A thriving agricultural sector yields excellent fresh produce, meat, fruit and wines and the long coastline produces very fresh and cheap. Bars/cocktail lounges have bartender service. ‘Liquor stores’ are open weekdays 0900-1800 and Sat 0900-1300, although alcohol is now available in supermarkets outside these hours and under certain circumstances on a Sunday.
National specialities:
• Sosaties (a type of kebab).
• Bobotie (a curried mince dish, of which waterbolmmetjiebredie, made with a local water plant, is particularly good).
• Potjiekos, a casserole cooked for hours in an iron pot, usually outside.
• Bredies (meat, tomato and vegetable casseroles).
• Biltong (seasoned dried meat).
• Poetoepap, a sort of polenta made with white maize, is widely eaten with meat.
• Seafood including oysters, crayfish (or rock lobster) and linefish (examples of which are Kingklip, Kabbeljou, Cob and Red Roman).
National drinks:
• Umqombothi, a home-brewed sorghum beer.
• Excellent local red and white wines (including chardonnay), sherries, brandies and some unusual liqueurs.
Tipping: Normally 10 to 15 per cent if service is not included. It is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers, caddies and room service. By law, hotel rates do not include a service charge.

Cinemas show a variety of international films. In the large cities, there are regular plays, operas and symphony concerts. The local music scene is thriving, and there is a unique South African ‘township’ jazz style, exponents of which can be seen in all large cities. There are a number of nightclubs and discos open until late. The large hotels usually have live music or cabaret.

Upmarket boutiques and supermarkets generally coexist with a mass of street traders selling arts, crafts and anything else profitable. Stores are modern. Special purchases include Swakara hand-crafted gold, coats, gold, diamond and semi-precious stone jewellery, leather, suede and fur goods, ceramics and crafts, of which there are now a bewildering variety including many from the rest of the continent. Local wine, brandy and liqueur are cheap and usually excellent. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1400, although there is an increasing trend to open later and all weekend in major tourist spots.