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Frequently Asked Questions
 

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 Business, Commerce and Trade 

U.S. Government departments and agencies assisting in the development of trade ties and offering valuable information and guidance:

State & Business Representatives
A number of states have trade representatives in South Africa. They will assist in promoting business ties and opening offices and businesses in those states:

Council of Great Lakes Governors Southern Africa Trade Office- The Council of Great Lakes Governors is a partnership initiated by the Governors of the Great Lake States. The Council of Great Lakes Governors Southern Africa Trade Office provides a range of services to firms from New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The office assists companies from within participating states to locate business partners within southern Africa.

American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa- AmCham is affiliated to the US Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation which represents nearly 3 million businesses of every size and which is based in Washington DC. Through AmCham, business people of the United States and South Africa are able to come together and promote their mutual interests.

Import/ Export  Regulation
To gain a better understanding of the U.S. import and export process and what, if any, actions can be taken by traders to avoid unnecessary risks and difficulties, the following links may prove useful:

The Bioterrorism Act requires compliance by local food exporters. The Act requires South African facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States to register with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA must receive prior notice of the arrival of food shipments.

Interactive Tariff and Trade Dataweb- Provides international trade statistics and U.S. tariff data to the public full-time and free of charge. U.S. import statistics, U.S. export statistics, U.S. tariffs, U.S. future tariffs and U.S. tariff preference information are available on a self-service, interactive basis.

Corporate Council on Africa- The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), facilitates the commercial relationship between the United States and the African continent. CCA works with governments, multilateral groups and business to impact the African continent's trade and investment climate, and to raise the profile of Africa in the US business community.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)- The BBB provide 'reliability reports' on U.S. companies and charities.

EDGAR Database- All companies, foreign and domestic, are required to file registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms electronically through EDGAR (the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system). Anyone can access and download this information for free. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains these searchable company filings.

Cultural and Educational Exchange Programs

Programs include au-pair, camp staff, work (long and short term seasonal staff), travel, student and academic exchange, conferences and vocational training (internship). This is the closest you will get to a working holiday in the U.S.

Cultural Exchange ("Working holidays" in the USA)

  • American Institute for Foreign Study - Organizes cultural exchange programs for more than 30,000 participants each year. Their programs include college study abroad, au pair placement, camp counselors and staff, gifted education, high school study/travel and insurance services.
  • Au pair in America – Spend time caring for a host family’s children in addition to studying and travelling. Several programs are available including one for experienced childcare professionals. Au pair in America is a partner organization to the AIFS (see above).
  • Camp Counselors USA (CCUSA) - CCUSA is an international work adventure specialist that facilitates summer camp jobs, work and travel experiences, and volunteer adventures.
  • InterExchange – a non-profit organization devoted to promoting cross-cultural awareness through work and volunteer exchange programs. Facilitates interns, volunteers, camp counselors and au pairs.
  • JCR Intercultural Exchange Programs – JCR is one of the oldest and largest cultural exchange organizations in South Africa. Their services include au-pair placements, student exchange and work and travel programs.

Educational exchange for high school students

Educational exchange in higher education

  • Study Abroad with AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study) - American college students can apply for a four-week summer study program or five-week service learning program at Stellenbosch University.
  • Institute of International Education - The Study America program works in collaboration with universities, colleges, research institutions, private businesses and NGO's to sponsor individuals who teach, lecture, observe, consult and share their culture and professional expertise with their American colleagues.

U.S. Diplomatic Relations with South Africa, 1929-

  • Ralph James Totten (1929-37)
  • Leo John Keena (1937-42)
  • Lincoln MacVeagh (1942-43)
  • Thomas Holcomb, Jr. (1944-48)
  • North Winship (1948-49)
  • John G. Erhardt (1950-51)
  • Waldemar J. Gallman (1951-54)
  • Edward T. Wailes (1954-56)
  • Henry A. Byroade (1956-59)
  • Philip K. Crowe (1959-61)
  • Joseph Charles Satterthwaite (1961-65)
  • William M. Rountree (1965-70)
  • John G. Hurd (1970-75)
  • William G. Bowdler (1975-78)
  • William Brockway Edmondson (1978-81)
  • Herman W. Nickel (1982-86)
  • Edward Joseph Perkins (1986-89)
  • William Lacy Swing (1989-92)
  • Princeton Nathan Lyman (1992-95)
  • James A. Joseph (1995-1999)
  • Delano E. Lewis (2000-01)
  • Cameron R. Hume (2001-04)
  • Jendayi E. Frazer (2004-2005)
  • Eric M. Bost (2006-2009)
  • Donald H. Gips (2009-present) 

More information

Directories

Companies:

  • ThomasNet - Manufacturers, distributors and service providers
  • addresses.com - All business search engine, use phone number and find maps and directions
  • MacRae's Blue Book – Industrial and manufacturing products and services
  • Superpages.com – Contact information and customer reviews of businesses and retailers
  • Switchboard – Find and compare local businesses offering specific products and services
  • Yellow Page City - Directory of local Yellow Pages across the U.S. (over 2600)

Doctors:

Lawyers:

  • Martindale - Find lawyers or law firms; also provides personalized access to online legal community
  • Legal Match - Confidentially and thoroughly review the experience, track record, availability, and fee structure of pre-screened lawyers who match your needs
  • Lawyers.com – Search for lawyers by location or area of law; also provides links to state law agencies, the constitution and federal courts

Universities & Colleges:

  • 50states.com - Find universities, colleges, art and design schools, nursing schools, business schools and community colleges
  • Abroad Education - Lists universities and colleges by state and links to respective website of the institution
  • USUniversities.com – Search according to state or type of program; also indicates verified institutions

Private individuals:

 Employment

Requirements

Job Sites

 Funding & Support Sources

Resources for funding and support of community, social and economic development programs.

U.S. Government

Private U.S. Resources

  • Foundation Center - Databases of information on nearly 100,000 foundations, corporate donors, and grantmaking public charities in the U.S. and also provides a variety of free search tools, tutorials, downloadable reports, and other relevant information
  • Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group - Membership network of foundations that are currently funding in Africa or are interested in funding in Africa
  • United States International Grantmaking - Provides information on the process that US Foundations must follow in order to provide donations to your organization
  • Grants Information Center (University of Wisconsin) – Comprehensive databases of grantmakers for education, research and non-profit organizations

South African Resources

 News Sources

Directories/Portals

Major Newspapers

Online

Public Holidays

  • Holidays shared with many other countries:
    • Easter
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Day
  • Uniquely American holidays:
    • Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
    • Independence Day (Fourth of July)
    • Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday of January)
    • Presidents' Day (Third Monday in February)
    • Memorial Day (Fourth Monday of May)
    • Labor Day (First Monday of September)
    • Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
    • Veterans Day (Eleventh of November)

 School Terms & Holidays

School terms and holidays vary significantly between and even within states. However most schools observe three holiday periods:

  • Spring break: Mid March to late March
  • Summer: Mid May to early September
  • Winter break: Mid December to early January

Generalized school calendars for all states are available here (again, these dates may vary depending on the school’s district). Scroll down to begin at "USA (Alabama)"

 Scams & Internet Fraud

It is not possible to list all scams here. However, here are the ones about which the Embassy is receiving queries. Both South Africans and Americans are potential victims. The sites mentioned here offer guidance or provide background that may assist you in identifying scams.

Shares and Securities

A broker makes you an offer that's too good to be true!

  • Financial advisors warn that deals that are “too good to be true” usually are just that!
  • The North American Securities Administration Association provides Investor Alerts & Tips with information on avoiding traps, protecting investments, and avoiding fraudsters.
  • The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission gives useful pointers on how investors can easily be tricked through online content such as newsletters and bulletin boards.

South African Lotteries

You receive an email or text message saying you’ve won the lotto:

Inheritance in South Africa

An attorney or lawyer contacts you and informs you that you are the beneficiary of a deceased estate in South Africa:

  • The Master of the High Court regulates the administration of estates of deceased persons and all documentation is lodged with this office. The physical documents may be viewed by the public (documents are not online).
  • Attorneys are required to be 'licensed.' Make sure yours is by searching for them on a database of practicing /licensed attorneys in their jurisdictions. The Law Society of South Africa and The Johannesburg Bar Association have links to local law societies.
  • American citizens are advised to contact the American Citizen Service for guidance.

 Statistics

Travel & Tourism

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Bus and train reservations

Maps, routes and directions

Budget accommodation

Travel sites

Universities & Colleges

Visas & Related Information

 Weather