Johannesburg, known as Egoli or the City of Gold, combines apartheid history, street art, Soweto heritage and easy day trips to the Cradle of Humankind and Pretoria.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Greet people before asking a question; a greeting comes before business
Ask permission before photographing people, especially in Soweto and Alexandra
Handshakes are standard, and some communities use a three-part handshake
Learn a few Zulu or Sotho words; even one is warmly received
Dress smart-casual for restaurants in Sandton and Rosebank
Rand cash in small notes helps for tips, markets and taxis
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Say 'Sawubona' (Zulu) or 'Dumela' (Sotho/Tswana) when greeting
- Try local food such as kota, bunny chow, pap and chakalaka
- Tip 10-15% at restaurants and R10-R20 to car guards
- Use guided tours in Soweto and the inner city
- Learn the apartheid history before visiting museums
- Respect queues and public-transport etiquette
Don't
- Do not display phones, cameras or jewellery on the street
- Do not photograph police, military or government buildings
- Do not joke about race or apartheid
- Do not assume a person's language or ethnicity
- Do not walk alone at night in the CBD or Hillbrow
- Do not photograph people without consent
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Handshake and 'How are you?' before any request
- Dining
- Wait for the host to start; sharing food is common at braais and in Soweto
- Dress
- Casual by day, smart-casual for upmarket restaurants
- Gifts
- Small gifts are appreciated when invited to a home
- Business
- Punctuality is valued, though meetings can start late
- Tipping
- 10-15% at restaurants; R10-R20 for car guards and petrol attendants
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Sawubona (Zulu) / Dumela (Sotho) / Goeie dag (Afrikaans)
Hello
sah-woo-BOH-nah / doo-MEH-lah / KHOO-yah dakh
Unjani? (Zulu) / Le kae? (Sotho)
How are you?
oon-JAH-nee / leh-KAH-eh
Ngiyabonga (Zulu) / Ke a leboha (Sotho) / Dankie (Afrikaans)
Thank you
ngee-yah-BONG-gah / keh ah leh-BOH-hah / DUNK-ee
Yebo / Cha (Zulu); Ja / Nee (Afrikaans)
Yes / No
YEH-boh / chah; yah / neer
Ngiyacela (Zulu) / Ka kopo (Sotho) / Asseblief (Afrikaans)
Please
ngee-yah-CHEH-lah / kah KOH-poh / ah-suh-BLEEF
Sala kahle (Zulu) / Tsamaya hantle (Sotho) / Totsiens (Afrikaans)
Goodbye
SAH-lah KAH-hleh / tsah-MAH-yah HAHN-tleh / tot-SEENS
Impilo (Zulu) / Gesondheid (Afrikaans)
Cheers
eem-PEE-loh / khuh-SOND-hate
Uxolo (Zulu) / Jammer (Afrikaans)
Excuse me / Sorry
oo-KOH-loh / YUM-mer
Howzit (English)
Local slang: 'Howzit'
HOW-zit
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Johannesburg.
Main: Christianity is the majority faith, including large Zionist and Pentecostal churches; Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and African traditional religion are also present
Sites: Regina Mundi Church in Soweto; Nizamiye Mosque in Midrand; Sandton and Emmarentia synagogues
Holy Days: Christmas, Good Friday and Easter, Eid, Diwali, Youth Day (16 June) and Heritage Day (24 September) are widely observed
Conversations: Religion is discussed openly and respectfully; avoid mocking beliefs