damola91: Hi everyone, earlier in the year I got my student visa(thanks to this thread ) but I couldn't go because registration had ended before I got the visa. I got in touch with the HOD and he told me to come over in January and submit application for re-admission. So, hopefully I'll be going by January.
However I'd like to know what exactly, like papers I'd need to hold along to the airport while going,
then BTA issue, I heard it isn't a good idea to hold dollars, but to wait until u get over there and withdraw from an ATM.
Thanks

samtol4: Happy new year to all who make this forum remarkable .justwise, collinb and other contributors well done ! Pls in 2014 let us make effort to post VACANCIES OPPORTUNITIES available in the Republic and SCHORLARSHIPS OPPORTUNITiES .pls don't be greedy if u re enjoying schorlarships and grants pls inform the house so that this coming year other forumites can apply .GOD bless u all in jesus name .

elume2020: Happy new year to everyone in the house and most especially patrons of this thread. In continuation of my post visa advise for all those coming this month to South Africa most especially Students here is part 2. Some items are quite cheap here in South Africa like everything you will need to set-up a room as a student you can get them for cheap price also you can pay for premium quality things depending on how much you want to spend. But items like Phones to me its is very expensive if you are to pay a one-off payment but newly release phones are first placed on contract by different telecommunication firm for a period of two years. I will like patrons in the house to shed more light of the conditions for you to have such a contract phone. I use a Sony xperia Z, the last time i checked it goes for R8,000 i got mine from Uganda for about R5,000.

With regards to plugs for your electronics, The Circular socket like that type for Air Condition in Nigeria is the standard here. So if you have a square plug you might need to get an adaptor to be able to connect to electricity. You can get these adaptor in the mall but it is difficult to come by so please if your devices are electricity hungry get your adaptor from Nigeria.

You might want to ask if Nigerian food are available, Yes there are shops in Johannesburg that sells Nigerian foods but you need to do some findings about where they are located, if you reside in Johannesburg, i Know one is in Braamfontein. As to Nigerian cooking ingredient, the name are different here though the content might be the same so you have to know what you want in the mall. As for guys like me it was pretty confusing to get the ingredient i need to prepare some meals. Get a South African friend that you can go to the mall together for the first one or two visit so you have an understanding of what is packaged and you buy the appropriate items.

With regards to opening of bank account, when you arrive the bank, let them know you want a student account. In standard bank, which i use at first there was a restriction for opening access account which was designed for student by international student so i had to settle for Plus plan, they charge a monthly fee of about R40, if you deposit money at the bank over the counter i was charged R49, some service charge of R16 and i was charged per swipe. In short it was an expensive account to operate so i had to complain about all the charges then i was told the restriction on the access account has been removed. So i encourage you to have a proper understanding on how the account you open operate. I am using Access account and made my charges per transaction so i perform like One transaction per month. I withdraw about R1,500 which is enough for me for a month, feeding, call, transport and the likes, mind you i am a student who uses the school transport everyday, No lover but i have friends and i am a very cautious spender so i can live within my limits. Please note some banks are strictly for South Africans, so don't feel embarrassed if you walk into a back and they tell you they cannot open an account for you. I can't remember the name of that bank, Patrons please help me on that.

I understand the issue of accommodation is very important. Please before you make payment for your accommodation to any agent do find out about the area your house is located. honestly some places are not student friendly. If you are a peace loving student that uses Laptop and expensive phone which you have to take to school everyday and you don't have a control over the time you leave school please be careful.

On the issue of keeping in touch with Nigeria. Calling from an MTN line from South Africa to MTN line in Nigeria is fairly as good and when you make an MTN to MTN call in Nigeria, you don't have to be scared that International call symptom. I have discovered if you call different network especially from MTN line to other network, yoh, your credit is gone. I learnt Cell C has the cheapest rate but i was not satisfied with their services. I will advice you get a phone that can chat. Many South African will rather chat than make a call. so to keep in touch get a chatting phone. I use 8.ta for my phone internet service. with R149, i get 2Gb data plus and extra 1Gb night plan from 11pm maybe till 6am. also 2GB wireless internet connectivity at some choice location like McDonald though i haven't gotten time to explore that wireless. so make a proper search on your area, if you have the services before you but your line. MTN is actually evrywhere you go, so also Vodacom. 8.ta coverage is still limited.

This came to mind, I read about the BTA issue. just as someone said tell them you have a master card. But I will advise you before you are even asked about the BTA, the following set of offices at MMA will task you, Immigration, Custom and NDLEA. Please tell them you are a student and stand a ground that you don't have money. they will really disturb you. Attimes they will take your passport from you and ask you to go into a room. there you will meet like two officer, they expect you settle them before you can get your passport. I didn't pay a dime and it was my first time of travelling, though i was scared of them and their wahala. i had only about 60USD on me, na the 10,000 naira wey my papa give me i convert and they want to collect it, never. i hide for my hand luggage. so by the time a search was conducted it was the 200 naira in 20 naira and five naira note which i told them i have they found on me. so be wise also note there is a limit to amount you can travel with else you declare, please note this you might be arrested as a matter of fact i won't expect a student to be travelling with such money. any excess money should be in your bank account all you need is a master card. When you get here insert your master card and withdraw in rand, necessary conversion will be made and fixed charge will be deducted and you get a rand equivalent. also note this rate changes but have an idea of the rate and try as much to make a withdraw as much as you need. the fixed charge is irrespective of the amount. R10 and R1000 attracts the same fixed charge. so be smart.

As event unfolds and lessons are learnt, I will update the forum. thanks

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herigift: thanks,,how available is jobs for medical doctors especially in pinetown or durban any vacancy or website to visit? also any vacancy for chemistry education teacher in pinetown or surrounding because he will be schooling at edgewood campus of UKZN , he already has saqa certificate. Thanks