■South African Society and Culture

◆ The Rainbow Nation

South Africa is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. In urban areas the population is made up of many different ethnic groups. Besides the native black peoples of South Africa colonialism and immigration have brought in white Europeans, Indians, Indo-Malays, Chinese and many more.

As such it is difficult to generalize at all on South African etiquette and culture due to the diversity.

◆ The Family in South Africa

◇The family is the basic unit of South African society, which compromises the nuclear family and the extended family or tribe.

◇In traditional African society, the tribe is the most important community as it is just equal to a nation. The tribe supplies both emotional and financial security just as the nuclear family does to white or colored South Africans.

◇The colored and more traditional Afrikaans cultures regard their extended family almost as important as their nuclear family, while the English-speaking white community attaches more importance to the nuclear family.

◇The nuclear family is the most basic unit of the tribe. The tribal and family units are being disturbed by changes in the economic shake-up of the country.

◇As more people rush into the urban areas, they try to protect familial ties, which includes providing financial support to family members who have stayed in the village.

◆ The Rural/Urban Dichotomy

◇There are a lot of differences between the values of the rural and urban residents.

◇Most whites living in rural areas are Afrikaner farmers who originated from the Calvinists. Their outlooks on the world are sometimes narrow. At the same time they place more emphases on human decency than materialism.

◇City residents live fast-paced life, which influences their outlook.

◇People from Johannesburg can quite often be viewed as having materialistic values, and being more concerned with what you own rather than who you are. They prefer to view themselves as graceful and their country cousins as unsophisticated.

◇People from Cape Town take great pride in their city, and often have the sense of superiority about their city versus the rest of the country. Family ties, long-term friendships and social status are all important to Capetonians.

◇The many rural black communities till adhere to the traditions of their heritage, whereas the increasingly urban black community blends their traditions with the urban environment and international influences that are around them.

■Etiquette and Customs in South Africa

◆ Meeting Etiquette

◇Depending upon the ethnic heritage of the person you are meeting there are several styles of greeting in South Africa.

◇When dealing with foreigners, most South Africans shake hands with eye contact and smiling.

◇Some women do not shake hands and only nod their head slightly, so it is advisable to wait for a woman to offer her hand.

◇Men may kiss a woman they know well on the cheek instead of a handshake.

◇Greetings are relaxed and have time for social discussion and exchanging pleasantries.

◆ Gift Giving Etiquette

◇Generally South Africans send gifts for birthdays and Christmas.

◇Two birthdays—21 and 40—are often celebrated with a large party in which a costly gift is given. Usually several friends will contribute to this gift to help bear the cost.

◇If you are invited to a South African’s home, you’d better take flowers, good quality chocolates, or a bottle of good South African wine to the hostess.

◇It is always a good idea to wrap a gift nicely.

◇Gifts are opened when received.

◆ Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a South African’s house:

◇Be punctual if you are invited to dinner.

◇Contact the hostess in advance to see if she would like you to bring a dish.

◇Wear casual clothes, such as jeans or pressed shorts. It is a good idea to confirm with the hosts ahead of time.

◇In Johannesburg, casual is dressier than in other parts of the country. Do not wear jeans or shorts unless you have told the hosts.

◇Help the hostess prepare or clear up after a meal is served.

■Business Etiquette and Protocol

◆ Relationships & Communication

◇South Africans are transactional and do not need to build long-term personal relationships before doing business.

◇If people in South Africa don’t know your company, a more formal introduction may help you obtain access to decision-makers and not be shunted off to gatekeepers.

◇Networking and relationship establishment are very important for long-standing business success.

◇Relationships are developed in the office.

◇Most businessmen are seeking long-term business relationships.

◇Although the country is prone to egalitarianism, businesspeople revere senior executives and those who have gained their position through hard work and persistence.

◇Depending upon the individual’s cultural heritage, there are major differences in communication styles.

◇For the most part, South Africans want to have harmonious working relationships, so they don’t like confrontations.

◇They often explain a point with metaphors and sports analogies.

◇Most South Africans, no matter what ethnicity they are, prefer face-to-face meetings to more impersonal communication media such as email, letter, or telephone.

◆ Business Meeting Etiquette

◇Appointments are required and should be scheduled as far in advance as possible.

◇It may be difficult to schedule meetings with senior level managers on short notice, although you may be able to do so with junior managers.

◇It is often difficult to arrange meetings from mid December to mid January or the two weeks around Easter, as these are prime holiday times.

◇Personal relationships are important. The first meeting is often intended to establish a good personal relationship and to determine if you are trustworthy.

◇After a meeting, send a a summary of what was decided and the next steps.

◆ Business Negotiations

◇It is necessary to develop mutual trust before negotiating.

◇Women have yet to get senior level positions. If you send a woman, she must expect to meet some condescending behavior and to be tested in ways that a male colleague would not.

◇Do not disturb a South African while he is speaking.

◇South Africans try to achieve consensus and win-win situations.

◇Delivery dates should be included in contracts. Deadlines are often seen as flexible rather than firm commitments.

◇Start negotiating with a rational figure. South Africans do not like bargaining over price.

◇Decision may be made at the top of the company, but they will consult with subordinates, so the process can be slow and prolonged.

◆ Dress Etiquette

◇Business dress is becoming less formal in many companies. However, for the first meeting, it is better to dress more conservatively and modestly.

◇It is appropriate for men to wear dark-colored conservative business suits.

◇Women are expected to wear elegant business suits or dresses.