History of Relations |
Diplomatic Representation
| Travel Info | Health Info | Climate Info | Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits and Meetings |
Agreements | Interest Groups / Organisations
History
of Relations
South Africa and Afghanistan established diplomatic
relations on 19 September 1994. South Africa never recognised the Taliban regime
and is currently in the process of normalising relations with the current government
of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan.
Diplomatic
Representation
South African Representation in Afghanistan
Representation accredited from Islamabad,
Pakistan
Acting High Commissioner
Mr M M Mesatywa
Afghanistan
Representation in South Africa
Representation is in the process of being
negotiated.
Travel Info
Visa Requirements
for South Africans
For more information contact the South African High
Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Tel:
09-9251-226-2354/5/6
Fax: 09-9251-225-0140
Email: sahisl@isb.comsats.net.pk
Health
Info
Visitors to Afghanistan have to be up to date on polio (10-year
vaccine), tetanus (10-year vaccine) and typhoid (mostly three-year vaccine). In
addition, protection against hepatitis A and B and rabies is advised. Malaria
exists all year round in much of Afghanistan at altitudes of less than 200 metres:
take advice from your medical doctor on preventive medication.
For further
information go to Travelers'
Health.
Climate
Info
Hot, dry summers - reaching over 50 degrees Celsius in the deserts
of the southwest - are complemented by bitter winters - with temperatures plunging
to minus 40 or 50 degrees in certain mountain regions. Afghanistan has four distinct
seasons - each approximately three months long (winter lasts from November to
March and summer from June to August). Out of five main cities Kabul, the capital
(at 1,800 metres) is the highest in elevation. Average temperatures for January
are minus 2,8 degrees Celsius and for July 24,4.
For up-to-date weather
information click
here.
Currency
The monetary
unit is the Afghani, which is divided into 100 puls. Afghanistan has no functioning
banks and no one takes credit cards. US Dollars and Pakistani Rupees are the best
- currency trading is one of the few thriving industries in the country. In October
2002 the rate of exchange was about 4726 Afghanis to the US Dollar.
For
current exchange rates click
here.
State and Official
Visits / Bilateral Meetings
No information
Bilateral
Agreements
If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact
the Treaty Section at 012 351 0892/0742 or send an e-mail to: jacobsm@foreign.gov.za
Trade
Info
South Africa's main exports to Afghanistan include parts for boilers
and machinery, trailers and semi-trailers, beauty and make-up preparations / oils
& resinoids / perfumery and petroleum jelly / paraffin wax / microcrystalline
/ mineral fuels. Afghanistan's main exports to South Africa include carpets and
other textile floor coverings, and machines and mechanical appliances.
For
current information on trade statistics between South Africa and Afghanistan,
visit the web site of the Department
of Trade and Industry of South Africa
Interest
Groups and Information
No Information
