Internship Abroad in South Africa: The FAQs

Due to visa regulations, internships in South Africa are not remunerated. Visas are granted on the basis of unpaid work. Therefore, companies are officially not allowed to pay their interns a salary. Otherwise, one would have to apply for an official work permit at the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa. Due to the change in immigration laws in July 2005, it is currently almost impossible to obtain such a work permit.

The 220 volts from the South African sockets are definitely enough to get your German hairdryer or shaver going. But be careful: the sockets in Africa have a different shape than those in Germany. This means that the plugs of German electrical appliances do not fit into the sockets of South Africa. But don't worry. With the help of an adapter (part of our starter package), all your appliances will work without any problems.

In South Africa, you can easily withdraw money with your German EC card. Cash machines (ATMs) can be found all over the country. The average withdrawal fees from your German bank account are between 0 and 5 Euros per transaction. You can find out the exact fees from your bank in Germany. Opening a South African bank account for a limited period of time, such as a maximum of 6 months, is difficult.

The currency unit of South Africa is the South African Rand:

Banknotes of 200, 100, 50, 20, and 10 Rand are in circulation

Coins in the denominations 5, 2 and 1 Rand and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 C

Credit cards: Eurocard, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are used almost everywhere

Travellers cheques are also accepted

For the duration of your internship in South Africa, you have to take out international health insurance. We will be glad to help you with the search. We recommend the ADAC - International Health Insurance or the International Health Insurance of STAtravel or Creamed.

In South Africa, there are no entry requirements with regard to vaccinations. However, it is recommended that you have renewed your vaccinations and that you are also vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and polio. For planned trips to other African countries, such as Mozambique or Namibia, a yellow fever vaccination is required. In addition, some northern areas of South Africa are at risk of malaria, which requires the taking of tablets.

Of course. In order to be reachable around the clock, we advise you to simply bring your German mobile phone with you. You will receive a local SIM card from your project coordinator. You can top up the prepaid card in any supermarket. Many accommodations and restaurants offer free Wifi so that you can also make calls via skype or WhatsApp.

Area code to Germany: 0049

Area code to South Africa: 0027

The cost of living naturally depends very much on your lifestyle. However, one can say that Cape Town is cheaper than in major European cities. Very good and above all inexpensive are Cape Town's restaurants. Here you pay in something only half of what you would spend in a German restaurant. The food in the supermarket is just as expensive as in Germany. The average cost of living is around 600 euros per month.

The public transport network is available, but far from the beach in Europe. In general, it is recommended to rent a car for your stay in Cape Town to get to know the country better and more intensively.

Nevertheless, here is some information about public transport in Cape Town:

MyCITI Bus and Golden Arrow

The MyCITI Bus has been available in Cape Town since 2010. It is comparable with the buses in Germany, runs according to the timetable, and works wonderfully in Cape Town. The network is still being expanded, and at the moment the MyCITI Bus mainly serves the north and center of Cape Town. Before getting on the bus, you have to get a MyCITI card and top up with credit.

From the center of Cape Town to the south, the outdated Golden Arrow Buses drive.

Train

In Cape Town, there are local trains that connect the suburbs with the city center. Due to regular delays and safety concerns, these are definitely not recommended for commuting to work.

Mini-Bus

Mini-buses can be found throughout Cape Town and its surroundings. However, there is no timetable. As soon as you see a minibus you simply wave it by hand sign. Once stopped, the driver will ask you where you want to go. The clear advantage of the minibusses: unbeatable prices. Big disadvantage: risky driving and bad maintenance of the buses. So: better do without it. Too high safety risk.

Taxis

Apart from the mini-buses and rikkis, there are of course also regular taxis in Cape Town. These charge between 10-15 Rand per km and are the only alternative to the own car at night. Especially popular is the Taxi App Uber in Cape Town, which works great here.

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and due to its unique location offers a wide range of possibilities to spend your leisure time.

The Waterfront or Long Street offers numerous shopping and shopping possibilities. For those interested in culture there are galleries and museums. Sports enthusiasts will not be missed out: surfing, diving, swimming, climbing, jogging, hiking, horseback riding, tennis, golf - there is actually everything a sportsman's heart desires in Cape Town. Not to forget the many beaches that invite you to sunbathe.