USA Consumer Brochure

VIBRANT
CULTURE
ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU
COULDN’T HAVE PICKED A
MORE FITTING NAME FOR HIS
NATIVE COUNTRY. FROM THE
NDEBELE IN MPUMALANGA
AND THE LARGEST
CONCENTRATED INDIAN
POPULATION OUTSIDE INDIA
IN DURBAN TO THE XHOSA
IN THE EASTERN CAPE, THE
“RAINBOW NATION” IS A RICH
MULTICULTURAL MIX, 55.6
MILLION STRONG.
South Africa’s astounding diversity is rooted in
its ancient past. Some of the earliest evidence
of the emergence of the human species has
been discovered here – artifacts dating back
one-to-three million years – and for the past
100 000 years, the region has been populated
by Khoisan hunter-gatherers, or Bushmen.
The Khoisan turned to pastoralism
some 2000 years ago, acquiring
livestock from Bantu-speaking
people migrating southwards.
In the east, Bantu tribes began
migrating southwards while
the Nguni (Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi,
Ndebele) occupied present-day
KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern
Cape; the Sotho and Tswana
populated the central regions; and
the Venda, Lemba and Shangaan-
Tsonga remained in the north.
After their arrival in 1647, the
Dutch brought in slaves from the
east and Madagascar, giving rise
to the mixed-race of “coloured”
people who are now the
predominant racial group in the
Western Cape and Northern Cape.
Today’s Rainbow Nation is
comprised of at least six major
cultural and ethnic groups – Xhosa,
Zulu, Afrikaans, Venda, Ndebele
and Sesotho – and each will enrich
your South Africa experience
in their own way. So tour the
townships, visit a cultural village,
and be sure to talk to people
wherever you go, as you’ll find
South Africa’s culture alive and
vibrant everywhere you look.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE PAST
South Africa’s varied museums are
a good place to get a feel for the
history of the country and learn
Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Buildings, Pretoria
more about what makes the people
here so special. Here’s a sampling
that highlights a few of the country’s
many outstanding museums:
• The Apartheid Museum gives
visitors insight into the country’s
turbulent past, and ultimately
illustrates the triumph of the
human spirit over adversity. A
unique interactive system, where
you can assume the identity of
an individual who lived during
the struggle, lends an emotional
poignancy to a visit.
• The District Six Museum
in Cape Town is another
stirring tribute to the past, a
remembrance of the once vibrant
mixed-race community of 60 000
people, including many artists
and musicians, forced to relocate
during apartheid. Live music
performances and first-hand
narratives add to the affecting
atmosphere.
• Robben Island, the former
prison where Nelson Mandela
and other political prisoners were
held during apartheid is easily
reached by boat from the Victoria
& Alfred Waterfront in Cape
Town. It is, however, an emotional
voyage to this UNESCO World
Heritage site, and one you’ll find
yourself remembering long after
you return home. Former inmates
of the notorious penal colony
lead the guided tours and the
entire island is a moving symbol
of the inhumanity of apartheid
and the great sacrifice made for
freedom. Be sure to book your
tickets in advance.
• The Nelson Mandela Museum
is located in Mandela’s birthplace
of Umtata. Although the area is
one of the poorest in the country,
its residents are rich with pride for
their native son. You’ll learn about
Mandela’s life, from childhood to
present, through powerful exhibits
that explore his book, “Long Walk
to Freedom.” Also on display is a
collection of gifts that he received
when he was head of state.
Robben Island, Cape Town
Meet South Africa’s warm and friendly people
CULTURAL
ADD-ONS
If you’d like to extend
your cultural journey
into other parts of
South Africa, consider
these options:
• Explore the Xhosa origins of
Nelson Mandela in the Eastern
Cape villages of Qunu and
Umtata.
• Journey deep into Limpopo to
the Modjadji Nature Reserve,
near Tzaneen and visit the village
of the Rain Queen.
• Visit artistic Clarens and get a
deeper understanding of what
the real lifestyle of the South
Sotho people is like in the
Basotho Cultural Village.
• Pay your respects to the King of
the Zulus at the monument of
Shaka Zulu in KwaZulu-Natal.
• Enjoy the colorful paintings and
beadwork of the Ndebele people
with a visit to Botshabelo in the
Mpumalanga province.
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