South Africa

South Africa is a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent, marked by several distinct ecosystems

Capital City:

Pretoria

Currency:

Rand

Total population:

59.3 million (2020)

Language(s) spoken:

English, Zulu, Sotho, Tswana, Xhosa, Venda, Tonga, Swati, Afrikaans, Sotho, Ndebele, Sepedi

Cultural dos:

Communicate face-to-face when possible

Cultural don’ts

Don’t call it a BBQ, it is a braai!!!

Continent:

Africa

Three foods you need to try in this country:

  • Biltong (dried meat and sausage)
  • Boerewors sausage (a staple for every braai/barbeque)
  •  Bobotie (meat dish with curry spices and dried fruit)

Bonus

  • Chakalaka
  • Amarula
  • Malva Pudding

What the country is known for :

  • Apartheid regime
  • The amapiano sound (with popular artists like Major League, Kabza De Small and DJ Maporisa)
  • Nelson Mandela, Trevor Noah
  • Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban
  • Kruger National Park, Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain
  • Various wine regions and breathtaking wine routes
  • Captivating traditional dress from the Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele

More About South Africa

South Africa is the first country I went to outside my home country of Zimbabwe. The country shares a border with Zimbabwe, over the Limpopo River. This country offers such diversity in culture, natural features as well as biodiversity – which have been pulling me back over and over again. Interestingly South Africa has two countries within its borders, Kingdom of Eswatini and Lesotho. One of my favourite cities in the world is Cape Town, which is in the Western Cape in the southern part of the country. 

South Africa became independent in 1994 which is when apartheid (a policy/system of segregation/discrimination based on race) ended. Effects of the recent history of apartheid are still visible in some of the structures of South Africa. For better understanding of this history of South Africa a visit to the Apartheid Museum (near Johannesburg), a Soweto Walking Tour and a visit to Robben Island (in Cape Town) are highly recommended.

The country boasts of diversity with the different cultural groups which can be noted spotting some spectacular traditional attire at cultural and traditional events. The tribes I have experienced the most are the Zulu, the Xhosa and the Afrikaans – depending on where in the country you are. The diversity of the country has hugely influenced the countries creative scene, as is demonstrated through visits to craft markets, music shows, tv shows, movies, galleries and the fusion of foods that can be enjoyed across the country. Another thing that you need to understand about South Africa is that, this is place gives what it is supposed to give, when it comes to the party scene. It caters for a range of people with a variety of classic genres such as Kwaito, Amapiano and House music. Seeing the locals dance at parties is an experience, they make it look so easy!

To my wine lovers, South Africa has a lot to offer. From the large vineyards producing wines that are exported all over the world to some smaller boutique vineyards producing a few hundred bottles a year. The choices are endless and with the gorgeous landscapes against which to enjoy your sundowners. If you do not like wine, not to worry there are a number of local brews on offer and not forgetting the creamy flavours of Amarula from the marula fruit.

To my fellow food experience seekers, South Africa has so much to offer due to its location and history. First of all historically, people from different parts of Asia moved to and settled in South Africa, and they brought some of their traditional foods. For example the Indians in Durban and the Malays in Cape Town. As people settle into a new region, they bring what they can and fuse it with local ingredients to create a completely new culinary culture. Also the South Africans love to entertain, and in Africa, you do not really entertain people on an empty stomach. There are food options at every budget. Due to proximity to the ocean, seafood in the coastal cities is plentiful. South Africa’s position on the world stage, and the culinary scene itself has made it an attractive destination for chefs from all over the world, and working with some local chefs they have produced some unique creative dishes that will forever be embedded in your memory.

Some of the nation’s famous tourist sites include Table Mountain in Cape Town, Durban’s pristine beaches and of course who can write about visiting South Africa, without mentioning, Kruger National Park. The infrastructure has been set up to ensure that visitors have a wonderful experience no matter their interests or budget.

While South Africa has gained a lot of bad press in relation to its crime rates, try not to let that put you off visiting the country. Take precautions to minimise your risks, such as using tour guides or travelling with locals in the country.

English Zulu
Hello Sawubona
Goodbye Hamba Kahle
Please Ngiyacela
Thank you Ngiyabonga
How much? Malini?
Do you speak English? Ingabe uyasikhuluma isingisi?
Where is the toilet? Iphi indlu yangasese?
May I please have some water? Ngicela amanzi
I would like some food please Ngicela ukudla
Where can I get a taxi? Ngingayithola kuphi itekisi?

Places visited

Destination Gallery

NEWS & UPDATES

Travel Blog

Living in an ashram in India

I will preface this post by sharing that since this experience I have become better at reviewing the details of tours and activities in advance… I arrived to the bustling streets of Bangalore after a

Read More »