Culture Shock in South Africa
South Africa is an incredibly complex society with an impressively eclectic nature. Sweeping geographic variation, the presence of 11 official languages and the co-existence of various customs and ethnicities make the rainbow nation an easy place to blend in, but nonetheless a locale that can present expats with unique challenges of acclimation.
Expats moving to South Africa from a western world may be most taken aback by the glaring wealth disparity that exists. It’s not uncommon to see a fashionista parked in the newest Mercedes model just adjacent to a street person rummaging through a garbage bin. Guilty sentiments can often overwhelm new arrivals, but be cautious about indulging beggars or opening your home to those in need.
Those moving to Johannesburg will encounter an obsession with personal safety: homes are surrounded with electrified fences and guarded by private security firms, and walking outside in parks is unheard of. This may be the most unfamiliar feature of one’s transition abroad.
The concept of time can also be shocking for some expats settling into their new life. South Africans tend to measure moments in “now”, “just now” and “now now” – respectively meaning “anytime between the next 20 minutes and tomorrow”, “anytime within the day”, “anytime within the hour”. There is little that must be done on the day if it can be done tomorrow. This is not true in the corporate world which upholds very western standards of punctuality and decorum.
The South African professional world functions relatively efficiently, but social engagements and government enterprise are relegated to the tick of the aforementioned system. Thus, expats should not take problems with punctuality or light-hearted rescheduling personally – this is a cultural norm.
Local South Africans are fairly inclusive and welcoming, and there are many expat clubs and groupings to ease the transition from home.
English is the language of business and nearly the entire population will speak it to some degree. Not to mention, most of the major urban areas where expats tend to live feature a culture that is a familiar mélange of western capitalism and middle class values.
South Africans of all cultures tend to enjoy a braai which entails cooking meat on an open fire. Sport is avidly followed and participated in: cricket, rugby and soccer are the national sports.
The shopping malls, to which South Africans are devoted, are similar in their range of products and services to any glitzy mall in any western country although the scope of clothing and haute couture is limited compared to London, New York and Singapore.
Expats moving to South Africa from a western world may be most taken aback by the glaring wealth disparity that exists. It’s not uncommon to see a fashionista parked in the newest Mercedes model just adjacent to a street person rummaging through a garbage bin. Guilty sentiments can often overwhelm new arrivals, but be cautious about indulging beggars or opening your home to those in need.
Those moving to Johannesburg will encounter an obsession with personal safety: homes are surrounded with electrified fences and guarded by private security firms, and walking outside in parks is unheard of. This may be the most unfamiliar feature of one’s transition abroad.
The concept of time can also be shocking for some expats settling into their new life. South Africans tend to measure moments in “now”, “just now” and “now now” – respectively meaning “anytime between the next 20 minutes and tomorrow”, “anytime within the day”, “anytime within the hour”. There is little that must be done on the day if it can be done tomorrow. This is not true in the corporate world which upholds very western standards of punctuality and decorum.
The South African professional world functions relatively efficiently, but social engagements and government enterprise are relegated to the tick of the aforementioned system. Thus, expats should not take problems with punctuality or light-hearted rescheduling personally – this is a cultural norm.
Local South Africans are fairly inclusive and welcoming, and there are many expat clubs and groupings to ease the transition from home.
English is the language of business and nearly the entire population will speak it to some degree. Not to mention, most of the major urban areas where expats tend to live feature a culture that is a familiar mélange of western capitalism and middle class values.
South Africans of all cultures tend to enjoy a braai which entails cooking meat on an open fire. Sport is avidly followed and participated in: cricket, rugby and soccer are the national sports.
The shopping malls, to which South Africans are devoted, are similar in their range of products and services to any glitzy mall in any western country although the scope of clothing and haute couture is limited compared to London, New York and Singapore.
