South Africa

Valmonte ● Vianzon ● Videña

Villacarlos ● Villanueva ● Villas
ETIQUETTE
 BASIC ETIQUETTE

● IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECEIVE ITEMS WITH BOTH HANDS

TOGETHER, HELD OUT AS A CUP
● SOME SOUTH AFRICAN ETHNIC GROUPS MAY FIND IT IMPOLITE
TO MAKE GESTURES WITH THE LEFT HAND
● WHITE AND ASIAN SOUTH AFRICANS TEND TO VALUE
PUNCTUALITY MORE HIGHLY THAN BLACK AND MIXED-RACE
SOUTH AFRICANS, WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO FOLLOW
“AFRICAN TIME”
● IT IS POLITE TO COVER YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU YAWN
● IT IS RUDE TO SPIT IN PUBLIC
● SHOW HEIGHTENED RESPECT TO ANYONE OLDER THAN YOU IN
ALL SITUATIONS
● IT IS COMMON TO TIP ABOUT 10% OF BILLS, AND TIPS ARE
USUALLY NOT INCLUDED IN THE OVERALL BILL
 VISITING ETIQUETTE

● VISITS TO PEOPLE’S HOUSES ARE USUALLY

PRE-ARRANGED, BUT UNANNOUNCED VISITS FROM GOOD
FRIENDS OR RELATIVES ARE ALSO COMMON
● GUESTS ARE EXPECTED TO GREET EVERYONE
RESPECTFULLY AND IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL
● IT IS POLITE TO REMOVE YOUR SHOES BEFORE ENTERING
● MOST SOUTH AFRICANS WILL NOT EXPECT YOU TO BRING
A GIFT WITH YOU
● YOU WILL LIKELY BE OFFERED REFRESHMENTS UPON
ARRIVAL
● RESPECT YOUR HOSTS’ PRIVACY AND DO NOT EXPLORE
THEIR HOUSE UNLESS INVITED TO
 VISITING ETIQUETTE
● TRY NOT TO ADMIRE ANY OF THE OBJECTS IN YOUR HOSTS’
HOME TOO MUCH. BE AWARE THAT COMPLIMENTING AN
ITEM REPEATEDLY CAN MAKE THEM FEEL COMPELLED TO
OFFER IT TO YOU AS A GIFT, EVEN IF THE ITEM IS
SOMETHING THEY WISHED TO KEEP
● SOUTH AFRICANS OFTEN ACCOMPANY THEIR GUESTS TO
THE GATE, CAR OR STREET WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO
LEAVE
● IF YOU ARE STAYING OVERNIGHT AT YOUR HOSTS’ HOME,
MAKE AN EFFORT TO KEEP YOUR PERSONAL SPACE TIDY
AND OFFER TO HELP WITH CHORES OR COOKING. BE
AWARE THAT EVEN IF YOU ARE TOLD TO “STAY AS LONG AS
YOU LIKE”, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOT OVERSTAY YOUR
WELCOME
 EATING ETIQUETTE

● IN ZULU CULTURE, IT IS POLITE TO ANNOUNCE YOUR ARRIVAL

BY SHOUTING FROM THE GATE, BUT YOU MUST BE SEATED BY
THE HOSE
● IN SOTHO CULTURE, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY SEAT
YOURSELF
● WHILE SEATED, DO NOT POINT YOUR FEET TOWARDS OTHERS
OR THE FOOD
● WHITE SOUTH AFRICANS USUALLY EAT USING A FORK AND
KNIFE
● BLACK AND INDIAN SOUTH AFRICANS OFTEN EAT WITH
SPOONS AND FINGERS
● SOME SOUTH AFRICAN HOMES MAY FOLLOW A HIERARCHICAL
SEQUENCE IN THE ORDER OF PEOPLE SERVED: GUESTS FIRST
FOLLOWED BY THE ELDEST MALE, CHILDREN AND, LASTLY,
WOMEN
 EATING ETIQUETTE
● IN SOME CASES, OTHER GUESTS MAY BE EXPECTED TO WAIT
UNTIL THE ELDEST MALE HAS BEGUN EATING BEFORE STARTING
● IT IS IMPOLITE TO USE YOUR CUTLERY TO POINT OR GESTURE
DURING A MEAL
● YOU MAY BE ENCOURAGED TO ACCEPT SECOND HELPINGS TO A
MEAL
● LEAVING UNEATEN FOOD ON YOUR PLATE CAN BE INTERPRETED AS
A NEGATIVE REFLECTION ON THE FOOD OR HOST
● IT IS POLITE TO MAKE A SMALL COMPLIMENT TOWARDS THE END
OF THE MEAL ON THE COOKING AND/OR HOSPITALITY
● DINNER IS THE MAIN MEAL OF THE DAY, AND ON WEEKENDS BRAAI
(BARBEQUE)
● ADULTS GENERALLY DO NOT EAT ON THE STREETS/ STANDING UP
UNLESS IT IS ICE CREAM OR FROM A STREET-FOOD STAND
● IF EATING AT A RESTAURANT, THE PERSON WHO HAS INVITED THE
OTHER OUT TO THE RESTAURANT WILL PAY THE BILL
 BRAAI ETIQUETTE

● STEAKS, CHOPS, AND “BOEREWORS” (SPICED

SAUSAGE) ARE COMMONLY SERVED. OTHER MEATS
INCLUDE LAMB, BEEF, VENISON, GOAT, SPRINGBOK,
WARTHOG, AND OSTRICH
● WHEN ATTENDING A BRAAI, CONFIRM WITH YOUR
HOST ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BRING.
SOME WILL REQUIRE YOU TO BRING YOUR OWN MEAT
AND DRINKS. IT IS POLITE TO BRING A BOTTLE OF WINE
OR LIQUOR FOR YOUR HOST AND CHOCOLATE OR
FLOWERS FOR THE HOSTESS AS A SMALL GESTURE OF
THANKS
 GIFT GIVING ETIQUETTE

● APPROACHES TO GIFT GIVING AND WHAT IS

CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE DEPENDS ON THE
ETHNIC GROUP OF THE PERSON
● PRESENTS ARE OFTEN PRACTICAL AND
CONSERVATIVE
● WELL-WRAPPED AND NICELY PRESENTED GIFTS
ARE LIKELY TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION ON A
SOUTH AFRICAN
● RECEIVERS GENERALLY OPEN GIFTS AS SOON AS
THEY ARE PRESENTED
Relationships
Family
● South Africans treat their family with respect. Most of their families are
extended which means that they have numerous family members.
● South Africans also give importance to raising their children. In the African
system, parenting is again perceived to take a lot of forms which is able to
lead the child to be a responsible adult. Though there are various parenting
styles, there are ways in which the African parent brings up a child in order for
the child to imbibe the cultural values of the land and also be a responsible
adult. Some of these forms of parenting are through storytelling (folktales), the
extended family, traditional rites and the mother's care, attention and love.
Peers
● It is perfectly acceptable for South African teens to have friends of the
opposite sex and to socialize with them individually.
● You will more likely meet a friend who loves sports or is a sporty one because
it is known that South Africans love sports.
● South Africans like to feel respected by the person with whom they are
interacting.
Dating and Marriage
● The dynamic in a particular relationship will be largely influenced by the
nationality of both individuals involved.
● What we have to to bear in mind is that although South Africa is becoming
more modern, it remains a patriarchal society. This means that gender roles
can appear slightly regressive.
● If you meet the man of your dreams in South Africa, for example, he will likely
ask permission from your father before he proposes.
● While greetings in South Africa tend to be relatively informal, it’s polite to
shake hands while maintaining eye contact the first time you meet a date.
● When it comes to paying the check, men in South Africa will usually pay. That
said, an offer to split it will not be seen as rude.
● Although dates tend to be simple and relaxed in South Africa, women still like
men to be chivalrous and brave and act like gentlemen. After all, they love a
man they can show off to their family and friends.
Christianity and changing economic and social conditions have dramatically
reduced the number of men who have more than one wife, although this practice
is still legal. Before, this kind of marriage pattern (polygamy) was commonly
practiced South Africans.
Food
Dry curing was a method used to preserve meat by
the indigenous tribes of South Africa before fridges
were invented. Usually made from beef or game, such
as springbok, biltong (a thinly sliced, air-dried meat)
and droewors (an air-dried sausage) are traditionally
eaten as snacks. The meat is cured in a mixture of
vinegar, salt, sugar and spices such as coriander and
pepper, then hung to dry. The finished product is
prized by health enthusiasts for its high protein and
low fat content. Nowadays, biltong and droewors
producers often add flavourings such as chilli or garlic
to the meat and use a variety of meats, such as ostrich
and wild boar.
This is a traditional South African sausage made from
beef, mixed with either pork or lamb and a mixture of
spices. Boerewors are traditionally served in a coiled
shape, similar to the Cumberland sausage and cooked
on a braai (barbecue). The word boerewors comes
from the Afrikaans and Dutch words boer (farmer) and
wors (sausage).
In the 17th century, the Dutch and French landed and
settled in Cape Town, bringing slaves from Indonesia,
India and Malaysia, along with their spices and
traditional cooking methods. When combined with
local produce, the aromatic spices such as cinnamon,
saffron, turmeric and chilli created fragrant curries and
stews, which are still popular in the area today.

A Dutch import, malva pudding is a sweet and sticky

baked sponge pudding made with apricot jam and
served smothered in a hot cream sauce. This is South
Africa’s answer to the British sticky toffee pudding,
served in many restaurants but mainly baked at home
for Sunday lunch.
Chakalaka and pap are mainstays on every South
African dinner table. Chakalaka is a vegetable dish
made of onions, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beans
and spices, and is often served cold. Pap, meaning
‘porridge’, is similar to American grits and is a starchy
dish made from white corn maize. Chakalaka and pap
are often served together, along with braaied
(barbecued) meat, breads, salad and stews.

For a real taste of South Africa an authentic braai or shisa

nyama (‘burn the meat’ in Zulu) is an eating experience not
to be missed. Braais originated in the townships of
Johannesburg, with butchers who set up barbecues in
front of their shops at weekends to grill their meat and sell
it on the street. Nowadays, local communities gather at
braais at the weekends to share food. Pop along to soak
up the vibrant atmosphere, listen to music and take your
pick from the meat on offer, usually comprising of beef,
chicken, pork, lamb and vors (sausages) – this is not an
outing for vegetarians!
 This street food of Durban has become popular across
South Africa and is now starting to hit our food
markets back in London. Hollowed out loaves of
bread, stuffed with spicy curry were originally created
by the immigrant Indian community in the Natal area of
Durban and served to workers for lunch. Try chicken,
pork or vegetarian varieties containing lentils and
beans.

This cocktail-come-dessert uses South African

Amarula, a cream liqueur made from the indigenous
marula fruit, blended with ice cream. Find it in every
8. Amarula Don Pedro bar or take a bottle of Amarula home from duty-free to
make your own!
Another dish thought to have been brought to South
Africa by Asian settlers, bobotie is now the national
dish of the country and cooked in many homes and
restaurants. Minced meat is simmered with spices,
usually curry powder, herbs and dried fruit, then
topped with a mixture of egg and milk and baked until
set.

Similar to the British custard tart or Portuguese pasteis

de nata, melktert consists of a pastry case filled with
milk, eggs and sugar, which is usually thickened with
flour. The finished tart is traditionally dusted with
cinnamon. A real South African comfort food, it is
served as a dessert, and also available in many
bakeries.
Clothes
Clothes
 Xhosa
The clothing features beautifully
designed beadwork and colourful,
printed fabrics. Women’s clothing
defines different stages of her life.

For men: Animal skins play a huge

part in their traditional dress. On
special occasions, embroidered
skirts are worn, with a rectangular
cloth over the left shoulder, or a
tunic, with strands of beaded
necklaces.
 Xhosa
For Women: Their main items of
clothing include long skirts and
aprons with amazing printed or
embroidered fabrics. Elaborate
beaded necklaces, called
ithumbu, are worn around the
neck, as well as beaded anklets
and bracelets.
 Zulu
For men:
● Animal skins and feathers
are the traditional items of
clothing.
● In Zulu culture, the leopard
is seen as the King of the
predators, therefore leopard
skin is reserved for Zulu
royalty alone.
● The men will wear a front
apron, known as an isinene,
and a rear apron, or
ibheshu, which are worn to
cover the genitals and
buttocks.
 Zulu
● Tufts of cow’s tail are
worn on the upper arms
and below the knees to
give the appearance of
more bulk. Headbands
are only worn by married
men.
 Zulu
In Zulu Culture:
● A young bachelorette will wear her
hair short, usually accompanying
this look with a grass-reed skirt,
embellished with beads.
● A married woman, on the other
hand, will cover her body
completely to indicate that she is
spoken for. She will wear a thick,
cowhide skirt which has been
softened with animal fat and
charcoal. Traditionally, a woman’s
breasts would be covered with a
cloth, but nowadays a cotton vest
or beaded bra is worn with
beaded necklaces.
Married Young Bachelorette
 Ndebele
Famous for their incredibly intricate
beadwork as well as their very brightly
coloured homes designed with geometric
patterns. The main element of the
women’s attire is her apron.
● Ndebele men will wear animal skin
aprons and beaded breastplates,
known as iporiyana, which would
hang from their necks. The
breastplate is a symbol of manhood
and is given to a son by his father
after he has been initiated. Men will
also wear animal skin headbands
and ankle bands, as well as a cape.
 Ndebele
● Married women will wear
longer aprons that are made of
hardened skin and are very
lavishly decorated with their
traditional geometric designs.
They will also wear isigolwani
and copper rings known as
idzilla around their necks,
ankles, and arms.
● Younger girls wear a small,
beaded apron, given to them by
their mothers. They will also
wear isigolwani, which are thick,
beaded hoops worn around
their neck, arms, wrists, and
waist.
Married Teenager
 Venda

● Venda boys and men wear a

loincloth known as a tsindi.
● The tsindi is a triangular piece
of animal skin that covers the
front, is then passed between
the legs, and then tied at the
back. In colder weather, a
cloak is worn. Nowadays,
Venda men usually wear a
shirt made of nwenda fabric,
and then trousers.
 Venda
● Venda girls traditionally wear a
shedo, which is a small apron
that covers their pubic area.
When the girls mature and
develop breasts, they will then
wear a nwenda, either at the
waist or around one shoulder.
 Tsonga
● The men will wear animal skin.

● While the women wear a unique

skirt called a xibelani. The xibelani is
a colourful, gathered skirt that shakes
when they dance.
Business Culture
MEETINGS:

1. Punctuality
2. Greet everyone in the room individually.
3. Give full attention the person talking. (RESPECT IS PARAMOUNT)
4. When making a suggestion or criticism, comment on the idea and not the
person voicing it.
5. Initial meetings are often used for partners to familiarise themselves with one
another and establish business relationships.
6. The are always well prepared with a plan and structure of how they want the
meeting to go.
Trust oriented
As trust is often an issue in South Africa, people tend to speak in a very direct,
honest way during business negotiations. Any ambiguity or vagueness on your
behalf may be interpreted as a sign of untrustworthiness, dishonesty or lack of
commitment. Furthermore, contracts and terms should be explicitly detailed to
assure them that the deal is transparent.
Considerations

● South Africans are generally very loyal to their companies and job as
employment is so scarce in Africa.
● Strategies based on short-term solutions for quick gain are not preferred by
South Africans.
● South Africans aim to avoid confrontations in business as much as possible.
● The unemployment rate is very high in South Africa, so your South African
counterpart may ask for personal favours that entail employment for their
family members.
Greetings
Common South African Greetings
- It is important to greet everyone immediately with respect
especially in the rural villages of South Africa, whereby it is respectful
to greet everyone you pass by.
- Most common greeting: handshake accompanied with eye contact
and a smile.
- If you know each other well: you may greet with a hug.
- Addressing people: It is polite to address South Africans by their
title and last name until they have signalled that it is appropriate to
move on to a first-name basis.
Common South African Greetings
- Elders: often addressed in local language with titles for father,
uncle, mother or aunt, such as Tata (Xhosa for father) or Mama
(Xhosa for mother).
- South Africans usually like to take the time to exchange pleasantries
and engage in social discussion after greetings.
- It is appreciated to ask about someone’s health.
- Interactions may also vary depending on the location, with more
traditional approaches being used in rural areas and people adopting
more cosmopolitan approaches in urban areas.
Language greeting on South Africans
- South Africa has 11 different national languages.
- English is the most commonly spoken language in official and
commercial public life but only the sixth most spoken language in
terms of numbers.
- Zulu is normally spoken in the Durban area while Xhosa is spoken by
the locals in Cape Town.
- Afrikaans was regarded as the language of the old oppressive
Nationalist Government pre-1994 and therefore even trying to say a
few words to the locals in this language may be regarded as
offensive.
- Best advice is to keep to English if the person is a complete stranger.
Handshake Greetings on South Africa
- Most common greeting: handshake accompanied with eye contact
and a smile.
- Handshakes may be light or firm depending on the person you are
greeting.
- People from rural villages may use two hands to shake/greet.
- When shaking hands with a person of the opposite gender, men
usually wait for women to extend their hand first.
10 different South African greetings
1. Howzit – “Hello, how are you?”.
2. Sawubona – Zulu. “greetings.”
3. Unjani – “How are you?” (slang greeting).
4. Heita – “Hello.” (slang greeting).
5. Aweh – used more as an acknowledgement of a person when
greeting them.
6. Molo – Xhosa. “How are you doing”
10 different South African greetings
7. Thobela – formal greeting in Pedi. “How are you?”

8. Dumela – this greeting means “Hello” in the Sotho language

9. Hoe gaan dit? – Afrikaans greeting and means “How are things
going/How are you?”

10. Sharp Fede – South African townships. “Hello, how are you?”
Do’s in South Africa
- Offer sympathy if there is mention of the difficult situation in South
Africa.
- Expect South Africans to be hospitable, and make an effort to respond
to and return their warmth.
- Show respect and interest in what people have to say whenever they
are talking.
- Communicate face-to-face when possible.
Don'ts in South Africa
- Do not openly criticise the South African country.
- Be aware that politics, racism, the Apartheid, violence and inequality
are sensitive issues in South Africa.
- Avoid openly expressing anger or losing control of your emotions.
 References
Evason, N. (2015). South African Culture - Do's and Don'ts. Retrieved September 20, 2020, from
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/south-african-culture/south-african-culture-do-s-and-don-ts

Evason, N. (2015). South African Culture - Greetings. Retrieved September 20, 2020, from
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/ south-african-culture/south-african-culture-greetings

FinGlobal, N. (2018, November 16). Now What – South African greetings around the world. Retrieved
September 20, 2020, from https://www.finglobal.com/2018/11/16/south-african-greetings-2/

Flight Centre. (2019). Useful South African Phrases. Retrieved September 20, 2020, from
https://www.gapyear.com/africa/south-africa/useful-phrases-for-south-africa