MetaTrader 4 Setup for South African Traders

MetaTrader 4 Platform Overview for South African Markets

Our company offers MetaTrader 4 as the primary platform for South African traders, providing access to both forex and CFD markets. The platform delivers real-time data, advanced charting, and automated trading tools aligned with South African Standard Time (SAST). We ensure smooth integration with JustMarkets’ infrastructure, offering direct market access via our liquidity providers.

MT4 connects users in South Africa to global markets with an average execution speed of 0.03 seconds. Our servers guarantee 99.9% uptime, maintaining availability during Johannesburg Stock Exchange trading sessions and other major market hours. The platform supports various order types such as market, pending, stop loss, and take profit orders.

Key components include over 50 technical indicators, multiple timeframes, and support for Expert Advisors (EAs) to automate strategies. We deploy servers in London and New York to provide South African clients with stable and fast connectivity.

System Requirements and Compatibility

MetaTrader 4 operates on Windows 7 to 11 with at least 1GB RAM and 50MB of free disk space. Both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions are supported, covering most South African desktop systems. A minimum internet speed of 56k is required, but broadband is advised for better stability.

For mobile trading, MT4 supports Android 4.0+ and iOS 7.0+ devices. The mobile app syncs with desktop accounts, allowing South African traders to manage positions on the move.

Installation Process for Windows Systems

Visit our official JustMarkets website at justmarkets.co.za to download the MT4 installer (~15MB). Download times on South African broadband range between 2-3 minutes. Run the installer as administrator for proper setup. Select English language and preferred installation folder during setup. The wizard configures firewall exceptions and creates desktop shortcuts automatically.

Mobile App Installation Steps

Open Google Play Store or Apple App Store and search “MetaTrader 4”. Download the official app by MetaQuotes Software Corp (approx. 25MB). Installation completes within 1-2 minutes on compatible devices. Launch the app, tap “Add New Account,” enter JustMarkets server details, and log in using your credentials.

Account Connection and Login Procedures

Connect your JustMarkets account to MetaTrader 4 by using server information from your welcome email. South African traders typically use “JustMarkets-Live” or “JustMarkets-Demo” servers. Required login details include account number, password, and server selection to optimise speed and reliability.

Initial Login Configuration

Open MT4 and select File > Login. Enter your account number and password, then choose “JustMarkets-Live-01” for the server. Click “Login” to connect. Once logged in, your account balance, equity, and margin will appear in the Terminal window. Connection quality is displayed in the bottom-right corner.

Demo Account Setup Process

Create a demo account via File > Open an Account. Select “JustMarkets” as broker and choose demo registration. Provide your name, email, and preferred currency (USD, EUR, or ZAR). Demo accounts have $10,000 virtual funds for practice trading. These accounts remain active for 30 days with full platform features.

Trading Interface and Navigation

The MetaTrader 4 interface includes Market Watch, Navigator, Chart Area, and Terminal panels. Market Watch shows live prices of forex pairs, commodities, and indices relevant to South African traders. Navigator accesses accounts, indicators, Expert Advisors, and scripts.

The Chart Area displays price action for analysis and trade execution. Multiple charts can be opened simultaneously. The Terminal window provides account details, trade history, and open positions.

Market Watch Configuration

Right-click Market Watch and select “Show All” to view all available instruments including USD/ZAR, EUR/ZAR, and metals. You can customise this list by hiding unused symbols and arranging favourites at the top. Add new symbols via right-click > Symbols, browsing categories like Forex, Metals, Energies, and Indices.

• USD/ZAR spreads start at 1.5 pips
• EUR/ZAR spreads from 2.0 pips
• GBP/ZAR spreads from 2.5 pips
• Gold (XAU/USD) spreads from 0.3 pips
• Brent Oil spreads from 0.05 points

Chart Customisation Options

Right-click on any chart and select “Properties” to adjust colours, grids, and price display. Candlestick charts are preferred for detailed analysis, line charts for trend spotting. Change timeframes via toolbar or F1-F9 keys. South African traders commonly use M15 and H1 for intraday, H4 and D1 for longer-term analysis.

Order Placement and Trade Management

MetaTrader 4 enables order execution via market orders, pending orders, and one-click trading. We support Buy, Sell, Buy Limit, Sell Limit, Buy Stop, and Sell Stop orders. Stop loss and take profit can be set at order entry or modified later. Execution occurs within 100 milliseconds for major pairs, using a no dealing desk (NDD) model for transparent pricing.

Market Order Execution Process

Double-click a symbol in Market Watch or press F9 to open the order window. Select “Market Execution”, specify lot size (min 0.01 for Cent accounts, 0.1 for Standard), and optionally enter stop loss and take profit. Click “Buy” or “Sell” to place the order. Confirm order details in the popup, then check the Terminal for execution status.

Pending Order Configuration

Set pending orders using Buy Limit, Sell Limit, Buy Stop, or Sell Stop types. Specify entry price, lot size, and stop loss/take profit levels. Pending orders stay active until price hits the set level or are cancelled manually. They can be placed outside active hours for automatic execution when markets open.

Technical Analysis Tools and Indicators

MT4 offers over 50 built-in indicators and supports unlimited custom indicators. Available tools include trend indicators like Moving Averages and MACD, oscillators such as RSI and Stochastic, plus volume indicators. South African traders access these via Navigator or the Insert menu.

Drawing tools allow manual chart annotations including trend lines, support/resistance, and Fibonacci retracements. All graphical elements save automatically within templates for consistent analysis across sessions.

Popular Indicator Configurations

Use Moving Averages with 20, 50, and 200 periods for trend identification on ZAR pairs. EMAs offer quicker responsiveness; SMAs provide smoother trends. Indicators apply to Close, High, Low, or typical prices.

RSI with a 14-period default highlights overbought/oversold zones. Adjust between 10-20 periods per strategy. Combine RSI with price action for improved signal quality.

• EMA 20/50 crossover for trend shifts
• RSI 14 with 30/70 thresholds for momentum
• MACD 12/26/9 for trend confirmation
• Bollinger Bands 20/2 for volatility
• Stochastic 14/3/3 for entry timing

Expert Advisors and Automated Trading

Our MT4 platform supports Expert Advisors to automate trading strategies suited for South African market hours. EAs monitor price movements and execute trades automatically. Traders can code custom EAs in MQL4 or install pre-built algorithms via MetaTrader Market.

We offer VPS hosting in London to maintain uninterrupted EA operation, ensuring continuous performance during local power outages or internet interruptions.

EA Installation and Configuration

Install EAs by downloading from the MetaTrader Market or copying files to the Experts folder in MT4’s data directory. Restart MT4 to refresh Navigator. Attach EAs to charts and configure parameters such as lot size and trading times. Activate “Auto Trading” via toolbar to enable automated execution. Monitor activity in the Experts tab.

Risk Management Settings

Set maximum daily loss, position sizes, and drawdown limits within EA settings for capital protection. A recommended risk per trade is 1-2% of equity. Use the Strategy Tester for historical backtesting and Account History to analyse live performance, adapting settings to evolving markets.

Platform Security and Account Protection

We secure all South African trader data on MetaTrader 4 using 256-bit SSL encryption between client terminals and JustMarkets servers. Passwords must be strong, with at least eight characters, including numbers, special characters, and mixed case. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is available via SMS to registered mobile numbers.

Enabling 2FA through your Personal Area adds an extra security layer, preventing unauthorised access even if credentials are compromised. Connection encryption uses TLS 1.2 to guard against interception, and server certificates verify authenticity.

Secure Connection Protocols

MT4 uses encrypted TLS 1.2 connections to JustMarkets servers. Server certificates prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Security is indicated on the status bar. Regular audits and penetration testing maintain protection against evolving threats. South African client funds and data are segregated in compliance with local regulations.

Account Monitoring Features

Activate login alerts via SMS or email for every MT4 session. Manage active sessions remotely in your Personal Area, terminating suspicious connections. Review detailed login history including IP addresses and device data for security checks.

Trade confirmation alerts notify you instantly of executed orders, position changes, and account balance updates. These help South African traders stay informed even when away from the platform.