Cape Town advice

My son (16) is going to Cape Town for about 3 weeks in the summer, on an organised exchange visit, staying in one of the township areas. Any advice on the best way of him accessing emergency funds? Our thoughts at the moment are to use a UK bank a/c, which we can top up at this end, and he can access via an ATM. Are ATM's widely distributed in the area, and is there any preference for Visa or Mastercard?

TIA

Do you know which township he'll be in?

Mitchell's Plain, Cape flatts area, I think.

Here are some web sites you should see: http://www.southafrica.net/heritage/heritage_routes/ mitchells_plain.cfm http://www.dplg.gov.za/html/progs/urpNodes/ MitchellsProfile.htm http://www.faranani.org.za/capeflats/tships.htm http://www.socdev.gov.za/Statements/2003/August/ kaya1.htm

Your son has the chance to experience a life none of us can imagine. Thousands of people living in a variety of housing - some in very nice homes, some in not-so-nice-homes, some in shacks. This is an area populated predominantly by mixed-race South Africans described as Coloureds - Islam is the main religion, but that is nothing to fear, despite the drumbeat of warnings about Muslims. He should be cautious about his movements, displaying his funds and possessions. But he is essentially safe, if he is cautious. And he will meet some wonderful hard-working South Africans.

He will be very close to the water - False Bay. The nearest community outside Mitchell's Plain would be Muizenburg.. The basically all-black township of Khayalitsha is adjacent to Mitchell's Plain, and much less secure for an outsider. His hosts will make that clear.

Originally posted by Envo Town for about 3 weeks in the summer, on an staying in one of the township areas. Any advice him accessing emergency funds? Our thoughts at the a UK bank a/c, which we can top up at this end, and he can an ATM. Are ATM's widely distributed in the area, and is there preference for Visa or Mastercard? as is any ATM card linked toi Cirrus/ Maestro. in Mitchells Plain itself, Cape TOwn area has tons tho. Should be no problem.