Mondial Assistance


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Introduction to South Africa

Do I need any vaccinations before I travel to South Africa?
Do I need any vaccinations before I travel to South Africa?

Yes. Please consult our table of vaccinations for South Africa here.

What are the telephone numbers for emergency services in South Africa?

Useful telephone numbers to remember include:

  • 10111 - Police

  • 10177 - Medical emergencies

  • From a mobile phone you can also dial 112.

In which cities will the Football World Cup matches be played?

The Football World Cup will be played in the following cities and stadiums between 11 June and 11 July 2010.

  • Green Point Stadium, Cape Town (Western Cape province). More.

  • Durban Stadium, Durban (KwaZulu-Natal province). More.

  • Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg (Gauteng province). More.

  • Free State Stadium, Mangaung / Bloemfontein (Fre State province). More.

  • Port Elizabeth Stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape province). More.

  • Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit (Mpumalanga province). More.

  • Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane (Limpopo province). More.

  • Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg (North West province). More

  • Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Tshwane/Pretoria (Gauteng province). More.

Will it be hot in South Africa in June?

South Africa can be visited comfortably any time. However, depending on what you plan to do, it’s worth paying attention to the seasons, which are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere. Winter (June to September) is cooler, drier and ideal for hiking and outdoor pursuits. Because vegetation is less dense and thirsty animals congregate around rivers and other permanent water sources, winter is also the best time for wildlife-watching. In the eastern highveld, nights are often crisp and clear, with occasional frosts, so come prepared with a jacket.

What is Bafana Banana?

According to "The national football team is known as Bafana Bafana - "the boys, the boys" in isiZulu. The nickname comes from the fans' cry that went up during the team's triumph at the 1996 African Nations Cup (also hosted in South Africa). Since the end of apartheid and South Africa's sporting isolation, Bafana Bafana have twice qualified - in 1998 and 2002 - for the Fifa World Cup."

What is a vuvuzela?

According to "Some would say it's South Africa's national musical instrument. It's a big plastic trumpet, brightly coloured, and is blown with gusto by all fans at every football match in the country. The sound it makes is something between the bellow of a constipated elephant and the buzzing of a giant swarm of baritone bees, but South Africans like it.


The purpose of this website is to provide you with travel-related health information. The content contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it a substitute for medical advice. If you have any health-related questions before or during your trip, or if you believe you might require medical advice for a medical condition or specific treatment of any kind, Mondial Assistance strongly recommends that you contact your physician or other competent medical professionals.

Mondial Assistance makes every effort to provide the most up-to-date information in this website. However, Mondial Assistance does not provide advice of any nature, and shall not be responsible for the accuracy of the information presented herein, or your reliance thereon. Please note that this information is not intended to constitute medical or other professional diagnosis, analysis or advice. The information and other material published on this website may include inaccuracies or typographical errors.