Wayzata World Factbook 1996/The World Factbook - 1996 Edition - Wayzata Technology (3079) (1996).iso/pc/text/tvltxt/south_af.tvl

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STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - South Africa
============================================================
South Africa - Consular Information Sheet
 November 13, 1995

Country Description:  Although South Africa is in many respects a
developed country, much of its population lives in poverty.  There
are adequate facilities in all urban centers, game parks and areas
most commonly visited by tourists.  Food and water are generally
safe, and a wide variety of consumer goods and pharmaceuticals are
readily available.

Entry Requirements:  Travelers may obtain information on entry
requirements from the Embassy of South Africa, 3201 New Mexico
Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016, telephone [phone], or
the South African consulates in Beverly Hills, Chicago, or New York.
 Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest South African
Embassy or Consulate.

Areas of Instability:  Political violence has significantly
decreased in most areas of South Africa since the establishment of a
democratically elected government in May 1994.  Throughout most of
South Africa, the political situation is stabilizing as the country
consolidates its transition to non-racial democracy.  However, some
public gatherings have provoked violent clashes between political
factions, which have resulted in casualties.  The highest incidence
of violence occurs in the province of Kwazulu/Natal, particularly in
townships near Durban.

Although foreigners have not been specifically targeted in these
attacks, some have been caught up in general disturbances.  Some
townships in the vicinity of major cities, most notably Durban,
Johannesburg, and Cape Town, have been scenes of violent
demonstrations and factional conflict.  Areas most frequented by
tourists, such as major hotels, game parks and beaches, have not
been affected by political or factional violence.

Road conditions are generally good.  However, drivers are allowed
relatively high rates of speed on major thoroughfares, and the poor
lighting on rural roads and insufficient regulatory control
regarding driver licensing and vehicle maintenance pose dangers to
travelers.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are good in urban areas and
in the vicinity of game parks and beaches, but may be limited
elsewhere.   Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash
payment for health services, but usually accept major credit cards
in addition to cash.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid
outside the United States.  The Medicare/Medicaid program does not
provide for payment of medical services outside of the U.S.
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage,
including provision for medical evacuation, has proven useful.
Information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline,
telephone [phone].

Information on Crime:  Although the vast majority of visitors
complete their travels in South Africa without incident, visitors
should be aware that criminal activity, sometimes violent, is
reported on a routine basis.  Criminal activity, such as assault and
armed robbery, is present in areas surrounding downtown and suburban
hotels and public transportation centers, especially in major
cities.  Car hijacking is also prevalent in the suburbs of major
metropolitan areas.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate.  The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for
Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on
protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in
the region in general.  Both are available from the Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20402.

Travel to the former "Independent Homelands":  Although the new
constitution provides for the reincorporation of Bophuthatswana,
Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda into South Africa, at this time many
former homeland institutions, notably police authorities, remain in
place.  Since these structures are not necessarily accustomed to
responding to diplomatic and consular representations, the U.S.
government may still face some difficulties in providing consular
assistance in the former homelands.  Until homeland structures are
fully incorporated into mainstream South African administration,
there are likely to be occasional strikes and unrest which could
affect Americans traveling in these areas.  The South African police
advise against travel to the former Homeland of Transkei, and urge
caution while traveling in Ciskei.  Travelers may contact U.S.
consulates in Cape Town or Durban before embarking on trips to the
eastern cape or extreme southern Natal, which have incorporated the
territory formerly known as the Homelands of Ciskei and Transkei.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the
country in which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use
or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders
can expect jail sentences and fines.

Aviation Oversight:  As a result of an assessment conducted by the
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in November 1994, the FAA has
found the Government of South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority to
be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for
oversight of South African air carrier operations.  For further
information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation
at 1 [phone].

Embassy Registration/Location:  U.S. citizens are encouraged to
register with the the Consular Sections at the U.S. Embassy or the
nearest U.S. consulate and to obtain updated information on travel
and security in South Africa.  The U.S. Embassy is located at 877
Pretorius Street in Pretoria, telephone [phone].  Note:
The U.S. consulate general in Johannesburg provides most consular
services for Americans in the Pretoria area.

The Consulate General in Johannesburg is located at Kine Center,
11th Floor, 141 Commissioner Street (intersection with Kruis
Street), telephone [phone].  Its consular jurisdiction
includes Gauteng, Eastern Transvaal, Northern, North West, and Free
State Provinces.

The Consulate General in Cape Town is located at Broadway
Industries Center, Heerengracht, Foreshore, telephone (27-21)
214-280.  Its consular jurisdiction includes Western Cape, Eastern
Cape, and Northern Cape Provinces.

The Consulate General in Durban is located at Durban House, 29th
Floor, 333 Smith Street, telephone [phone].  Its consular
jurisdiction includes Kwazulu/Natal province.

 No. 95-148

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 30, 1995,
to revise the paragraphs on Areas of Instability and the Information
on Crime.


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The "[e-mail]" mailing list is the official Internet and
BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and
Consular Information Sheets.  To unsubscribe, send a message containing the
word "unsubscribe" to:    [e-mail]

Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL:
"http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher:
gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------



STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - South Africa
============================================================
South Africa - Public Announcement
 April 18, 1994

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

For Immediate Release

The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria has issued the following statement:

All American mission personnel are cautioned to delay non-essential
travel to the central business district of Johannesburg during the
week of April 18.  The Inkatha Freedom Party has called for "Rolling
Mass Action" (demonstrations, marches and sit-ins) for the week.
South African Government authorities have denied the IFP permission
to march in the city.  The possibility of violent clashes between
marchers and security forces is great.

 No. 94-sss




-----


STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - South Africa
============================================================
South Africa - Consular Information Sheet
 November 13, 1995

Country Description:  Although South Africa is in many respects a
developed country, much of its population lives in poverty.  There
are adequate facilities in all urban centers, game parks and areas
most commonly visited by tourists.  Food and water are generally
safe, and a wide variety of consumer goods and pharmaceuticals are
readily available.

Entry Requirements:  Travelers may obtain information on entry
requirements from the Embassy of South Africa, 3201 New Mexico
Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016, telephone [phone], or
the South African consulates in Beverly Hills, Chicago, or New York.
 Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest South African
Embassy or Consulate.

Areas of Instability:  Political violence has significantly
decreased in most areas of South Africa since the establishment of a
democratically elected government in May 1994.  Throughout most of
South Africa, the political situation is stabilizing as the country
consolidates its transition to non-racial democracy.  However, some
public gatherings have provoked violent clashes between political
factions, which have resulted in casualties.  The highest incidence
of violence occurs in the province of Kwazulu/Natal, particularly in
townships near Durban.

Although foreigners have not been specifically targeted in these
attacks, some have been caught up in general disturbances.  Some
townships in the vicinity of major cities, most notably Durban,
Johannesburg, and Cape Town, have been scenes of violent
demonstrations and factional conflict.  Areas most frequented by
tourists, such as major hotels, game parks and beaches, have not
been affected by political or factional violence.

Road conditions are generally good.  However, drivers are allowed
relatively high rates of speed on major thoroughfares, and the poor
lighting on rural roads and insufficient regulatory control
regarding driver licensing and vehicle maintenance pose dangers to
travelers.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are good in urban areas and
in the vicinity of game parks and beaches, but may be limited
elsewhere.   Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash
payment for health services, but usually accept major credit cards
in addition to cash.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid
outside the United States.  The Medicare/Medicaid program does not
provide for payment of medical services outside of the U.S.
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage,
including provision for medical evacuation, has proven useful.
Information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline,
telephone [phone].

Information on Crime:  Although the vast majority of visitors
complete their travels in South Africa without incident, visitors
should be aware that criminal activity, sometimes violent, is
reported on a routine basis.  Criminal activity, such as assault and
armed robbery, is present in areas surrounding downtown and suburban
hotels and public transportation centers, especially in major
cities.  Car hijacking is also prevalent in the suburbs of major
metropolitan areas.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate.  The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for
Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on
protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in
the region in general.  Both are available from the Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20402.

Travel to the former "Independent Homelands":  Although the new
constitution provides for the reincorporation of Bophuthatswana,
Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda into South Africa, at this time many
former homeland institutions, notably police authorities, remain in
place.  Since these structures are not necessarily accustomed to
responding to diplomatic and consular representations, the U.S.
government may still face some difficulties in providing consular
assistance in the former homelands.  Until homeland structures are
fully incorporated into mainstream South African administration,
there are likely to be occasional strikes and unrest which could
affect Americans traveling in these areas.  The South African police
advise against travel to the former Homeland of Transkei, and urge
caution while traveling in Ciskei.  Travelers may contact U.S.
consulates in Cape Town or Durban before embarking on trips to the
eastern cape or extreme southern Natal, which have incorporated the
territory formerly known as the Homelands of Ciskei and Transkei.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the
country in which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use
or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders
can expect jail sentences and fines.

Aviation Oversight:  As a result of an assessment conducted by the
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in November 1994, the FAA has
found the Government of South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority to
be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for
oversight of South African air carrier operations.  For further
information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation
at 1 [phone].

Embassy Registration/Location:  U.S. citizens are encouraged to
register with the the Consular Sections at the U.S. Embassy or the
nearest U.S. consulate and to obtain updated information on travel
and security in South Africa.  The U.S. Embassy is located at 877
Pretorius Street in Pretoria, telephone [phone].  Note:
The U.S. consulate general in Johannesburg provides most consular
services for Americans in the Pretoria area.

The Consulate General in Johannesburg is located at Kine Center,
11th Floor, 141 Commissioner Street (intersection with Kruis
Street), telephone [phone].  Its consular jurisdiction
includes Gauteng, Eastern Transvaal, Northern, North West, and Free
State Provinces.

The Consulate General in Cape Town is located at Broadway
Industries Center, Heerengracht, Foreshore, telephone (27-21)
214-280.  Its consular jurisdiction includes Western Cape, Eastern
Cape, and Northern Cape Provinces.

The Consulate General in Durban is located at Durban House, 29th
Floor, 333 Smith Street, telephone [phone].  Its consular
jurisdiction includes Kwazulu/Natal province.

 No. 95-148

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 30, 1995,
to revise the paragraphs on Areas of Instability and the Information
on Crime.


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The "[e-mail]" mailing list is the official Internet and
BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and
Consular Information Sheets.  To unsubscribe, send a message containing the
word "unsubscribe" to:    [e-mail]

Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL:
"http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher:
gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories
.