South Africa

Smart Talk

Modern-day racism-people like to think of themselves as having moved completely beyond the apartheid era.

The situation in Zimbabwe; and South Africa's lack of intervention against Robert Mugabe.

Former president Thabo Mbeki's controversial (and counterfactual) views on HIV and AIDS.

Corruption charges against Jacob Zuma; and general political infighting.

Criticisms of the government's performance in the post apartheid era.

Diversionary Topics - Nelson Mandela; equal rights; and relative prosperity.

Tipping Etiquette

Listen Up

Basic Phrases Essential For Your Travels

Hello

Goeie more (morning); goeie middag (afternoon); goeie naand (evening). Many ethnic groups have their own unique handshake; a simple Western one will do in a business situation, but don’t be surprised if you get one with a twist—especially if it’s between ethnic groups.

Good-bye

Totsiens. Feel free to use English in most business situations, although you’ll score points for Afrikaans in the west.

Thank You

Dankie or baie dankie (a more formal “thank you very much”).

Excuse Me

Ek is jammer to apologize, verskoon my to get someone’s attention or just to get past them.

Help Me

Kan u my (asseblief) toesteen?

Please

Asseblief. Grammatically it usually belongs where you would place it in English, Dutch being relatively close to our language. But don’t call Afrikaners Dutch! They’re defiantly distinct.