If you are in South Africa, knowing the country’s postal codes is still very important in today’s modern age, especially when it comes to mastering the country’s logistical and communication infrastructure in addition to sorting and delivering mail. Postal Codes were first introduced in South Africa in 1973, and they are today managed by the South African Post Office, which provides the format for Postal codes and assigns the codes to various regions in the country.
Do you know all the postal codes for South Africa? If not, don’t worry—this guide has all the answers to all your questions, including how to track your parcels and postal Code Prices as of 2025. So make sure to read to the end to understand how postal codes work in South Africa.
What is the format of the postal code in South Africa?
The South Africa Postal Office Corporation has made it easier for anyone to understand how Postal codes are structured since its first use in 1973. The structure of the Postal codes in South Africa uses a four-digit format, with each digit serving a specific purpose.
The first digit represents broader geographic areas, such as provinces, while the remaining digits refine the location further, distinguishing between urban and rural regions or delivery modes like street addresses versus PO Boxes. For example, urban postal codes often cover smaller, densely populated zones. In contrast, rural codes span larger geographic areas due to lower population density.
The Key difference between street addresses and PO boxes within the South African postal code system lies in the differentiation between delivery types. Both have different codes, which help in logistics and ensure that packages arrive at the right destination. For example, if you take a look at Pretoria, you will see that its PO Box code is 0001, while its street address code is 0002.
South Africa Postal Codes By Province
The postal codes of South Africa are classified based on various regions, which take into account all the provinces and districts within the provinces. Below is a detailed breakdown of postal codes by province:
Eastern Cape Province Postal Code Ranges
The Eastern Cape province, established on April 27, 1994, is divided into six district municipalities and two metropolitan municipalities as sen below:
| No. | District/Metropolitan Municipality | Postal Code Range | Major Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alfred Nzo | 4730-5142 | Matatiele, Mount Ayliff, Bizana, Mount Frere, Ntabankulu |
| 2 | Amathole | 4930-6280 | Butterworth, Dutywa, Stutterheim, Alice, Fort Beaufort, Bedford |
| 3 | Buffalo City Metropolitan | 5200-5664 | East London, Mdantsane, King William’s Town, Zwelitsha, Bhisho |
| 4 | Chris Hani | 1055-5930 | Queenstown (Komani), Lady Frere, Cradock, Hofmeyr, Engcobo, Elliot |
| 5 | Joe Gqabi | 4750-9798 | Mount Fletcher, Maclear, Steynsburg, Aliwal North, Barkly East |
| 6 | Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan | 6000-6390 | Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch, Colchester |
| 7 | OR Tambo | 4810-5190 | Mthatha (Umtata), Port St Johns, Lusikisiki, Libode, Qumbu |
| 8 | Sarah Baartman | 5805-6450 | Grahamstown (Makana), Graaff-Reinet, Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay, Addo |
Free State Province Postal Code Ranges
The Free State has five districts and 20 municipalities with various postal codes, as seen below:
| No. | District/Metropolitan Municipality | Postal Code Range | Major Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fezile Dabi | 1911-9840 | Sasolburg, Kroonstad, Parys, Heilbron, Frankfort |
| 2 | Lejweleputswa | 8340-9870 | Welkom, Virginia, Odendaalsrus, Bothaville, Wesselsbron |
| 3 | Mangaung | 9300-9944 | Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu, Wepener |
| 4 | Thabo Mofutsanyana | 3372-9885 | Bethlehem, Harrismith, Phuthaditjhaba, Ficksburg, Senekal |
| 5 | Xhariep | 8710-9992 | Trompsburg, Koffiefontein, Zastron, Philippolis, Bethulie |
Gauteng Province Postal Code Ranges
Gauteng is a Province in South Africa located in the northeastern part of the country. It has 5 districts and 11 municipalities with Postal codes as follows:
| No. | District/Metropolitan Municipality | Postal Code Range | Major Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Tshwane | 0002–1028 | Pretoria, Centurion, Soshanguve, Hammanskraal |
| 2 | City of Ekurhuleni | 1400–1690 | Benoni, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Germiston, Alberton |
| 3 | City of Johannesburg | 1709–2198 | Sandton, Midrand, Randburg, Soweto, Roodepoort |
| 4 | Sedibeng District | 1441–1985 | Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, Sharpeville, Meyerton |
| 5 | West Rand District | 1718–2534 | Krugersdorp, Randfontein, Mogale City, Magaliesburg |
KwaZulu-Natal Province Postal Code Ranges
KwaZulu-Natal has 11 districts and 1 metropolitan municipality, as shown below:
| No. | District/Metropolitan Municipality | Postal Code Range | Major Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality | 4000–4459 | Durban, Umhlanga, Pinetown |
| 2 | Amajuba District | 2900–3388 | Dundee, Newcastle |
| 3 | Harry Gwala District | 3226–4710 | Kokstad, Underberg |
| 4 | iLembe District | 3802–4493 | KwaDukuza, Ballito |
| 5 | uMgungundlovu District | 3109–3996 | Pietermaritzburg, Howick |
| 6 | Ugu District | 3223–4787 | Port Shepstone, Margate |
| 7 | Zululand District | 3100–3994 | Vryheid, Ulundi |
| 8 | King Cetshwayo District | 3243–3996 | Richards Bay, Ulundi |
| 9 | uMkhanyakude District | 3808–3996 | Hluhluwe, Mtubatuba |
| 10 | uMzinyathi District | 2920–3388 | Dundee, Nquthu |
| 11 | uThukela District | 2900–3388 | Ladysmith, Winterton |
| 12 | uMzinyathi District | 2920–3388 | Nquthu, Msinga |
Limpopo Province Postal Code Ranges
Limpopo is south of Africa’s northernmost province with five districts and 25 local municipalities with Postal Codes as follows:
| No. | District/Metropolitan Municipality | Postal Code Range | Major Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capricorn District | 0400–0899 | Polokwane, Seshego, Lebowakgomo, Mokopane, Mankweng |
| 2 | Mopani District | 0800–0899,1300–1399 | Phalaborwa, Tzaneen, Giyani, Haenertsburg, Modjadjiskloof |
| 3 | Sekhukhune District | 0400–0580 | Groblersdal, Burgersfort, Marble Hall, Steelpoort |
| 4 | Vhembe District | 0900–0999 | Thohoyandou, Musina, Makhado, Louis Trichardt, Sibasa |
| 5 | Waterberg District | 0300–0699 | Mokopane, Bela-Bela, Modimolle, Lephalale, Vaalwater |
Mpumalanga Province Postal Code Ranges
Mpumalanga is a province in northeastern South Africa with three districts and 17 local municipalities. Its Postal code is as Follows:
| No. | District/Metropolitan Municipality | Postal Code Range | Major Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ehlanzeni District | 1100–1399 | Mbombela (Nelspruit), White River, Barberton, Bushbuckridge, Komatipoort, Malelane |
| 2 | Gert Sibande District | 1190–2499 | Bethal, Ermelo, Secunda, Standerton, Piet Retief, Volksrust |
| 3 | Nkangala District | 1000–2276 | Emalahleni (Witbank), Middelburg, Steve Tshwete, Thembisile Hani, Dr JS Moroka |
North West Province Postal Code Ranges
The North West is a province in South Africa that is found in the northwestern part of the country. It has four districts and 18 local municipalities with the following postal code ranges:
| No. | District/Metropolitan Municipality | Postal Code Range | Major Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bojanala Platinum District | 0189–0399, 2835–2862 | Rustenburg, Brits, Marikana, Mogwase |
| 2 | Dr Kenneth Kaunda District | 2531–2739 | Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Stilfontein |
| 3 | Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District | 8484–8792, 2600–2792 | Vryburg, Taung, Schweizer-Reneke |
| 4 | Ngaka Modiri Molema District | 0357–2891 | Mahikeng (Mafikeng), Lichtenburg, Delareyville |
Northern Cape Province Postal Code Ranges
The Northern Cape has five districts and 27 municipalities with Postal codes as follows:
| No. | District/Metropolitan Municipality | Postal Code Range | Major Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frances Baard District | 8301–8745 | Kimberley, Barkly West, Galeshewe, Warrenton |
| 2 | John Taolo Gaetsewe District | 8446–8631 | Kathu, Hotazel, Olifantshoek, Van Zylsrus |
| 3 | Namakwa District | 6920–8925 | Springbok, Port Nolloth, Calvinia, Sutherland |
| 4 | Pixley Ka Seme District | 7000–9922 | De Aar, Colesberg, Prieska, Gariep Dam, Noupoort* |
| 5 | ZF Mgcawu District | 8405–8943 | Upington, Keimoes, Groblershoop, Danielskuil |
How to Find and Use Postal Codes Effectively
The age of digital connectivity has made it easier for us to access information with just a few taps on our smartphones. Similarly, if you are looking to learn all the postal codes in South Africa in real time, you will be glad to know that the process is easier thanks to the tools that the South African Post Office provides.
All you need to do is access the official website at https://www.postoffice.co.za/, navigate to the tools section, and go to either Postal Codes or Postal Offices to retrieve the specific information you need. Below is a summary of all the tools offered, along with their respective URLs to access them:
| Tool | URL |
|---|---|
| Postal Cost | https://www.postoffice.co.za/Questions/Postalrates.pdf |
| Postal Codes | https://www.postoffice.co.za/Tools/postalcodes.html |
| Postal Offices | https://www.postoffice.co.za/Tools/postofficelocations.html |
| Postal Guide | https://www.postoffice.co.za/Questions/guidelines.html |
| Tracking App | https://www.postoffice.co.za/Tools/trackingapp.html |
| Track My Parcel | https://www.postoffice.co.za/Tools/tracktrace.html |
| Tracking Comments | https://www.postoffice.co.za/Tools/trackingcomments.html |
Questions And Answers
What are the postal code ranges in South Africa?
The following are the ranges for South Africa’s postal codes based on the various regions:
| Region | Postal Code Range | Areas Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Region | 0001–2999 | Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, parts of North West |
| Eastern Region | 3000–4999 | KwaZulu-Natal, parts of Eastern Cape |
| Southern Region | 5000–6699 | Eastern Cape, parts of Western Cape |
| Western Region | 6000–8299 | Western Cape, Northern Cape |
| Central Region | 8300–9999 | Northern Cape, Free State |
How do I get a postal address in South Africa?
To get a postal address in South Africa, you can apply for a PO Box or Private Bag at your nearest post office, or use your residential address if mail delivery is available there
What are the area codes in South Africa?
South Africa is made up of 36 area codes which are usually made up of 2 digits as follows:
| # | Area Name | Area Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethlehem | (0)58 |
| 2 | Bisho | (0)40 |
| 3 | Bloemfontein | (0)51 |
| 4 | Cape Town | (0)21 |
| 5 | Durban | (0)31 |
| 6 | East London | (0)43 |
| 7 | Ermelo | (0)17 |
| 8 | Garden Route | (0)44 |
| 9 | Graaff-Reinet | (0)49 |
| 10 | Grahamstown | (0)46 |
| 11 | Humansdorp | (0)42 |
| 12 | Johannesburg | (0)10 |
| 13 | Johannesburg | (0)11 |
| 14 | Kimberley | (0)53 |
| 15 | Kroonstad | (0)56 |
| 16 | Ladysmith | (0)36 |
| 17 | Malmesbury | (0)22 |
| 18 | Northern Cape | (0)27 |
| 19 | Pietermaritzburg | (0)33 |
| 20 | Polokwane (Pietersburg) | (0)15 |
| 21 | Port Elizabeth | (0)41 |
| 22 | Port Shepstone | (0)39 |
| 23 | Potchefstroom / Klerksdorp | (0)18 |
| 24 | Pretoria | (0)12 |
| 25 | Queenstown | (0)45 |
| 26 | Richards Bay | (0)35 |
| 27 | Rustenburg | (0)14 |
| 28 | Stanger | (0)32 |
| 29 | Steynsburg | (0)48 |
| 30 | Swellendam | (0)28 |
| 31 | Umtata | (0)47 |
| 32 | Upington | (0)54 |
| 33 | Vereeniging | (0)16 |
| 34 | Vryheid | (0)34 |
| 35 | Welkom | (0)57 |
| 36 | Worcester | (0)23 |
How to format a South African address?
Include the recipient’s full name on the first line, the house or building number, and the street name on the second line. The third line should contain the suburb or city/town name, along with the province if necessary. Add the postal code on the next line and finish with “SOUTH AFRICA” for international mail. Finally, ensure all lines are left-aligned and written in capital letters for clarity.
