According to South African Tourism, the question of South Africa’s ability to supply sufficient accommodation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ has been settled by a national audit. Concerns can be laid to rest – with over 18 000 establishments and in excess of 200 000 rooms, South Africa is ready to welcome the world's football fans.
The accommodation database amassed as a result of the audit forms the basis of the booking portal Rooms 4 U (www.Rooms4U.travel). Listing on this portal were verified by the end of January 2010, and, from February, it is available for online bookings.
In the (Portuguese) summer time, South Africa is 1 hour in front of Portugal and in the winter this becomes 2 hours.
This means that during the World Cup 2010, South Africa is 1 hour in front of Portugal.
Nothing can spoil a holiday more than feeling off-colour, and nothing can dull the pleasure of your holiday memories more than getting ill far from home. There are a number of health issues that you should be aware of, particularly if you're from the northern hemisphere.
However, while there are risks anywhere, South Africa has a relatively salubrious climate and our levels of water treatment, hygiene and such make it a pretty safe destination.
South Africa has a well-developed communications infrastructure, with extensive landline phone networks and four mobile phone service providers - Cell C, MTN, Vodacom and Virgin Mobile - with far-reaching coverage.
Landline services are operated by Telkom SA Ltd, with a second operator, Neotel, currently in the process of setting up shop. Telkom public telephones use coins, phonecards or Worldcall. Phonecards and Worldcall can be purchased at most retail stores, petrol stations, post offices and airports.
You can rent mobile phones - cellphones - from the airport on arrival. You should find an internet café in even the smallest towns and the postal service works, offering the usual letter and parcel services as well as securemail, freight and courier services.