South [ /sʌʊθ/ /ˈæ.fɹɪ.kə/ ] “Unity in Diversity”

South Africa is a country of diversity, serenity, vast landscapes, liberated people, exotic cultures that are absolutely breathtaking. Nestled in the southernmost part of the continent lies, South Africa. Here you find a country surrounded by the crystal clear and pristine Atlantic and Indian Oceans, whereby the former falls against the backdrop of majestic Table Mountain in Cape Town.

Venture along the coast to the Garden Route. Further inland, and separated from the Garden Route by the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua mountains, lies the arid , a semi-desert region in the heart of the country. With its beautiful endless plains, flat top hills, windmills occupying empty fields, thick, fluffy cloudscapes and endless skies. A roadtrip through the Karoo is the perfect escape from reality and a once in a lifetime South African adventure.

Along the Lesotho border you will find grand landscapes characterized by the Great Escarpment of the majestic Mountains. South Africa’s mightiest mountain range. East Coast where you can find the city of , a mix between Zulu and Indian culture, and further north where you can find the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a world heritage site and perfect destination for an amazing safari in South Africa due to its abundance of hippos. To the northeast of the country, you’ll find Blyde River Canyon where you can enjoy phenomenal panoramic views of the third largest canyon in the world.

About South Africa

Annual Rain Fall COUNTRY SIZE: 1,221,037 sq km (471,445 sq mi) 140 112 84 CURRENCY: South African Rand (ZAR) 56 28 LANGUAGES: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda, Southern Ndebele Annual Temperature ETHNIC: Black, Coloured, White and

CAPITAL: Pretoria, Johannesburg & Cape Town

AIRPORTS: OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS POPULATION: 57.7 million (2018) Health regulations in South Africa require that travellers from areas infected by yellow fever must carry a vaccination certificate; other- wise no vaccinations are required. SOUTH AFRICA Seasonal Highlights

NOV DEC - FEB MAR - JUN JUL - OCT

South Africa is a large and diverse country with a climate that varies from region to region: Cape Town and the Western Cape experience winter rainfall (June to August) and a largely bone-dry hot summer while much of the rest of the country, including the Kruger Park area, have heavy summer thundershowers (December to March) and a dry winter period from May to October. The Garden Route and Eastern Cape on the other hand can experience rain at any time of the year. Our “when to go” guidelines are based on the best time to visit South Africa’s top attractions: The drier winter months between May and October is the best time for superb game viewing on a South Africa safari in Kruger, Madikwe, Pilanesberg and KwaZulu-Natal, as animals are concentrated around water sources and are easier to spot in the thinned-out bush. For a Cape Town beach holiday you simply can’t beat the hot summer months between November and March – although book your accommodation early if you want to visit over Christmas or New Year.

Green Season The Green Season is simply the “rainy season”. It’s during the summer months of roughly December through April where you can expect the most rainfall in the southern safari hotspots of Africa – South Africa.

Transition Season South Africa is a predominantly sunny country, with year-round travel possible thanks to its vast size and diverse range of landscapes and attractions. The climate is seasonal, although as the transitional seasons of spring and autumn tend to be very short, the year is typically divided into summer and winter months.

Dry Season The climate conditions in South Africa ranges from desert and semi-desert in the north west of the coun- try to sub-tropical on the eastern coastline. The overall conditions of the country is warm, sunny days and cool nights.

The rainy season for most of the country is in the summer which is November through to March. In the Western Cape rainfall comes in the winter which is May to August and in most of the Eastern Cape, it is distributed evenly throughout the year.

South Africa’s climate is seasonal, getting quite cold in winter (May-August). It’s pleasantly warm and sunny in spring and autumn and often hot in summer (November to March) with frequent rains to cool things down.

Even in winters the cold is mild frost occasional and snow a rarity. The rainiest months in Cape Town are May to August, and Johannesburg receives most of its rain in summer.

SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA Places of Interest IN SOUTH AFRICA

SANCTUARY MAKANYANE SAFARI LODGE Named for the African wild dog which calls the local area home, Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge is situated on the edge of a dramatic ravine within Madikwe Game Reserve. This luxurious lodge caters for only sixteen guests, ensuring personal attention and exclusivity. Constructed from local stone, wood and thatch and blending effortlessly with the bush, the lodge allows guests to continuously experience the natural beauty of their surroundings. All suites have open- front lounges, private sundecks and spacious bathrooms that can be opened to the forest. The lodge has an infinity-edge swimming pool, gym, health and beauty treatment centre and lookout point with magnificent views.

SINGITA LEBOMBO LODGE

Singita Lebombo Lodge is a celebration of cutting-edge design in an African context where everything defers to nature. This dramatic lodge comprises 13 suites and one villa that give guests a front row seat to the with bold, contemporary open plan suites suspended above the N’Wanetsi River. The exclusive concession is a richly diverse habitat, teeming with game, beneath endless African skies. All communal areas of the lodge have been pushed out to ensure that the outside bursts in, offering elegant, calm and meditative spaces immersed in a dramatic landscape of giant euphorbia trees.

Table Mountain Whether it is covered in a blanket of moody clouds or showing off against a crisp cloudless blue sky, Table Mountain is always spectacular. Cape Town locals are pretty fond of the mountain that looms over their city… and with good reason! Table Mountain, which is home to the richest, yet smallest floral kingdom on earth, was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2011. Flanked by Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head, Table Mountain makes up the northern end of the Cape Fold Mountain range. It’s hard to imagine, but the mountain’s distinctive flat top – a three-kilometre level plateau – was once the bottom of a valley! The mountain was given its name — Taboa do Cabo (Table of the Cape)

SOUTH AFRICA What to do IN SOUTH AFRICA

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Western Cape Franschhoek Motor Museum, Western Cape Hennops Hiking Trail, Gauteng

Apartheid Museum, Gauteng Hermanus Cliff Path, Western Cape Kruger National Park,

Ushaka Marine World, Kwazulu Natal Lion’s Head, Western Cape Montecasino, Gauteng

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Western Cape Aerial Cableway Hartbeespoort, Gauteng Chapman’s Peak Drive, Western Cape

Waterford Estate, Gauteng Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Gautrain, Gauteng

Seal Island, Western Cape Robberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape Game drives at Gate, Limpopo

Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape Voortrekker Monument, Gauteng Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Western Cape

Knysna Heads, Western Cape The Cango Caves, Western Cape Drakensberg Mountains, Kwazulu Natal

Durban Botanic Gardens, Kwazulu Natal St. Blaize Trail, Western Cape Pilanesberg National Park, North West

Spier Wine Farm, Western Cape Pretoria National , Gauteng Union Buildings, Gauteng

SOUTH AFRICA WHERE TO GO IN

SouthSOUTH AFRICA Africa Where to go IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa, officially known as the Republic of South Africa, offers a great introduction to the many jewels of the Dark Continent. Tourists will find classic African scenery: golden savannah, great gaping gorges, and hauntingly beautiful deserts, as well as their favorite African creatures - and, as a bonus- the creature comforts. Apart from the big-name game parks of Kruger and the Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park, South Africa is home to some of the world’s most luxurious private game reserves and lodges. Wildlife lovers come here from all corners of the globe in search of the “Big Five”: lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino and elephant, often they find it and so much more. Coral reefs, shark dives, dragon-backed mountain ranges, white-water rafting, and golden beaches lapped by legendary surf breaks are some of South Africa’s many other attractions. Traveling around this vast land and touring the vibrant cities, visitors can learn about the nation’s turbulent history: in Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities; in Durban, a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, at the poignant museums and galleries in Johannesburg, and in Soweto, home of , who helped the birth of democracy in this astoundingly diverse nation.

Kruger Park

Kruger National Park is one of the world’s most famous safari parks. One of the oldest game reserves in South Africa, the park lies about a 3.5 to 4.5 hour drive from Johannesburg and offers visitors the chance to see the “Big Five”: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino, as well as an astounding diversity of other wildlife. It’s also home to bushman rock paintings and archaeological sites. Visitors can explore Kruger on the large network of sealed roads; organize a walking safari; or soar over the vast , gallery forests and river systems in a hot air balloon. Accommodation ranges from basic campsites to comfortable lodges.

Cape Town

One of the planet’s most breathtaking cities, Cape Town, by population, the second largest settlement in South Africa. Nature surrounds this multicultural city, which nuzzles between a rugged range of mountains and the sea. For a spectacular overview, hike to the peak of flat-topped Table Mountain, or glide up on the cableway. The hour-long hike up Lion’s Head also provides panoramic city vistas. On Table Mountain’s eastern slopes, the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens lies within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling along the waterfront boardwalk visitors might see whales spouting. Penguins waddle along the golden beaches in False Bay while South of the city, Cape Point is home to abundant wildlife and diverse botanical wonders. One of Cape Town’s top attractions is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Reminiscent of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, visitors come here to shop, dine, and enjoy the many entertainment venues, including Two Ocean’s Aquarium. Camp’s Bay, rimmed by beautiful boulder-flanked beaches, offers chic shops and cafes. At sunset, nature lovers stake a spot along spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive in a dusk ritual known as “sundowners” to watch the sun sink slowly into the sea.

SOUTH AFRICA Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape

A merger of South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the largest wilderness areas in the world. Established in 2000, it is Africa’s first officially declared transfrontier park and lies in a remote region of South Africa’s Northern Cape. Gnarled camel thorn trees, red sands, golden grasslands and deep blue skies provide a bold backdrop for photographs and game viewing. Among the huge diversity of wildlife, this vast conservation area is home to the famous black-maned Kalahari lion, stately gemsbok with their V-shaped horns, the sprawling nests of sociable weavers, meerkats and many birds of prey. Other predators such as leopard, cheetah and hyenas are also found here. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for some of the minor rugged roads or for those venturing into Botswana.

Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Stellenbosch is one of the most picturesque towns in South Africa. A mosaic of farms, old oak trees and white-washed dwellings, Stellenbosch is one of the best preserved towns from the era of the Dutch East India Company. Today, it’s a university town with a vibrant feel and fantastic scenery. Foodies will love it here. Stellenbosch is home to some of South Africa’s best restaurants as well as many sidewalk cafes. History buffs can take a walk back in time at the Village Museum, a group of four restored houses and gardens dating from 1709 to 1850. Rupert Museum displays important works by South African artists and the Botanic Garden at the University of Stellenbosch is another top tourist attraction. In the surrounding area, nature buffs can hike and bike on the wilderness trails in the breathtaking Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.

SOUTH AFRICA The Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal

The spectacular Drakensberg, meaning “Dragon Mountains,” is one of the most popular vacation destinations in South Africa and home to the country’s highest peaks. The region encompasses the World Heritage-listed uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a region of jaw- dropping beauty with jagged basalt buttresses and San rock art and Royal Natal National Park, home to the awe-inspiring Amphitheatre, a magnificent cliff face and source of South Africa’s main rivers. The Giant’s Castle Game Reserve in the region protects large herds of eland. Dense forests flourish in the sheltered valleys and the area is home to more than 800 different species of flowering plants as well as a rich diversity of wildlife. In the summer, the mountain landscapes are lush and fertile with gushing waterfalls and crystal-clear streams. In the winter, snow cloaks the dramatic peaks. Visitors flock here to hike and bike the scenic mountain trails, fish for trout, rock climb, abseil, parasail and raft the waters of the fast-flowing rivers. Hot air balloon rides are a great way to appreciate the dramatic topography.

The Garden Route

Along the country’s southeast coast, the Garden Route runs for about 200 kilometers through some of South Africa’s most breathtaking coastal scenery. The route stretches along the Indian Ocean from Mossel Bay, in the Western Cape, to the Storms River, in the Eastern Cape. This popular driving route passes through rolling green hills, pretty coastal towns, lagoons, lakes and coastal cliffs. Highlights of the route include the charming town of Knysna snuggled between dense forests and a sparkling lagoon; the beautiful Garden Route National Park with its gorges, tidal pools and thick forests; Oudtshoorn’s ostrich farms and Cango Caves; and the seal colony of the Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay. Adventures along the way run the gamut, from elephant back rides and whale watching trips to bungee jumping and tree canopy tours.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal

iSimangaliso means “miracle and wonder” in the Zulu language, and it’s a fitting name for this World Heritage Area, home to Africa’s largest estuarine system. Formerly the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, iSimangaliso lies on the northeastern coast of Kwazulu Natal and connects eight interwoven ecosystems, including coral reefs, croc-filled rivers, lakes, towering coastal dunes, swamplands and . Not surprisingly, the area supports an incredible variety of wildlife. More than 526 species of birds inhabit the reserve as well as leatherback and loggerhead turtles, leopards, rhino and Africa’s highest concentration of hippos and crocodiles. This unique wilderness area offers visitors the chance to combine a classic safari experience with coastal adventures in the marine reserve such as kayaking, fishing, diving and snorkeling.

SOUTH AFRICA Robben Island, Western Cape

In Table Bay, World-Heritage-listed Robben Island is a haunting reminder of the horrors of . Nelson Mandela spent 18 years imprisoned in a tiny cell here along with other political dissidents and social misfits. Perhaps the best part about this experience is that ex-prisoners are usually the guides, sharing poignant first-hand accounts of the atrocities they endured. Tours to the island begin with multimedia exhibits in the museum at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Sightseers then board boats to Robben Island, often braving rough swells on the 30-45-minute ride. Be sure to book early as the tours can fill up fast.

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga

Beautiful Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (also called Motlatse River Canyon) is a favorite stop on the drive between Johannesburg and Kruger National Park. The park is home to Africa’s second largest canyon as well as a rich diversity of wildlife and plants. Lush subtropical foliage, waterfalls, glistening rivers and lichen-covered rock formations create a striking canvas of color and texture. Game viewing can be particularly rewarding with all the common species of South African primates and many hippos and crocodiles. The best way to explore this spectacular park is via the scenic driving routes or by hiking the extensive trails. Panoramic viewpoints include Three Rondavels and the aptly named God’s Window. Boat trips and whitewater rafting are also available on the rivers.

Cage Dive with Great White Sharks (Cape Coast)

Climb into a thick iron cage, plunge into the ocean and come face-to- face with a great white shark. Believe it or not, this is one of South Africa’s top attractions - for thrill seekers. The sport has become so popular that new tour operators keep sprouting up every year. The best time to try the dive is April through October, but great whites swim these waters throughout the year thanks to healthy populations of seals and fish. Cape Town tour operators organize shark cage dives to areas such as Simon’s Town, Seal Island, Dyer Island, Mossel Bay, and Gansbaai, the self-proclaimed “Great White Shark Capital of the World.” Trips can also be arranged out of Durban and Rocky Bay. Since divers are enclosed in the custom-designed cages, no diving certification is required. For a little less excitement, it’s also possible to watch the action from the boat.

SOUTH AFRICA Durban’s Golden Mile, KwaZulu-Natal

Durban’s sweeping waterfront promenade, the Golden Mile, is a legendary tourist magnet and a great starting point for a tour of the city. Long blond beaches lure swimmers, surfers and anglers, while the bustling promenade feels like Miami Beach with its high-rise hotels, shops, restaurants, and flashy entertainment complexes. Visitors can stroll along here or rent a bike or Segway. Besides the beach scene, top attractions along this stretch include uShaka Marine World, a wonderland of sea-themed attractions; Moses Mabhida Stadium; and Mini Town, a tiny replica of Durban with a miniature rail network, airport and harbor scene.

Johannesburg and Pretoria, Gauteng

Johannesburg, also known as Jo’burg, is the largest city in South Africa by population and a gateway for many travelers on safari. Named the “City of Gold” for its rich deposits of the precious metal, it’s also the economic engine and vibrant heart of the country. Top historical attractions include the Apartheid Museum, a poignant look at the oppression of apartheid to the birth of democracy; Constitution Hill; and Gold Reef City, which traces the region’s history through mining-themed attractions. If Johannesburg is the heart of South Africa, the shanty towns of Soweto, are its soul. An abbreviation for “southwestern townships,” Soweto birthed the freedom movement, which created South Africa’s new democratic constitution. Guided tours of the townships often include a visit to the Mandela House, now a national monument. Close in distance, but a world away in feel, Pretoria is the administrative capital of the country. It’s a city of parks and gardens, and home to the Voortrekker Monument and Heritage Site as well as the highly-lauded Freedom Park.

SOUTH AFRICA THE PEOPLE OF

SouthSOUTH AFRICA Africa South Africa is the Rainbow Nation, a title that captures the country’s cultural and ethnic diversity. The population of South Africa is one of the most complex and diverse in the world. Of the 51.7 million South Africans, over 41 million are black, 4.5 million are white, 4.6 million are coloured and about 1.3 million Indian or Asian. About 51.3% are female and 48.7% male.

The black population of South Africa is divided into four major ethnic groups; namely Nguni (Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi), Sotho, Shangaan-Tsonga and Venda. There are numerous subgroups within these, of which the Zulu and Xhosa (two subgroups of the Nguni group) are the largest.

The majority of the white population (about 60%) is of Afrikaans descent, with many of the remaining 40% being of British or European descent. The coloured population have a mixed lineage, which often comprises the indigenous Khoisan genes combined with African slaves that were brought here from all over the continent, and white settlers.

Most of the coloured population lives in the Northern and Western Cape provinces, whilst the majority of the Indian population lives in KwaZulu-Natal. The Afrikaner population is especially concentrated in the Gauteng and Free State provinces and the English population in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

There are eleven official languages in South Africa. These are English (9.6%), Afrikaans (13.5%), Ndebele (2.1%), Sepedi (9.1%), Xhosa (16%), Venda (2.4%), Tswana (8%), Southern Sotho (7.6%), Zulu 22.7%), Swazi or SiSwati (2.5%) and Tsonga (4.5%). Much of the country’s media has been tailored to include as many of these languages as possible. Of course, many other languages from all over the world are spoken here too; including Portuguese, Greek, Italian, French, Chinese, and so on. Zulu refer to themselves as ‘the people of the heavens’ and they are the largest ethnic group of South Africa, with an estimated 10 million Zulu residents in KwaZulu- Natal. isiZulu is the language of the Zulu people and about 10 million residents are fluent in the language. In the 19th century they merged into a great kingdom under the leadership of Shaka.

After the death of his father, Senzangakhona, Shaka accepted leadership of the Zulu clan who at the time only consisted of 1 500 people. Under his reign from 1816 until 1828, an army (impi) of 50 000 emerged and defeated other clans. Shaka created many military tactics to defeat the enemy. He created the ‘Assegai’ (short, large bladed stabbing spear) and the lethal means to utilize the weapon. Shaka also discarded his cowhide sandals, as it hindered his movements. He proved to be a brilliant military leader and soon became a threat for his clan.

After the death of his mother , Nandi, he lost his mind. In his period of grief, Shaka had hundreds of Zulu killed. The lesser chiefs, his half-brothers Dingaan and Mhlangana, assassinated him. Dingaan, Shaka’s half-brother, took reign over the clan after the assassination of Shaka.

SOUTH AFRICA Xhosa The Xhosa, also often called the “Red Blanket People”, are of Nguni stock, like the Zulu. The name Xhosa is a generalised term for a diversity of proud clans, the Pondo, Bomvana, Thembu and the Xhosa tribe itself.

Red and the orange of ochre were the traditional colours of the Xhosa, Tembu and Bomvana (“the red ones”). The first group of early Nguni immigrants to migrate to South Africa consisted of the Xhosa, (made up of the the , Ngqika, Ndlambe and Dushane clans), the Thembu and Pondo.

However, a second group of Nguni-speakers joined these tribes later. These were the tribes that Shaka, the Zulu king, drove out of Zululand. Some returned to Zululand when peace was declared, but those who remained became known as the Mfengu and were assimilated into the Xhosa nation. The early immigrants formed the backbone of the Xhosa nation and have good reason to be proud. Not only were they to become the second largest group of Black Africans in South Africa but they were also the only ones that were never defeated or enslaved by any other tribe.

Swati is easiest when divided intoSwazi its four dialects; which are Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, and Shiselweni. These are the four divisions that correspond with the four appropriate districts of the country. There are two main strains of the siSwati language.

Regular siSwati is spoken mainly in the South and North West of South Africa. The other variety of Swati is spoken far into the deep south of the country and is particularly influenced by Zulu. In 1750, the Swazi successors in South Africa decided to relocate, heading north towards what is today known as KwaZulu-Natal. From there, they went north-west towards the Ususthu River. They chose to move to this river because it provided them with shelter and protection from the warriors and fearsome king, Shaka Zulu. Today, this area remains the home of a Swati community.

The are known for their many traditional events, but they are most com- monly known for their Incwala and Umhlanga. At these events, you will likely see the entire Swazi community dressed in their colourful attire and red feathers, carrying shields and wearing multi-coloured beaded necklaces.

Another one of their exciting traditional festivals is the eight-day reed dance. This is a ceremony that usually begins in the last days of August and continues until early September. It is for all the single women in the village. These unmarried women perform a dance for the Queen Mother and hand over the reeds that had been cut especially for the occasion.

SOUTH AFRICA Although the origins of theNdebele South African Ndebele are shrouded in mystery, they have been identified as one of the Nguni tribes. The Nguni tribes represent nearly two thirds of South Africa’s Black population and can be divided into four distinct groups; the Central Nguni (the Zulu-speaking peoples), the Southern Nguni (the Xhosa-speaking peoples), the Swazi people from Swaziland and adjacent areas and the Ndebele people of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga is now known as .

The two Ndebele groups were not only separated geographically but also by differences in their languages and cultures. The Ndebele of the Northern Province consisted mainly of the BagaLanga and the BagaSeleka tribes who, by and large, adopted the language and culture of their Sotho neighbours.

The North Ndebele people resided an area stretching from the town of Bela-Bela in the south, to the Limpopo River in the north and from the Botswana border in the west to the border in the east. However, they were mainly concentrated in the districts of Polokwane, Bakenberg and Mokopane. Mpumalanga, much of which consists of the area known as the Lowveld, stretches from the town of eMkhondo in the south to / Pilgrim’s Rest in the north and from the towns of eMalahleni and Groblersdal in the west to the Mozambique border in the east. The Springbok Flats separated the North Ndebele and those in the east from one another.

Estimated at 7 million, these SothoSotho speakers are the second largest African language group in South Africa. Three million Sotho and other closely related groups live outside of South Africa, the majority of who are in Lesotho. The Sotho can be subdivided into three groups. The first group is the Northern Sotho also called Pedi and Bapedi.

The Pedi society arose out of a confederation of small chiefdoms that had been established sometime before the 17th century in what later became the Northern (Northern Province). Defeated early in the 19th century by the armies of Mzilikazi, they revived under the leadership of Sekwati. Thereafter, they repeatedly clashed with the Voortrekkers during the later half of the 19th century.

It appears that the migrated southward from the Great Lakes in Central Africa about 5 centuries ago in successive waves and the last group, namely, the Hurutse, settled in the Western Transvaal towards the beginning of the 16th century. It is from this group that the Pedi eventually originated through the Bakgatla offshoot that takes its name from the chief Mokgatla. Very little is known of the history of the Bakgatla people for the first few generations after their founder Mokgatla had withdrawn from the originating group, but it is known that, arising from a further split at a later date, a chief by the name of Tabane left with his followers and settled at what is now known as Schilpadfontein in the vicinity of Pretoria.

SOUTH AFRICA Shangaan-Tsonga The Tsonga are a diverse people, generally including the Shangaan, Thonga, Tonga, and several smaller ethnic groups. Together they numbered about 1.5 million people in South Africa in the mid-1990s, with some 4.5 million individuals in southern Mozambique and .

The first Tsonga-speakers to enter the former Transvaal probably did so during the 18th Century. They were essentially traders who followed rivers inland, where they bartered cloth and beads for ivory, copper and salt. The Shangaan tribe came into being when King Shaka of the Zulu, sent (Manukosi) to conquer the in the area of present-day southern Mozambique, during the upheaval of the 19th Century.

Soshangane found a fertile place inhabited by scattered communities of peace-loving people, and he decided to make it his home rather than return to Shaka. The Shangaan were a mixture of Nguni (a language group which includes Swazi, Zulu and Xhosa), and Tsonga speakers (Ronga, Ndzawu, Shona, Chopi tribes), which Soshangane conquered and subjugated. KhoiKhoi and San The San are the oldest inhabitants of , where they have lived for at least 20 000 years. The term San is commonly used to refer to a diverse group of hunter-gatherers living in Southern Africa who share historical and linguistic connections. The San were also referred to as Bushmen, but this term has since been abandoned as it is considered derogatory. There are many different San groups - they have no collective name for themselves, and the terms ‘Bushman’, ‘San’, ‘Basarwa’ (in Botswana) are used. The term, ‘bushman’, came from the Dutch term, ‘bossiesman’, which meant ‘bandit’ or ‘outlaw’.

This term was given to the San during their long battle against the colonists. The San interpreted this as a proud and respected reference to their brave fight for freedom from domination and colonization. Many now accept the terms Bushmen or San. Like the first people to inhabit other countries in the world, the San have an unfortunate history of poverty, social rejection, decline of cultural identity and the discrimination of their rights as a group.

Yet, the San have also received the attention of anthropologists and the media with their survival and hunting skills, wealth of indigenous knowledge of the flora and fauna of Southern Africa, and their rich cultural traditions.

SOUTH AFRICA As with most of the other peoplesVenda of South Africa the Venda (VhaVenda) came from the Great Lakes of Central Africa. They first settled down in the Soutpansberg Mountains. Here they built their first capital, D’zata, the ruins of which can still be seen today. Venda culture has an interesting mix of other cultures - it appears to have incorporated a variety of East African, Central African, Nguni, and Sotho characteristics.

For example, the Venda forbid the consumption of pork, a prohibition that is common along the East African coast. They also practice male circumcision, which is common among many Sotho, but not among most Nguni peoples.

The Venda language, TshiVenda or LuVenda, emerged as a distinct dialect in the 16th Century. In the 20th Century, the TshiVenda vocabulary was similar to SeSotho, but the grammar shares similarities with Shona dialects, which are spoken in Zimbabwe. Today about 875 000 people in South Africa speak Tshivenda. The history of the Venda starts from the Mapungubwe Kingdom (9th Century). According to historical studies King Shiriyadenga was the first king of Venda and Mapungubwe. Shiriyadenga was succeeded by his children. Modern day Culture Today, many of the younger generation from all cultures have moved to the city where they lead a Westernised lifestyle and speak either English or Afrikaans in addition to their home language. Many live in the “Township” areas where township tours are a must for visitors.

Over time, the townships developed a unique fusion of culture which has its expression in the music, art and food. The very interesting art forms, using everything from plastic strips to bicycle spokes will keep you enthralled. Local music is vibrant and a visit to a shebeen, the local pub, is always a hit.

Not only does one get to understand the township way of life today, which still includes those living in poverty, but one can also experience the rich history of the years of oppression and apartheid. A tour of Soweto, home of Nelson Mandela, is one of the most popular attractions in South Africa.

South Africa has many world-renowned artists from every culture and galleries are plentiful across the country. The music industry is flourishing and film making is also enjoying its first Oscar awards. There are many authors, wildlife photographers and film makers, actors and producers, all flourishing in the freedom of our Rainbow Nation. SOUTH AFRICA