Pretoria - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Lots of running and cycling clubs you can join locally. Local people are very active with running, biking and hiking. - Oct 2024
The Community Liaison Office (CLO) is doing a ton of events which is great. They offer a variety of things: dinner club, hiking trips, education seminars. It's nice. You have to make an effort to meet others, but I met my closest friend through a CLO event. Meeting locals is hard. There is a large socioeconomic divide and SAs are a bit standoffish. - Apr 2023
As mentioned in other answers, everything is available here, and it is easy to blend in to local society, be that through activities, clubs, sports, church, etc. - Mar 2023
There are several Embassy groups: Bunco, two book groups, a recently-formed dinner group, a women's group, a playgroup. There are also local hiking groups and biking groups, etc. You can find socialization if you want it. But in my experience, it's very segregated based on race. Life in general here seems very segregated based on race. - Jun 2022
Braais, restaurant meet-ups, weekend trips with friends, hiking excursions right in/near town, movie nights, the community center. Endless, really. - Jan 2020
Find an activity, church, or hobby and you'll find some locals. Go outside and talk to your neighbors. - Dec 2019
Due to safety concerns, there is not a big culture of going out at night. South Africa loves shopping malls, and a lot of people end up there socially, because they’re safe. - Mar 2019
So much to do -- restaurants, etc. - Jun 2012
Lots of braais (barbecues), going out for dinner, movies, mall-related activities, some bars. For good nightlife, people go to Johannesburg or Cape Town for the weekend. - Dec 2009
The main activity are backyard bbq's (called braiis).With young kids, we have lots of social events revolving around birthday parties, swimming invitations, etc. This is also a great place for adults to socialize over a game of golf, tennis, or anything sports-related. - Aug 2009
There are ample chances to attend a braai. People go out to restaurants, entertain at home, go to the movies. There are many similarities with life in the States. - Feb 2009
Endless opportunities. - Oct 2008
It is hard to meet South Africans, as mentioned above. Embassy people tend to socialize with each other. We have made a few friends outside of the embassy, but it has been because of our initiative to make it happen. - Sep 2008
Plenty. - Jun 2008
