The summer weather in Gauteng (Joburg area) is like the American MidWest: sunny and warm most days, but a lightning and thunder storm with rain most afternoons. Until the rain comes, it can be very humid. You don’t say where you are from (which can affect how you handle the weather here), so I would say to bring a fold-up umbrella for the afternoon rains, a light jacket or sweater (called a "jersey" here) or a shawl for the cooler temps.

For the safari, you will need neutrals like khaki, tan, dark green. Long pants are a good idea, even if you will be in a vehicle, as the areas where they have safaris tend to be very hot and dry and the sun beating down on your bare legs (or though dark fabric) will be pretty uncomfortable after a while. Bring a hat, preferably something that will shade your face and the back of your neck and bring a very high PF sunscreen (I use 40+ but I am very fair). The South African sun is more intense than anything you have EVER experienced in the US (and I lived in Arizona for 3 years, so I know what I am talking about!). Also, if you are going near water sources, like rivers, lakes, etc., don’t forget mosquito repellant–the mossies here are fierce!! You might also want to bring some of those 100% cotton bandana hankies (in neutral colours) to use as sweatbands and neckerchiefs–expect to sweat here unless you come from a very hot environment.

As far as clothing is concerned, South Africa is a VERY casual place. Shorts on men–even on old whitehaired grandpas– (knee-length) are much more common here than in the US. Everybody wears jeans all year round. T-shirts are popular as well, "Smart casual" is the dress code for evening wear–that means you can wear a peasant skirt, Tshirt, dressy sandals, a pretty sash at the waist and some standout-jewellery (like turquoise neckace and earrings) and be in the first flush of fashion. To keep your packing to a minimum, I would recommend bringing things you can wear with your neutrals-things that coordinate with them and then some contrasting accessories, like a persimmon or deep aqua scarf to wear with a tan skirt and top.

South Africa is fashion forward, but casual–Google "Sandton City" and check the various shops in the mall for an idea as to what we wear here (wear what we do and you won’t look like a tourist). Be aware that we have Ed Hardy, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani–we also have Mr. Price and Ackermans (think Kmart, WalMart fashions).

I have been here 8 years (from NorCalif) and I love it here. Welcome to South Africa!!

PS–the shopping here is fab: I saw cotton blend ladies Tshirts today 2 for R50–that’s about $3.50 each!

http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&source=hp&q=white+genocide+in+south+africa&rlz=1R2ADSA_enCA342&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=white+gen&gs_rfai=&fp=9d71f91454e38b5

Dont believe everything you read in the newspapers – the media loves a sensationalist story… There is no genocide… Again I tell you to look up the definition of genocide:
"the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group."

We might have things rough as a result of BEE but there is no attempt to exterminate the white population. People that believe that are paranoid and looking for and excuse to hate. There is no deliberate, systematic extermination of any racial groups occurring at all. before using a word try and make sure you know what it means.

Apartheid was nothing even close to genocide with the exception of the banning of certain political parties (which is not the same as exterminating a group of people who have the same political ideals at all). get your facts straight. We might have a degree of reverse racism but it is NOT
genocide.

Aside from the extremists on both sides of the fence most of us can live together peacefully. As a South African I am sick and tired of people being racist and when they dont get what they want when they want it they ALWAYS fall back and play the race card. Black, white, coloured, indian, chinese, japanese etc… they all need to get over themselves and start living in the present.

High crime rate (which unfortunately does affect whites more than blacks simply because whites still have more money than blacks) does not equal genocide. I really wish people would stop making out as though we are on the brink of a devastating race war when we are not. Try to get all the facts – and not from scared little ignorant bigots who leave when things get tough. Try talking to a real South African who is part of the working class and you’ll see that the media makes a lot of statements that are purely designed to sell newspapers.

EDIT: @ Worsjors. Your answer was neither informative, nor indeed an answer to the question posed. Instead of insulting others on here why not try and be a man and have an opinion other than what you are fed through the media? I live here and I know whats going on. You on the other hand seem to have no clue and only ever want to be as contrary as possible.

SA is going through a very difficult period and it hurts to see the huge obstacles the country faces in the coming decades, let alone having to listen to the snooty opinion of the British media on our situation! London (where I live) isn’t exactly that safe either, anyone seen the news recently? Sometimes it feels like the Western media want our fragile democracy to fail.

But my point is how can South Africa shake off all these negative stereotypes and be portrayed in a positive light for a change?
To ‘watzzzup’ I didn’t post this Q so you could expouse your pointless racist views! By Euros I take you mean white people yeah? Have you seen my avatar?That’s me you fool, I’m a white South African, I love my country but I sure as hell ain’t gonna be blamed for apartheid which happened 40 years before I was born! Having been abroad for most of my life I’ve had the had the benefit of not been indoctrinated and as such I have friend of different races and religions over here in the UK, I certainly don’t believe SA belongs to me or anyone else but to all South Africans who just want to live in peace! Please take your racist view elsewhere ‘watzzzup’, you’re no bad than the AWB by saying stuff like that!

South Africa can shake all this off by just popularizing all the good things about them. Believe me, as a citizen of Ghana, i have heard worse stories about Ghana over hear, and we both have to face the fact that even though we have greatly advanced and are trying to end all the violence, the West will never popularize the good as much as the bad in Africa. It is a shame because Africa has a lot to offer, and people’s views are distorted because of what the media outside the country shows. The only way that South Africa can shake off the negative stereotypes is by not paying attention to all the negative stereotypes and working hard to end all the negativity that is in the country, and the media will realize that the place and the people are actually not that bad. South Africa is already portrayed as a positive light in Africa, and if your continent or at least another country knows how really good you are and what you have to offer, then you’re fine. Nobody is perfect, everyone has negative stereotypes, and they just have to work together to make those stereotypes really what they are: negative and false.

Any idiot who wants to disagree should take a look at our unemployment rate and economic growth. Unemployment went up in the last 10 years and economic growth was around 3%, which is hardly impressive.

http://www.southafrica.to/transport/Airports/O-R-Tambo-International/O-R-Tambo-International-Airport.php5

On the left there is flight deals enter your details and then you will be given flight dates book one and then you are off to China.

Or call one of these numbers

Automated flight Information: Tel 086 72 77 888

ACSA Help desk: +27 11 921 6262

This is a sad subject, especially because so many pregnancies are as a result of rape. Many young girls are raped because of this disgusting belief that intercourse with a virgin is a cure for AIDS.