South African phone numbers can look confusing at first glance. Some start with 011, others with 021, while mobile numbers begin with 06, 07, or 08. Many people assume these codes are random, but in reality they form part of a structured national numbering system that determines whether a number is a landline, mobile phone, or special service.
Understanding how South African telephone and cellphone number codes work makes it easier to recognise what type of number you’re dealing with and where it originates.
How South African Phone Numbers Are Structured
South African phone numbers follow a national numbering plan and are usually 10 digits long when dialled locally. All local numbers begin with a 0, followed by a number code that identifies the service type or geographic area.
Broadly speaking, numbers fall into three main categories:
• Geographic landline numbers
• Mobile cellphone numbers
• Non-geographic or special service numbers
Each category uses its own set of prefixes.
Geographic Landline Area Codes
Traditional landline numbers in South Africa are linked to specific geographic regions. These numbers usually begin with 01, 02, 03, 04, or 05, followed by a local subscriber number.
Some of the most common landline area codes include:
• 011 — Johannesburg and surrounding areas
• 012 — Pretoria and Tshwane
• 021 — Cape Town and the Western Cape
• 031 — Durban and KwaZulu-Natal
• 041 — Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
• 051 — Bloemfontein
• 053 — Kimberley
• 054 — Upington
These area codes indicate the physical location where the landline was originally installed. Unlike mobile numbers, landline numbers are generally tied to geography and do not move between regions.
Cellphone Number Codes
Cellphone numbers are non-geographic, meaning they are not tied to a specific city or province. All South African mobile numbers are ten digits long and typically start with 06, 07, or 08.
The first three digits are known as the mobile prefix. These prefixes were originally allocated to specific mobile networks but no longer reliably indicate the current operator due to number portability.
Common mobile prefixes include:
• 082, 072 — originally Vodacom allocations
• 083, 073 — originally MTN allocations
• 084, 074, 062 — originally Cell C allocations
• 081 — originally Telkom Mobile allocations
• 060–069 range — allocated across multiple networks over time
Today, a mobile prefix shows where the number originated, not necessarily which network currently carries it.
Toll-Free and Share-Call Numbers
South Africa also uses non-geographic service numbers that do not represent a physical location or mobile device.
• 080 numbers — toll-free numbers where the receiving party pays for the call
• 086 numbers — share-call numbers where the call cost is split between caller and receiver
These numbers are commonly used by businesses, call centres, and customer support lines.
Premium-Rate and Special Service Numbers
Certain prefixes are reserved for premium or special services:
• 090 numbers — premium-rate services
• 091 numbers — multimedia or value-added services
Calls to these numbers are usually more expensive and are often used for competitions, subscriptions, or information services.
Emergency and Short Codes
Shorter numbers are reserved for emergency services and network features. These numbers do not follow the standard 10-digit format.
Common examples include:
• 10111 — South African Police Service
• 10177 — Emergency medical services
• 112 — National emergency number from mobile phones
Mobile networks also use short codes for services like airtime balances, call-me messages, and network features.
Why Number Codes Still Matter
Even in an age of smartphones and contact lists, number codes remain important. They help identify:
• Whether a number is a landline, mobile, or service number
• Whether a call may be free, shared-cost, or premium-rated
• The original allocation of a mobile number
While mobile number portability has reduced the usefulness of prefixes for identifying networks, area codes and service prefixes still provide valuable context.
What Phone Number Codes Really Mean in 2026
In 2026, South African phone number codes should be viewed as indicators, not guarantees. Landline area codes still reflect geography, but mobile prefixes no longer reliably show the current network operator.
Understanding these codes helps avoid confusion, unexpected call costs, and misunderstandings about where a number comes from.
Quick Summary
• South African phone numbers are part of a structured national numbering plan
• Landline numbers use geographic area codes like 011, 021 and 031
• Cellphone numbers start with 06, 07 or 08 and are non-geographic
• Mobile prefixes show original allocation, not current network
• Service numbers like 080, 086 and 090 indicate toll-free or premium services
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