South Africa: primary language is English (one of 11 official languages) — English is widely spoken, especially in cities and tourist areas.
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The primary language in South Africa is English (one of 11 official languages).
English is widely spoken, especially in cities and tourist areas. English is widely spoken and understood nationwide, even though it's a first language for a minority of the population.
Learning "hello," "please," "thank you," "excuse me," and "the check please" in the local language goes a long way anywhere, including South Africa — locals consistently appreciate the effort.
It's rarely necessary given how widely English is understood in South Africa, but it doesn't hurt to have one as a backup.