South African information – tourism, history, culture of South Africa

South Africa

Botswana — Botswana was originally known as the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland until 1966 when it gained independence and since then it has regularly held free democratic elections. Botswana is a landlocked country bordered by South Africa in the South and Southeast, by Namibia in the West and the North and both […]

Botswana – Southern Africa

Mozambique is situated on the Indian Ocean coast of Southern Africa and borders South Africa in the South. Originally a Portuguese colony, the country gained independence in 1975 and became officially the Peoples Republic of Mozambique. The official language is Portuguese. Today Mozambique is an up and coming hot-spot and […]

Mozambique – Southern Africa

sossusvlei namibia — Namibia – Country Bordering South Africa to the North and West of the Northern Cape Province The Southern African country of Namibia (formerly South West Africa) borders South Africa in the South and East, Angola and Zambia in the North, Botswana to the East and has the Atlantic Ocean as […]

Namibia – South West Africa

Victoria Falls Waterfall in Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe, one of Southern Africa’s most beautiful countries, borders South Africa in the North. This landlocked country has derived its name from a long past capital called “Great Zimbabwe.” The ancient stone structures that remain are the largest in Africa, except for the Egyptian Pyramids. The country itself has been […]

Zimbabwe – Southern Africa

sport and culture — The Food, diverse culture, famous people and the Sports of South Africa are all a great part of what makes up this beautiful country

Sport And Culture

Cape — Outline of the Cape Provinces with places to tour throughout the area, sites to see and things to do in this magnificent region of South Africa

The Cape Provinces of South Africa

Southern point Cape — The most southerly point of Africa is Cape Agulhas named by the Portuguese explorers and meaning Needle Cape. Situated in the Overberg Region of the Western Cape Province, it is the official meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. It is widely believed that Cape Point is both the […]

Cape Agulhas – Southern Point

visit Cape Town — Find out where to go in Cape Town to really experience the city during the day and in the evening while you are on vacation in South Africa

Cape Town – Heart of the Cape

Panorama route — An area in South Africa that every tourist should visit. A breathtaking drive through a region that is bursting with beauty,history and wildlife

The Panorama Route

drakensberg — KwaZulu Natal, a breathtaking region that is filled with natural beauty, sandy beaches and high mountains. A wonderful place to visit while touring South Africa

KwaZulu Natal

Entertainment on the waterfront Cape Town — Visit the Cape Town Waterfront. Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is a mix of the old and the new. South Africa’s most popular tourist destination has preserved the old buildings that show the history of the area while at the same […]

Cape Town Waterfront

natural resources — South Africa has a number of natural resources besides the well known ones like gold and diamonds. Here you can find out exactly what the country grows

Natural Resources

Zulu huts — Basic history of The Zulu nation of Southern Africa. Zulu tribe of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The rein of Chaka and Dingaan, Zulu chiefs.

Zulu Tribe

boerewors — South African’s love their meat and the barbeque (or braai as it is called in South Africa) is very popular and is part of the heritage of the country.. South Africa even has a “National Braai Day” which is celebrated every year on the public holiday – Heritage day. Having […]

Braai

Shaka Zulu chief Africa — Shaka (Chaka) was born towards the end of the 18th century in what is now KwaZulu-Natal. His mother, Nandi, was the daughter of a past chief of the Elangeni tribe and his father Senzangakona was the chief of the very small Zulu tribe. Nandi was barely tolerated by the Zulu […]

Shaka – Zulu Chief

Potjies — Potjies are traditionally South African cast iron pots. They are becoming increasingly popular in many countries around the world. In South Africa, potjies are used as an alternative or even sometimes at the same time as a traditional barbeque. The pot is rounded at the bottom, has 3 legs, and […]

Potjies

melktert desert - photo: Owen Robinson — South African desserts – South Africans love their desserts and boast many unique and tasty after-dinner specialities. Whether people gather for a large family lunch, a braai with friends or even just need something sweet to nibble on, our sweets and desserts form a significant part of our heritage and […]

South African desserts

Babotie — Bobotie – a traditional South African curry-flavored mince with a milk and egg base. Easy to make and delicious Curry flavoured mince with a milk and egg base Click here to return to main Recipe page Back to Home Page

Bobotie

melktert — Melktert – A traditional South African dessert. A delicious pie base with a creamy custard filling and cinnamon filling. Melktert - A traditional South African dessert. A delicious pie base with a creamy custard filling and cinnamon filling Click here to return to main Recipe page Back to Home […]

Melktert

Monkey gland sauce — Monkey Gland Sauce – An extremely popular South African sauce that normally goes with steak and is served at most braais and in many South African steak houses (and no…. it is not made from the glands of monkeys or any other monkey parts) Serve at a braai, on steak […]

Monkey Gland Sauce

poffertjes — Poffertjes – originating in Holland, these traditional Dutch treats are similar to pancakes but are much fluffier. They can be served with any sweet topping. Originating in Holland, these traditional Dutch treats are similar to pancakes but are much fluffier. They can be served with any sweet topping. Click here […]

Poffertjes

Sosaties — Sosaties are one of the most popular dishes at a braai. Generally, they are made with lamb but can be replaced with red turkey meat to make delicious sosaties. Dutch Kebabs made with lamb but can be replaced with red turkey meat to make delicious sosaties. Click here to return […]

Sosaties

memory plaque district six — District Six – Cape Town In 1867 the Sixth Municipal District of Cape Town was established. This area was home to community of immigrants, laborers and freed slaves which made it a lively and animated part of the city of Cape Town. The area was referred to as District 6 […]

District Six – Cape Town

Capricorn — The geographical Line of Latitude that lies approximately 23 degrees south of the Equator is called the Tropic of Capricorn. This line runs through Southern Africa, Australia and South America. In South Africa the Tropic of Capricorn runs through the northern part of Limpopo Province (formerly Northern Transvaal) and gives […]

Capricorn Region

Cape — Some wonderful sights to see and places to visit while touring the Cape Region of South Africa

Some of the best Cape Scenic Routes

South Africa Cape of Good Hope — South African history – The recorded history of South Africa only goes back from the time of the Explorers Vasco Da Gama and Bartholomew Diaz in the 15th century, and the eventual establishment of a trading station at the Cape of Good Hope when the Dutch East India Company sent […]

South African History

Vasco da Gama — The story of how Natal was discovered by the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama while looking for a new route to India

Vasco Da Gama

Jan Van Riebeck — The history of the first sighting of the Cape of Good Hope and the discovery of the Cape area of South Africa

Bartholemew Dias and Jan Van Riebeck

Dingaan meeting Piet Retief — Dingaan (Dingane) was born in 1795, half brother of Shaka. He became King of the Zulu tribe in 1828 after successfully assassinating Shaka who was King at the time. There was a lot of rivalry within the tribe with many not being happy with the assasination of Shaka. Dingaan claimed […]

Dingaan – Zulu Chief

wolraad woltemade — The story of one of the greatest hero's of South Africa who,together with his horse, died while saving lives from a sinking ship during a terrible storm.

Wolraad Woltemade

Gauteng map — Gauteng is the smallest of the nine provinces of South Africa and was formed from part of the original Transvaal province. In April 1994 after the first all race elections took place and the province was divided up, after this division, the area that is now Gauteng was originally called […]

Gauteng Province

View of Johannesburg — A look at the city of Johannesburg in South Africa, with a selection of sights and activities to see and do in the city while touring the country

Johannesburg

Springboks playing rugby at Ellis Park — Two of the most popular sports played in South Africa. The South African international cricket and rugby teams. South African rugby and cricket teams standing in international competition

Rugby and Cricket

winery — Information on South Africa’s Wine industry concentrating on the many Cape Wine Routes and other attractions in the region

Tour the Wine Routes

durban coastline — A brief overview of KwaZulu-Natal mainly looking at the Durban area. A selection of places to see and available activities in Durban and in the surrounding areas, different ideas of what to see and do while visiting Natal

Coastal resorts

Ballito — The coastal area North of Durban in KwaZulu Natal province, South Africa, is known as the Dolphin Coast, so named because of the Bottle Nose Dolphins that can be sighted in large schools cavorting happily off shore in search of sardine shoals. Visitors will find a string of holiday resorts […]

Dolphin Coast

Franschhoek wine region The charming traditional French town of Franschhoek (French Corner) in the Western Cape province of South Africa lies in one of the most stunning wine valleys in the world. It is situated only 45 minutes from Cape Town and is within easy distance of the Somerset West, […]

Franschhoek – Wine Region

aeriel view Paarl — The town of Paarl in the winelands region of the Western Cape Province in South Africa lies on the Berg River and was established in 1657 by Abraham Gabbema. It takes its name from the very large and smooth granite rocks crowning the ridge overlooking the town, which are thought […]

Paarl – Wineland Region

Stellenbosch view — The town of Stellenbosch is situated about 50 km from Cape Town in The Western Cape Province of South Africa. Stellenbosch is undeniably one of the most beautiful towns in South Africa, with a varied style of architecture set in oak-lined streets. You will find old Cape Dutch cottages with thatched […]

Stellenbosch – Cape Winelands

Dick King statue in East London South Africa — Dick King (Richard “Dick” Phillip King) is a name that is memorable in South African history. One of 13 children he was born in Chatham England on the 28th November 1813 and together with his parents came to South Africa as part of the 1820 settlers program. The family first […]

Dick King

Free State province — A description of the The Free State Province of South Africa, what to do while touring South Africa, where to go while touring South Africa and the many places in the Free State that should be seen

The Free State Province

drive between Bethlehem and Clarens — Bethlehem is situated in the eastern Free State Province of South Africa and is a significant farming and commercial centre as well as being at the northern end of the mountain route. It is a tourist center for Golden Gate National Park as well as for the Drakensberg. Bethlehem is […]

Bethlehem

George Albu — Sir George Albu was a celebrated Mining magnate of German-Jewish descent who was born in Brandenburg, Germany in 1857 and together with his brother Leopold immigrated to South Africa in 1876. After working in Cape Town in a department store for some time, he and his brother moved to the […]

Sir George Albu

Along the Garden Route — Travelling along the Garden Route in the Cape. A description of different areas along the Garden Route with activities to do along the way.

Travel along the Garden Route

Coffee Bay at Kei Mouth — Wild Coast The small village of Kei Mouth is situated just along the Wild Coast of South Africa on the banks of the Kei River where it enters the Indian Ocean not far from East London. This charming little spot together with its nearby neighbor Morgan’s Bay have not yet […]

Kei Mouth – Wild Coast

whales in Mossel Bay — Mossel Bay Mossel Bay is a seaport and seaside resort situated between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, South Africa on the shores of the Indian Ocean. This warm and welcoming historical town is regarded as the beginning of the Garden Route. A number of explorers and seafarers of the 15th […]

Mossel Bay – Holiday Resort

Drakensberg — The Drakensberg Mountain Range in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa with its imposing mountain peaks and stunning scenery. The perfect spot for tourists. – one of the most popular holiday destinations in South Africa because of its splendour and vast amount of exciting activities available.

Drakensberg Mountains

Darling South Africa — The small town of Darling is situated 23 km inland along the Western Cape Coast of South Africa. Darling was established in 1853 and named after the Lieutenant Governor of the Cape at that time, Sir Charles Henry Darling when his farm, Langfontein was established. This charming little town is […]

Darling _ tourist Spot

Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province (Northern Transvaal) South Africa is a quaint and interesting typical Boer Town lying at the foot of the Soutpansberg Mountain range. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the name change of Louis Trichardt to be called Makhado and for a short period […]

Louis Trichardt

Elvis storms river — The small quaint village of Storms River is situated on the edge of the Tsitsikamma National Park and only a short distance to the East of Knysna and north of Plettenberg Bay. This little village offers a wide variety of accommodation for visitors wishing to enjoy the many activities available […]

Storms River Village

soccer — How Soccer was established in South Africa all the way through to the hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2010

Soccer

Port St Johns — Port St Johns is situated on the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This authentic example of an African village is set on the Umzimvubu River (Xhosa for Hippo) and indisputably the jewel of the Wild Coast. It has become known as a popular part of […]

Port St Johns – Wild Coast

Baobab tree — The town of Musina , or often called Messina, is situated in the Northern Transvaal (Limpopo province) on the border of Zimbabwe and is the most northerly South African town. The Beitbridge Border Post into Zimbabwe and to northern Africa is located along the great North Road which is the […]

Musina

Cape Vidal — Read about The Elephant Coast in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa which boasts a broad range of fauna and flora. Incredible wildlife as well as many other captivating activities for tourists and South African visitors alike.

Elephant Coast

Cape Town soccer stadium — FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010 dates, hosted by South Africa with a list of the Countries participating. South African venues and stadiums for the 2010 World Cup competition.

World Cup Soccer 2010

South African Game reserves – South Africa contains a copious amount of Game and Wildlife reserves both National and Private, which can be found in every province of this amazingly beautiful country. They have an abundance of animal and bird life as well as coastal regions with marine life reserves […]

South African Game Reserves

The Kruger National Park is the largest Game Reserve in South Africa is . Known throughout the world as one of the most impressive Game Parks in Africa, it covers a span of 20,000 square kilometres, is spread out over the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga and is home to […]

Kruger National Park

Hout Bay — Hout Bay is a suburban area of Cape Town in South Africa. It is an inlet on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula. In the early days of Dutch settlement it was noted for the wealth of natural timber that grew on the neighbouring hills, which was the inspiration […]

Hout Bay – Suburban Area

Elephant Park — The Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is situated only an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth .It is a malaria free area and one of the country’s top 20 national Parks. It was originally founded in 1931 in an effort to preserve the diminished […]

Addo Elephant National Park

The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park is one of the oldest and highly esteemed game reserves in South Africa and is situated approximately 280 km north of Durban in Kwazulu-Natal. Originally Umfolozi and Hluhluwe were two separate game parks which in 1989 amalgamated to become the large and impressive Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, […]

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park

Cango caves — About 30 km outside the town of Outdshoorn in the area of the Klein Karoo in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, lie the magnificent Cango Caves – one of the wonders of the world. These limestone caves were discovered in 1780 by J Van Zyl who was […]

Cango Caves – Klein Karoo

Simons Town — Simons Town, also often referred to as Simonstown, is situated in the Western Cape Province of South Africa at Simon’s Bay which is an inlet on False Bay. The name Simon’s Town is derived from Governor Simon Van der Stel. The harbour itself was used because of its protection against […]

Simons Town – False Bay

The Great Trek South Africa — The Great Trek of colonists from the Cape, South Africa in the 1800’s and the reasons for it

The Great Trek

Polokwane — The City of Pietersburg (Polokwane) in the Northern Transvaal was founded in 1868 by the Voortrekkers and named in honour of their General Petrus Jacobus (Pieter) Joubert. In 2005 the government renamed it by the North Sotho name Polokwane meaning “Place of Safety”. Polokwane is today the capital of the […]

Polokwane

Boer war — The Boer War is also known by many other names. It has been called the Second Boer War, or the Anglo Boer War or even the South African War. The first Boer War was a somewhat short conflict that came about when the Dutch settlers of the Transvaal rebelled against […]

The Boer War

Barberton — The picturesque and quaint town of Barberton is situated in the De Kaap valley basin of Mpumalanga province (Eastern Transvaal). Barberton is one of the seven flagship regions for tourism in the country. It is free of malaria and is encircled by the beautiful Makhonjwa Mountains, which is on the […]

Barberton

tomato bredie — A delicious Cape Stew Click here to return to main Recipe page Back to Home Page

Tomato Bredie

Soweto — Soweto or South West Townships in Gauteng, South Africa which was once housing for black workers has now been developed and has some affluent housing as well.

Soweto

Battle of Blood River South Africa — The story of the historical battle of Blood River between the Zulus and the Voortrekkers

Battle of Blood River

Outeniqua Mountain Pass — The town of George in the Western Cape Province in South Africa is known as “The Gateway to the Garden Route”. George is the sixth oldest town in South Africa. It is located in the Cape Wildflower Floral area situated below the splendid Outeniqua mountain range, set slightly inland but […]

George – on the Garden Route

President Kruger — Paul Kruger (Stephanus Johannes Paulus) was the last President of the South African Republic and regarded by many as the greatest figure produced by Afrikanerdom. He came from a family of German immigrants. Born in the Eastern Cape in 1825, it is believed that he was born on the farm […]

Paul Kruger

Cecil John Rhodes' funeral procession in Cape Town South africa on 3 April 1902 — Sir Cecil John Rhodes – One of the foremost personalities in South African history – was a statesman and empire builder. Rhodes was born in England on July 5th 1853 in the town of Bishop’s Stortford. At the age of 17 he was sent to Natal, after he had been […]

Sir Cecil John Rhodes

Louis Botha — The first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, Louis Botha fought in the Boer War and in the First World War. He was born in Natal in 1862 and became Prime Minister in 1907

Louis Botha

Ernest Oppenheimer — Sir Ernest Oppenheimer was a South African mining and industrial magnate. He was born in the 1880 at Friedberg in Hesse, Germany and arrived in London when he was only a young man, to join his older brother Louis at the firm of Anton Dunkelsbuhler who was a relative. Dunkelsbuhler […]

Ernest Oppenheimer

The Xhosa tribe of South Africa. Xhosa tribe culture and language. Some of the more well-known South African Xhosa's.

Xhosa Tribe

Blyde River Canyon — The Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga (Eastern Transvaal), South Africa, takes up part of the magnificent Panorama Route. The Canyon was formed when the Blyde River (River of Joy) cut through the quartzite and dolomite eastern rim of the Drakensberg Mountain range. The Blyde River Canyon is the only true […]

Blyde River Canyon

Gold — Gold in South Africa – The Witwatersrand is a word in Afrikaans which means “The Ridge of white waters”. It is a range of hills in the Gauteng province South Africa that contains most of the worlds gold reserves. These rich gold bearing reefs stretch from 40 miles east of […]

Gold in South Africa

Swazi tribe — A look at the Swazi tribe of Southern Africa, their origins and Swazi culture. Where to go to visit a typical Swazi Cultural Village in South Africa.

Swazi Tribe

Jan Smuts together with his deputy Jan Hofmeyer — Jan Christiaan Smuts can undoubtedly be listed as one of South Africa’s greatest sons. He was born in Bovenplaats in the Western Cape Province (then the Cape Colony) on the 24th May 1870. He was home schooled by his mother and only started formal schooling at the age of 12 […]

Jan Christiaan Smuts

GOld mining in SOuth Africa — The life of South African Businessman Harry Oppenheimer

Harry Oppenheimer

Dr Christiaan Barnard — Christiaan Barnard was born in Beaufort West, Cape Province of South Africa on the 8th November 1922. He was destined to become a doctor who would become world famous as a result of performing the world’s first heart transplant. The son of a Dutch Reformed Church Minister and one of […]

Dr Christiaan Barnard

Read about President F.W De Klerk's early life and his political moves to free Nelson Mandela and end apartheid in South Africa

F.W. De Klerk

Graaff Reinet — Graaff-Reinet is a town situated in the heart of the Great Karoo in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It was founded in 1786 and named after the Governor of the Cape, Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff and his wife Reinet . It is the fourth oldest town in […]

Graaff-Reinet – Great Karoo

Wellington — The town of Wellington lies about 45 minutes from Cape Town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Situated at the foot of the Groenberg Mountains and built along the banks of the Kromme River Wellington is a historic and charming town with its picturesque valley setting and has […]

Wellington – Historic Town

Tulbagh — The picturesque and historical town of Tulbagh in the Western Cape Province of South Africa is situated in one of the most stunningly scenic and fertile valleys in the country. Tulbagh is one of the most northerly towns in the magnificent Breede River Valley, which stretches from the Karoo in […]

Tulbagh – Scenic Town

Plettenberg Bay , Beacon Isle Hotel South Africa — Located in the Western Cape Province on the Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay is a very popular vacation site for tourists from around the world as well as South Africans. Mild winters and hot summers make it an ideal vacation spot. There are so many choices of activities available from active […]

Plettenberg Bay – Perfect Vacation

Hibberdene on the hibiscus coast — The Hibiscus Coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa lies about 120 km south of Durban and includes many lovely resort towns. Running from Port Edward in the south to Hibberdene in the north, the area includes many lovely and picturesque small towns and villages in between, including the main towns […]

Hibiscus Coast

Howick Falls — The picturesque town of Howick is situated in the Midlands Meander in the uMgungundlovu area of the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. About 24 km North of Pietermaritzburg and 88 km from Durban it is easily accessible and well worth visiting. The main attraction and located more or less […]

Howick Falls

Crocodile river — The city of Nelspruit lies 330 km east of Johannesburg and is situated only 50 km from the Kruger National Park. Nelspruit is the capital of Mpumalanga (previously Eastern Transvaal) and was one of the Host cities for the World Cup Soccer 2010. Matches will be played at the Mbombela […]

Nelspruit

Shangaan women — Shangaan Tribe The Shangaan tribe was formed when Shaka the Zulu King decided to conquer the Tsonga tribe and he sent out his warriors led by Soshangane to do this. But Soshangane chose instead to set up a new tribe when he came upon some communities of peaceful people spread […]

Shangaan Tribe

View of Grahamstwon — In the heart of South Africa’s Frontier Country tourist route of the Eastern Cape Province, lies the historic town of Grahamstown. At the mention of Grahamstown, for most South Africans two things spring to mind, the first being Rhodes University and the second is the National Arts Festival. In 1812, […]

Grahamstown – Eastern Cape

The Lemba tribe of South Africa. Where they originate and what their traits are. The Lemba tribe claim to be one of the lost tribes of ancient Israel.

South Africa Tribes – South African Culture – Lemba Tribe

Ndebele — The culture of the Ndebele tribe of South Africa, believed to be an offshoot of the Zulu tribe from Kwazulu Natal, but who mostly reside in the Mpumulanga (Transvaal) area.

Ndebele tribe

Basotho men — The Sotho tribes of South Africa and Lesotho. The Southern Sotho (Basutu), the Pedi (Northern Sotho) and the Tswana all originating from other tribes in Southern Africa

Sotho Tribe

Venda — The Venda African Tribe mostly situated in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Originating from the Great Lakes of Central Africa. Venda tribal culture and practices.

Venda Tribe

Swellendam — Swellendam and the surrounding areas, go whale watching, pick berries, hike and so much more

Swellendam – Ideal Tourist Stop

Airports — Airports – There are international flights to South Africa from all over the world. The three major international airports in South Africa are: OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport, and Durban International Airport. OR Tambo International Airport is named after Oliver Tambo, who was the leader of […]

Airports

Sudwala Caves, South Africa — Sudwala Caves About 37 km north-west of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga South Africa, in the Mankelekele Mountains, are the Sudwala Caves. These Caves are believed to have been formed 3,000 million years ago, making them amongst the oldest system of caves in the world. They are 30 km long but accessibility […]

Sudwala Caves

East London South Africa — In the Eastern Cape Province, on the South East coast of South Africa lies the city of East London. In the early 1800’s there were many battles between the settlers and the Xhosa population and East London was used as a supply base for the military headquarters in the area. […]

East London – The Sunshine Coast

Lesedi Village entrance — Situated within easy reach of both Johannesburg and Pretoria is the Lesedi Cultural Village where visitors will be welcomed with African warmth by music and song and enjoy finding out about the traditional cultures of the Pedi, Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho and Ndebele tribes of South Africa. In 1993 Lesedi, the […]

Lesedi Village

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