How powerful is the South African passport?

This article guides you on the question “How powerful is the South African passport?”. Let’s explore:

The South African passport is relatively powerful, ranking around 44th to 52nd in the world, depending on the ranking index used. This means that South African passport holders can travel to a good number of countries without needing a visa beforehand.

Here’s a breakdown of the South African passport’s power:

  • Visa-free access to: 61 countries (as of October 2023)
  • Visa on arrival: 46 countries
  • eTA: 5 countries
  • Visa required: 86 countries

So, with a South African passport, you can potentially visit over 100 countries without needing to go through the hassle of applying for visas in advance. This makes it quite a powerful passport, especially within Africa, where it ranks among the top 3.

Of course, the specific countries you can visit without a visa will depend on your circumstances, such as your nationality, profession, and travel history. It’s always best to check the latest visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit.

The Republic of South Africa is a former British colony. It is located in Southern Africa and it consists of nine provinces. It borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho. The most important provinces are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. South Africa is the 9th largest country in Africa with a surface area of 1,221,037 square kilometers. This makes it one of the larger countries in Africa. Its terrain is characterized by a vast interior plateau surrounded by hills and coastal plains. The climate is semiarid with subtropical parts alongside the eastern coast.

The overall population is 59.6 million people. The capital of the country is Pretoria. The most populous city with around 5.6 million inhabitants is however Johannesburg. Other important cities of the country are Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Durban. The largest airport is O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). It has an approximate yearly passenger traffic of 21 million people. It connects the country to destinations across the entire world.

South Africa gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1931. Its culture is dominated by a mix of tribal traditions and colonial and European heritage. There majority of the population is 86% Christian. The nation has 11 official languages including English and Tribal dialects. The legal system is a mix between, civil, common and customary law. The government form is a parliamentary republic with President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa as elected chief of state and head of government. Elections take place every 5 years.

The official currency of the country is the South African Rand (ZAR) with the current exchange rate being ZAR 17.01 to the USD. South Africa has an open economy, generating a GDP of approximately $711 billion. This makes it the 3rd largest economy in Africa. It has a per capita income of $11,911. The main GDP contributing sectors are services and agriculture. South Africa’s economy relies heavily on mining. It is one of the most mineral rich countries in the world and the largest producer of platinum, gold and chromium.

The Republic of South Africa is an exciting destination offering several attractions. It is known for its vast wildlife and safari tours in various national parks. Some of the major destinations are the Kruger National Park, Cape Town, the Garden Route, Stellenbosch, Drakensberg and Robben Island. The majority of the 16.4 million yearly tourism visitors is originating from the neighboring African countries, the United States and Europe

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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