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Bringing South Africa's most important news to the world in 50 languages

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Bringing South Africa's most important news to the world in 50 languages

South Africa's Week, Explained in 5 Minutes

Every week we gather South Africa's most important stories across politics, the economy, mining and energy, culture, sport and travel, and put them in context. There is no race for breaking news here. You get a clear timeline, the background you need and facts cross-checked across several outlets.

Our first stories are on the way.

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South Africa GuideEssential facts, not news

Country basics

Capitals
Pretoria (executive) · Cape Town (legislative) · Bloemfontein (judicial)
Population
About 63 million
Area
About 1.22 million km²
Languages · Script
12 official languages, incl. English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans and South African Sign Language · Latin alphabet
More (2)
Currency
Rand (ZAR, R)
Time zone
UTC+2 (SAST) · No daylight saving

Emergency & help lines

Police (SAPS)
10111
Ambulance · Fire
10177
Emergency from a mobile phone
112
Gender-based violence helpline
0800 428 428 (24 hours)

Traveler essentials

Country code
+27
Voltage · Plug
230V 50Hz · Type M, N and C
Driving side
Left-hand traffic
Major cities
Johannesburg · Cape Town · Durban · Pretoria · Gqeberha · Bloemfontein · East London · Polokwane

Public holidays

Jan 1
New Year's Day
Mar 21
Human Rights Day
Friday before Easter
Good Friday
Monday after Easter
Family Day
More (9)
Apr 27
Freedom Day
May 1
Workers' Day
Jun 16
Youth Day
Aug 9
National Women's Day
Sep 24
Heritage Day
Dec 16
Day of Reconciliation
Dec 25
Christmas Day
Dec 26
Day of Goodwill
Holiday on a Sunday
The following Monday is a public holiday

News South Africa · Updated daily · 50 languages · Cross-checked sources · Corrections published

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