Culture Shock in South Africa
South Africa is a complex place, with enormous wealth disparities, hugely diverse cultures and 11 official languages. However, since most expats live in major urban areas, the culture they encounter is a familiar mélange of western capitalism and middle class values.
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 most locals will speak it to some degree. 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.
Those moving to Johannesburg will encounter a 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.
Take a look at the ANTIVA Become Familiar program which helps spouses integrate into Joburg life.
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