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ExpatCapeTown Newsletter, March 2017, Cape Town Relocation Tips and so much more.
March 11, 2017


Welcome to our Cape Town Living Tips

March 2017



Dear all,

we hope you all had an amazing start and trust you enjoy the summery days at the Cape, even if we surely all long for some rain to bring relief to the drought situation we experience at the Cape. Water reserves are dwindling rapidly and Cape Town has been declared a disaster area by the Cape Town major last week in order to manage the low water supply more efficiently. The dams are now less than 30% full, strict water restrictions apply. For those who are not aware of the new regulations which are in effect since the end of last year, please find more information here. Cape Town Water Restrictions 2017 explained

This year started with quite a bang for us. We love living in Cape Town, but sometimes we encounter challenges that are difficult to witness and understand but shall be mastered with patience and perseverance. Thus, our apologies for staying a bit calmer on the news side, but we work hard to keep our forum alive and the website is updated continuously. Have you already seen our new site layout? We are ever so grateful to our friends for all your wonderful help, encouragement and support.

March is always a wonderful month at the Cape, normally the south-easterly winds would have settled by now, but I am sure it won’t be long! We can enjoy some more balmy evenings and celebrate life with all the wonderful festivals in town and in the Cape winelands where harvest festivals are celebrated throughout this months.


Updates and News

This is what you will find in this ExpatCapeTown newsletter edition:

* All you should know when moving to Cape Town

* Visa transfer: New passport and your visa is in the old and expired passport?

* What's on in Cape Town: March events and April events

* Typical Slang Words: sharp-sharp and lekgotla

* Cape Town Insider Tips: Know where to go when...


Moving to South Africa?



Make sure to read through our moving guide where you will find lots of useful tips when planning your relocation to South Africa.

In our guide, we provide information in regards to organising your move, learning about the cost of living and standard of living, finding reliable movers, getting connected with utilities, surviving culture shock and much more.

Moving Guide to South Africa


Immigration News: What about Visa Transfer?


Last month many of us worried regarding a curricular by the Department of Home Affairs in regards to visa transfers and visa validity. Luckily the department retracted the announced changes that had caused quite some upset in our expat community. We appeal to you nevertheless to always make sure that your passport is valid for the full duration of your visa. Should you apply for a visa, whether a new one or an extension of your existing temporary residency visa, apply for a new passport should the passport not cover the intended visa period. Passports as such also must not be extended (think of children’s passports which in some countries can be extended), as such passports will not be accepted by South Africa’s immigration officers. There is still the possibility to transfer a visa that is in an old passport into the new passport. This can be done at VFS in Cape Town for the fee of R1,350. Please note, they transfer visa also when the passport has not been lost or damaged, contrary to the info which is provided on the VFS website. We urge all to consider having their temporary visa transferred into their new passport even if so far travelling with old and new passport is still possible. New regulations rendering visa in expired passports invalid while not allowing transfers into new passports seem to be on the radar, so better act now and get this worry off your shoulders. VFS - Visa transfers

What's On in Cape Town?

There are many events happening in Cape Town in March and April as you will also see on our ExpatCapeTown event calendar. Visit the fabulous harvest festivals in the Cape, swing and party at the Cape Town jazz festival and admire the colourful creations at the Cape Town carnival. On our April calendar you will find also a special page on kids holiday activities, please remember to book the activities for your kids early.

Events in March

Events in April

Typical South African terms

What means ‘sharp-sharp’? South Africans use this expression to show agreement or express enthusiasm.

What is a ‘lekgotla’? This term refers to a conference or business meeting, often to discuss strategy planning or sharing the vision of a new project. Originating from the Sotho and Setswana terms, which mean ‘court’ and ‘courtyard’

South African Slang Words

Expat Cape Town Insider Tips

Currently planning to relocate from the UK to South Africa? If you are looking for a professional and friendly relocation company, contact PSS Removals for an offer. They will make your move an easy one and handle your door-to-door move with care and expertise. They also ship excess baggage and handle your motorbike and car shipment to South Africa.

PSS Relocation to South Africa - Introduction

Experience an concert of Blues and American Gospel music with the Cape Town Gospel Choir The event takes place in Bergvliet on 25 March 2017. The choir is joined by Rouchelle Liedemann, outstanding local Gospel artist, TV and radio presenter, and introducing Jonny Russell from Scotland, one of Origin Scotland's lead soloists and fantastic Gospel performer.

Cape Town Gospel Choir

Spread the love and help a good cause Support the SAYes foundation, a wonderful organisation working with youth in care homes and offers mentorship programmes. They are always looking for new mentors, so if yo have an hour to spare, get in touch with them. Read more here.

SAYes Mentoring

Looking for a really tasty Easter treat? Order some Special Edition easter eggs containing 5 pieces of Table Mountain chocolates. They will be certainly relished at any easter egg hunt and are a truly Capetonian gift to take home.

Table Mountain Chocolate

If you want to give your foreign friends some more insights on South Africa, showing them why we all love living here, simply order one of our e-books for them. ‘Living in South Africa’ is available in .pdf and .epub form.

Living in South Africa e-book

Do you want place an ad on our new business directory? Due to growing demand to place ads on our forum and on the website, we decided to use our wide expat network and help you promote your local business to the Cape Town expat community directly through our new expat directory. Check out the new directory and contact us for your options and pricing. Private sales and offers will be placed for free. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Expat Cape Town Directory

Do you need more info on living in Cape Town? Make sure to like our new Expat Cape Town Facebook page and be informed of new events, new expat related businesses and read more great news about the Mother City. On the new Facebook page you will find interviews, reviews and interesting reading to make your stay in Cape Town even more enjoyable. Plus this is another place to post your personal housing and job search ads.

Do you need more info on living in Cape Town? Like our Expat Cape Town Facebook page and be always informed.

And for all who are looking for in-depth info and tips or are looking for a special ‘Welcome to South Africa’ gift, we offer our ‘Living in South Africa’ book in a beautifully designed gift box. Let all know how amazing this country is!




What’s coming in the next Newsletter?

Be surprised! ExpatCapeTown brings you the most up-to-date stories and insights on expat life in Cape Town. Just be assured, that the next newsletter will provide more insights and more tips! In the meantime, please do not hesitate to come back to us on the website, on Facebook or on twitter and share your tips and insights, all kinds of comments very welcome!

>Contact us here

Enjoy your life wherever you are! Best regards,

Regina

w: www.expatcapetown.com t: @expatlivinginsa | #expatcapetown f: Expat Cape Town | LivinginSouthAfrica

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