About South Africa
South Africa, located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, is renowned for its diverse cultures, landscapes, and rich history. It is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini, and it surrounds the kingdom of Lesotho. With a population of over 60 million people, South Africa has 11 official languages, including English, Zulu, and Afrikaans.
South Africa Country Code
The country code for South Africa is +27. This code is crucial for routing international calls to South Africa and must be used at the beginning of the dialing sequence when calling a phone number in South Africa from abroad. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) assigns this code to facilitate efficient global communication.
South African Phone Number Format
In South Africa, phone numbers follow a specific format. Here’s a breakdown:
- Country Code: The country code for South Africa is +27.
- Area Code: South Africa has various area codes for different regions. These are generally 2-digit codes. Some examples include:
- Johannesburg: 11
- Cape Town: 21
- Durban: 31
Subscriber Number: This is the main part of the phone number and typically consists of 7 digits.
Format Example:
- +27 (11) 123-4567
- +27: Country code for South Africa
- (11): Area code for Johannesburg
- 123-4567: Subscriber number
When writing the number for international purposes, you generally include the country code:
+27 11 123 4567
For local dialing within South Africa, you can omit the country code:
011 123 4567 (when dialing from within Johannesburg)
Are There Specific Area Codes in South Africa?
Yes, South Africa has specific area codes that are used to designate different regions within the country. After dialing the country code, you must enter the appropriate area code followed by the local phone number.
List of Major City Codes in South Africa
To help you connect with your contacts in South Africa, here’s a list of some major city codes:
City Dial Codes
Johannesburg 11
Cape Town 21
Durban 31
Pretoria 12
Port Elizabeth 41
Calling South Africa from a Mobile Phone
Making international calls from a mobile phone is straightforward if you follow the correct procedure.
Dial the International Access Code
The international access code varies by country. For example, the United States uses 011, the United Kingdom uses 00, and Australia uses 0011.
Confirm your country’s international access code with your local service provider or government telecom website.
Enter the Country Code for South Africa
After the international access code, dial +27, the country code for South Africa.
Dial the Area Code
Enter the specific area code for the region you are calling.
Dial the Local Phone Number
Enter the local phone number directly.
Example:
Suppose you are calling a number in Johannesburg, South Africa (area code 11 and local number 123-4567) from the United States. The dialing sequence would be:
- International Access Code: 011
- Country Code: 27
- Area Code: 11
- Local Number: 123-4567
- On your mobile keypad, you would dial 011-27-11-123-4567.
Calling South Africa from a Landline
The process of calling from a landline is similar, though some nuances need attention.
Dial the International Access Code:
This code is specific to the country you are calling from. For instance:
- United States and Canada: 011
- United Kingdom: 00
- Japan: 010
Enter the Country Code for South Africa:
Dial +27.
Dial the Area Code
Enter the appropriate area code for the region you are calling.
Dial the Local Phone Number
Enter the local phone number directly.
Example:
If you are calling a number in Cape Town, South Africa (area code 21 and local number 987-6543) from the United Kingdom, the dialing sequence would be:
- International Access Code: 00
- Country Code: 27
- Area Code: 21
- Local Number: 987-6543
- On your landline phone, you would dial 00-27-21-987-6543.
List of Dialling Codes in South Africa
Here’s a list of all the dialling codes used across South Africa:
| City | Dial Codes |
| Bethlehem | 58 |
| Bisho | 40 |
| Bloemfontein | 51 |
| Cape Town | 21 |
| Durban | 31 |
| East London | 43 |
| Ermelo | 17 |
| Garden Route | 44 |
| Grahamstown | 46 |
| Humansdorp | 42 |
| Johannesburg | 10 |
| Johannesburg | 53 |
| Kimberley | 53 |
| Kroonstad | 56 |
| Ladysmith | 36 |
| Malmesbury | 22 |
| Middelburg | 13 |
| Northern Cape | 27 |
| Pietermaritzburg | 33 |
| Port Elizabeth | 41 |
| Port Shepstone | 39 |
| Pretoria | 12 |
| Queenstown | 45 |
| Richards Bay | 35 |
| Rustenburg | 14 |
| Stanger | 32 |
| Steynsburg | 48 |
| Swellendam | 28 |
| Umtata | 47 |
| Upington | 54 |
| Vereeniging | 16 |
| Vryheid | 34 |
| Welkom | 57 |
| Worcester | 23 |
How to Call Out of South Africa
To phone out of South Africa, you have various methods of communication:
Internet Cafes and Public Phones
- Internet Cafes: Use Skype for calls or send emails.
- Public Phones: Coin- or card-operated public phones are available. Purchase phone cards from certain shops, the post office, or at the airport.
Mobile Phones
- International Roaming: Activate the ‘international roaming’ function via your mobile service provider to use your mobile phone abroad.
- South African SIM Card: Buy an affordable South African SIM card to get a local number, which you can use to make calls within South Africa.
Dialing Instructions for International Calls from South Africa
To make an international call from South Africa, follow these steps:
- Dial the International Direct Dialing (IDD) number.
- Dial the Country Code.
- Dial the City/Area Code.
- Dial the phone number you are calling.
How to Call the USA from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 1 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 1 – 10 Digit Mobile Number
Example: 00 1 123 1234567
(IDD – Country Code – City Code – Phone Number)
How to Call Germany from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 49 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 49 – 11 Digit Mobile Number
How to Call the UK from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 44 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 44 – 10 Digit Mobile Number
How to Call China from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 86 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 86 – 11 Digit Mobile Number
How to Call the Netherlands from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 31 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 31 – 9 Digit Mobile Number
How to Call Australia from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 61 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 61 – 9 Digit Mobile Number
How to Call India from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 91 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 91 – 10 Digit Mobile Number
How to Call Canada from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 1 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 1 – 10 Digit Mobile Number
How to Call Brazil from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 55 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 55 – 10 Digit Mobile Number
How to Call Switzerland from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 41 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 41 – 12 Digit Mobile Number
How to Call Portugal from South Africa
- Landline: 00 – 351 – Area Code – Land Phone Number
- Mobile: 00 – 351 – 9 Digit Mobile Number
For a comprehensive list of international dialing codes, refer to Telkom’s Phone Book. Note that calls are cheaper after 8 pm and before 8 am Monday – Friday, and between 8 pm on Friday and 8 am on Monday.
Best Times to Call South Africa
When contacting South Africa, it’s essential to consider the time zone differences. South Africa operates on South Africa Standard Time (SAST), which is UTC+2, and does not observe daylight saving time. Here’s what you need to know:
Daylight Saving Time
South Africa does not use daylight saving time, so the time difference remains consistent throughout the year.
Time Differences
The time difference between South Africa and other regions varies. Here are some examples:
- United States (Eastern Time): South Africa is 6 hours ahead during standard time and 5 hours ahead during daylight saving time.
- Germany: South Africa is 1 hour ahead throughout the year.
- France: South Africa is 1 hour ahead throughout the year.
- United Kingdom: South Africa is 2 hours ahead throughout the year.
- India: South Africa is 3 hours and 30 minutes behind.
Be sure to check the current local time in South Africa before making a call to ensure it’s a suitable time.
Call South Africa from the USA
| US TIME ZONE | SOUTH AFRICA TIME ZONE (SAST) | BEST TIME TO CALL (STANDARD TIME) |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time Zone (EST) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Central Time Zone (CST) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Mountain Time Zone (MST) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Pacific Time Zone (PST) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
Call South Africa from Germany
| GERMANY TIME ZONE (CET) | SOUTH AFRICA TIME ZONE (SAST) | BEST TIME TO CALL (STANDARD TIME) |
|---|---|---|
| Central European Time (CET) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Call South Africa from France
| FRANCE TIME ZONE (CET) | SOUTH AFRICA TIME ZONE (SAST) | BEST TIME TO CALL (STANDARD TIME) |
|---|---|---|
| Central European Time (CET) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Call South Africa from the UK
| UK TIME ZONE (GMT) | SOUTH AFRICA TIME ZONE (SAST) | BEST TIME TO CALL (STANDARD TIME) |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| British Summer Time (BST) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Call South Africa from India
| INDIA TIME ZONE (IST) | SOUTH AFRICA TIME ZONE (SAST) | BEST TIME TO CALL (STANDARD TIME) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Standard Time (IST) | South Africa Time Zone (SAST) | 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
Troubleshooting Call Issues
If you encounter difficulties when attempting to call South Africa, consider the following potential issues and their solutions:
Incorrect Dialing Sequence
- International Access Code: Ensure you have dialed the correct international access code for your country. This code is necessary to initiate an international call.
- Country Code: Verify that you have entered the country code for South Africa, which is +27.
- Local Number: Make sure you have entered the correct local number, including any area codes if applicable. South African phone numbers are typically formatted as +27 (XX) XXX-XXXX for landlines and +27 (XX) XXX-XXXX for mobile phones.
Network Issues
- Temporary Network Problems: Connectivity issues can arise due to temporary network problems. If your call doesn’t go through, wait a few minutes and try again.
- Network Congestion: High call volumes can cause congestion on the network, especially during peak hours. Try calling during off-peak times for better connectivity.
Phone Plan Restrictions
- International Call Allowance: Some phone plans may not include international calling as part of their standard package. Check with your service provider to see if your plan allows international calls.
- Call Restrictions: Your phone plan may have restrictions on calling certain countries, including South Africa. Contact your service provider to remove any blocks or to upgrade your plan to include international calling.
Incorrect Number
- Verification: Double-check the number you are trying to call to ensure it is correct. Mistakes in a single digit can prevent your call from connecting.
- Number in Service: Ensure that the number you are trying to reach is active and in service. If the number has been disconnected or changed, you won’t be able to connect.
Service Provider Issues
- Provider Check: Contact your service provider to ensure that there are no blocks or issues preventing international calls. Sometimes, providers may have temporary issues that can affect connectivity.
- Account Status: Ensure that your account is in good standing and that there are no outstanding payments that might affect your calling capabilities.
By carefully checking these factors, you can troubleshoot and resolve most issues that may arise when attempting to call South Africa.
Voicemail in South Africa
Phone numbers in South Africa typically come with voicemail services. Voicemail allows callers to leave messages when the recipient is unavailable. Most mobile service providers in South Africa offer voicemail services. When you call someone who is unavailable, you will be directed to their voicemail to leave a message. Voicemail services are also available for landlines, although you may need to request this feature from your service provider.
Wrapping it Up
Calling South Africa is straightforward, with the correct dialing codes. Whether using a mobile phone or a landline, ensure you dial the international access code, country code (+27), and local number correctly to connect with your contacts effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two/three-letter country codes for South Africa?
South Africa is identified by ZA as the two-letter ISO (alpha-2) code. ZAF is the three-letter ISO (alpha-3) code for South Africa.
Which country's phone code is +27?
27 is the country dialling code for South Africa. It is used to make international calls from abroad to connect to any phone number in South Africa.
How many digits does a phone number from South Africa typically have?
South Africa phone numbers generally consist of 9 digits, including the country code and the local area code.
What is the international dialling format of a phone number from South Africa?
South Africa phone number is typically written in the following format: Country Code (27) + Area Code + Phone Number. Ensure to include the correct area code when dialing internationally.
