Travel restrictions over the festive season could mean that many citizens from South Africa’s neighbouring countries are unable to go home for Christmas.

The SA Post Office cannot replace the joy of seeing loved ones.  However, the Postal service offers a cost-effective, same-day money transfer service to and from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Nigeria, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique and eSwatini which can be used to send money home for the festive season. No bank account is required.

The transferred funds become available at the destination post office in the foreign country on the same day.

The service is offered through the Universal Post Union and managed by the International Financial System, a system application that automates the processing and management of international money orders. The system complies with exchange regulations.

The SA Post Office International Money Order Service is particularly cost effective compared with other money transfer operators. Commission on money sent to Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Nigeria, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique and eSwatini is as follows:

Up to – R500.00:               R44.50
R500.01 – R999.99:           R66.60
R1000.00 – R1999.99:       R81.50
R2000.00 – R5000.00:       R103.60

Unlike other money transfer operators where both the sender and recipient are charged, the recipient is not charged when the sender uses SA Post office to remit money.

The money can be sent from any online post office in South Africa and collected from any post office in the receiving country. The service is not available from postal agents.

An identity document or passport, as well as proof of residence, are required to send and collect money in South Africa.

Source: Government of South Africa