This is what R100 buys you around the world

South Africa’s economic and currency woes are well documented. The rand has slumped, and the economy shows no signs of recovery in 2016.

It’s not an ideal time to go on holiday, something I have been reminded on Facebook by friends living abroad, who in turn have been able to upgrade to Business Class on their annual holidays to ‘sunny South Africa’.

Staying at home is no picnic either. It seems that thanks to rising inflation and import costs, one can’t escape ‘the economy’ at the minute.

On a holiday in Ballito in December, I forked out R195 for three ‘craft’ beers, nearly forcing me to come back to Joburg early.

Should you end up flying abroad for business, or because you won a competition in a magazine, you will be in for a shock.

The few quid you may have in your pocket upon arrival at Heathrow Airport – accumulated from the leftovers of a prior trip, from a family member, or a friend – will not be enough to purchase that first pint before that dreaded trip to the Bureau de Change.

I have roughly calculated, using six destinations scattered around the globe, what the spare change in your pocket can, and cannot buy.

At current prices this is what R100 can get you:

• In the UK, £4.20
• In the USA: $6
• In Australia:$8.70
• In Germany: $5.50
• In Brazil: R25 (Real)
• In China: 39.50 Yuan

South African rand vs the world

*Starbucks is expected to launch in SA in “the first half of 2016″ according to Taste Holdings.

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