Looking for Nigerian Expats in South Africa?

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in South Africa, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in South Africa. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

What are the most common nationalities in South Africa? As an expat in South Africa, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in South Africa currently are:

• British
• Zimbabweans
• Germans
• Germans

Which cities are most popular among expats in South Africa? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in South Africa:

• Cape Town
• Durban
• Johannesburg

How much rent do expats pay in South Africa? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 750 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around **1.245 USD **. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within South Africa.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in South Africa.

Average rent in Cape Town

• Single expats: 755 USD
• Expat families: 1.565 USD

Average rent in Durban

• Single expats: 475 USD
• Expat families: 815 USD

Average rent in Johannesburg

• Single expats: 475 USD
• Expat families: 945 USD

How safe is South Africa? You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in South Africa as very unsafe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very high. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very high. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very low.

How safe is South Africa for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in South Africa as rather unsafe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in South Africa (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Nigerian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Being an expat in South Africa means much more than packing your belongings and taking care of paperwork. Keeping in touch with your Nigerian compatriots is a big part of the expat experience and can help you understand the South African people and their culture better. With InterNations, meeting other Nigerians in South Africa is a breeze, no matter if you are in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or any other expat magnet across the country. Just take our network of Nigerians in Cape Town, for example.

If you are in the mood to speak your mother tongue again, to learn about the best spots to shop for Nigerian food, or to discuss your favorite sports team’s latest match, join the Nigerian InterNations Community:

• In our huge expat network, you can easily find like-minded expatriates from Nigeria.
• Our South Africa Expat Forums are a great place to share experiences and advice – for example how to find a nanny speaking your language or where to get jolof rice in Cape Town...
• The InterNations Places database for South Africa helps you find institutions like the nearest Nigerian embassy.

From the Highveld's Gauteng City Region to the Garden Route, a scenic stretch along the south-east coast, we’ll get you in touch with helpful and friendly Nigerian expats in South Africa.

Participating in our regular expat events and activities in South Africa is another wonderful advantage of your membership. Our events cater to virtually all interests, ranging from a nice dinner with your fellow expats to enjoy some famous bobotie, South Africa’s national dish, to large expat get-togethers with hundreds of guests in some of Cape Town’s most exclusive locations. Looking for a weekend getaway? Simply join one of our expat excursions with a group of fellow Nigerians in Cape Town and discover the wilderness trails of Kruger National park, the Cape of Good Hope, and other impressive landmarks across South Africa.

Our events and activities are a great way of meeting fellow expats from Nigeria and all around the globe in a casual atmosphere. Does this sound interesting to you? Then sign up for membership and you’ll hear a heartfelt Ẹ n lẹ, hello, ilo la, lafia lau, from our Nigerians living in South Africa!