Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 555238 times)

tavster · « **Reply #2520 on:** August 07, 2023, 02:09:10 PM »

Quote from: Dan on August 07, 2023, 02:06:55 PM

Maybe there's a VIP service, but otherwise seems unlikely unless you bribe someone.

Well last time i was in JNB I had to bribe a customs agent to let me through with my kosher food

Lesson learnt - this time I'll travel with smaller notes.

Anyway - I think I won't risk it - thx

Dan · « **Reply #2521 on:** August 07, 2023, 02:10:23 PM »

Quote from: tavster on August 07, 2023, 02:09:10 PM

Well last time i was in JNB I had to bribe a customs agent to let me through with my kosher food

Lesson learnt - this time I'll travel with smaller notes.

Anyway - I think I won't risk it - thx

Yes, they're happy with even small bribes in SA. Food bribes work too.

tavster · « **Reply #2522 on:** August 07, 2023, 02:11:48 PM »

Quote from: Dan on August 07, 2023, 02:10:23 PM

Yes, they're happy with even small bribes in SA. Food bribes work too.

.
The smallest I had was 50 euros and when the guy jumped and wanted to give me a hug I realized I overpaid big time

Dan · « **Reply #2523 on:** August 07, 2023, 02:15:40 PM »

Quote from: tavster on August 07, 2023, 02:11:48 PM

.
The smallest I had was 50 euros and when the guy jumped and wanted to give me a hug I realized I overpaid big time

LOL. He'd have been happy with 50 Rand.

tavster · « **Reply #2524 on:** August 07, 2023, 02:18:36 PM »

Quote from: Dan on August 07, 2023, 02:15:40 PM

LOL. He'd have been happy with 50 Rand.

Yep - lesson learnt

The things we do to keep kosher

Saulius · « **Reply #2525 on:** August 07, 2023, 02:33:15 PM »

Quote from: tavster on August 07, 2023, 02:05:16 PM

I have a LY flight landing in JNB at 7am

LY has interline with SAA

Is a 8:10am SAA domestic to CPT too risky?

Sounds risky but I thought I would check since the following SAA is several hours later

El Al does not even offer the 8:10am SAA domestic to SAA connection even, so how is it even a question? (I checked El Al website, and kayak unselecting the Show flights with self-transfers option).

As if the JNB to CPT is on the same E-Ticket, if you miss your connection, it will be the airlines responsibility to put you on the next available flight.

Saulius · « **Reply #2526 on:** August 07, 2023, 02:36:28 PM »

Quote from: tavster on August 07, 2023, 02:09:10 PM

Well last time i was in JNB I had to bribe a customs agent to let me through with my kosher food

Lesson learnt - this time I'll travel with smaller notes.

Anyway - I think I won't risk it - thx

Why bother bringing in food to South Africa, food here is inexpensive (if you do not earn your income in ZAR/Rand). However, every time I fly to TLV, I fill up my suitcases with meat, as Israel is unaffordable).

tavster · « **Reply #2527 on:** August 07, 2023, 02:38:38 PM »

Quote from: Saulius on August 07, 2023, 02:36:28 PM

Why bother bringing in food to South Africa, food here is inexpensive (if you do not earn your income in ZAR/Rand). However, every time I fly to TLV, I fill up my suitcases with meat, as Israel is unaffordable).

#1 my kids are very picky when it comes to food
#2 last time I flew to JNB I was transiting to Mauritius and didnt have an airside connection

mijo · « **Reply #2528 on:** August 09, 2023, 05:56:30 AM »

Quote from: tavster on August 07, 2023, 02:05:16 PM

I have a LY flight landing in JNB at 7am

LY has interline with SAA

Is a 8:10am SAA domestic to CPT too risky?

Sounds risky but I thought I would check since the following SAA is several hours later

Don't risk it, even if the recheck is open (often not) the domestic security lines are long esp. at that time of morning

mijo · « **Reply #2529 on:** August 09, 2023, 05:57:34 AM »

Quote from: Something Fishy on July 28, 2023, 11:09:01 AM

See the comments on the first post, everyone complaining that there's no statement. Lose-lose, although IMO the statement could've been just as informative if it was a simple "this was due to financial matters and not any kashrus concerns".

Avron replied a short time ago

tavster · « **Reply #2530 on:** August 09, 2023, 06:16:05 AM »

Quote from: mijo on August 09, 2023, 05:56:30 AM

Don't risk it, even if the recheck is open (often not) the domestic security lines are long esp. at that time of morning

Thanks - I appreciate the feedback - I'll take a airlink at 10:30am

Saulius · « **Reply #2531 on:** August 09, 2023, 06:22:51 AM »

Quote from: mijo on August 09, 2023, 05:57:34 AM

Avron replied a short time ago

This is very misleading. According to halacha - responsible and trustworthy supervision is required in order to be labeled as 'Kosher' for the community.

Not to say anything about Avron as I don't know him, almost anyone is capable of doing something wrong - by mistake or on purpose - without the correct supervision.

In a personal capacity, if a person trusts the establishment or person, then THEY THEMSELVES can go and eat there. They cannot advise other people as those people would need to discuss it with their own competent Orthodox Rabbi.

Just to clarify - on a community level the restaurant is not certified as Kosher. This would mean that, if you keep Kosher and halacha, you would not be able to eat there.

If it is not that important to be certified and to ensure ongoing Kosher supervision, then you would have to make the decision to eat there.

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #2532 on:** August 09, 2023, 06:40:48 AM »

Quote from: Saulius on August 09, 2023, 06:22:51 AM

This is very misleading. According to halacha - responsible and trustworthy supervision is required in order to be labeled as 'Kosher' for the community.

Not to say anything about Avron as I don't know him, almost anyone is capable of doing something wrong - by mistake or on purpose - without the correct supervision.

In a personal capacity, if a person trusts the establishment or person, then THEY THEMSELVES can go and eat there. They cannot advise other people as those people would need to discuss it with their own competent Orthodox Rabbi.

Just to clarify - on a community level the restaurant is not certified as Kosher. This would mean that, if you keep Kosher and halacha, you would not be able to eat there.

If it is not that important to be certified and to ensure ongoing Kosher supervision, then you would have to make the decision to eat there.

Source?

Saulius · « **Reply #2533 on:** August 09, 2023, 08:42:38 AM »

Quoting/attaching from recent post on Kosher, Kashrus and Hechsherim Master thread

Quote from: mevinyavin on July 28, 2023, 03:56:36 AM

I also found 21 pages on this - https://consumer.crckosher.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Rabbi-Reiss-RJJ
Kashrus of Home Establishments by Rabbi Yona Reiss - so absolutely kal v'chomer this would apply to a restaurant.

Not to mention, Rabbi Reiss (with utmost respect) is a Rosh Yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University - so he is not even coming from the chareidi world.

Saulius · « **Reply #2534 on:** August 09, 2023, 09:06:56 AM »

Quote from: tavster on August 09, 2023, 06:16:05 AM

Thanks - I appreciate the feedback - I'll take a airlink at 10:30am

I took many domestic flights, and never experienced long security lines. However, coming in internationally, passport control at times can be ridicolously long.

Luckily prior to the El AL flight that arrives at 7am, the previous international flight is the one from Singapore that lands 50 minutes prior, but 5 minutes after scheduled EL Al, you have the BA A380-800 landing, and Egypt Air from Cairo. And then 8am and 11am there are tons of flights from all over Europe and the Middle East region.

Last month, I arrived from Ethiopia at 8pm, was from the first passengers to leave the airplane onto the empty passport line that was barely staffed, and it still took a while to clear passport control as the computers were down, and at passport control we were given papers to manually fill out for each passenger. (Luckily I for once had a pen on me!)

tavster · « **Reply #2535 on:** August 09, 2023, 09:17:45 AM »

Quote from: Saulius on August 09, 2023, 09:06:56 AM

I took many domestic flights, and never experienced long security lines. However, coming in internationally, passport control at times can be ridicolously long.

Luckily prior to the El AL flight that arrives at 7am, the previous international flight is the one from Singapore that lands 50 minutes prior, but 5 minutes after scheduled EL Al, you have the BA A380-800 landing, and Egypt Air from Cairo. And then 8am and 11am there are tons of flights from all over Europe and the Middle East region.

Last month, I arrived from Ethiopia at 8pm, was from the first passengers to leave the airplane onto the empty passport line that was barely staffed, and it still took a while to clear passport control as the computers were down, and at passport control we were given papers to manually fill out for each passenger. (Luckily I for once had a pen on me!)

Back in the days there used to be an international transit path, and even a transit hotel.
That is just to international flights leaving from terminal A?

Saulius · « **Reply #2536 on:** August 09, 2023, 09:59:02 AM »

Quote from: tavster on August 09, 2023, 09:17:45 AM

Back in the days there used to be an international transit path, and even a transit hotel.
That is just to international flights leaving from terminal A?

Yes, terminal A is exclusively for international flights, and terminal B for domestic. The walk between is about 4-7 minutes. Do note the check-in counters in JNB for some airlines like Ethiopian are in terminal B. If your connection is on the same e-ticket and you are delayed, the airline would be responsible to put you on the next available flight.

If your transferring for an international flight, that's part of the same e-ticket, then yes, you would have an international transit path, as you do not have to go through immigration and your luggage is transferred automatically.

Saulius · « **Reply #2537 on:** August 20, 2023, 05:30:55 PM »

Quote from: Travellover1 on July 25, 2023, 12:53:44 AM

Also, is there somewhere to check if devils pool will be open? Will be there Aug 8-10 so wondering if it will be open already.

Devils pool opened today.

CountValentine · « **Reply #2538 on:** September 28, 2023, 11:49:17 AM »

Any opinions on Ethiopian airlines business product?

Saulius · « **Reply #2539 on:** September 28, 2023, 03:47:47 PM »

Quote from: CountValentine on September 28, 2023, 11:49:17 AM

Any opinions on Ethiopian airlines business product?

Well I fly on Ethiopian now about 3 times a year between Johannesburg and Tel Aviv, all in sardine class. Once got on a round trip business BRU-JNB, when they had a price mistake. From observation, if you are on A350 metal it's superb, however the 787-8 planes, for me it feels to me that the interior cabin is getting rusty and needs an update. The 787-9 planes are much newer though. TLV-ADD leg is routinely operated by 737 MAX 8.
Feels like they change equipment type very often. Otherwise, outside of peak seasons, I usually have the row to myself.

Best point redemption value is with ANA. Be aware, lifemiles/avianca award redemptions are not working at the moment with Ethiopian.

Cbs	Link
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Name	Type	Contact	Location & Description
The Press (Sea Point)	Meat	+27 21 434 7724 Website	176 Main Road - Restaurant and Bar (many craft beers on tap)
Coffee Time (Gardens)	Milk	+27 21 461 8414 Website	20 Breda Street, Gardens, Cape Town- Set in an old house in a lush, garden environment. Lawn seating with views of Table Mountain. Breakfast, brunch or lunch. Menu includes scrambled egg, salmon and humus wrap, fish bobotie with homemade chutney, tuna lasagna, sandwich, salad, quiche or smoothie. Early-morning special between 8am and 11am. Also serves a delicious, and incredibly popular, buffet lunch every Wednesday between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Gluten-free and sugar-free options. Offers catering. Proceeds support the Astra Centre. Ten minutes from Table Mountain.

Name	Cost	Distance from CPT	Description and Notes
Boulders Beach	R170	35 min	• "I found that there were two different entrances, boardwalk and beach. The boardwalk has a higher density of penguins but if you want a better experience, I recommend visiting the beach side- especially at low tide. Because of the tide I was able to walk past the few dozen folks on the beach, climb under and over some boulders, and encounter effectively a different private beach- with penguins!!" • For budget travelers, take the train to Simonstown and from there a cab to Boulders beach - R20.
Betty’s Bay		1.25 hours	Also features African Penguins though less crowded than Boulders beach, though further.
Chapman's Peak Drive	R45/car	45 min	• Beautiful scenery, you have the mountain on one side and the ocean on the other side, great pics, great to make a BBQ come during daylight hours. NOTE: You need Rand or an SA issued card to pay for the Chapman's Peak toll.
Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point	R360/pp	1.5 hours	• LONG but AMAZING drive • almost a full day activity
Lions Head			• Hike - not difficult • Paragliding - around $85 (prices might be outdated). Book ahead
Robben Island	Website		Tours depart three times a day and take about 3.5 hours, consisting of a ferry trip to and from the island, and a tour of the various historical sites on the island that form part of the Robben Island Museum. These include the island graveyard, the disused lime quarry, Robert Sobukwe's house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers, and the maximum security prison. Nelson Mandela's cell is shown. Reviews are mixed
Table Mountain (Cable car or hike)	~R350		• Follow on Twitter for updates on if open or closed • Cableway costs ~R350 rand pp - depends if morning or afternoon • Can repel down • 895 rand pp (prices might be outdated) • repel for like 15 mins • hike back up is 25 mins • Closes 6pm • BOOK IN ADVANCE • CLOSED IN AUGUST
Signal Hill			Go there for a sunset with bit more a "local" flavor. Views aren't great compared to Lion's Head and can be quite crowded at sunset.
V & A Waterfront
The Garden Route			long scenic drive

Kirstenbosch Gardens
Shark Diving	$88 +$34 for video (prices might be outdated)	2 hours	Can do in Gansbaii. Links:1, 2, 3
Sandboarding			Bring goggles!
Skydiving	$170 (prices might be outdated) Cheaper
Quad Biking (ATVs)
Hout Bay market
Kayaking at Hout Bay	Link		Amazing experience. Views may very but can often see Heaviside dolphins jumping right in front of you
Cheetah Outreach			Where you can go and pet cheetahs and other animals super cool. Website
Aquila Private Game Reserve		2 hours	Pricey but quality accommodations for overnight stays. Good for people who aren't leaving Cape Town area but want to see wildlife. Some dismiss as a "glorified zoo"
Cango Wildlife Ranch		5 hours

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Yehoshua	Link

Name	Type	Contact	Location & Description
Corner Cafe (Glenhazel)	Milk	+27 11 440-3160 Link	Corner of Queens square and cross road in Glenhazel. Corner Café is the best place to go (or maybe the only) for kosher gluten free muffins. I’m told they’re very good. They also have great breakfasts and pastas, but I usually stick with a toasted cheese and chips.
Dee-Jays (Sandton)	Milk	+27 11 883-2265 Link	Morningview Shopping Centre, 100 South Road, 2196 - Dee-Jays provides casual dairy food that is perfect for a breakfast out with the family. Their fishballs are really good and if you need a cake in the Sandton area, they’re the place to go.
Market Cafe (Norood Mall)	Milk		Cholov Yisroel cafe
KosherWorld, Mi Vami Kosher and Chop N Wok (Glenhazel)		+27 11 440 1402 Website	1 Long Avenue, Johannesburg, 2192
Gelatisimo (Glenhazel)			Across the road from Kosher World, authentic Italian gelato. Chalav Yisroel. Absolutely fantastic.
Michelos (Glenhazel)	Milk	+27 11 885-1500 Link	17 Northfield Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Michelos is the second best pizza restaurant. They are very centrally located (in the Jewish area of Glenhazel) and their food is nice. Never go there the night after Pesach because you’ll wait hours but most other times are good, plus they serve chalav yisrael.
Nandos Kosher (Savoy)	Meat	+27 11 885-1496 Website	553 Louis Botha Ave, Savoy, Johannesburg, 2090, South Africa - Nandos is a large chain of Portuguese chicken restaurants, but there is only one kosher Nandos in South Africa, so be aware that you can’t step into any of them! They serve top notch chicken but be sure to also try their beef burger (and order extra sauce).
Moishes Butchery (Glenhazel)	Meat	+27 11-485-4513	3 Birt Street, Raedene Estate, Johannesburg. A wonderful butchery with amazing prices and wonderful biltong. Their WhatsApp number for orders is +27 82 342 2179. Their email is orders@moishes.co.za. They can vacuum pack your order and will even attach "par-cooked" stickers to pass through customs. Delivery available to Cape Town if you order one week in advance. Slightly cheaper than Norries in Cape Town (listed above). Just to give you an idea of their prices: Aufschnitt in America charges $9.99 for 2 oz of biltong. Moishes has it for $11 per POUND. Rib steaks at Evergreen are $32.99/lb. In Moishes it's $8.50. Price List 2024 in USD The price list has live conversion rates.
Next Door "Non-CY" (Norwood)	Milk	+27 11 728-2577 Link	80 Grant Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Next Door is rated as a top restaurant in Johannesburg, kosher or not, so you know it must be pretty good. It is usually full so booking is highly recommended. While their sushi may not be top class, their pizzas certainly are and, if you’re around in Summer, definitely try their fish braai (barbeque in South African).
Pie Works (Sandringham)	Milk	+27 11 485 2447 Website	74 George Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Their pies (clearly) are the best kosher pies in the country and are perfect if you want to buy some to take home and reheat. Their burgers are delicious and the have a milk side with pizza that is really good. They’re situated on what is known as the Kosher Strip, so any Jew will be able to direct you.
Frangelicas (Glenhazel)	Milk	+27877019909 Website	2 Long Ave, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - A wonderful dairy restaurant in the heart of Glenhazel. Wonderful baked goods and amazing breakfasts.
RTG (Ready to Go)	Meat	+27 11-483-3375 Website	5 Long Ave, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - A fast food place that moved next to KosherWorld in "Downtown Glenhazel." They offer great steaks, a Chinese menu, and an extensive burger and hot dog menu.
Burger & Brew	Meat	+27 87-150-1522 Website	53 Ridge Rd, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa. - A fantastic burger and beer place with amazing burgers, wings, and dirty fries. They also have their own beer.
SoSushi (Glenhazel)	Pareve	+27820869631 Website	Located in the KosherWorld Shopping Center, 1 Long Ave. WhatsApp: +27 82 086 9631
JoziBlue (Glenhazel)	Milk	+27-66 522 3797	Located in the KosherWorld Shopping Center, 1 Long Ave. They have Cholov Yisroel, which they will serve on disposables upon request.
Bagel Zone (Fairmount)	Milk	+27-79-317-8230 Website	3 Bradfield Dr, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - A cheap and tasty bagel place located in Genesis shopping center offering bagels, premium coffees, salads, and muffins.
Phat Larry's (Fairmount)	Milk	+27-63-411-6655 Website	3 Bradfield Dr, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - Also located in Genesis, Phat Larry's offers pizza, focaccia, salads, and pasta.
Segell's Deli (Glenazel)	Meat	+27-11-640-4693 Website	17 Northfield Ave, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - Typical deli featuring sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, burgers, and steaks.
Maxi Butchery (Sandringham)	Meat	+27-11-485-1485	74 George Ave, Sandringham, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - No frills butcher with decent prices and biltong.
Shwarma Bar & Chana's Deli (Sandringham)	Meat	+27-11-640-4693 Website	10 Bradfield Dr, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - Typical Israeli fare.

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Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 555238 times)