If anyone is attending the FIFA World Cup here in South Africa be warned that there are those out to relieve you of your cash with a smile! 
A classic example is a MTN SIM Pack being sold here as "MTN Pay as You Go Starter Pack for International Visitors" at a cost of $59 or around ?38.50 which I'm sure you'll agree doesn't seem cheap!
There is absolutely nothing special about this SIM pack with the exception of its packaging - It has a picture of the World Cup Trophy on it and that's it!
For $59 or ?38.50 you get no credit or airtime on the SIM, indeed it is exactly the same as any other MTN SIM Card that you'll find in the stores here for just under 10 Pence!!!
So in effect you are paying ?30.40 extra for nothing!!! Almost every large store stocks SIM Packs here and the price is usually 99 cents (i.e. under 10p) but you will need to have your Passport with you and a proof of address which can be proof of your UK address or proof of where you are staying in South Africa, for example your hotel reservation. This is to comply with a new regulation called RICA and part of this Act requires that any SIM card must have it's owner identifiable by name and location.
If you are coming to South Africa for the football or just a holiday, if you need to send just a few SMS or make just a couple of calls; then I would suggest you ensure you have roaming applied to your UK SIM and use that while you're here.
A classic example is a MTN SIM Pack being sold here as "MTN Pay as You Go Starter Pack for International Visitors" at a cost of $59 or around ?38.50 which I'm sure you'll agree doesn't seem cheap!
There is absolutely nothing special about this SIM pack with the exception of its packaging - It has a picture of the World Cup Trophy on it and that's it!
For $59 or ?38.50 you get no credit or airtime on the SIM, indeed it is exactly the same as any other MTN SIM Card that you'll find in the stores here for just under 10 Pence!!!
So in effect you are paying ?30.40 extra for nothing!!! Almost every large store stocks SIM Packs here and the price is usually 99 cents (i.e. under 10p) but you will need to have your Passport with you and a proof of address which can be proof of your UK address or proof of where you are staying in South Africa, for example your hotel reservation. This is to comply with a new regulation called RICA and part of this Act requires that any SIM card must have it's owner identifiable by name and location.
If you are coming to South Africa for the football or just a holiday, if you need to send just a few SMS or make just a couple of calls; then I would suggest you ensure you have roaming applied to your UK SIM and use that while you're here.