ANNUAL EVENTS:

February:
Buffalo Regatta - Contact Person: Mr Des Beart - Tel: 722 6720
Surfers Marathon - 18 km Beach and Road Run. Organised by the Border Surfriders Association - Contact Dave Fish at Tel: 743 1926
Daily Dispatch Rotary Buffalo Cycle Tour and Fun Rides - 3 Routes and distances. Organised by the Rotary Club of Beacon Bay.

March/April:
Portnet Harbour Festival - Contact Person: Mr Terry Taylor - Tel: 700 2300 (In conjunction with Red Nose Day). Also includes helicopter rides by AV8 Helicopters.

April/May:
East London Agricultural Show - Gonubie Farmers Hall (just outside EL on the N2 to Umtata) - Contact: Derrick Trent Tel: 748 2822 (h) or Theunis van der Vyver Tel: 743 9953. Also includes helicopter rides by AV8 Helicopters.

May/June:
Gonubie Festival - Contact Mr Quentin Williams - Tel: 748 2760, Cell: 083 275 3579. For Stalls: Contact Peter Campbell at Tel: 745 1720. Also includes helicopter rides by AV8 Helicopters.

July:
Washie 100 - Road Race from Port Alfred to East London organised by Buffalo Club - Tel: AndrŽ Small at 735 4401

September:
Spring Festival - Held in conjunction with the Daily Dispatch Fun Run. Tel: 722 6015.

October:
The Oktoberfest - Organised by the German Club of East London and held at their club - Tel: Mr Weskamp at 748 1379
The Lions Beer Festival - at the Spoornet Goodshed - Tel: Grant Hobbs at 722 4644.

November:
Opening of Season and Switching on of Christmas Lights - Contact: Tourism East London (ELMTA) at Tel: 722 6015.
This event consists of a procession down Oxford Street, with entertainment such as dancing, bands, etc. The Mayor of East London and other important guests officially open the Festive Season and the Christmas Lights are switched on. Shops are open for late night shopping.

December:
Christmas Carnival - Contact: Tourism East London (ELMTA) at 722 6015.
This event is one of the biggest in East London, the main street Oxford is closed off and various kinds of stalls run in the middle of the street and on the pavements. Stall Holders come from all over the country to participate. Bookings only open 6 October. Normally held round about 17-20 December. Dates to be confirmed.
Fireworks Display - Contact: Tourism East London (ELMTA) at Tel: 722 6015.
Paddleski Race - between Port Elizabeth and East London.

REGULAR EVENTS IN EAST LONDON:

Click here to view our Online Calendar of Events for East London and the surrounding areas. In the Online Calendar you will also find: Annual Calendars; School Terms/Holidays; Public Holidays; and Religious Holidays.

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BANKING:

Normal banking hours in South Africa are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, with extended hours including weekends in some locations.
Visitors who require cheque, cashing or other banking services are advised to check times of operation with each specific institution.
Canadian chartered banks, particularly in major centres, are equipped to exchange foreign currency as well.
Several major European and foreign banks have offices in South Africa, and will handle some foreign currencies directly.

Trading Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9am-3.30pm
Saturday: 9am-11am

ATM Machines - All Hours
ABSA International Banking - 117 Oxford Street - Tel: 743 6973
First National Bank - 73 Oxford Street - Tel: 743 4000
Land Bank - Pebble Mill House, Selborne - Tel: 721 0710
NBS - 15 Terminus Street - Tel: 0860 33 3111
Nedbank - 71 Oxford Street - Tel: 743 3300
Permanent Bank - Vincent Park Centre, Devereaux Avenue - Tel: 703 3200
Standard Bank - 77 Oxford Street - Tel: 701 2111

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CLIMATE:

East London enjoys a moderate climate, with few extremes in temperature and is generally sunny and pleasant.
Winters usually mild, although snow falls on the mountain ranges of the Cape and Natal and occasionally in the lower-lying areas, when a brief cold spell can be expected throughout the country.
Since South Africa lies South of the Equator, these seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere.

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COMMUNITIES:

French:
Contact: Owen Nel - Tel: 743 1603 (w), 726 1210 (h)

German:
Contact: Mrs Schuch - Tel: 748 3086

Indian:
Contact: Mr Williams - Tel: 743 3315

Italian:
Contact: Mrs Marchetti - Tel: 735 2030

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CONVERSION TABLES:

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CREDIT CARDS & TRAVELLERS CHEQUES:

Most international cards are accepted, as are travellers cheques provided they are in an acceptable international currency. Most commercial establishments accept all major credit cards.
If a card is lost, immediately report it to one of the following numbers:
American Express - (011) 359-0200
Diners Club - (011) 358-8400
Master Card - (011) 498-4699
Visa Card - (011) 498-4699

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CURRENCY:

The unit of currency is the Rand. The Rand is divided into 100 cents, larger denominations are always in multiples of ten. All denominations are clearly distinguishable by colour and pictures. Most places accept the American dollar, usually at a pre-determined rate. Exchange rates fluctuate quite widely, so visitors are encouraged to exchange their funds at the current exchange rate.
Travelers cheques in most currencies are the safest way to carry money and are accepted by banks and most commercial establishments.

One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c)
Notes issued include: R200; R100; R50; R20; R10
Coins issued include: R5; R2; R1; 50c; 20c; 10c; 5c; 2c; 1c
You are permitted to take out R500 in SA Reserve Bank notes, thereafter a 20% levy is charged on additional funds.

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CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION:

You will require a valid passport to enter South Africa.
Please check with your travel agent regarding visas for citizens of certain Asian and East Europeon countries.

Import - Free import by persons over 18 years:
- 400 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250 g of tobacco
- 2 bottles (2 liters) of wine and 1 bottle (1 liter) of spirits or liquor
- 50 ml of perfume and 250 ml of toilet water per person
- other gift articles up to a value of ZAR 500.
All goods other than the above acquired abroad by residents of South Africa must be declared by them on arrival. All these goods will be subject to import duties.

Additional information:
Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages limited to those over 18 years;
South Africa is member of the CITES;
The above-mentioned import allowances apply once a month to residents who have been out of South Africa for 48 hours or more and not to minor children travelling with one or both parents.

Baggage clearance:
Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in South Africa.
Exempt: baggage of transit passengers with a destination in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia or Swaziland, provided the passengers do not leave the transit area.

Currency:
Import:
RESIDENTS:
Local currency (South African Rand-ZAR): ZAR 500.- in S.A. Reserve Banknotes;
Foreign currencies and traveller's cheques: unlimited, provided declared upon arrival.
NON-RESIDENTS:
Local currency: ZAR 500.- in cash
Foreign currencies and traveller's cheques: unlimited, provided declared upon arrival.
Export:
RESIDENTS:
Local currency (South African Rand-ZAR): ZAR 200.- in S.A. Reserve Banknotes (not included in travel allowance)
Foreign currencies: up to the full amount allowed per year
Traveller's cheques, foreign currencies, bank drafts etc: per calendar year, per person of 12 years or over, for travel to: - Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe: ZAR 20 000
per child under 12 years ZAR 5 000 - The daily average rate must not exceed ZAR 1 000.- per person - to all other countries: ZAR 60 000
per child under 12 years: ZAR 20 000 - The daily average rate must not exceed ZAR 2 000.- per person.
Foreign exchange may only be provided up to 28 days prior to departure date.
NON-RESIDENTS:
Local currency: ZAR 500.- in cash.
Foreign currencies and traveller's cheques (also in ZAR): up to the amounts imported and declared and provided departure is within 12 months after entry.
Notes: No limit for travel between Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland, as these countries belong to the same common monetary area.

Firearms and Ammunition:
Residents require an import permit and a police permit. Visitors require a temporary police permit. Police permits can be obtained on arrival.
Proof of ownership (in English) should accompany visitors.

Pets:
- All animals (including pets) and animal products can only be transported as manifested cargo under Air Waybill, also in case of transit if transshipment is involved.
- A veterinary import/in transit permit must be obtained from the Director Veterinary Services, Private Bag 138, Pretoria, or any South African Mission, prior to dispatch of the pet, and must be valid on the date of entry into the Republic of South Africa.
All required documents must accompany the shipment.
- Pets need, in addition, a health certificate stating that the dog/cat:
* comes from an area with a radius of 25 km. free from rabies for 6 months prior to export of the pet,
* was vaccinated against rabies less than 3 years (for cats: 1 year) and 2 months at the latest prior to arrival.
The required health documents, etc. will be checked by a veterinary officer at the cargo terminal of the delivering carrier (or its handling agent) prior to release (for transshipment) of the pet.
Exempt are seeing eye dogs, provided accompanying a blind person. Such dogs are permitted in the cabin and will be cleared in the customs area of passengers' arrival hall. It is advisable to inform the local station manager of the delivering carrier prior to departure as the veterinary officer has to be summoned to clear such a dog.
All regulations concerning required documents must be complied with.

Prohibited:
Restricted and declaration upon arrival required for meat, dangerous drugs, flick knives, ammunition and explosives, indecent and obscene literature.

Restrictions:
Returning South African residents who have been absent for a period of less than six months must declare:
- all watches and fur garments purchased abroad or at a duty free shop in South Africa.
- plants and plant material: import permit is required for a.o. seeds, flowers, fruit, honey, margarine and vegetable oils.
- Holy water: all passengers entering from Saudi Arabia with holy water should hand some in upon arrival at the terminal building to the State Health Office. They will be given a receipt on production of which they can collect their holy water after at least 1 week. The treated holy water will be kept for them at the State Health Department for maximum of 4 weeks, after which time, if not claimed, it will be destroyed.

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DIALLING CODES:

International calls to South Africa must be preceded by 27.
The "0" of the area code following should be omitted.

If you wish to give your number to somebody in another country, make sure you give:
1. The South African country code, which is always 27;
2. Your area code, omitting the first zero; and
3. your own number

Take this example:
Your number is East London 123 456
The dialling code for South Africa is 27 and for East London 043
The number you give is +27 43 123 456.
(The plus sign represents the international access code from the calling country).
If you use a printed letterhead there is an agreed way of presenting your number: National: (043) 123 456, International: +27 43 123 456.

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DISTANCE CHART:

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DUTIES & TAXES:

South Africa has sales tax of 14 % Value Added Tax (VAT) which is applicable.
Non-resident individuals visiting South Africa will be entitled to claim the VAT paid on goods purchased by them while in South Africa, provided they take the goods with them when they leave the country.
Visitors generally claim their VAT at participating VAT Refund Administrator's office at the border when leaving the country. The full amount of the VAT may be claimed back when providing prove of purchased is produced.

VAT on the following may not be claimed back:
Food and beverages;
Gratuities;
Taxi or Limousine services;
Transportation between restaurants, museums or shopping complexes;
Theme nights and entertainment;
Hotel accommodation, etc.

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ELECTRICITY:

The standard power source is 200/230 volts AC throughout South Africa.
The only exeptions are Pretoria (250V) end Port Elizabeth, using 200/250V.
An adaptor or transformer can be purchased to link foreign appliances with local power.

Outlets and voltage (220 volts) are not the same as in the United States.
United States small appliances such as hair dryers, irons, razors, etc., cannot be used in South Africa.
For other countries where voltage is different, adapters are required for electrical appliances.

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EMBASSIES & CONSULATES:

The Department of Foreign Affairs can be contacted at: (012) 351-1000.

In Eastern Cape:
Belgian:
Mr Bodeux - 42 Vincent Gardens Road, Vincent, 5247
Tel: 726 6864 (h), 726 5300 (w)

British Consulate:
Box 19537, Tecoma
Tel: 726 9380,
Home & Office: 3 Trenchard Road, Selborne - Tel: 726 4430

French Consulate: (Open Office Hours)
19 Currie Street, Quigney, 5201
Tel: 743 3757

Italian Consulate
Box 8144, Nahoon
Tel: 735 2030

Portuguese Consulate
Box 19405, Tecoma - Tel: 726 0738

For information regarding visas, passports and consulates, contact the Department of Home Affairs in Drury Lane - 743 9348

In South Africa:
Australian High Commission
PO Box 4749, Cape Town, 8000
Tel: (021) 419 5425 or Tel: (021) 419 7345.

Austria
60 Trafalgar Place, Sandhurst, Sandown, Johannesburg, 2001
Tel: (011) 883 5739

Belgium Consulate General
PO Box 2717, Cape Town, 8000
Tel: (021) 419 4690 or Tel: (021) 721 1121

Botswana Consulate
4th Floor, Southern Life Building, Cape Town, 8001
Tel: (021) 421 1045 or Tel: (021) 421 1046
Botswana
Furura Bank House, 122 de Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 403 3748

British Consulate
PO Box 500, Cape Town, 8000
Tel: (021) 425 3670 or Tel: (021) 425 1427

Canadian High Commission
19th Floor, Reserve Bank Building, St. Georges Mall, Cape Town.
Tel: (021) 423 5240 or Tel: (021) 425 3034

Chilean Embassy
PO Box 2067, Cape Town, 8000.
Tel: (021) 421 2344 or Tel: (021) 425 3034

Chinese Consulate
PO box 1122, Cape Town, 8000.
Tel: (021) 418 1187/9 or Tel: (021) 425 3022
Chinese Consulate
PO Box 3400, Durban, 4000
Tel: (031) 378 235/6 or Tel: (031) 379 541
Chinese Consulate
10th Floor, Safren House, Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein
Tel: (011) 404 3281/3 or Tel: (011) 403 1679