South Africa Local Customs

 
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Most Viewed Local Customs in South Africa

51.

Ethnic / Cultural Diversity   Johannesburg

Ethnic / Cultural Diversity, Johannesburg

 17 Reviews  The selection and performance of national anthems must be one of the most emotive of cultural issues. To my mind, national anthems are meant to be rousing and inspirational pieces of music that... 

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52.

Food & Drink   Johannesburg

Food & Drink, Johannesburg

 4 Reviews  if your'e into wines , as so many are or you want to be seen or you want to meet the Cape's best winemakers. or you want to taste the top wines of the year or Platter's 5 * star wines or just have a... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Uniquely South Africa Liquor - Amarula

by tampa_shawn

Amazing cream liquor made from the fruit of the Marula tree. I'd describe it as a Baileys Irish Cream with a caramel like flavor and a bit of a bite. Excellent This tree only grows in subequatorial AfricaThe trees cannot be cultivated, and so the fruit must be harvested in the wild. As the fruit ripens the skin becomes a light yellow, with white flesh inside around a large stone. Rich in vitamin C, and the nut packed with natural oil. The ripened fruit draws the animals of the plains with the promise of its annual feast. This fruit is the base ingredient from which Amarula is made.Amarula Cream was first introduced to the South African Liquor market in September 1989. LEGENDS AND FOLKLOREThis fruit is an elephant favorite - the elephants ram the trees to get the fruits to fall off. As the fruit falls and lies on the ground, it starts to ferment, giving it a sweeter taste - and a slightly...

Bishop Desmond Tutu

by Jenniflower

Since 1994 South Africa has gone through a tremendous reconciliation process with the official end of apartheid. Tutu, a Bishop from Cape Town has been instrumental in bringing about reconciliation by forming a Truth and Reconciliation Committee.This committee was set up as a specific place where people who had done criminal things for political reasons could come and air their hearts, tell what they had done, and ask for forgiveness. This may sound inconceivable to many - but it worked!!!! Thousands of people came asking for forgiveness from the families of their victims, many a tear was shed, but everyone concerned found a relative peace within. A sense of closure.This is yet another reason why I am so proud to be South African. VIVA!!!!! :)

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Youth Day ~ 16 June

by Jenniflower

On this date, in 1976, Soweto students protested against the official introduction of studying Afrikaans as a set curriculum subject. They would have no choice whether to study it or not...This language was seen as the language of the apartheid era as the leaders at the time were Afrikaans, and so there was a very anti-Afrikaans feeling within the black community.To have to suddenly HAVE to learn this at school was outrageous to them and so they protested. Theirs was a battle against the authorities and lives were lost. Hence the remembrance of these brave students.This photo is the well-known photo of Hector Pietersen and his sister Antoinette, Hector being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo. He was killed in this riot :(

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THE HUMBLE OUTHOUSE

by DAO

If you do stay with a family in most of South Africa, you will probably find that the toilet is outside. I would suggest you take a torch (flash light) with you on your travels. Proper etiquette is to whistle loudly as you approach or sing so that anyone inside can warn you of their presence. Not all of them have locks on the door!

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Some facts about SA expats living in England...

by Jenniflower

· South Africans living abroad are generally optimistic about South Africa, and aim to return one day!· Nearly 80% have some form of investment in the country still· Over 30% own a home there · Nearly 70% have a current bank account· Nearly 30% have kept their retirement plans going (which says a lot!)· Over 60% believe the country will go from strength to strength within the next 10 years· Nearly 50% believe South Africa has a fantastic futureThis is all very optimistic isn’t it? Many South Africans come to the UK to travel (it’s far easier and cheaper travelling from England than South Africa!), to gain valuable work experience.We came with the added view to getting to know our English relatives, of which we have quite a few, being of Anglo origin (all grand parents are English/Irish).There are some of course that came due to upsetting things that have happened within their families,...

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South African expats

by Jenniflower

As a South African, living in another country currently, I thought I might write about this, so you hear first-hand our thoughts on our land, and not what the telly and propoganda relish on you.I think my writings on my homepage and throughout my South Africa tips, show how much I love and admire my country of birth.She has so much going for it, so much inherent wealth in her land, people and soul, that I do believe she will grow into a strong nation. I already think she is a strong one, considering what she has gone through, and come through it sans a coup or a war! It is pretty unbelievable I think.We will certainly be returning to South Africa once we have completed the travels we wish to complete.

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Day of Reconciliation 16 December ~

by Jenniflower

This is a day that was once celebrated in the Old South Africa for an entirely different reason!Pre-democracy, this day was a celebration primarily celebrated by white Afrikaners - as the Day of the Vow, which marked the victory of the Voortrekkers (Afrikaners of Dutch heritage), over Zulu warriors at the Battle of Blood River.With the new government came a whitewash of this naturally, and it is now celebrated as a day that focuses on the efforts South Africans are making today to forget the conflicts and chasms of the past, and to now work together.

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Heritage Day 24 September ~

by Jenniflower

This is the day in the year that we celebrate the Rainbow Nation, the New South Africa!On 24 September we remember what we used to be as a nation, when so many were shackled by laws and suppression of some kind or another, and how we as a nation have risen above that, together, and how a Rainbow Nation has been formed.The term ‘rainbow’ refers to the many different colours that are distinctly different, but are now are standing alongside one another, in unity.

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National Womens Day 9 August ~

by Jenniflower

In apartheid times, black men and women had to carry passes with them at all times...They could be stopped, any time of the day or night, and had to produce their pass. There was a night curfew and if they breached this they were in serious trouble.In August 1956, 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the law of black women carrying these passes.This day commemorates this poignant march plus displays the strong role that women have played in South Africa becoming a democracy.

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Freedom Day 27 April ~

by Jenniflower

On this day, in the year 1994, millions of black South Africans, previously denied the right to vote, voted for the first time. It was a poignant moment in the nations history and one which I personally will never forget. It was the first year I could legally vote too, and the queues stretched for miles, and we queued for 7 hours in the searing heat.After this, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected black president. This day is a day that celebrates the fall of apartheid and the rise of a New South Africa, where all are equal. It also reminds us that voting is a privilege and should not be taken for granted.

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Questions and Answers

guillerminamc profile photo

Q:  Hi all, im travelling to South Africa and Malarone is not sold in Argentina, so I should buy it when I get to South Africa. Do you... 

Gerald_D profile photo

A: You will need a prescription from a South Africa registered doctor. 

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