Your Smart Phone and Laptop

Smartphone and Laptop Necessity: You’ll need both a smartphone and a laptop during your time in South Africa for work and leisure.
Bring Your Own: We strongly recommend bringing your own devices from home.
Check Phone Compatibility: Inform your network provider about your travel plans and ensure your phone can work with a local South African network SIM card.
Unlock Your Phone: If you phone is network locked, you will have to speak to your network provider and unlock it so that you are able to connect to the local South African Network.
Insuring your electronics:: It’s a good idea to insure your phone, laptop and other valuable electronics to safeguard against damage, loss, or theft.

Essential Apps: Uber and WhatsApp are crucial for city navigation and staying connected with VACorps staff and fellow interns in Cape Town.
Download Before Departure: To avoid any issues, download and set up these apps before leaving home, as some mobile networks may restrict app downloads and activation from outside your home country.
Activation is Key: It’s vital not only to download but also to activate and set up these apps, including entering payment details.

Local Phone Option: Upon arrival in South Africa, you can opt to purchase an affordable smartphone with basic app functionality.
Theft Considerations: Due to potential phone theft and pickpocketing incidents in certain areas, many participants choose to leave their expensive phones in their accommodations and use backup phones for outings.
Continuous Access: This approach ensures continued access to services like Uber, calls, texts, etc., while reducing the likelihood of losing your phone in high risk areas, such as Long Street at night.
Purchase Locations: You can buy a phone from stores like Cash Crusaders, Incredible Connection, or TAKEALOT.COM. Please chat to us during orientation if you need more information about this.