FOOD & DRINK: A thriving agricultural sector yields excellent fresh produce, meat, fruit and wines and the long coastline produces very fresh and cheap seafood. Oysters and linefish (examples of which are Kingklip, Kabbeljou, Cob and Red Roman) are particularly good. Typical South African dishes include sosaties (a type of kebab), bobotie (a curried mince dish, of which waterbolmmetjiebredie, made with a local water plant, is particularly good), bredies (meat, tomato and vegetable casseroles), crayfish (or rock lobster) and many other seafood dishes traditional to the Western Cape province. Curries and chutneys are excellent. Biltong (seasoned dried meat) is a savoury speciality. Potjiekos, a casserole cooked for hours in an iron pot, usually outside, is excellent. Stywepap or Poetoepap, a sort of polenta made with white maize, is widely eaten with meat. Although there is a wide choice of self-service restaurants, most have table service. Drink: There are excellent local red and white wines, sherries, brandies and some unusual liqueurs. Beer is also very good. Shebeens offer Umqombothi, a home-brewed sorghum beer. Bars/cocktail lounges have bartender service. 'Liquor stores' are open 0900-1800 weekdays and close at 1300 Saturday, although alcohol is now available in supermarkets outside these hours and under certain circumstances on a Sunday. One can generally buy alcohol at shebeens at any time.

NIGHTLIFE: 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 discotheques open until late. The large hotels usually have live music or cabaret.

SHOPPING: 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: 0900-1800 Monday to Friday, 0900-1300 Saturday, although there is an increasing trend to open later and all weekend in major tourist spots.

SPECIAL EVENTS: For further details, contact SATOUR (see address section). The following is a selection of events and festivals celebrated in South Africa during 2000:

Jan 2000 Cape Minstrel Carnival, Cape Town; Panasonic Duzi Canoe Race, KwaZulu-Natal. Feb Spar Nedbank World Flower Show, ICC Durban. Mar Cape Argus Pick 'n' Pay Cycle Tour, Cape Town. Apr Castle Lite Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town. May South African Masters Games, Port Elizabeth. Jun-Nov Whale Season (Migrating whales move into West Coast bays for courting, mating and calving), Western Cape Coast. Jun Comrades Marathon, Durban; Standard Bank National Arts Festival, Grahamstown. Aug-Oct Nanaqualand Wild Flower Season, Western Cape. Sep Arts Alive International Festival (includes Jazz on Zoo Lake concerts, theatre and dance events and community and street festivals), Johannesburg. Sep-Oct International Eisteddfod of South Africa (international music and dance festival), Roodepoort. Dec Million Dollar Golf Challenge, Sun City.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting someone's home. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Formal social functions often call for a dinner jacket and black tie for men and full-length dresses for women; this will be specified on the invitation. Smoking is prohibited during cinema and theatre performances. Tipping: Normally 10% 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.