Cape Town Tourist Information
South African Tourism runs a state-of-the-art global call centre
, based in Johannesburg and connected to local lines in a number of countries, that offers information across the spectrum on travelling to South Africa.Manned by professional operators, the centre handles in the region of 5 000 telephonic inquiries a month, as well as responding to e-mail inquiries.
The line is linked to SA Tourism's national database, which has up-to-date information on all services and products - accommodation, transport, activities, events and contacts.
Tourists can phone the number for a range of queries, including advice on what to do in an emergency or bureaucratic pickle.
For English, the centre operates around the clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year. For European languages, the centre operates from 09:00 to 19:00 local time, and for Mandarin from 13:00 to 21:00 China time.
Calling from within South Africa
South Africans, or international visitors already in South Africa, should call
083 123 6789
or e-mail
info@southafrica.net
Dialing Rules in South Africa
South Africa has a well-developed communications infrastructure, with extensive landline phone networks and four mobile phone service providers - Cell C, MTN, Vodacom and Virgin Mobile - with far-reaching coverage.
Landline services are operated by Telkom SA, with a second operator, Neotel, currently in the process of setting up shop. Telkom public telephones use coins, phonecards or Worldcall. Phonecards and Worldcall can be purchased at most retail stores, petrol stations, post offices and airports.
You can rent mobile phones - we call them cellphones - from the airport on arrival. You should find an internet caf in even the smallest towns, and the postal service works, offering the usual letter and parcel services as well as securemail, freight and courier services.
Phoning into South Africa
If you're dialling a number in South Africa, it must be preceded by: +27, South Africa's international country code (the + sign represents the international access code for the country you're calling from); and either: The area code of the city or town in South Africa you're calling (leaving out the first zero), if you're calling a landline; or The cellular/mobile network code (leaving out the first zero), if you're calling a cellular/mobile network. So, for example, to phone South African Airways' call centre from abroad, you'd dial +27 11 978 5313 (Johannesburg's area code is 011 - phoning from abroad, you leave out the zero). What's the time in South Africa?Go to Google and search "time south africa". If it were a mobile number, you might start dialling +27 82 ... (082 is the code for one of our main mobile networks - phoning from abroad, you leave out the zero). Dialling codes in South AfricaThe area codes of some of South Africa's major cities are: Bloemfontein 051, Cape Town 021, Durban 031, East London 043, Johannesburg 011, Pretoria 012, and Port Elizabeth 041. For the rest, consult Telkom's Dialling codes in South Africa. Phoning Out Of South AfricaTo make an international call from South Africa, dial 00, followed by the country code of the country you wish to call, followed by the relevant area code (if there is one), followed by the phone number. What's my country's dialling code?One of the quickest ways to find out is to dial Telkom's 24-hour international customer care centre - 10903 - and ask. The service is free. Alternatively, go to Google and type in "dialling code [your country]". Operator-assisted diallingTelkom's international call centre - 10903 - offers 24-hour assistance to anyone wanting to make international calls or send faxes, along with general international directory information. What's the time back home?Go to Google and search "time [name of your home country]". Home DirectTelkom's Home Direct service allows you to call an operator in your home country free of charge, either to place a call on your "phone home" account, if you have one, or to arrange a reverse-charge call. Telkom's Phone Book lists all available country-specific Home Direct numbers in its international dialling code list. Alternatively, phone Telkom's international customer care centre at 10903. Public phones for touristsTelkom has placed public telephones at major tourist sites across South Africa. Coin-operated phones are blue, while cardphones are green, and both are user-friendly and compatible with hearing aid devices. They offer a reliable connection, high quality of speech, and are affordable. Phonecards and WorldcallTelkom's Phonecards and Worldcall are available at major outlets where the Telkom logo is displayed. Phoning Around South AfricaIf you're in South Africa and phoning a landline - whether you're phoning from a landline or a mobile phone - the number must be preceded by the area code (including the first zero) for the city or town you're phoning. Telkom: Dialling codes in South Africa If, on the other hand, you're phoning to a mobile number, you never use an area code, only the appropriate mobile network code. 08 NumbersMany businesses and organisations have special landline numbers beginning with an 08 code - 0800, 0860, 0861, and so on. (But not 082, 083 or 084, which belong to the mobile networks.) These are, in effect, national numbers - area codes are dispensed with, and callers dial the same number regardless of where they are. Note that these lines can only be accessed from within South Africa. 080 numbers (usually 0800) - no charge to the caller. 0860 numbers - the caller does not pay for any long-distance portion of the call. 0861 numbers - the caller is charged a flat rate for the call. South Africa Phone DirectoriesFor landline numbers in South Africa, Consult Telkom's phone directories. The print versions are published and millions of copies distributed free of charge every year - you'll find them in airports, hotels, offices, homes and public phone booths just about everywhere. The online versions are at: Phone Book (White Pages) - residential Telkom subscribers. Yellow Pages - businesses, services and products. Alternatively, dial Telkom's telephonic directories: International - 10903 Directory Services (Phone Book) - 1023 Talking Yellow Pages - 10118 Mobile Yellow Pages - SMS what you're looking for and where (eg "flowers cape town") to 34310.by: angiefebruary Rocket French Members Seychelles Honeymoon Package | Seychelles Hotels online | Luxury Beach Seychelles Hotels | Great Seychelles Hotel Deals | Holidays Seychelles Travel Insurance Coverage For Frequent Flyers The Whole World Are Craving for Halloween Gift Ideas Spend this Holiday Season in a Luxury Villa Rental to Avoid the Hassle's east london in south africa Kerala Honeymoon Tour for a Lifetime Experience The Abruzzo Trip k1212 karbonn mobile Toyota Kenosha residents can expect an American Toyota plant in the near future Amsterdam Holiday Packages How India Travel Guide act as a Real Tourist Guide Spartan Halloween Costumes