Communications in Pretoria



IS IT EXPENSIVE TO MAKE TELEPHONE CALLS IN SOUTH AFRICA?

Yes. Telephones are very expensive in South Africa. Unlike the U.S. where local calls are free, in South Africa every call you make whether it be local or international it is charged. If you call a friend down the road it will probably cost 35 cents for that call. Therefore, it is absolutely reasonable of the University to expect boarders to make their calls from pay booths, calling cards, or skype. To purchase a local cell phone though, Is very cheap. These cell phones are pay as you go, while phone calls are more expensive than texts. Airtime cards are widely available.

HOW DO I MAKE INTERNATIONAL CALLS TO AND FROM SOUTH AFRICA?

Calling from the U.S. to Pretoria, South Africa, dial 011+27+12+the number

To call to the U.S. from overseas, you must dial 001+area code+the number.

WHAT IS THE TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND THE U.S.?

South Africa is 8 hours ahead of Central Standard Time.
 * http://www.timezonecheck.com/

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR MAIL TO ARRIVE?

Typical mail from the US takes around ten days, packages from two weeks to one month.

WILL I HAVE INTERNET ACCESS IN SOUTH AFRICA?

In Pretoria, you will have limited access to e-mail through the University of Pretoria. However, there are cyber cafés which are inexpensive for emailing home. Typical rates at these Internet cafes are around R10 an hour. Rates are also lower late at night, again shop around for lower rates, they vary place to place.