You're going to need more than your wallet to pick up your TV from the local electronics shop. South Africa requires everyone with a television set to have a TV license - for a cost of R225 a year, to help supplement programming for the government-zowned SABC.

While you can renew your license online at TV Licenses or via debit order, in order to get your initial license you'll have to drop into your local Post Office and show your passport for ID. The easiest way to go, though, if you need to buy a TV anyway is to head for Game or Hi-Fi Corporation, which have some of the best prices around for basic electronics. They are able to process your TV license in the store while you're buying your set - a major bonus. But you're still going to need your passport.

And although you're paying to watch SABC 1, 2 and 3, you may find that you'll skip past them all favoring the more independent and innovative ETV, or satellite television via DSTV. You'll have to fork out a minimum of R700 for the basic hardware (the PVR version will dig much deeper at R3500), and this, too, can also be picked up at Game or Hi-Fi Corporation. You'll also end up paying R200 or R420 per month, depending on your channel choice. And if you don't already have a satellite dish, you'll have to get one installed. DSTV will recommend someone in your area.