If you want to apply for a China visa, the following requirements are required:
1. One completed visa application form with one photo (passport photo) attached.
2. A passport valid for more than six months with blank visa pages.
3. For people who goes to China for the first time: 3 months bank-statements and original air-flight tickets.
4. A letter of confirmation from a Chinese travel service or a local travel service and the return air ticket.
5. Your residence permit in South Africa.
generally, the processing takes about 4 working days.