Although the South African authorities strive to assess applications within 30 to 40 business days of receipt, processing times vary.
Please keep in mind that depending on the exact request, it could take much longer. This is particularly true for applications that demand more documentation or information. In that scenario, the petitioner will be contacted personally to arrange for the missing things to be delivered.
Delays are also possible due to the proximity of public holidays and the volume of applications received by the embassy or consulate.