Capital City Governmental power in South Africa is divided among three capitals: Pretoria (administrative, with a population of 1.5 million), Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative).
Currency Rand
Languages Afrikaans, English,
Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and
Zulu - all (official)
National Day 27 April; Freedom
Day
Religions Christian (68%),
Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and traditional religions.
Climate Climate varies considerably across South Africa; generally temperatures are hot in summer and mild in winter; the Cape peninsula has a Mediterranean climate with four well-defined seasons.
Highlights Table Mountain, Robben Island, The Garden Route, Wine Country, Kruger National Park
Eligibility:
Applications should
be lodged at least 6 weeks prior to departure.
aged 18 and above
Australian citizen or permanent resident.
International students may be eligible - please contact IEP
before applying.
Must be currently enrolled as a tertiary student
(university or TAFE) or have graduated from a tertiary course
within the last 6 months.
Must hold a passport valid for at least 13
months beyond your date of arrival in South Africa.
Must have proof of funds - $500AUD per month
of stay.
VISA: South African working holiday
visas are only distributed via IEP.
South Africa is a land of extremes,
boasting dramatically diverse cultures, religions, languages,
climate, geography and wildlife. Its pristine beaches, majestic
mountains and friendly people make it an obvious tourist destination.
IEP offers two programs for Australians interested in spending
time in South Africa: Work South Africa and Volunteer South Africa.
South Africa has only recently offered
working holiday visas to Australians and they are only available
through IEP. Work South Africa is open to students or recent graduates
(within the last 6 months), and allows you to spend up to a year
working and travelling this unique country. Packages include insurance,
visa fees, airport transfers, orientation programs and tours,
mail holding, and accommodation on arrival. As a Work South Africa
participant you will also become a member of our partner organisation,
SASTS, and can take advantage of exclusive employment advice and
support.
INCLUSIONS
Everything you need to get set up
in South Africa with the confidence of knowing it’s all
been taken care of by people who know the country, as well as
one year’s membership to SASTS.
Before you go:
• Personal support and advice from experienced IEP staff
to help organise your trip
• Three months comprehensive travel insurance, extendable
up to two years
• South African working holiday visa – IEP will arrange
it and the visa fee is included (worth $85)
• Phone card with $5 credit
• Brochures and maps to familiarise yourself with South
Africa
• Lonely Planet guide to South Africa
While you’re there:
• One year membership of SASTS including full support by
SASTS staff throughout your stay
• Transfer from the airport in Cape Town to accommodation
• Two nights accommodation at a beautiful Cape Town hostel,
including breakfast
• Work South Africa Handbook containing loads of information
about living and working in South Africa
• A comprehensive 5 day Orientation with accommodation at
a beautiful Cape Town hostel, including breakfast, making 7 nights
in total
• A total of three different tours during the orientation,
including a township tour, Cape Point tour and a walking tour
• ISIC card
• South African Mobile Starter Pack
• Airtime Voucher worth
R55
• Daily pickup from the hostel for day tours
• Referrals to recruitment agencies to help you find work
• Access to internet and email from 9 to 12 Monday to Friday
• Mail-holding facilities and message-taking service
• Notice boards and staff to deal with queries
• Travel advice and information on post work travel
Want to know more about the cost
of living in South Africa? Click here for
some examples, as well as some ideas about fundraising for your
trip!
Work South Africa
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
NAME: Jennifer Duncan AGE: 22 FROM: Charleville, Queensland – now living in Cooma, NSW
PARTICIPANT COMMENTS: WORK:I gained employment at the Waterfront in Cape Town as a waitress at a restaurant called Cantina Tequila. It turned out to be the best job I’ve ever had! I lived in a two bedroom apartment in Sea Point with four other people.
THE OPPORTUNITY: I would definitely go back and do it all again if I was given the chance. I gained an understanding and appreciation for all different types of cultures and I made some life long friends.
THE COUNTRY: South Africa was absolutely amazing; through my job as a waitress I was able to meet so many different people from different cultures (Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa). We were invited to different gatherings and parties that tourists would have missed out on. We even managed to pick up some of the language (the important words of course!)
Population
47,556,900 