Changes

Generally most people who '''hitchhikes''' in South Africa pays a little bit for the ride so most of the time you ought to make it clear that you're not intending to pay for the ride. Peculiar enough [[Theo]] found that white South Africans rarely stops stop for hitchhikers but if they do they never seem to expect money for the ride. However most other people do so you may have to let 1,2,3,4 or even 5 cars go before someone is willing to take a '''mahala''' along (see Communication for the word '''Mahala'''). Hitchhiking is a common practice among the poorer communities, and you may sometimes find yourself hitchhiking together with several other people. Hitchhiker Kiko found that being the only one insisting on refusing to contribute for gas was making use the privilege of being foreigner and white, and that to accept making small contributions for gas at times was culturally more interesting and enriching.

=== Getting in =Border crossing ==

==== From [[Namibia]]====

The main bordercrossing at Vioolsdrif sees a of traffic going directly to * [[Cape TownVioolsdrif border crossing]], the main crossing. It's a fairly quite border without too much traffic. Hitchhiker * [[TheoAriamsvlei border crossing]] made the mistake of arriving after midnight and found himself being searched thoroughly and asked ridiculously nosy questions.

The most common route from [[Namibia]] to [[Johannesburg]] and [[Durban]] is through [[Botswana]] , but the [[Ariamsvlei border crossing]] close to [[Upington]] is also fairly hitchable. Most people tend to head south-east from there, sometimes as far as [[Port Elizabeth]].

==== From [[Zimbabwe]] ====

There are 2 border crossings. If you take the tourist crossing into Kruger National Park it might be quietpleasant. However the hitchability of that crossing remains unknown. If you do take the main border crossing at Beitbridge one good advice is '''prepare for Chaos with a big Cand do not get to the border hungry'''. It's the the busiest border crossing in [[Africa]]. People cut in line shamelessly, it's quite a complicated confusing system of lines different queues for people with non-Southern African passports and a lot of overly helpful people who try to '''help''' you abound (beware of them). Even if you cross it in the middle of the night you're not, as hitchhiker [[Theo]] found, guaranteed to leave the border without a severe headache. [[Theo]] ended up waiting Generally things are a little bit more manageable after darkness though and many people going long distance tend to plan their trip to they cross the border either early in line from 1 to 3the morning or after midnight.30 A.MIt should be mentioned that this is for the Zimbabwean side, the South African crossing is pretty well organized.

==== From [[Mozambique]] ====

==== From [[Swaziland]] ====

==== From [[Botswana]] ====

There is a special sign language used As in every Southern African country you hitchhike with you thumb and not by hitchhikers in South Africa to communicate '''what kind of hitchhiker''' they are. For example waving you hand up and down as in many areas it's common to see people stand with cash in one hand while thumbing with the other hand to indicate that they wouldn't mind paying for the ride. Hitchhiking with your indexfinger instead parts of your thumb signalizes that you're going long distance along the main road and indicates that you don't mind contributing gasmoney, hitchhiker [[TheoAfrica]] found the index finger-technique to be useful when hitchhiking out of major cities works as well as a sign does unless there is a big intersection ahead.

Provided Another useful thing to know is that you intend to hitchhike in the western sense of hitchhiking (i.e. for free) the most useful word you'll need for hitchhiking is South Africa there is a special sign language used by hitchhikers to communicate '''Mahalawhat kind of hitchhiker''' which is a South African slang word meaning roughly free they are to drivers. For example in many areas it's common to see people stand with cash in one hand while thumbing with the other hand to indicate that they wouldn't mind paying for the ride. Hitchhiking with your indexfinger instead of chargeyour thumb signalizes that you're going long distance along the main road. Possible ways Hitchhiker [[Theo]] found the index finger-technique to use the word include: Ibe especially useful when hitchhiking out of major cities. Another thing is that if people know you'm mahalaing or Ire from abroad (normally referred to as Overseas) they'm a mahalall generally feel more comfortable with picking you up.

Generally everyone speaks basic English but it could potentially be useful to learn some words of the local languages if Provided that you intend to hitchhike on small roads in the countrysidewestern sense of hitchhiking (i.e. In many predominantly Afrikaans-speaking areas itfor free) the most useful word you'll need for hitchhiking is '''Mahala'''s not uncommon which is a South African slang word meaning roughly free of charge. Possible ways to come across older use the word include: I'm mahalaing or I'm a mahala. You could also ask people who don't speak English at allis it mahala'?.

While South Africa is by no means the safest place to hitchhike in it isn't that bad either. Sure armed robbery and rape is rampant in some parts but by using the simple preventative safety measure of '''common sense''' you'll almost certainly encounter no more than the occasional pickpocket attempt. For example hitchhiking after darkness is generally not a good idea. Some areas (e.g. Gauteng) are inhabited by people highly reluctant or perhaps to afraid to stop for hitchhikers if you just thumb it by the side of the road. Asking people at gas stations tends to do the trick slightly better but a nice sign might get you somewhere as well. You might also want to bear in mind that many richer South African live in fortresses with electrical fencing and all sorts of extremely high security. These people, no offense meant, tend to be overly paranoid about the dangers of life outside their safe oasis. Do take their advice but take it with a pinch of salt.