene pack e.g.; toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, toilet paper etc.

Warm clothes if you’re going in winter months (May to September), as it gets very cold. We recommend bringing lots of layers and a nice warm jumper/coat

Sleeping bag liner or sleeping bag (if you intend to do a safari trip)

Binoculars for safari Teaching

No revealing or provocative clothes (short sleeve t-shirts and 3/4 length trousers/skirts are fine to wear)

What type of plug do I need? Below is the plug that is used in South Africa. This plug isn’t on a normal international adapter so you need to buy an adapter especially for South Africa. You can buy this at some shops, online or maybe at the airport.

Accommodation

Your accommodation throughout the internship will be at a shared intern house in the town of Fish

Hoek. Fish Hoek is based on the Cape Peninsula and about 45 minutes by car/train to Cape Town

centre itself. Fish Hoek is a pleasant town with a beach and ample shops to get your supplies. It is a

dry town (i.e. no alcohol) but there is an off licence in the neighbouring suburbs where you can buy

alcohol if you wish.

The house itself is based on dormitory style rooms with bunk beds, there are a number of shared

bathrooms in the property along with a lounge area and kitchen with cooking facilities. In summer

you can also cool down in the swimming pool on the property.

This will be a great environment for you to spend the next 2 months with your new found friends

and a number of Cape Town’s attractions are a short distance away. Namely, Boulders Bay and its

friendly penguin population, Cape Point and its stunning National Park and the beautiful False Bay

coastline where you could spot whales in the right season and possible even a Great White Shark.

What happens when I arrive?

It is really important to know what happens when you arrive!

If arriving by plane into Cape Town via the international and domestic arrival terminal please meet the team at the Woolworths (clothing shop) entrance

If you are already travelling around you can make your own way to the accommodation that you will be staying at for the first night – but please let us know!

If you do not require a pick up from the airport please also let us know Cape Town You will be taken to the intern house called the ‘One Three Four’ in Fish Hoek (see contact details below) where you will be able to recover from your flight or stay before the orientation starts. This will be your home for the duration of your internship and it is located within walking distance of shops and the beach if you wish to have a wander. The One Three Four 134 Kommetjie Road Fish Hoek

South Africa

The following section provides useful and practical information about your destination. Here you’ll

find tips on things like food and drink, travel safety and places to visit. This section will help you

prepare for your time abroad and enable you to really get the most out of your travels. We also

recommend that you do your own research as well.

Geography

South Africa is the southern-most country on the African continent. South Africa’s national

boundaries and those of its encompassed neighbours, Lesotho and Swaziland, are predominately the

creation of European powers of the 19th and 20th centuries rather than any geographical or cultural

identity. Within those borders are encompassed some of the most beautiful and amazing places you

may ever have the good fortune to visit.

South Africa is a big country, stretching 2000km from the Limpopo in the north to Cape Agulhas in

the south and nearly 1500km from Port Nolloth in the west to Durban in the east. Geographically it

is split into three major parts: the interior or Highveld, the narrow coastal plain or Lowveld and the

Kalahari Basin. In the east the divide between Highveld and Lowveld is marked dramatically by the

Drakensburg mountain range.

South Africa has three capitals: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative) and Bloemfontein

(judicial).

South Africa is the richest African country by far but its economy is a mixture of third and first world

incomes and living standards. Mining wealth is key to the economy as South Africa has diamonds,

gold, chromium, manganese, vanadium and platinum. Mining accounts for some 40% of exports.

Climate

South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere so as a rule seasons are reversed for the Northern

Hemisphere with winter starting in June to September and summer late November to March. The

variety in altitudes and the oceans surrounding the country also influence weather patterns

substantially. Despite this, South Africa has one of the most temperate climates on the African

continent making it comfortable to visit any time.

Winter is cooler and drier, and is ideal for hiking and outdoor pursuits. Vegetation is less dense and

animals wanting to quench their thirst will gather around water sources, this makes winter a great

time for wild-life watching.

Winters however in the Western Cape Province are cold and wet e.g. Cape Town so you will need to

pack appropriately – see packing suggestions.

Summer introduces rain, mists and – in the Lowveld – some uncomfortably hot days. Along the

Indian Ocean coast, conditions are sultry and tropical, with high humidity.

As a rule, Johannesburg and Cape Town (your main centres) are pretty similar in temperature: high

summer temperatures of 22 -28°C (72° - 82° F) and winter lows of 5 -10°C (41° - 50° F) that can go

down to zero in the evenings. Rain fall is highest in Johannesburg from November to February and in

Cape Town from May to August.

Weather in Cape Town

Weather in Johannesburg

Society and culture

The population of South Africa is more than 55 million. The vast majority of this population is African (nearly 80%), 10% are white and another 10% mixed race with the remainder being Asian or other nationalities. There are 11 official languages in South Africa – all equal under the law. The most widely spoken language is Zulu followed by Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele. South Africa’s history can be traced back to a number of the most primeval archaeological sites that were discovered there. There are strong presence of relics confirming the existence of various species such as the Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, and Homo Sapiens. The San (Bushman) and Bantu groups were also early inhabitants with a developed livelihood system. The arrival of the Portuguese in 1497 marked the beginning of South Africa’s written history. The Cape of Good Hope was discovered by Bartolomeu Dias after traveling the southernmost part of Africa. During the late 16th century, the English and Dutch began their expansion in most trading routes around South Africa. Slaves from Africa and Asia were imported to carry out the strenuous labour. An important part of the history of South Africa is the start of the Apartheid. In 1910 the Union of South Africa was created, which gave political control to the whites. This lead to resistance from the blacks in the form of strikes and political organisations were created. In 1948 non-whites were excluded from having any political or economic power and the security forces brutally enforced its laws. As a reaction to this a lot of violence started against any opposition or protest. The suppression of black resistance ranged from the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 and the shooting of school children in Soweto in 1976 and even the murder of political activists. One of the most important organisations to oppose the racist legislation was the African National Congress (ANC). In the early 1960’s, many ANC leaders were arrested, charged and imprisoned for an extended period of time. Nelson Mandela was probably the most famous figure. For 27 years he was imprisoned on Robben Island. After years of unrest the international community finally began to oppose the apartheid regime, and the UN imposed economic and political sanctions. After elections in 1989 the new president F W de Klerk proposed for dismantling the Apartheid system and introducing democracy, which lead to the freedom of the prisoners including Nelson Mandela on 11th of February 1990. This is also the year a peace accord was signed. Today South Africa is a mix of first and third world development in the major cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town. Despite its chequered history, one of the most overwhelming things you will notice in South Africa is how friendly the people are. The majority of South Africans are proud of their communities and their country. While vestiges of Apartheid and its terms still remain, racial discrimination is officially illegal.

Travel safety

Travelling in South Africa is basically trouble-free but you should still remember that you are in a new country and certainly not do anything that you wouldn’t do at home! Cape Town in particular is very different to the rest of South Africa; it’s a hip, cosmopolitan city with a relaxed attitude to almost everything. It has a very different feel to the rest of the country which is much more conservative. Here are some tips to avoid any unwanted trouble: Never carry anything you can’t afford to lose Don’t look like you may have valuables or a lot of cash. Expensive designer clothes can put you

as much at risk as flashing your wallet or jewellery about Don’t resist muggers Listen to the advice of the South Africa team and other locals on unsafe areas and general safety

tips Don’t leave your possessions lying around, as it only takes a minute for someone to walk past

and pick them up. Don’t leave your wallet on the table, your bag on the floor etc. South Africa (especially Johannesburg) does have a reputation for having high crime risks. Most

South Africans are very wary about crime and possession of personal guns is high. New initiatives in high risk areas, such as central Johannesburg, have reduced crime considerably but it is still a risk

Some of the most serious incidents overseas involve water. Always follow local swimming restrictions and warning, don’t swim at night, when drunk and avoid swimming alone. There can often be rip tides and strong currents that you are not used to at home so be cautious of getting out of your depth or going too far out

The South Peninsula area is very famous for the Great White Shark. Along the False Bay beach front there are flags to forewarn the public or (of) the beach maybe (being) closed off. Do not ignore this as it is of great importance. Do not enter the beach front if closed off

Transportation

In Cape Town you will commute to your project using public transportation (trains or multi-people taxis). Bus There are a few major bus companies (Greyhound, Translux) in South Africa that you can use for

travelling around the country. Another good option is Baz Bus which is a hop-on hop-off bus service on some of the most interesting routes (Cape Town to Durban via the Garden Route; Durban to Johannesburg via Swaziland; Durban to Johannesburg via the Drakensberg)

Mini bus (taxi) It can be tricky to work out where they are going and there is certain etiquette. If you are seated

near the door you will be expected to get out and open the door for departing passengers. If you are at the front near the driver you may be handed other passengers’ fares to pass on to the driver

Train The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) is the national rail operator. There are budget

passenger services between major South African cities (known as Shosholoza Meyl) as well as luxury services (known as Premier Class) between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban

Plane There are good and frequent connections between most cities with South African Airways

(national carrier). For international and domestic flights check www.flysaa.com For cheap no frill airlines visit www.kulula.com, www.1time.co.za or www.flymango.co.za

Places to visit Cape Town Table Mountain – for spectacular views over the city! Cape Point - at the tip of Table Mountain, known for its fauna and flora Robben Island – the island where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years of his life in prison V&A Waterfront – the place to be for shopping and entertainment Cape Town City Bowl – Cape Town is known for nightlife in the different restaurants, clubs and

bars Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – beautiful gardens on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

Kirtsenbosch Gardens was voted best Picnic Spot in the World Boulders Beach – this is where you can see penguins. There are 2 options; the first option is free

of charge from the car park. You can take the path down Willis walk. You will see the penguins among the vegetation along the path. The second option is to enter the Boulders National Coastal Park accessible to those with tickets or willing to pay an admission fee. Here you can see the Birds from specially designed board walks and platforms

False Bay – views of stunning scenery Western Cape Winelands - largest wine producing region in South Africa Garden Route (route 62) - popular and scenic stretch of the south-eastern coast - Longest Wine

Route in the World Cape Agulhas - official dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian oceans Klein and central Karoo (including Cango Wildlife Ranch) Cango Caves – spectacular dripstone caverns Gauteng/Johannesburg Pretoria Metro (the Jacaranda City) - lovely, quiet city with a fascinating history Soweto - most popular black urban and most metropolitan township area in South Africa Cradle of Humankind - limestone caves containing fossilised remains of ancient forms of plants

and animals Apartheid Museum – learn everything about the Apartheid and history of South Africa Limpopo Kruger National Park – largest and most famous game reserve in South Africa Multiple private game reserves The Waterberg Mountains – beautiful area with flora and fauna that hasn’t been overloaded

with tourists Olifants River – famous river flowing through South Africa Baobabs – see the Baobab tree that looks like it grows upside down!

Festivals and holidays There are various festivals and national holidays throughout the year normally this will mean your school will not be open on these days. There are also occasional holidays that occur unannounced and you should be aware that these can happen without warning. Cape Town

On the 1st and 2nd of January is Cape Town’s longest running annual street party the Cape Minstrel Carnival. It dates back to the early 1800s where slaves celebrated a day of freedom over the New Year period. The parade held on the 2nd is generally the highlight and runs through the city centre towards Green Point stadium. Around 13,000 people take part in the parade.

Kirstenbosch summer sunset concerts run from November through to the end of March.

If you’ve got an interest in Wildflowers, September is the month for you, with shows and festivals all over the Cape region. September also sees the annual whale festival in Hermanus, famous for being one of the spots to view whales from dry land.

December will see carols in Greenmarket Square, the switching on of Christmas lights and Cape Town’s Miss Surf Competition.

Johannesburg

September hosts the Arts Alive festival in Johannesburg. The festival has a strong cultural feel and it’s a great time to hear excellent music. There’s also the Jazz Festival in late September and the Gay Pride March held on the last Saturday of September.

Monte Casino hosts regular shows and events; Johannesburg houses the state theatre and has a busy and varied nightlife.

Public Holidays:

1 January New Year's Day 21 March Human Rights Day 22 March** Public holiday During March/April Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday) During March/April Family Day (Monday after Easter Sunday) 27 April Freedom Day 1 May Workers Day 16 June Youth Day 9 August National Women's Day 24 September Heritage Day 16 December Day of Reconciliation 25 December Christmas Day 26 December Day of Goodwill 27 December** Public holiday

** Whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following it shall be a public holiday.

Food and drink

South African cuisine is a mixture all sorts of influences; Dutch, French, Portuguese, Moroccan and Indian flavours can be found in South African dishes. Probably one of the famous things to do in South Africa is having a braai which means having a barbeque. Having a braai is so popular in South Africa that they even have a National Braai Day which is held every year on the 24th of September. Another traditional dish in the South African kitchen is potjiekos. Potjiekos is a traditional pot to make stew in and is a South African party favourite. Dried meat (biltong) and spicy sausages (usually made from beef or lamb called boerewors) is a feature of traditional Afrikaans cuisine. Boerewors is a dish that can’t be missed when having a braai. Below you’ll find a list with more traditional food;

Bobotie – Meatloaf with raisins and baked egg served with yellow rice and chutney

Chutney – A fruit sauce with a sweet taste added to meat dishes

Ostrich – Ostrich meat stewed, filleted or grilled

Potjiekos – African stew made in a cast-iron pot over hot coals

Mashonzha – Mompane worms

Koeksisters – Very sweet deep fried pastries

Milk tart – Milk based tart For travellers that would like to try something else and would like to go a bit further with their taste buds you should try Smiley. Smiley is the head of a cow, sheep or goat and has been scrubbed clean with a sharp tool to remove skin and other parts such as the ears and nose. The head is then boiled and allowed to simmer. This dish is a favourite with many South African men. One of the amusing things you’ll find when you are in South Africa is the “ladies portion” which can be found on a lot of menus. Normally a slightly smaller portion allowing us ladies to retain our figure!!! We suggest that male volunteers don’t order this as they will get some funny looks. Most of the familiar brands of soft drinks are readily available but you may find that local brands are cheaper than imported ones. South Africa is famous for some of the best wines in the world and they exported around 363 million of litres of wine in 2008! South Africans also love to drink beer, especially when having a braai (barbecues) or when watching cricket. Castle Lager (Black Label) is the most popular beer in South Africa. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink in most places but we do suggest that water out of a bottle is safer.

Language

South Africa has 11 official languages. Most people other than rural black Africans speak English, although not many as a first language. Only about 9% of the population speak English as a first language, although about 60% of the population can understand English. South African English is heavily influenced by Afrikaans. Afrikaans is also widely spoken, especially by the white and coloured population. Often Afrikaans is incorrectly called 'afrikan' or 'african' by foreigners. This isn’t correct as 'African' for a South African corresponds with the native-African languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi etc. Afrikaans has roots in 17th century Dutch dialects, so it can be understood by Dutch speakers. Other widely spoken languages are Zulu (mainly in KwaZulu-Natal - South Africa's largest single linguistic group) and Xhosa (mainly in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape), as well as Sotho and Venda.

Money

We recommend a mix of the options below when you are travelling… Cash

The local currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR)

It’s best to have cash in ZAR as other currencies are NOT accepted when payment is made. You can exchange some major foreign currency such as US dollars and British pounds at a bank or foreign exchange bureau (for which your passport is needed)

Bank/credit cards

Before leaving it’s best to check with your bank as to whether your card is accepted in South Africa (and whether there are charges). It is best not to rely solely on credit cards since power shortages can happen

ATM’s are readily available in major cities and towns

Credit cards are accepted widely especially VISA and MasterCard

Be sure to tell your bank of your travel plans before leaving your home country. Using a card overseas can sometimes cause them to freeze your account if they don’t know you’re away

Travel money cards/ cash passport

Cash Passport is a prepaid travel money card available in different currencies (GBP, EUR, USD, NZD, AUD, CAD etc.). You can nominate one of the listed currencies e.g. US$ which will allow you to withdraw local currency at over 1 million VISA ATMs. This card is not linked to your bank account which means it is much safer!

For more details check out: www.cashpassport.com or ask your bank or post office if they have a similar product

Budgeting

Day to day Budgeting is a very individual thing and can vary from person to person. We have given an indication prices in South Africa for everyday items. This will help you figure out how much you should budget for your daily costs.

Beverages South African Rand

1/1.5 lt of water 15

Can of soft drink (e.g. coke/fanta) 8

Local beer 15

Glass of (local) rum/vodka & cola 35

Food

Breakfast 30 – 70

Lunch 50 – 120

Dinner 50 – 150

Snacks

Snack bar (e.g. Mars/Snickers) 10

Plain biscuits (no chocolate) 10

Internet (per hour) 20 - 30

Transport

Train 12 for return from Fish Hoek – Cape Town and 200 for monthly ticket

Taxi 10 per km.

Bus/ mini bus 7 (one way)

Tipping Tipping is customary in South Africa but not compulsory It is normal to give waiters and waitresses in a restaurant around 10 – 15% of the bill. On

safari, drivers, guides and cooks often rely heavily on tips to get by. US$3 per employee per day is a good guideline

Contact details

If you have any questions we’re here to help in the UK before you head out to South Africa so please use us!

You can reach us on +44 (0)113 829 3300 (01 4434755 from Ireland)

You can email us at support@lovetefl.com.

You can also call us on Skype by clicking on the Skype icon on our website

www.lovetefl.com.

Enjoy South Africa! The LoveTEFL team