South Africa EDIA Resources

South Africa

The Summer Abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa, is run in partnership with Reciprocity, a South-African based consultancy. Cape Town is the second-largest city in South Africa and the legislative capital of the country.
If you are thinking about applying for the South Africa program but want to know how and if your individual EDIA needs, based on your lived experiences and unique identities can be met, we encourage you to use this online resource as a planning tool.
Photo by Tait Holly, a former Summer Abroad student in the 2019 South Africa program. This image captures a hike through nature atop Table Mountain, a flat-topped mountain overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa.

Accessibility & Mobility

The Government of Canada’s Travel Advisory states to avoid using public transportation in South Africa. The Summer Abroad Office works with partners in South Africa to plan safe and reliable private transportation that escorts students at all times. Students who take the recommended flight will be greeted by a representative at the airport, who will meet you at the flight arrival area and provide a transfer to the hotel. If you require transportation accommodations, please contact the Summer Abroad Diversity & Inclusion Program Coordinator as early as possible, so that we can confirm if accommodations could be suitably met. The Government of Canada Travel Advisory for South Africa also recommends that you ask your hotel to arrange a taxi, avoid using minibuses and licensed taxis, and to practice safety precautions.
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the weather in May marks the transition from autumn to winter. Although the weather is mild, there is occasional rainfall which makes it helpful to pack waterproof clothing and layers to help manage damp conditions. The terrain of Cape Town is quite diverse with flat pains and rolling hills. Some parts of the city and natural attractions may be difficult to navigate if you have physical mobility issues, and it is recommended to research accessibility options for specific sites, including field trip sites.
In South Africa, service dogs (i.e., “Assistance Dogs”) are trained to assist persons with various disabilities or impairments, including mobility, visual, hearing, or intellectual impairments. Laws in South Africa state that Assistance Dogs are allowed in public places such as building, restaurants, etc., where animals usually not allowed. However, they are required to wear specific equipment (i.e., Assistance Dog vests) that vary according to the type of Assistance Dog they are qualified as. This equipment must be purchased from a company or organization that is accredited to train Assistance Dogs. Despite these laws in place, there is still confusion from the public where many business owners and locals are not familiar with the regulations and may prohibit Assistance Dogs.
If you are a student with a service dog, there are multiple steps. These steps include making sure your Assistance Dog is microchipped, is up-to-date on all vaccinations (specifically, a rabies vaccination with a valid certificate), applying for a veterinary import permit from South Africa’s Director of Animal Health, and obtaining a health certificate issued by a veterinary.
Bringing a service dog to Cape Town may require organizing alternate accommodations, as the hotel partner may not allow service dogs. In addition, many field trips and site visits may not allow service dogs as well. If you have a service dog for a disability, it is advised that you contact your Accessibility Advisor and the Summer Abroad Diversity & Inclusion Program Coordinator (summerabroad.edi@utoronto.ca) so that we may assist you in researching this process thoroughly and explore all available options.
We encourage you to reach out to the Summer Abroad Diversity & Inclusion Program Coordinator (summerabroad.edi@utoronto.ca) about any mobility-related requirements or accommodations as soon as you receive your program admission. We strongly encourage you connect with the Summer Abroad office to discuss your needs before applying your Summer Abroad program. We will work closely with you to plan your experience abroad, taking into consideration your accessibility needs.

Mental Health & Well-Being

If you require support for any mental health concerns, we encourage you to reach out to Summer Abroad so we can work directly with you to provide necessary accommodations and support during your program. All Summer Abroad students have access to International SOS, which has a partnership with U of T, who will connect you with a network of health professionals in your area. If you require a doctor or counsellor in Cape Town, iSOS will be able to help you find a mental health professional in your area.
South Africa has taken numerous legislative steps to address mental health, such as the Mental Health Care Act of 2002 that works to provide care and treatment for individuals with mental health concerns, as well as protecting the rights of mental health care users. However, mental illness is sometimes a taboo subject that attracts social stigma in many societies in Africa, including South Africa. This stigma could pose challenges for students abroad who require mental health support, as they may encounter a lack of understanding from healthcare providers. For this reason, it is important to remember these stigmas come from a cross-cultural difference and do not stem from ignorance.
For medical services, payment will most likely be required at the time of service. Patients are responsible for filing a claim with their own insurance company, as South African medical institutions may not bill insurance providers directly.
If you are bringing medication with you into South Africa, remember to check if your medicine contains a controlled drug. You can check with the High Commission of Canada in South Africa to make sure if your medication is legal. You should always carry your prescription medication in its original packaging, with your doctor’s prescription.
Reminder: Students with pre-existing concerns should meet with their Accessibility Advisor to discuss needs and prepare relevant documentations before applying for Summer Abroad.

2SLGBTQ+ Students

Cape Town is considered one of Africa’s most LGBTQ-friendly cities. There has been tremendous progress with the passing of laws regarding LGBTQ rights, including anti-discrimination legislations (i.e., Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000) as well as the legislation of same-sex marriage in 2006. South Africa was also the first country in the world to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation,dating back to its constitution in 1996.
Smaller towns and townships in South Africa show a clear difference with their population’s social attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people, where the local communities may be more conservative and religious, with negative perceptions towards homosexuality. South Africa Summer Abroad students do engage with some local townships as a part of the course’s focus towards inclusive consulting with micro-enterprises, and you will work with the support of a “cultural” navigator from the local community and group interactions will focus solely on the consulting tasks at hand.
Summer Abroad is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, and support students of all sexual orientations and gender identities. If you have any concerns or require support regarding your 2SLGBTQ+ accommodations, please do not hesitate to reach out to us, so we can assist you in finding additional resources as well as explore your accommodation options.

Women Travellers

Many women travellers visit Cape Town every year, without issues. However, it is important to note that it is extremely important to always be aware of your surroundings and take extra pre-cautions. Cape Town does have areas with higher crime rates and for this reason, it is important to avoid walking alone at night, stay aware of your surroundings, stick to popular tourist spots, and dress like a local to blend in an avoid unnecessary attention.
If you experience sexual harassment or feel uncomfortable while you are abroad, you can reach out to Summer Abroad and Safety Abroad for help, and they will help connect you with U of T resources including the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre. For more information on how Safety Abroad can support you in a crisis, please click here to view Safety Abroad’s resources (under “sexual harassment & violence” and “in a crisis.”)
Emergency contraceptive pills (i.e., Plan B) are available behind the counter and able to purchase without a prescription. The easiest locations include large pharmacies such as Dis-Chem and Clicks. The costs range and you may be asked to provide identification, depending on the pharmacy.

Racialized Students

Cape Town is one of the most racially diverse cities in South Africa, often referred to as the “Rainbow Nation,”due to its multicultural society. There are significant populations. However, Cape Town remains one of the most unequal and racially segregated cities in the world, due to its colonial and apartheid history. Although apartheid policies were abolished in 1994, there still exists segregation as social class continues to be intertwined with race. However, many diverse groups of racialized people continue to travel to South Africa, and continue to have safe experiences in Cape Town by staying informed and taking precautions, such as staying in well-populated and tourist-friendly areas, avoiding the use of public transportation, and being aware of your surroundings. Like many other destinations across the world, it is important to be aware of local customers and cultural norms in order to ensure your safety.
If you feel unsafe or experience racism during your time in the Summer Abroad program, we encourage you to report the incident immediately to the Summer Abroad office or reach out to the On-Site Coordinators, who will contact U of T Safety Abroad to provide immediate support, including connecting you with U of T Resources such as the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO).

Students in Multi-Faith Communities

The dominant religion in South Africa is Christianity, however there are other religious communities including Muslim, Hindi, and Jewish populations, encompassing the religious diversity of Cape Town.
ShowMe South Africa is a directory that lists various places of worship in Cape Town. There are several mosques in Cape Town that play an important role in the social and cultural life of its Muslim residents, including Auwal Mosque in the historical Bo-Kaap distract, and Masjidul Quds situated in the suburb of Gatesville. Synagogues include Gardens Shul, the first Jewish community in Sub-Saharan Africa that offers weekday morning and evening services, as well as Shabbat services.
If you are looking for religious accommodation support during your Summer Abroad program, such as religious observations that may conflict with academic activities and field trips, please contact the Summer Abroad Diversity & Inclusion Program Coordinator in advance. Summer Abroad will work closely with you to ensure that your religious observance needs are accommodated to the best of our ability, creating an inclusive environment that respects and values your faith while planning and participating your Summer Abroad experience.

Dietary Resources

Cape Town offers a wide selection of halal-friendly dining options that caters to the dietary requirements of both Muslim residents and visitors. There are multiple apps and websites available to help you locate halal food options in Cape Town, including Wanderlog, HalalTrip, and CapeTownMagazine.com that has a curated list of top halal restaurants.
For kosher food options in Cape Town, there are also numerous online resources including Kosher SA and Totally Jewish Travel’s guide to Kosher Restaurants in Cape Town.
Cape Town also has vegetarian and vegan friendly food options, with grocery stores often having their own sections for vegetarian vegan products. Online resources and guides to help you find plant-based options include Happy Cow, Veggie App, and Cape Town Tourism’s online guide to vegan and vegan restaurants.
If you require specific dietary accommodations, we encourage you to contact the South Africa Program Coordinator so that Summer Abroad is able to share your dietary requests with our partners.