Experience our rich heritage
“Everyone of whatever race, nation or creed who comes to Africa feels a magnetism that cannot be ignored or explained. Because it is primeval. Because Africa is like a mother calling her children home. Old, addled, and poor she may be, but the pull of the umbilicus is still there. Irresistibly.”
– John Ryan, One Man’s Africa.
Hallo, hello, lotjhani, molo, sawubona, dumela, sawubona, ndaa, avuxeni
These are the different greetings that one will come across on your staycation or vacation within this rich and varied land. The inland safari destination Kruger National Park is populated by big game, the Western Cape offers beaches, lush winelands around Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, craggy cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope, forest and lagoons along the Garden Route, and the city of Cape Town, beneath flat-topped Table Mountain.
The natural landscape, flora and fauna are complemented by cultural wealth of the nation. In recognising this, September was set aside as Heritage Month in South Africa, the 24th of the month as National Heritage Day. South Africans are encouraged to celebrate the day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of this beautiful country.
South Africa’s culture is one of the most diverse in the world, we have the KhoiKhoi, San, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Indian, Chinese and Cape Malay to name but a few. This has given rise to the term “Rainbow Nation”, the phrase was coined by Desmond Mpilo Tutu (well-known South African Anglican cleric and theologian). In some South African cultures, the rainbow is always associated with hope and a bright future. Coincidentally, the South African flag also has six rainbow-like colours.
Adding vibrancy to the diversity are the 11 official languages:
- Afrikaans
- English
- isiNdebele
- isiXhosa
- isiZulu
- Sesotho
- Sesotho sa Leboa (Sepedi)
- Setswana
- siSwati
- Tshivenda
- Xitsonga
And 8 other recognised languages.
Fortuitously, as we celebrate Heritage month and day in South Africa during the month of September, World Tourism Day is commemorated on the 27th of the same month. This year marks 40 years of celebrating the Tourism sector. Tourism allows people to experience some of the world’s cultural and natural riches and brings people closer to each other, highlighting our common humanity. The 2020 edition of World Tourism Day will celebrate the unique role that tourism plays in providing opportunities outside of big cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage all around the world.
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South Africa
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Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
Leeu Estates, Franschhoek, South Africa
As the new normal starts to ripple through nationally and internationally. Take a “Sho't Left”(a phrase derived from everyday South African taxi lingo when a commuter wanting a ride to a destination close by will ask the driver to sho't left, meaning he wants to get out around the corner). Or even venture out with air travel and come visit a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent, and have an experience of a lifetime indulging in the different cuisines, mannerisms and way of life that inhabit this multicultural land.