Where did you get that information?

3 weeks is nothing.

check out this site: http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/c...te/animals.htm
it addresses the issue from NY to SA, but the import regs should be the same for any country (or at least the Netherlands). Apparently you need an import permit which takes between 6-8 weeks.....

You really need to get the ball rolling. Most rabies shots need to be given in certain timeframes and you may or may not be able to still fall into it. Ie: A valid rabies certificate obtained at least 30 days prior to your departure. This certificate should not have been obtained more than 12 months or less than 30 days prior to exporting. The vaccine used must be a strain of anti-rabies conforming to a potency standard recognized by the World Health Organization

Here is another site:

http://www.passportforpets.co.uk/south%20africa.html