CULTURE
South Africa offers
an unrivalled diversity of culture and cultural tours offer
an introduction to past and present cultures.
Within the last ten years, tourists
have expressed a growing interest in learning more about the
culture and traditions of the local people. Cultural villages
have been established which offer an introduction to the history
and traditional lifestyle of the various ethnic groups.
The Basotho Cultural
Village ( Free State )
Situated about 20 km from the Golden Gate National Park, this
village preserves the traditions of the Basotho people. It
is possible to view evolution of the Basotho hut from the
16th century to present day. Tribesmen wear traditional dress
to depict the lifestyle of the South Sotho. Guests interact
with the ngaka, the traditional healer and can sip local beer.
Kaya Lendaba
( Eastern Cape )
Meaning "The Place of Creative Enlightening Talk",
it is possible to observe a performance of traditional rituals
and receive and introduction to the medicinal uses of indigenous
African plants and visit a healing cave. Also discussed are
the use and powers of divining bones and African astrology.
Kosi Bay (Kwa Zulu Natal)
A community owned tourism camp has been established around
the house where David Webster, an anthropologist who was assassinated
by one of the apartheid government's death squads, did extensive
field work during the 1980s.
Shakaland
(Kwa Zulu Natal )
Built as the set for the movie Shaka Zulu, the site contains
a Zulu kraal dating back to King Shaka's time. There are 40
huts making up the umuzi (village). A tour offers an introduction
to the traditions, clothing and history of the Zulu people
and includes tribal dancing, spear making, a beer drinking
ceremony and a visit with the Sangomas (withdoctor). The village
also offers comfortable accommodation consisting of traditional
beehive huts with all the mod cons, including en-suite bathrooms.
The
Botshabelo and the
South Ndebele Museum(Mpumalanga)
A traditional Ndebele village portrasy a century-old culture
which probably no longer exists in its original form. It provides
demonstrations of traditional artwork forms, including beadwork,
weaving and the famous Ndebele hut painting.
Lesedi Cultural Village
( Gauteng )
Less than an hour's drive from Johannesburg, a kaleidoscope
of African cultures awaits you. This multi-cultural African
village set amongst the pristine bushveld and rocky hills
offers an introduction to the lifestyle of several African
cultures. Typical rural households from Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi
and Basotho villages have been reconstructed.
Worcester Open Air
Museum (Worcester)
This living museum portrays the life style of the early pioneer
farmers. Each building is representative of a certain agricultural
industry in the Western Cape during the period 1690 to 1900.
The unique cultural historical value
of the Open Air Museum lies in the fact that it not only preserves
early architecture and articles of use in agricultural and
home industries, but also keeps these activities and industries
alive. This includes:
- blacksmithing (making old-fashioned hinges, candle holders
etc), - bread baking in the outside oven where stone-ground
flour milled in the water-mill is used
and tobacco rolling in the tobacco shed using Virginia tobacco,
planted and cured on the premises.
For a glimps of present day life and culture, there are many
tours into the different townships around the country.
Around Cape Town
Take a tour to one of the townships of Nyanga, Langa, Gugulethu,
Crossroads or Khayelitsha, where you can see how people live,
visit historic sites mostly relevant to the days of apartheid,
shop in the open air markets, enjoy a drink at a shebeen (township
tavern) and possibly consult a sangoma ( traditional healer
).
Another interesting place to visit is
the Bo-Kaap, Previously called the ”Malay Quarter“,
this area housed the many slaves brought out, mainly from
Java, in the 17th and 18th Centuries The picturesque Bo-Kaap
is home to a community of Cape Malays or Coloureds who were
not subjected to forced removals during the apartheid era.
Around Johannesburg
Probably the most well known of South Africa’s townships
is Soweto, famous for its opposition to apartheid. A Soweto
tour, offers insight into South African township life, the
food, music and vibrancy of this city from squatter camps
to millionaires mansions. Attractions include the Hector Pietersen
Memorial and Museum, Regina Mundi Church, the Avalon Cemetery,
the Mandela Museum and the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication
in Kliptown
Around Durban
This city is home to the largest population of Indians outside
of India. These are made up of descendants of indentured labourers
who decided to stay in South Africa and the wealthier classes
who came as immigrants and incorporate both Muslim and Hindus.
It is possible to take a tour of the many mosques and temples,
Indian Market and enjoy some of the excellent food.
Museums
South Africa has many museums, some of the highlights include:
Nelson Mandela Museum Umtata, Eastern Cape
CP Nel Museum – Oudshoorn, Western Cape
Museums and Historic Places – Kimberley, Northern Cape
Afrikaans Language Museum – Paarl, Western Cape
Pilgrims Rest Historic Gold Town – Mpumalanga
Castle of Good Hope – Cape Town, Western Cape
Moffat Museum- Kuruman, Northern Cape
Shipwreck Museum-Bredasdorp, Western Cape
Smuts House Museum - Pretoria, Gauteng
Sammy Marks Museum - Pretoria, Gauteng
South African Museum – Cape Town, Western Cape
The Drostdy Museum – Swellendam, Western Cape
The Olive Schreiner House – Cradock, Eastern Cape
Arts
The many cultures have given birth to diverse and creative
art forms. Theatre, dance, opera, cabaret, fine art, craft
art, classical music, jazz, township music, poetry readings,
every art form can be found in the major cities and towns
of the country.
The National Arts Festival held every year in Grahamstown
is the largest of its kind in Africa.
Many other local festivals take place during the year around
the country
Birding
- Botanical - Conference
- Culture - Diving
- Elephant Back
- Geology - Golf
- Hiking - History
- Honeymoon - Incentives
- Shopping - Spa
- Trains - Walking
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