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ExpatCapeTown Newsletter, December 2018, Cape Town festive season tips and so much more December 19, 2018 |
Welcome to our Cape Town Living TipsDecember 2018
Dear all,
hasn’t this year gone by in a flash? Now after a whirlwind of events, some unsettling and others inspiring, we are already heading straight for the new year and hope the new year will bring us energy and motivation to tackle all that will come our way.
The ups and downs this year did unfortunately not leave all of us unscathed but let’s always see the light at the end of the tunnel and so let us wish for a prosperous and happy new year that is filled with peace, joy and good health.
Over the festive season, Cape Town will pretty much close down as the schools have closed for the year. Business life in the city already has come to a standstill for many and not only the locals but also our foreign visitors will enjoy the relaxed and festive vibe in the city. Holidaymakers from all over the world will be coming to experience our awesome city and wonderful beaches. Aren't we fortunate to live in this beautiful part of the world? Did you
know that Cape Town just has been voted again as the greatest city on earth by the UK’s The Telegraph readers?
Now that our dams are replenished due to some good rains during the last weeks, our water situation has vastly improved, however, be aware of the new regulations and keep on saving the precious resource. We are still on Level 3 water restrictions in Cape Town, at 105 litres per person per day, and there are many areas especially in the Western Cape that are hard hit. A new challenge for those you have not practised electricity saving in previous years is 'load shedding', which are power cuts. These periods of scheduled load shedding are upon us again, although the City of Cape Town intends to keep the lights on during the festive season.
Read more about Cape town's water situation
Now enjoy our newsletter and have a great time in Cape Town or wherever you are!
Updates and NewsThis is what you will find in this ExpatCapeTown newsletter edition: * All you should know: Holiday travel - Must-have travel documents when travelling with minors * What's on in Cape Town: Festive season events * Cape Town Insider Tips: Know where to go when... Festive Season in Cape TownThe latest amendments to the immigration regulations were introduced on 1 December 2018. It is still unclear how immigration officers at border control will deal with the new directive. According to the amendment, now only children (under 18 years of age) who are South African citizens still must carry their unabridged birth certificates for all travels in and out of the country. The new directive by the department of Home Affairs which came into effect in December first seemed to have eased travel requirements for foreign family travellers to South Africa as it is stated that foreign families traveling to South Africa ’may’ carry the children’s birth certificates. If only one parent is travelling, it is still required to carry a consent letter of the parent who is not accompanying the child. This parental consent does not have to be in form of a formal affidavit anymore, but can be a signed consent letter.
However, it is highly recommended to
still stick to the immigration regulations and carry the unabridged birth certificate whether you a foreigner or local to not get stuck at the airline counter or at border control.
Read more about traveling with minors
Please also note that the offices of VFS in South Africa will close for visa submissions over the festive period. Last day of submissions is 20 December, they will only open again on 3 January. Collections will be possible on selected dates but offices will stay closed on 24 and 31 December, as well as 2 January. Please refer to the VFS website for further info.
Read more on our site’s immigration guide, should you intend to immigrate or work and travel to South Africa. Find out more here: What else is on in Cape Town?There are many events happening in Cape Town this festive season as you will see on our ExpatCapeTown event calendar.
Events in December 2018
Spread the Love - Help a Good Cause
It's the time of the year again. SAYes is looking for new mentors for their 2019 student intake. How about spending one hour per week for a good cause from next year? Read more about this fabulous organisation here.
SAYes Mentoring
Expat Cape Town Insider TipsLooking for truly unique gifts for your loved ones? Support the beaders at Monkey Biz in Bo-Kaap who will amuse and delight you with the most fantastic bead art creations of local wildlife and animals. You must see these colourful creations to understand what I mean… So support the locals and give a gift of love. More here. Monkeybiz How about a fun party with great music and lekker food? Get your ticket for the Sizzled Summer + Music Festival which will take place on 26 December at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town. Get more info here: Sizzled Festival
Insightful exhibition anyone? Visit the old castle’s ruins and the thought-provoking exhibition at the Chavonnes Battery Museum at the V&A Waterfront. The Andrei Stenin Press Photo Exhibition is worth an extended visit. On display are currently 67 award-winning images of talented young photographers from 14 countries around the world. Read more here:
Chavonnes Battery and Museum
Do you need more info on living in Cape Town? Join our Facebook group
and make sure to like our
ExpatCapeTown Facebook Page
Take note: No ads in the forum allowed and please make sure to read our pinned post:-) Thanks!
If you need more tips on settling in South Africa, order our e-book or the original soft copy version of our expat guide: ‘Living in South Africa’ and find out why we love living in this beautiful city. Our ‘Living in South Africa’ expat handbook is filled with practical tips and the e-book is available in .pdf and .epub form.
Living in South Africa e-book
Have a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous start into a happy and prosperous 2019! And 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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