drekid: hi room, how long does it take to renew s/a visa? application has been sitting there since july 24th n no word or text

Vicjustice:
Know that the visa officer is not going to hurry up the process just to meet your schedules.
My friend, your circumstances are too hasty, and this is not how to apply for a visa.

Vicjustice:
Do you mean that you intend to submit your application on Thursday the 29th with the entered date of travel as December 11th? If so, that would be way too tight.
As for the flight reservation, that is not necessary.

Vicjustice:
There are neither rules nor regulations regarding the date of travel, and you are not obliged to travel on the exact day that you entered on the application form, the question is just a senseless formality.
But it is reasonable to enter a (not-too-near) date because, you are advised to allow the embassy enough time to process your application to avoid being refused the visa on the for reason of tight schedule