To add to this confusion two separate kinds of traffic circles are in use in South Africa – a mini-circle and a roundabout.
Mini-circles
The vast majority of circles in urban streets are mini-circles. A mini-circle is indicated by a triangular sign with a red border and three arrows forming a clockwise circle. When approaching a mini-circle always indicate your intention if you are turning. At a mini-circle, the first vehicle to cross the yield line has the right of way.
This is irrespective of whether the vehicle that crossed the line is on your left or right. Drivers are required to drive clockwise around the circle without encroaching on the middle, be it painted of a built-up section.
Roundabout
Roundabouts are indicated by a blue circular sign with three arrows forming a clockwise circle. At roundabouts, drivers are required to give the right of way to traffic on their right-hand side provided that they are too close to enter the roundabout safely.
Drivers are then required to travel around the roundabout in a clockwise direction.
Multiple lanes
If there are multiple lanes in a roundabout, best practice depends on your intended exit. If you are planning to turn left you should stick to the left lane and keep your indicator left.
If you intend to go straight, keep to the left lane unless there are markings on the road that indicate which lane you should take. Drivers intending to turn right should drive in the righthand or inside lane while signalling right.
Once you pass the exit just before your intended exit, switch your indicator to left and cross lanes to your exit
