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The official currency is the South African Rand (ZAR, or more commonly, R). One hundred cents comprise a rand. Minor coin denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. Larger denominations are R1, R2 and R5. Notes come in 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 rand variants. In recent years, the rand has seen something of a resurgence against the dollar and has until recently remained range-bound at R6 to the dollar (US). As of June 2005, the currency has seen a slight devaluation and one dollar will cost you around R6,80.

Cost of living is relatively cheap and Johannesburg is rated as one of the cheapest major cities in the world; a quarter of that of a city such as Tokyo, for instance. A loaf of bread and a liter of milk from your local corner store, for example, will cost the equivalent of about $.60 and $.75 respectively. Prices at more upscale supermarkets such as Pick n' Pay and Woolworths will be higher, though. Although considered a third-world country, South Africa offers first-world luxury and amenities at a fraction of the cost available in other parts of the world.

Added 11/12/05 by Keith - You note the cost of bread and milk at the corner convenience store, then go on to say it is more expensive at the upmarket stores such as Pick and Pay and Woolworths. In fact it is the other way around. It is the big stores like Pick and Pay that have the buying power, and who offer the low proices, and anyone coming to SA as an expat would be advised to shop in the large chain stores. The local convenience stores have longer hours than the chains, and are quite literally convenient to use when you run out of something, but in terms of price, they are a good deal more expensive, and in terms of range, they are limited.

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