The article covers bascially all of the issues going forward. Read for yourself: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443589304577637382738533386.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Here is the section regarding the exploration rights:

"The companies say it will take time for the opportunity to pan out. Shell's South Africa general manager for exploration, Jan Willem Eggink, has said that once the moratorium is lifted it will be at least another two years to carry out an environmental impact and about nine years to do the exploration work. Philip O'Quigley, chief executive at Falcon Oil & Gas, said it would likely take several months to get exploration license approval as well."

I still have some concerns about the legal actions that will take place down there so if anyone knows South African law feel free to step in and educate us.