Arriving in Barberton

Barberton can be reached by air, road and rail. Local people make use of their own motor cars or minibus taxi services to get around the area. The town is linked to Nelspruit, Gauteng Province, Mozambique and Swaziland through inter-city bus services. The Barberton Airport is located off the R40 Snymansbuilt road and is clearly indicated by traffic signs. The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, 25 km north east of Nelspruit, is an easy one hour drive from Barberton.

 

Banks

Most of the major banks in South Africa have branches in Barberton and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) operate on a 24 hour basis. Banking hours are from 9:00 to 15:30 during the week and 8:30 / 9:00 to 10.30/11:00 on Saturdays. Banks are closed on Sundays.

 

Cell phones

All cellular phone service providers have reasonable reception in and around the area. Service may be intermittent in mountainous areas. Many businesses sell cash call cards for cell phones and there are various supplier outlets in town.

 

Climate

Barberton’s climate is subtropical and the average day time temperature ranges from 18 degrees centigrade from June to August to the mid 30’s from October to February. It is a summer rainfall area and winters are dry.

 

Courier services

Several companies offer courier services to national and international destinations. Their details are displayed under the courier heading in the telephone directory’s yellow pages.

 

Disabled people

Barberton is not an easy town for disabled travellers to negotiate mainly due to its historic buildings and steep slopes. However, the municipality has various initiatives to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and many tour operators are becoming sensitized to their needs. We suggest you contact establishments first to find out whether they are geared to provide for your particular requirements.

 

Electricity and Voltage

220v power supply throughout, using large three-prong round pin plugs for appliances. Voltage is compatible for British and European appliances. Equipment brought in from the USA will need an adaptor.

 

Emergency numbers

Police tel: 10111

Traffic tel: (013) 712 2121

Ambulance tel: 10177

Fire brigade tel; (013) 712 2121 a/h 712 2222

 

Foreign exchange

Foreign exchange is available at ABSA bank in town. Most international credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Diners Club and Mastercard are accepted in restaurants, shops and hotels.

 

Geographical details.

Height above sea level: 877 metres

Main routes to Barberton: R40 (Nelspruit to Josefsdal borderpost, Swaziland)

R38 (Badplaas to Kaapmuiden)

• Distance to Johannesburg: 380 km

• Distance to Pretoria: 366 km

• Distance to Nelspruit: 45 km

• Distance to Kruger National Park: 79 km

• Distance to Maputo, Mozambique: 180 km

• Distance to Swaziland border: 32 km

 

 

GPS coordinates

Latitude 25:47 South, Longitude: 31:03 East

 

Health

Barberton has a private and government hospital and a day clinic. Medical doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and alternative health practitioners are available. Pharmacies will be able to meet most of your needs for medication. All medical practitioners are listed under “Medical” in the telephone book. Remember to take precautions against the harsh African sun and heat by using a sun hat and blocking cream and drinking plenty of fluids. Barberton is in a low risk malaria area and antimalarial drugs are not recommended, according to Department of Health and Medical Research Council.

 

Identification

Visitors are advised to carry some identification with a photograph, including their drivers license if applicable.

 

Internet

The Barberton Tourism Office offers a wireless internet connection (WiFi) where visitors can connect from WiFi enabled laptops and PDA’s from anywhere in the tea garden in front of the office. The Umjindi Resource Centre in the public library have computer and internet facilities.

 

Local Government

Barberton is the only town in the Umjindi Municipality and it serves a large rural/ agricultural population. An executive mayor is elected with a full time mayoral committee and part time councilors to assist in the exercise of political powers. They meet once a month. A municipal manager is in charge of the administration. The Umjindi Local Municipality has won several awards for service delivery, prudent management and financial competence.

 

Motor vehicle services

Barberton has several motor vehicle dealerships, breakdown services, mechanical workshops, panel beaters and spare part businesses.

Automobile Association: 08 00 111

 

Newspapers

The Barberton Times is a free weekly Afrikaans/English community newspaper. Regional and national daily and other newspapers are sold at news stands.

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Orientation

Barberton lies in the east of Mpumalanga Province, some 45 km south of the capital city, Nelspruit. It nestles against the Makhonjwa mountain range to the south and stretches over most of the De Kaap river valley to the north.

 

Personal safety and theft

For the visitor Barberton is comparatively safe, although petty theft is commonplace, much as you might expect in any urban area. It is sensible to take the usual precautions: wallets and valuables should be kept out of sight; hand bags worn on the shoulder tucked under the arm, park in a secure areas especially at night. Any theft should be reported immediately to the police. If your passport is lost or stolen, contact your embassy or consulate as well as the police.

 

Police

All policemen wear blue uniforms and are conversant in English and one or more other South African languages. They are generally polite and helpful to visitors.

 

Post office

The post office, located in the Eureka Centre in President Street is open from 8:00 to 19:00 Mondays to Fridays and 8:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays.

 

Public Holidays

Many shops choose to remain open on public holidays. If the public holiday is on a Sunday, the Monday will also be treated as a holiday. Major holidays include:

 

1 Jan New Year’s Day

21 Mar Human Right’s Day

 April Good Friday

April Family Day

27 April Freedom Day

1 May Worker’s Day

16 June Youth Day

9 Aug National Women’s Day

24 Sept Heritage Day

16 Dec Day of Reconciliation

25 Dec Christmas Day

26 Dec Day of Goodwill

 

Shopping

Most of the major retail outlets are represented where clothes, furniture, linen, groceries and other items can be purchased.

 

Smoking

Smoking is forbidden in public buildings and in restaurants except in demarcated areas. Most common brands, including South African, European and American brand cigarettes are available in shops.

 

Telephone

The international code for South Africa is +27 and domestic dialing code for Barberton is (0)13 (omit the “0” if dialing from a foreign country). All Barberton numbers begin with 712 followed by four digits.

 

Tipping

Tipping is left to your discretion. A 10% service charge or tip is the norm for good service at restaurants.

 

Toilets

Public toilets are not plentiful, but clean ones can be found at most fuel stations, the tourism information office, most shopping centres and food outlets.

 

Traffic

Traffic officers wear khaki-brown uniforms with identification badges and travel in clearly marked cars and are conversant in English and one or more other South African languages. They are generally polite and helpful to visitors. If you are suspicious of any circumstances surrounding being pulled off the road by any such official then drive to the nearest police station and report there.

 

Water

All water direct from the municipal mains is fit for drinking. Bottled water is available in supermarkets and cafés.