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DESTINATIONS Africa South Africa
| South Africa |
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Population – 47.4 million, Area – 1,219,192 sq km (470,693 sq miles), Currency – Rand (ZAR; symbol R) = 100 cents, Flight times – From London to Cape Town is 12 hours and to Johannesburg is 11 hours; from New York to Johannesburg is 17.5 hours, Cities – Pretoria (administrative capital), Cape Town (legislative capital), Bloemfontein (judicial capital), Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Time Zone – GMT +2, Weather – Generally sunny and pleasant; winters are mild, Languages – The official language are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga, Religion – Mostly Christians of Catholic, Anglican, other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Dutch Reformed churches or African independent churches; there are also significant Hindu, Muslim and Jewish communities, and traditional beliefs are still practised widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity, Electricity - 220/240 volts AC; 250 volts AC (Pretoria), 50Hz; three-pin round plugs are in use.
The Republic of South Africa, also known by other official names, is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa. Modern human beings have inhabited South Africa for more than 100,000 years.At the time of European contact, its indigenous peoples reflected migrations from other parts of Africa, where new tribes had become dominant. Two major groups were Xhosa and Zulu peoples. In 1652, a century and a half after the discovery of the Cape Sea Route, the Dutch East India Company founded a refreshment station at what would become Cape Town.Cape Town became a British colony in 1806. European settlement expanded during the 1820s as the Boers (original Dutch, Flemish, German and French settlers) and the British 1820 Settlers claimed land in the north and east of the country. Conflicts arose among the Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaner groups who competed for territory. South Africa is an incredible destination in so many ways - it is the kind of destination that will touch all of your senses in a myriad of ways, and once all is said and done you probably won't be the same again. Our incredible diversity is a key attraction - from the deserts of the Kgalagadi to the lush green forests of Tsitsikamma to the unspoilt beaches of the Wild Coast to the vibrant nightlife of Cape Town - we really do have it all. South Africa is mercurial in nature, one moment you'll be exploring the origins of ancient man, the next you're cage-diving with Great White Sharks and the next you're drinking traditional beer in a lively township shebeen. South Africa really is a destination where you can experience it all, more. As a people, we are known for our humanity - we may have come from a past filled with separation and struggle but our future is one of unity and possibility. In true African spirit, we understand the value of a warm South African welcome, and we can't wait to welcome you to our Rainbow Nation - in 11 official languages. There are nine spectacular provinces for you to explore - nine incredible diverse parts of the country that will open up your sense of possibility in ways you never thought possible. Oh, and by the way - we do have a sensational climate (with over 300 days of sunshine per year in some parts). We are also extremely proud of our superb infrastructure - excellent roads, a great variety of accommodation options and world-class service. South Africa truly is a ground-breaking destination for explorers and adventurers who want to experience life in all its fullness. We're a destination that allows you to scratch below the surface and experience endless possibilities, and to walk away the richer for having been here. South Africa’s tradition in medical innovation is world-renowned, as are its standards in providing world-class healthcare and expertise at reasonable costs The private and public healthcare systems, combined with the country’s medical schools, have worked together to produce internationally-recognized medical specialists. South Africa’s leading position in international medicine was well-established in 1967, when the first human heart transplant was performed in Cape Town. Europeans, in particular from Germany, Italy, and the UK, have been visiting South Africa for years to undergo plastic surgery. They have been drawn to the country due to the highly-qualified surgeons available, the excellent private clinics and the reasonable prices. Popular procedures include breast augmentation and reduction, face lifts, liposuction, and nose and ear corrections. Dental surgery and tooth implants, eye surgery and laser treatments, and fertility treatments are popular with foreign visitors as well. The country boasts sunshine throughout the year, extraordinary scenery, and of course, a wide variety of wild animals in their native habitats. These attractions, combined with the lower costs for treatment are major enticements for thousands of travelers. Many healthcare providers and private clinics in South Africa have realized that their country’s natural wonders can have a positive impact on the recovery process for their patients and encourage both post-operative relaxation and exploration. Because of the legacy of Apartheid segregation, many cultural differences correspond closely to the racial groups defined by Apartheid (Blacks, Whites, Coloureds, Asians). This may change as assimilation progresses, although many cultural differences between Apartheid-defined racial groups persist. Black people The country's black majority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants who lead largely impoverished and simple lives. However, blacks are increasingly urbanised and westernised, and usually speak English or Afrikaans in addition to their native tongue, which may be one of nine Bantu languages with official status since 1994. These include the Nguni languages, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi, and the Sotho languages, which include Tswana, Sotho and Northern Sotho. Cultural differences between speakers from the two language groups are comparable to those between speakers of German and Italian. The Venda language is quite different to the foregoing and has its origins in Zimbabwe.The Tsonga language is also unique, although in some instances there are Nguni influences. It is sometimes called Shangaan, although many speakers of the language find this term unacceptable. The name Shangaan can be traced to the Zulu chief Soshangane who subjugated many clans in the nineteenth century, but communities who stem from clans that were never subjugated do not accept this name. Linguistically the languages are similar but culturally there is a difference between the vaTsonga and maShangana people and the xiTsonga and xiShangana languages. Many urban blacks speak several indigenous languages, with Zulu being a lingua franca in the Johannesburg area.Most are Christian, with membership of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches being strong as is membership of the predominantly black Zion Christian Church, although many still follow traditional beliefs, many often consulting a sangoma. There is a vibrant indigenous culture, with local popular music forms, such as kwaito, locally mixed house while black South African musicians such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mahotella Queens, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela are well known internationally. White people The white minority lead lifestyles similar in many respects to whites found in Europe, North America and Australasia, with sport being immensely popular. The braai (short for braaivleis or barbecue) is another national pastime, epitomised by an old advertising slogan for Chevrolet cars in the 1960s: Braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies and Chevrolet. Religious beliefs are also strong, with most Afrikaners adhering to the Dutch Reformed Church. Most English-speaking whites are either Anglican or Roman Catholic. Perhaps 90,000 whites are Jewish, with a similar number being of Portuguese origin. There are some Greeks and Christian Lebanese.
The mixed-race Coloureds are, culturally speaking, much closer to whites, especially Afrikaans speakers, whose language and religious beliefs they share, than they are to black South Africans, despite suffering considerable discrimination under apartheid. A small minority of Coloureds, known as Cape Malays are Muslim. Well known members of the community include Springboks rugby union players Chester Williams, Breyton Paulse and Bryan Habana, and jazz musicians Jonathan Butler and Abdullah Ibrahim (also known as Dollar Brand). Asian people Asians, (predominantly Indian origin) preserve their own cultural heritage, languages and religious beliefs, being predominantly Christian, Hindu or Muslim, and speaking English, with Indian languages like Tamil, Hindi, Telugu or Gujarati being spoken less frequently. Small Chinese, Japanese and Korean populations exist in South Africa as well. However, during recent decades, the number of Chinese have increased due to the influx of immigrants from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Literature The country has long had important writers of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Black literature Graphic Arts Graphic artists with a rural folk background who have made the transition to the contemporary art world, such as renowned painter Helen Sibidi, have found a ready international market. South Africa too produced a number of world-class art and documentary photographers in the second half of the twentieth century, whose works vividly evoke all aspects of this diverse, powerful conflictual and divided society. Among such photographers are elders Ernest Cole, David Goldblatt, and Peter Magubane, followed by new talents such as Santu Mofokeng. Kruger National Park The Kruger National Park, which measures a whopping two million hectares, is approximately the size of the whole of Wales. Cape Town Voted Favourite Foreign City by the UK Telegraph in 2004, Cape Town is one of the places you just have to visit before you die. It's an awesome city. All the vibe you want - great parties, great shopping and loads of galleries and other cultural attractions can't detract from the fact that what makes Cape Town special is the fact that it is set in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Durban High up on the east coast, Durban is South Africa's sub-tropical beach getaway. The city centre overlooks a long, golden beach that is probably the single most culturally diverse spot in Africa. Here you will find frolicking families of every hue, busy executives out for a quick lunchtime jog, teenagers in full breeding plumage, elegant sari-clad matrons strolling the sand, buff surfers running into the waves, and bead-bedecked sangomas collecting therapeutic sea water in bottles. Durban is actually all about the beach. It is home to South Africa's only surfing museum, and is one of the most surf-friendly cities in the world. Frustrated wage slaves can look out of their office windows onto awesome breaks - and then shed the tie and jacket or the high heels and paddle out straight after work. Durban is the closest seaport to Johannesburg and is also an integral part of the city.
Sun, sand, sea, skimpy swimsuits and the smell of coconut scented sun tan lotion. South Africa has a 3,000km coastline with thousands of beaches, some of which are more appealing than others. So if you’re after a beach holiday, you just need to decide what kind, and then choose the right beach. The West Coast has some unbelievably beautiful, long, lonely beaches, where you can walk for miles and not see another person. Some lovely little towns, which were once fishing villages, are great to explore and also usually have nice beaches that are not quite so deserted, but also not that crowded. It hardly ever rains, so the West Coast is a good place to work on your sun tan but – be warned – the water is freezing. Probably the best West Coast destinations are Langebaan, Paternoster and, for surfers especially, Elands Bay. Cape Winelands Although there are a number of wine growing areas in South Africa, the bulk of our wine comes from the area we classically call 'the Winelands' that includes Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. The production of wine has shaped the development of this area for over 300 years, and it has been proposed for consideration as a World Heritage Cultural Landscape. The bright green corduroy-patterned vineyards stretching out to the bases of purple mountains, thatched, whitewashed, gabled houses dreaming in the shade of ancient oaks and even the red and white roses planted at the ends of the vines define this beautiful area. Accommodation: Silver Feather Guest House Nestled in the hart of Clydesdale, a leafy suburb of Pretoria, lies this small, yet quaint and intimate guest house. This charming guest house transports you to a bygone era with its oregan pine floors and pressed ceilings which were beautifully restored to their original splendour. The guest house consists of 4 luxuriously appointed on-suite bedrooms, each with its own TV, hairdryer, safe and tea and coffee making facilities. The management and staff pride themselves on offering the discerning businessman and tourist impeccable personalised service. This guest house is also situated within close proximity of Loftus Versveld, Pretoria University, many embassies, hospitals, Hatfield and the Pretoria CBD. Villa Etali - Trafalgar Villa Etali is a fully equipped, luxury getaway that provides its guests an opportunity to relax and enjoy the splendor of its seashore surroundings in a modern setting. This attractive coastal retreat is found in Trafalgar, a small town on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, south of San Lameer and only 15 minutes drive north of the popular Wild Coast Sun. The Villa’s rooms and bathrooms boast spectacular sea views - ensuring each guest’s maximum enjoyment of the undulating landscape. With only a short walk to the beach and a ten-minute drive to the hustle and bustle of Margate - Villa Etali is the perfect compromise between a remote seaside vocation and a convenient holiday.
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The South African coast stretches 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi)and borders both the Atlantic and Indian oceans.To the north of South Africa lie Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the east are Mozambique and Swaziland, while the Kingdom of Lesotho is an independent enclave surrounded by South African territory.
. The country has been attracting foreign patients for numerous procedures in all health specialties and in particular for a variety of cosmetic and dental procedures.
Coloured (Mixed-Race) people
thrived under the adverse conditions of apartheid, but today there is no black writer, playwright, or journalist with the stature of E'skia Mphahlele and Alex la Guma from the 1950s through the 1970s. The White population continues to produce world-class literary artists, however, including Nobel Prize winner Nadine Gordimer, twice Booker Prize winner J. M. Coetzee, and distinguished bilingual Afrikaans novelist André Brink.
Although there are still fences between parts of the Kruger National Park and Mozambique and Zimbabwe, so the planned Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park is not quite yet a reality. When it is, it will be spectacular. Actually, Kruger already is. Most of the park is situated in the Lowveld. Restricted to broad valleys below 1 000m above sea level, the Lowveld is what many people consider to be the 'real' Africa. In this low-lying subtropical climate, broad-leaved trees and thorn trees co-exist happily in relatively open woodland, interspersed with long grass - and, of course, game. Wildlife abounds.
Beaches
