With over 10 official languages, a vast variety of ecosystems as well as climates, as well as a interesting if chequered history, South Africa is about the most culturally diverse country in the world. however right here are five locations that show SA’s cultures best.
From the humble Khomani people – understood likewise as the Kalahari Bushmen – to the fierce as well as noble Zulu, the cultures of South Africa breathe life into the landscape.
Each culture is as unique in its history, perspective, art as well as language as the cities to the wilderness as well as the chilly peaks of Mafadi to the baked earth of the deserts.
Within as well as beyond its boundaries, this country’s cultures are what bring the land to life with a vibrance as well as vitality that’s difficult to describe.
Here’s a short video checking out a few of the most fascinating cultural elements of South Africa:
Click right here to watch the video on YouTube.
When we were in South Africa recently, we discovered it difficult to get a handle on the bewildering realms of culture here.
From the arid lands of the Kalahari to the sweeping blue of the Atlantic as well as Indian Oceans, South Africa’s landscape is the beating heart of the romance of travel.
5 locations to experience as well as comprehend South African culture
Of course, a location like South Africa has a million methods as well as locations of experiencing its culture, however right here are the locations we believe truly highlight the country as well as explain its diversity, attitudes as well as personality.
1. Where all of us came from – the Cradle of Humankind
In the damaged hills northwest of Johannesburg, the limestone Caves of Sterkfontein hide the extremely keystone to the beginnings of human life – the Cradle of Humankind.
The subterranean visitors’ centre – Maropeng – is cleverly put together as well as provides a great deal of info about human development as well as the archaeological site.
But the cave system, which you can go into, brings everything to life. You get to see the area where archaeologists unearthed the fossils of ‘Mrs Ples’, a 2.1-million-year-old Australopithecus skull, as well as bit Foot, an almost total Australopithecus skeleton more than three million years old.
These caves continue to provide evidence of our pre-historic existence as well as are an active dig site. It’s the one of the richest sources of hominid fossil sites in the world.
The hour-long tour of the caves is difficult at times, with great deals of stairs as well as extremely low crawl-height ceilings.
2. Soweto, Mandela’s home as well as the Apartheid Museum
Although Apartheid occurred throughout South Africa, Johannesburg was definitely the most affected. Joburg’s townships – slums where black Africans were sent as part of segregation – are now both cultural hubs as well as important reminders of what people went through.
Soweto, the country’s biggest township with over two million residents, was house to Desmond Tutu as well as Nelson Mandela, whose home you can – as well as should – visit.
Stay at Lebo’s in the north of the township as well as take a tour in their bright yellow tuktuks. You can likewise hear stories from people who lived with Apartheid at Lebo’s, as well as the dinners they serve up are excellent.
For more information, inspect out our full story on Lebo’s as well as Soweto right here or watch our video around Soweto below.
Closer to the city centre, the Apartheid museum is the most concentrated source of info about the atrocities dedicated during the 1948-1994 regime. If you go anywhere in Johannesburg, make sure it’s here.
It’s heartbreaking, haunting as well as absolutely horrendous the things people did (and still do) to every other since of the colour of skin. as well as yet an example of exactly how we can modification for the better.
Along with the seven Pillars of the South African Constitution – democracy, equality, reconciliation, diversity, responsibility, respect as well as flexibility – everybody should discover about what occurred here.
It’s a unfortunately under-taught part of our history.
3. Durban’s beaches, Zulus as well as nightlife
On the east coastline of South Africa, the city of Durban looks out across the Indian Ocean. Its 600km of beaches as well as warm waters are a surfer’s dream, while its cruisy nightlife makes for a perfect break by the sea.
Culturally, Durban is fascinating for two reasons: firstly, this area is part of the KwaZulu Natal – the Zulu Kingdom. For a snapshot of traditional Zulu life, you have to go to the Zulu village at the PheZulu Safari Park.
The Gasa clan have been performing traditional dances, rituals as well as ceremonies right here for over 30 years here. It’s interesting as well as gorgeous to watch, as well as the singing as well as music is enchanting.
Durban is likewise house to a huge population of migrants from the Oriental subcontinent. In fact, it’s stated that Durban is the biggest ‘Indian’ city outside India. Indians were given South Africa to work on the Transvaal railways. They brought many customs as well as traditions – not to mention food.
One meal unique to Durban is ‘bunny chow’. nothing to do with rabbits or rabbit food, this meal gets its name from the Indian cooks who produced the meal understood as bania. A loaf of bread halved as well as hollowed out, then full of your option of curry.
It’s unbelievably tasty and, as people who like a curry, we’re shocked we haven’t had this before.
This restaurant – home of Curries – in Durban’s fun-filled Florida road is a top area for bunny chow.
4. Rourke’s Drift as well as Isandlwana
Made famous by Michael Caine’s performance in the 1964 movie Zulu, Rourke’s Drift is the historic battle site during the Anglo-Zulu wars of 1879 where 139 British soldiers held off over 4,000 Zulu warriors.
More Victoria crosses were awarded in this single battle than any type of other in the British Empire.
What the film doesn’t tell you is the day before, thanks to an error by commanding policeman Lord Chelmsford, 1,300 of the British colonial army were massacred by an enormous Zulu force at the site of Isandlwana.
Tales of these two legendary battles are given life by the incredible guides of Fugitives’ Drift Lodge owners as well as founders of this gorgeous park as well as lodge – the Rattray household – are commonly respected for their work with the Zulu nation.
For more information, you truly should inspect out our full story of the battles as well as Fugitives’ Drift.
You should likewise watch our video walkthrough too!
5. On Safari in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park as well as the Kalahari Bushmen
In the Western Cape, a spear of South Africa pierces the Kalahari Desert, its tip developing a confluence of countries: Namibia on the left, Botswana on the right as well as cleaving between them is South Africa.
This section of the Kalahari Desert is understood as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Not only is it house to a big number of gorgeous native birds, animals as well as plants, it’s likewise the lands of the nomadic San People.
For centuries, these ‘Kalahari Bushmen’ have roamed the dessert, however these days the Khomani 2,000-strong neighborhood is restricted to a little section of the Kalahari.
As the government tries to reconcile with the Khomani, programmes like the !Xaus game Lodge – a safari lodge had as well as run by the tribespeople – are aiming to provide back something back.
We stayed at !Xaus Lodge (pronounced similar to ‘house’ however with a ‘k’) as well as had an incredible time. There was likewise an chance to go to a Khomani village as well as speak with a few of the San who worked there making handicraft. It was a remarkable experience.
You can checked out more about the Transfrontier Park, the San people as well as !Xaus Lodge right here in our full review.
There’s likewise a short video walkthrough we’ve put together you should inspect out too:
These are just a few of the methods to discover about as well as enjoy the wide-ranging as well as interesting cultures of South Africa. We liked our time there as well as can’t wait to go back again. There’s just so much to see as well as do.
Have you been to South Africa? Do you have a top location you’ve been to there or anywhere that shows off a country’s culture?
We travelled to South Africa as media with South African Tourism.