What woolen items are sold in South Africa. Russian manicure, techno and a lot of meat: what South Africans love

National mentality

South Africa is famous for the endless facets of its culture and the diversity of traditions associated with the intersection of customs of many peoples inhabiting the country.

South Africans attach extremely great importance to family; it is a cult. At the same time, the understanding of family varies from the nuclear family (only parents and children) to the tribal union as the main form of society. Polygamy (polygamy) is officially and traditionally allowed in the country; a ransom of cows is required for the bride. Girls can get married at a young age, starting from 13-14 years old. According to tradition, permission to marry is given by the chief of the tribe. The main bearer of strength and power in the family is the man. The worship of a male deity is one of the most powerful cults of Africans.

Also, the indigenous people, no matter what beliefs they belong to, believe in the transmigration of souls and the presence of supernatural natural forces, and have a lot of taboos. It is also common to believe in tales and legends. Thus, many do not eat fish and seafood, because, according to legend, the water is dangerous and inhabited by underwater inhabitants.

South Africa famous for the contrasts of his life. This is clearly expressed in the difference between rural and urban views of the world. Village residents tend to honor the traditions of their ancestors, take care of their family, and they have a rather narrow vision of reality. City dwellers value success and material values ​​(this is especially true for residents of Johannesburg). In Cape Town, family ties are more important, although social status it is also important to deserve it.

The atmosphere in South Africa is quite relaxed, there are few strict rules regarding clothing, appearance or formalities of behavior. Ha A typical feature of South Africans is punctuality; being late is regarded as disrespect and bad manners.

Traditional dwellings of the peoples of South Africa When talking about the traditions of South Africa, we should talk about customs and rituals based on traditional beliefs indigenous South African tribes, who, despite the continuous mixing and unification of different peoples of Africa and along with the constant suppression of traditional cultures during the long years of apartheid, managed to maintain their traditional culture in the inhabited regions.
Officially, there are only nine indigenous peoples in South Africa, but if you count all the representatives of the aborigines, you get several dozen. But the main, brightest and most numerous peoples are the Zulu, Xhosa and Bantu.

Basic type rural settlement of the indigenous peoples of South Africa - a kraal with collapsible huts placed in a circle, forming an area inside that serves as a corral for livestock. Next to the huts there are granaries - pits or huge domed baskets on scaffolds.

Despite the diversity of beliefs among the indigenous peoples of South Africa, they are based on many taboos and belief in higher powers of nature. Power and control are concentrated in the hands of men. And the strongest cult is belief in a male deity, as well as in the transmigration of spirits and supernatural forces. There is no good or evil in black faith. There is no hell and heaven. There is life and there is death. There is also no religious hierarchy, high priests or heads of clergy. This role is played by people in each tribe - shamans, healers, elders, even the leader himself. Special traditions accompany marriage and funeral rites, since all religious groups have strong traditions of marriage and family - all tribes are united in this.

Polygamy is traditionally permitted and the number of wives is limited financial condition. For each wife, a ransom (lobola) must be paid - in cows. The average size of a lobola is ten to twelve cows. The quantity is negotiated during matchmaking by the families of the newlyweds. Girls can marry at a young age, usually 13-14 years old, but traditionally the chief gives permission to marry. To a young man Before you get married, you need to become a man. To do this, he must undergo a ritual of initiation, dedication. This usually happens at the age of 15, the time is set by the leader. Several young people are dedicated to this day. First of all, they are separated from the tribe, settling in wild places. There, the elder who will conduct the initiation tells them what the future man needs to know. Traditionally, during this period they live on a semi-starvation diet and are expected to act bravely. In some tribes this could be a hunt for wild animals, or an act of bravery.

Young people spend several days in this solitude. On the day before the ceremony, guests come to them, sing traditional songs, and young men perform various dances. The next morning the boys are led to a river or lake, where they perform a ritual bath. Afterwards, in the presence of relatives and guests, the young people are lined up and the head of the ceremony calls them one by one for circumcision, which is performed sharp knife, without sterilization or anesthesia. A young man must endure pain without crying out, after which he becomes a man. The cut skin must be buried at night to evil spirits she was not found. This ritual symbolizes farewell to boyhood.
Immediately after circumcision, certain herbs are applied to the wound, after which the guys are returned to the huts, where they make a fire from wet logs, believing that the smoke will help recovery. There they are coated with white clay, a symbol of purity. Their skin remains in this white clay until it completely recovers after circumcision, a couple of days. Then new man goes to the river and washes off the white paint, after which he is coated in red clay. Sometimes traditions involve the first night with a girl who later becomes his wife. She must erase new paint from the young man's body with his body. And then - a huge feast, dancing, songs, stories, toasts.

Local tribes believe very strongly in stories and legends. According to one of them, underwater inhabitants living at the bottom of reservoirs and rivers drag people under water and make them their slaves forever. Very few manage to escape from this slavery. Therefore, natives approach water with caution. They practically do not eat fish and fish products.
Almost everyone believes in Tokolosh, the pot-bellied brownie. He hides in corners and steals girls. From this point on, houses were traditionally built with round walls, without corners.

Each tribe also has a sangoma - a medicine man and a shaman who is responsible for herbs and healing ailments. The shaman monitors the well-being of the tribe, as the right hand of the leader. Once upon a time, leaders used shamans to eliminate unwanted tribesmen. If things went badly in the tribe, they looked for the culprit. It was a sniffing ritual. The whole tribe lined up in the kraal, and after a long dance the shaman fell into a trance, then sniffed each person standing in turn. In the end, he found a villain whom the tribe killed. Usually the villain turned out to be a person disliked by the leader. Killing after the sniffing ritual was perceived as a human sacrifice. In fact, this was partly the case. Cannibalism existed at the ritual level. During the battle, the warrior could cut the chest of the struck enemy and bite off part of the heart. At the same time, the strength and courage of the killed person passed into the winner. They began to bury the dead only in late XVIII century. Before this, they simply threw the body out to be eaten by animals.

Behavior rules

Since in South Africa many traditions and customs intersect different nations, The best way take the right line of behavior - observe behavior local residents and be careful in your movements and words.

The clothing chosen by the visitor must be appropriate to the situation. You can opt for sneakers and shorts when going on a picnic or other informal event. In business communication, men wear a tie and suit, women wear business clothes, but beautiful dresses, costumes.

When meeting, men exchange a normal handshake, and women, as a rule, kiss each other on the cheek.

When visiting the home of a local resident, the invitee brings with him a small gift - wine or a bouquet of flowers. You can choose any flowers, although carnations are sometimes associated with funeral associations. Cigarettes, whiskey, and souvenirs with symbols of the tourist’s homeland are also good options. There is no need to try to buy the most expensive gift possible, no more than $50.

If the visitor himself received the gift, then it should be unpacked right away and accepted either with both hands or only with the right one. It is not customary to leave uneaten food on the table. The guest's complete satiety is demonstrated by the position of the fork and knife next to the plate, and the crossed fork and knife are a sign of an unfinished meal.

There is no need to try to sunbathe completely naked if you are not on a special nudist beach; this can cause an acute negative reaction. We should not forget about correctness towards representatives of different races. Thus, Afrikaners are very offended when they are called “Dutch” and their language “kitchen Dutch”.

Special rules apply to golf clubs common in South Africa. Playing in jeans is not acceptable, suitable clothing is required. You should definitely visit the club bar “halfway house” and have a sandwich, thereby showing solidarity with other players.

National holidays of South Africa

• 1st of January - New Year;
• March 21 - Human Rights Day (Sharpeville Day);
• April 13 - Good Friday;
• April 16 - Family Day;
• April 27 - Constitution Day;
• May 1 - Workers' Day;
• June 16 - Youth Day;
• August 9 - National Women's Day;
• September 24 - Population Day;
• December 16 - Day of Reconciliation;
• December 25 - Christmas;
• December 26 is Thanksgiving Day.

Required telephone numbers in South Africa

• Police: 10111
• Ambulance: 10177
• Rescue Service: 122 (from mobile phone)
• Africa Travel provides all travelers with 24-hour support.
• Phone: +2772 403 2002 Elena, +2779 383 12 46
• Consulate Russian Federation in Cape Town: 2nd Fl, Southern Life Centre, 8 Riebeeck Street, Cape Town; tel.: (021) 418-3656, fax: 419-2651
• Consulate of the Russian Federation in Pretoria: 121 Bourke Str, Pretoria; tel.: (021) 344-4820, fax: 343-8636

The country has a developed modern telecommunications network. Most payphones accept payment cards with denominations from 10 to 200 ZAR (green machines), but in some areas there are also machines that operate on 2 ZAR coins. Telephone cards are sold at post offices and most large stores.

Geographical position

In the north it borders with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, in the northeast with Mozambique and Swaziland. The state of Lesotho is located within the territory of South Africa. South Africa is washed by the Atlantic Ocean from the west and the Indian Ocean from the east. The capital of South Africa is Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial).

Climate

Cape Town and the South Coast of the Cape have a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot summers and mild to cool winters. This is where the most precipitation falls. Elsewhere in South Africa, most of the rain will fall from June to August.

Many areas of the interior of the country can be very hot in summer, especially in the Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Winter days inland are cool, but night temperatures can drop below 0°C. The coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal is very humid in summer.

Time

South Africa time is 1 hour behind Moscow and corresponds to the time in Kyiv.

Languages

In South Africa 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho (Pedi), Siswati, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. English is widely spoken and almost all signs are in English. But sometimes signs are made in other languages, including Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa.

Tips

Tipping is common in South Africa. In restaurants - 10% of the bill, drivers of excursion buses - 50-100 rand, guides on excursions (from 200 ZAR), etc.

Currency

The official currency is the South African rand. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 10, 20, 50 cents, 1, 2 and 5 rand and banknotes of 10, 50, 100 and 200 rand. 1 rand is approximately equal to 5 rubles. Banks throughout the country can carry out any financial transactions. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:30, on Saturday from 8:30 to 11:00. ATMs are available in most cities and provide 24-hour service. Most hotels have exchange offices, but exchanging money there is not profitable: the exchange rate is usually too high and a commission fee is charged. Credit cards are accepted for everything except gasoline. Most large stores, hotels and restaurants accept plastic cards Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, American Express.

Electricity

Household voltage is 220/230 volts, 50 hertz. Two-pin Euro sockets are suitable for plug sockets. Adapters can be purchased in stores in large cities.

The South African lifestyle can be described as casual. In summer, many people wear shorts, regular shirts and sandals, especially on the coast and in nature reserves. Dress when visiting good restaurants is more formal, but jackets and ties are not necessary.

The sun in Africa is more active, so you need to take sunscreen, sunglasses and a summer hat with you. For safari it is good to have field binoculars (although these are usually provided on safari).

Customs

In the arrivals hall in South Africa, after receiving your luggage, you must go through customs control. To do this, fill out a declaration in English, which indicates the amount of available currency, jewelry and other valuables.

To clear customs in South Africa, there is a system of two corridors – “green” and “red”. The “green” corridor is used only if the number of things you are carrying does not exceed the permitted amount, and also if there are no goods for commercial purposes. If the number of things and goods exceeds the norm, you will have to go along the “red” corridor and, possibly, pay a fee.

You can import duty-free into South Africa: cigarettes - 400 pcs., cigars - 50 pcs., cigarette or pipe tobacco - 250 g., wine - 2 l., other alcoholic drinks - 1 l., perfume - 50 ml., gifts, souvenirs and other goods worth R500 (about US$100).

Persons under 18 years of age are not allowed to transport tobacco or alcohol. You cannot import vegetables and fruits. When imported, weapons, antiques and art are subject to mandatory customs control. Rough diamonds cannot be exported from South Africa. explosives, ammunition, narcotic drugs (in any form). If the value of imported items exceeds 10,000 South African rand, a duty of 20% of the total amount will be charged.

You can bring an unlimited amount of foreign currency into South Africa, including in traveler's checks and credit cards.

The import of local currency is limited to no more than R500 per person. This corresponds to the amount that can be carried when leaving South Africa. In case you want to carry a large amount, You must obtain permission from the South African Reserve Bank (The South African Reserve Bank, P.O. Box 427 Pretoria 0001).

Foreigners leaving South Africa can receive the sales tax (Value Added Tax - VAT) they paid at the point of departure if the value of the items purchased exceeds R250. In order to receive a refund, you must receive proof of payment for items purchased during your stay in the country. VAT is 14% and is charged on most goods and services. For the refund procedure, you must have a valid passport, required document forms and cash receipts.

Health information

It is advisable to take a first aid kit with you on your trip, which will include: a painkiller, an antipyretic, an acid neutralizer (for the stomach), a remedy for allergies and intestinal problems. It’s also good if your first aid kit contains a bandage, antiseptic, scissors, tweezers, thermometer, lip balm, and sunscreen.

To enter South Africa, a citizen of the Russian Federation and Ukraine does not need an international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever or other diseases. In most tourist areas, malaria does not occur, so you can simply forget about it. However, in the area National Park Kruger, Mpumalanga, Limpopo River and northern KwaZulu-Natal summer months There is a definite risk of malaria, so it is recommended to take preventive measures (tablets taken at the traveler's discretion) and use repellents.

Safety

South Africa has a high crime rate, especially in Johannesburg. Therefore, walking around the city alone is not advisable, especially in the dark.

As with everyone, be careful about HIV infection and take normal precautions. AIDS is widespread in African countries oh, and South Africa is no exception.

Unlike many African countries, in South Africa you can safely drink tap water. In some areas, the water is rich in minerals, so you may experience some discomfort in the first days while you get used to it. However, drinking water directly from rivers and streams may be unsafe, especially if they flow close to settlements. Moreover, the water in mountain springs is usually absolutely clean.

At a hotel, do not allow persons who are not hotel employees to take care of your luggage. Store documents, money and valuables, including passports and airline tickets, in your hotel safe.

On the street

• Carry a map and plan your movements before heading out into the city
• Check with your hotel, nearby visitor center or Hello Africa staff. about reliable taxi operators
• When crossing the street, use pedestrian crossings, where possible and be careful. Look right, left and right again before crossing the street. Remember that in South Africa you drive on the left.
• Please do not give money to street children and beggars. If you want to help them, contact any tourist center.

On the beach

• Swim in areas supervised by lifeguards
• Never swim alone.
• Do not dive in unknown places. What seems deep may turn out to be shallow. Safety first.
• Solar radiation in South Africa is very strong. Protect your skin with a cream or lotion with a protection factor of at least 20. Try to avoid being in the sun during the most dangerous time, from 11:00 to 15:00.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, even if you don't feel thirsty. Your body needs water to cool it and replace salts lost through sweat.

Automobile

Remember: in South Africa you drive on the left!

If you rented a car, follow the rules:

• never leave the car with things even for a very short time;
• never get out of a car with the engine running, even if you only need to ask for directions;
• always carry your car keys with you;
• car thieves mainly hunt for car radios, cameras, video cameras, so try to remove them from sight when leaving the car in the parking lot;
• If, while driving in the car, someone asks you to stop, do not do so until you reach the “Service Area” (Area de Servicios)

The Republic of South Africa is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa. This is the most developed state on the continent, the only one included in the G20. The country is the southernmost on the mainland. South Africa has a population of 48 million people. One of the most important moments in the country's history was the apartheid regime, which existed in the second half of the 20th century.

Today the country is often called “Rainbow”. This term was also supported by the famous activist Nelson Mandela. Today there are many rumors about this country and its life after the fall of the apartheid regime. It’s time to debunk the most common stereotypes by looking at them without any bias.

Only black people live in South Africa. It is no coincidence that the country is called “rainbow”. If only blacks lived here, who would implement the apartheid policy? 80% of the country's population has dark skin. But even among blacks there are many different cultural groups. And there are 11 official languages ​​in South Africa!

South Africa is a wild country. Sometimes it seems that in this African country animals walk right through the streets. Living inside a zoo would be an exciting adventure, but don't underestimate South Africa. Wild animals live in established zoos. This is better for them and for people. Stands out National Park Kruger, one of the largest reserves in Africa with an area of ​​19,500 sq. km, is home to 800 species of animals.

People in South Africa wear the traditional clothes of their tribes. To save national history and the origins of the tribes there are museums and literature. They are the ones who are able to preserve the identity of peoples in the era of globalization. In South Africa, old customs and traditions are respected. During the festivals, actors perform in national costumes, dancing tribal dances. But after that they pick up Cell phones, get into their cars and return to civilized life. It is worth understanding that national clothes are good for attracting tourists, but are completely unsuitable for civilized life in the city.

In South Africa everyone knows each other. Today South Africa is not one big tribe where everyone knows each other. The country has a population of almost 50 million people, and it has been growing by almost a million people a year.

In South Africa everyone lives in huts. The country boasts beautiful architecture, ranging from houses in victorian style and ending with modern stadiums built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Soccer Coty Arena in Johannesburg is the largest not only in the country, but on the entire continent. Nelson Mandela gave his speech here after his release from prison, and his speech was also held there. memorial service. In the very big city country, Johannesburg, is home to more than 4 million people, it even has its own skyscrapers.

People in South Africa get their food by hunting. There is indeed a hunt for food here, but this happens as part of relaxation and pleasure, and not out of necessity. Hunting together is considered an excellent pastime for fathers and their children, strengthening family bonds. And people buy meat in regular stores, just like us. Fashionable world ideas are spreading in South Africa. There are both hipsters and hippies here. Many of them adhere to the traditions of vegetarianism and veganism, which generally does not fit well with hunting.

Everyone in South Africa has AIDS. The problem is serious for the country, but all citizens should not be considered sick. South Africa has one of the most high interest rates AIDS diseases in the world. Many became infected through the community of people working in the mines. Miners spend months at a time away from their families, earning minimum wage. They often become infected with AIDS through extramarital sex. And when they return home, the virus is passed on to their wives. The context of the disease must also be taken into account. When traveling through poor areas, you can meet many people living with HIV. But in rich areas there is practically no such problem. Similarly, slums have higher rates of crime and drug addiction.

Slavery still exists in South Africa. Slavery was abolished in the country in 1834. Today, even wages below a certain minimum level are considered a criminal offense. Employers are required to comply with statutory conditions of employment.

There is no electricity in the country. And although in South Africa it is common to complain about the utility electricity company Eskom for its poor service and constant interruptions in service, electricity is still produced in the required volume. Without him, the country could not have become the most developed on the continent. South Africa even has its own nuclear power plant with two power units.

It's always sunny in South Africa. The words “Africa” and “South” themselves evoke the idea of ​​a constant sun. In fact, it is not always hot in South Africa. Winters here, of course, cannot be compared with European ones. But there is snow in the mountains, there are storms and cold showers, thunder and floods. Moreover, a series of bad weather can occur within one day. It sometimes seems that even meteorologists cannot predict the future weather. And the lowest temperature in South Africa -18°C was recorded in the Eastern Cape.

Everyone in South Africa is poor. Don't think that all local children are waiting to be adopted by Angelina Jolie. For the country, poverty is a real problem, but it is a global problem for the entire continent. The nation positions itself as progressive and willing to take its rightful place in the world community. This is achieved by building international relations, business. South Africa does not want to appear on the map as a place where lions and hungry people live. And although the country is still classified as developing, it is no longer considered the Third World. South Africa's GDP is 26th in the world, and in terms of purchasing power parity the republic is among the first 80 countries.

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, the white population has halved. It is believed that at the time the policy of racial segregation was abolished, the country was about 20% white. Actually, approximately the same ratio existed at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the actual number of white people at the time of the fall of apartheid is estimated at 5.2-5.5 million people. At that time this represented about 10.5% of the country's population. Today the country is just over 9% white. The number of white people as a percentage was halved, but over the entire previous century, not just a couple last decades. This decline in white numbers can be explained by simple demographics. Black families are having more children while white birth rates are falling. And during the census, statistics became more accurate, which made it possible to better calculate the number of black citizens. The smallest number of white people in South Africa was by 2002. By that time, about a million people of this race had left the country since 1994. This is a lot, but it can’t even be half of it. Moreover, since 2002, the number of white people in the country has been growing by about 200 thousand people per year.

Land reform forces blacks to give land for next to nothing. According to this myth, white farmers are even killed with the tacit connivance of the authorities. But the country has no laws on the forced seizure of land and its transfer to citizens of a different race. Here, unlike Zimbabwe, the land was not divided into small plots. Left parties constantly propose to do this, but changing the Constitution is not so easy. But the fundamental law guarantees the safety private property for all citizens of the country, regardless of skin color. We can say that farmers sell their plots themselves, because the risks in this business are quite high. Only large farms can survive. Murders of Boers happen more often than they might otherwise. But the government does not encourage such persecution of white farmers. Crime is simply not easy to deal with. As a result, those farmers who survive are those who are also able to maintain armed guards. Today every tenth a white man in the country is the owner land plot cultivating it.

Businesses are required to hire black employees. The country has a set of regulations on this topic, collectively called BBBEE. This set of laws defines the hiring practices of black citizens. However, companies are not required to hire a black employee if a more qualified white employee is applying for the position. Companies will not face any fines for this. There is also no ban on white people working. WWBEE has several levels of assessment. The company receives points for fair hiring and compliance with the principles of the law. This is why “white” companies cooperate with “black” companies. Many points are devoted to management personnel, and the provision of leadership positions to black women is especially encouraged. You can hire any employees, but if we're talking about about government contracts, the BBBEE rating is the first thing to pay attention to. There are no penalties for low ratings.

In South Africa, white people live in ghettos. It is believed that after the abolition of apartheid, white people themselves became the object of persecution, almost moving into the ghetto. In South Africa indeed high level crime. Here, in front of houses, even in elite neighborhoods, there are often two-meter fences with bars. But it's just rich people who live there. It is wealth that allows them to isolate themselves from outside world, not skin color. For countries in times of change, high crime is a contributing factor. Such neighborhoods cannot be considered ghettos.

Died during apartheid less people than during the subsequent period of democratic reforms. Right-wing parties are distributing a poster stating that from 1948 to 1989, only 7 thousand people died in the country, and from 1994 to 2013 - more than 320 thousand. The logical question is asked - was apartheid so bad? However, here we are talking about forgery and manipulation. The number of victims recognized by the apartheid regime compares with total number murders in South Africa over the following years. We do not demand the abolition of cars on the grounds that before their invention, no one died in car accidents. The apartheid policy is a thing of the past; the country faces new challenges. Among them is a high crime rate.

South Africa has nuclear weapons. South Africa went down in history as the first country to voluntarily abandon nuclear weapons. Its development began back in the 1970s, together with Israel. And in 1979, the first nuclear weapons test took place on Bouvet Island. In total, by 1990, South Africa had created 6 charges, and an inter-ballistic missile was being developed. However, after the decision was made to abandon the apartheid policy, the authorities voluntarily curtailed the development of nuclear weapons. An IAEA inspection in 1994 confirmed that South Africa no longer had charges of this class.

South Africa doesn't like immigrants. The issue of immigration has proven to be a sore point for the country. In 2003, President Thabo Mbeki even subpoenaed his own home affairs minister to resolve controversial provisions that prevented immigration. These norms helped to attract big business and foreign specialists. But for poor immigrants, small traders and people who came in search of work, they had the opposite effect. As a result, thousands of people found themselves in limbo, which the criminals did not fail to take advantage of. Law enforcement could arbitrarily search and arrest foreign citizens. The new norms, although they work poorly due to bureaucracy, have eased the situation.

South Africa is overloaded with foreigners. This point of view can be viewed from different angles, depending on political beliefs. In 1998, the Foreign Office claimed there were up to five million illegal immigrants in the country. This figure for a long time used by policy makers and researchers. Officially, there are from 500 thousand to 1 million immigrants in South Africa. The Migration Research Program puts the number at 1.6-2 million people. In any case, this is 3-4% of the total population of the country. For the USA the ratio is 11%, and for the UAE it is generally 80%.

The cause of crime in South Africa is total poverty. Research has shown that crime should not be directly linked to poverty. Many are really trying to improve their lives by hunting businessmen, officials and other bandits. But the problem is also political. There is a struggle for power in places where the rule of law is not always respected. The most vulnerable are foreigners who do not know local realities. It is no coincidence that the approach of elections is accompanied by an outbreak of violence.

High unemployment in South Africa is due to immigrants competing with locals for limited resources. Residents of the country often criticize newcomers for taking their jobs. Officially, unemployment in the country is 24%, but there are reasons for this. Since the end of apartheid, the transfer of culture, knowledge and power has gone poorly. The discontent of the people spilled out onto strangers. There is a connection between unemployment and the inability to create a traditional family - only 30% of adult citizens live in marriage. In fact, foreign entry into the South African labor market creates new opportunities through entrepreneurial energy. Immigration improves the structure of the economy and its size, creating new jobs. And 96% of the country’s working population is local.

Immigrants are a source of crime. It is popular to accuse visitors of committing crimes. Feedback because it's hard to get. However, social reintegration services for offenders have found that only 4% of prisoners in the country's prisons are foreigners. The document states that of the prisoners, 79% are black, 2% are white and 18% are people of color. So the government of the country needs to look for the roots of the problem inside, and not outside.

Immigrants do not share trade skills by isolating themselves. In response to xenophobic attacks on foreign businessmen in Johannesburg, the Minister for Small Business Development defended his government by saying that traders were to blame. They must understand the need to communicate and share their secrets with local competitors. However, it is a misconception that foreigners have any inherent advantages. Immigrants are forced to be more entrepreneurial if they want to survive and achieve something. The policy of protectionism will only hinder them in this, limiting the development of the entire country. And attacks in South Africa are not aimed at isolated and closed groups, but on individually scattered foreigners. So, in 2008, 62 people were killed during the riots! This forces immigrants to stay close to each other to resist looters.

There is no problem of xenophobia in AJR. After criticism from other African countries, South African authorities said that such a problem does not exist in the country. However, studies on southern African migration conducted from 1990 to 2009 revealed an unpleasant fact. Although multinational corporations operate throughout the continent, it is in South Africa that people from other countries are treated worst. Local residents openly dislike visitors, believing that they are in the country illegally and are taking other people’s jobs. A study was also conducted after the 2008 pogroms. It turns out that in South Africa there are levels of intolerance and hostility towards outsiders that are found in few other places in the world. This is surprising, because foreigners come here to help fight AIDS and improve electrification. Volunteers come without their families to help the country. Behind last years the situation softened somewhat, but was not resolved. The authorities were recommended to actively pursue xenophobes, conduct an information and political campaign, and inform the population through the media. Otherwise, pogroms may be repeated.

But the most pleasant store in all respects was at the factory http://www.jewelafrica.com/

There you can separately select any diamond and it will be inserted into any ring, earrings, etc.

A beautiful Russian girl, Natasha, also works there. She talks about the shapes of diamonds, processing methods and much more interesting things.

A very beautiful and rare tanzanite stone is sold in South Africa. It is very unusual in color - it shimmers from blue to purple. The price is about the same as a diamond.

Cape Town is full of different stores, but there are only two major malls: Canal Walk and V&A Waterfront.

Canal Walk is a huge shopping complex. Here are some of the stores I remember:

Department stores Edgars, Woolworths (very reminiscent of Stockmann), Ackermans. They sell everything from groceries, household goods to jewelry and cosmetics.

Waterfront at sunset

If the previous store was something like our “European” store, then this one looks like GUM in terms of its selection of brands. There are MaxMara, Gerar Darel, Armani, LuiVuitton, Burberry, Jimmy Choo and other quality brands. It’s strange, but in South Africa prices are lower than here. Also because of the difference in seasons (we have autumn, they have spring) you can get on sale. I bought a coat at Gerard Darel with a 50% discount (in a Moscow boutique there is a jacket for the same amount).

Also be sure to visit the magnificent bookstore Exclusive Books. We regretted that we didn’t go there on the first day - it was full of all sorts of maps, guides, and albums about the country. And all the books are in English, with good quality printing!!! Fantastic place! I lose my composure in two stores - books and cosmetics... A friend recommended me an extraordinary book “Tippi My book of Africa”. An album with a photo of a little girl Tippy, born in Africa. Her parents, French photographers, photographed her surrounded by wild animals against the backdrop of picturesque African nature. This book would make a wonderful gift!

Let's not forget the most important thing - VAT Refund. Everything is very simple here, much simpler than in Europe. Collects ALL checks for ANY amounts where tax is allocated and before checking in for departure, go to the counter (in the international terminal on the floor of the check-in counters on the left), give the checks, show them things if they ask, then stuff them into suitcases and check them in as luggage.

After that, you go to the “Ocean Bascet” to finally get a kick out of oysters, king prawns and other nasty things. I’ll write about African cuisine separately.

South African mentality

South Africa has always been famous for the versatility of its culture, as well as the diversity of customs and foundations associated with the frequent overlap of traditions of the many nationalities inhabiting this country.

Local residents attach truly great importance to family and kinship relationships; they are considered a cult principle. At the same time, the father-child relationship and the tribal union, as one of the fundamental forms of society, are viewed differently.

Polygamy is officially recognized in the country; the groom must pay a ransom to the bride's parents. Such compensation is given in cows. It is customary to give girls in marriage to young age- from the age of thirteen. In this case, only the leader of the tribe must allow the marriage; parental consent is not required.

Absolute patriarchy

Only the man is responsible for all decisions in the family. One of the main cults among Africans is the worship of a common male deity.

Whatever directions of faith the local residents belong to, it can be traced common feature: They all believe in the presence of powerful supernatural forces of nature and the transmigration of souls. It is believed that local tales and legends have true roots, many connections with this, considering dangerous water and its inhabitants do not eat fish or any seafood.

Life in South Africa is quite contrasting

This is most clearly expressed in the difference in how urban and rural residents see the world. The inhabitants of the village rely and rely on traditions in everything, they honor them; they see reality rather narrowly. The most important thing for them is taking care of their family. City dwellers are open-minded and value material possessions and social status above all else. This is especially true for residents of Johannesburg.

South Africa has a very relaxed atmosphere and there are no set rules regarding dress, behavior or appearance. Punctuality is main feature Aboriginals. Being late here is considered bad manners and is equated with bad manners and disrespect.

Population

South Africa has a population of almost fifty million people. Classify people by race and nationality. Almost eighty percent of the country is inhabited by Africans. The main nationalities living are Sotho, Zulus, Shangaan, Bushmen, Tsonga, Xhosa, Tswana and some others.

South Africa is different from other African countries big amount resident Europeans, who are mainly located in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Another is enough large group are the Chinese and Indians, who live mainly in coastal areas southern part of the country.

One of the main problems in this moment for South Africa is high mortality rate population due to disease and increased crime rates, and as a result, mass emigration of the white population. A fairly large number of immigrants from neighboring countries constantly enter the country.

The life expectancy of the average African has increased significantly over the past few years and is now 49 years. As we can see, this is very little. It’s quite strange, but women’s lives here, unlike other countries, are shorter than men’s. Language.

The country has 11 official languages. This is due to the multinationality of its population. However, Afrikaans can be recognized as the leading language; its ancestor was Dutch and English. The natives also speak the Bantu dialect. Very often local residents speak several languages, so tourists who speak English language There should be no communication problems.

Religion

Basically, such a religion as Christianity is widespread among the population. There are also few Muslims and Hindus in the state, and very few Jews. A significant part of the population quite rightly considers themselves atheists. Some Africans worship natural forces; these beliefs have a whole list of taboos that must be strictly adhered to. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the government is loyal to any type of religion and in no way interferes in the affairs of the church.

Behavior

As you remember, South Africa is a multinational country, therefore general tips It's quite difficult to give here. When arriving in a new place, it is best to first observe how the natives behave, and only then adapt to them. It is advisable not to get into trouble at the first moment, but to take a wait-and-see attitude.

The clothing worn by the tourist must be adequate according to the situation. If you wear shorts and a T-shirt, then this is a picnic or excursion, but if the purpose of your trip is a business meeting, then men wear a suit and tie, women wear a strict but elegant suit or dress.

When meeting, men shake hands and women kiss each other on the cheeks. When you go to visit, it is customary to take a small nice gift with you - it could be flowers for the hostess of the house or wine. You can also present something from the tourist’s homeland or cigarettes. The value of your gift should not exceed fifty dollars.

If the owners of the house decide to surprise a visitor, then it must be unpacked immediately. It should be taken either right hand, or both, in no case with the left. Do not leave anything half-eaten - this is a sign of bad taste. If you are full, then you can show this to the lady of the house by placing the cutlery next to the plate. If you want to continue the meal, then place the knife and fork crossed.

It is not customary to sunbathe naked on public beaches. There are specially designated places for this. Be careful, the reaction of local residents can be very sharp, negative and unpredictable. Be correct and loyal in your behavior to all nationalities. Afrikaners get quite offended when someone calls them “Dutch”.

Golf clubs in South Africa have their own special rules. For example, it is permissible to play only in special clothing; jeans are under no circumstances allowed here. You should also definitely visit the bar in the club and have a sandwich there, as if you were showing commonality with other players.

Approved holidays in South Africa

Just like all over the world, Africans celebrate the New Year on January 1st. Next holiday for them it is Human Rights Day, which falls on March 21. On April 13, Good Friday is designated as a separate celebration, on the 16th - Family Day, and on the 27th, Constitution Day. On May 1, as in Russia, – “Peace. Work. May." - Workers' Day. June 16th - Youth Day. They celebrate Women's Day on August 9th. And then September 24 is Population Day, December 16 is Reconciliation Day, Christmas is on the 25th and Thanksgiving is on the 26th. As you can see, there are not so many holidays, apparently Africans are hardworking people.