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Rainbow Nation

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South Africa's Rainbow Nation

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu named South Africa's people the Rainbow Nation. What an apt description for this wonderfully diverse, colourful, and utterly unique society.

Indian culture thrives in Johannesburg's Fordsburg suburb.

South African Indian culture

South African Indian culture began in 1860 with the arrival of indentured labourers and slaves in what is now KwaZulu-Natal.

South African immigrant culture

South African immigrant culture is a colourful ingredient in the Rainbow Nation, bringing with it the foods of the world to make us a culinary destination par excellence.

South African Coloured Culture

South African Coloured culture has added to our rich national diversity with interesting cuisine and the renowned Cape Town Minstrel street festival.

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South African English culture

The first English settlers arrived in South Africa after 1820. From this small start, their influence swiftly spread to alter the course of history.

The Shangaan people

The Shangaan people of the Lowveld were one of the only ethnic groups in South Africa to include fish – and fish bait – in their diet.

The Zulu people

The Zulu people hold their culture and traditions in high esteem. It can be seen in their bearing, their homesteads and the finery of their dress.

The Xhosa people

The Xhosa people, mainly found in the Transkei region of the Eastern Cape, are fiercely proud of their traditions and culture.

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South African culture is one of friendliness.

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Cultural Attractions

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Limpopo

Located on the South African border of Zimbabwe and Botswana, Mapungubwe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, providing evidence of a powerful African empire, that existed in Southern Africa long before the Europeans arrived at the Cape in 1652.
Robben Island, Cape Town, Western Cape

Robben Island is best known as the place of imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners during the long years of apartheid UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site, describing it as ‘as the world’s most powerful symbol of resistance to oppression’.
Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng

The world’s most important fossil site, this UNESCO World Heritage site is considered to be the birthplace of modern humans, and includes the fossil hominid sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai.
Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape, Northern Cape

A mountain-desert wilderness inhabited by the Nama people, this remarkable group of nomadic pastoralists are safeguarding their culture and resources through centuries old methods of conservation
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, KwaZulu-Natal

Once the stomping grounds of the San hunter-gatherers; this UNESCO World Heritage Site shelters a precious heritage of well-preserved rock paintings, and is the last word in mountain grandeur.
Pilgrims Rest Heritage Site, Mpumalanga

The historic town of Pilgrims Rest is a living museum where you’ll uncover the fascinating history and colourful characters behind South Africa’s first gold rush in the 1870s.
Kimberley, Northern Cape

The discovery of a rich diamond deposit at Kimberley left a hand-dug crater known as the ‘Big Hole’ and sparked a rush to uncover South Africa’s mineral wealth.
Origins Museum, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Described as ‘a museum in Africa for the people of the world’ the museum seeks to understand the evolution of South African history through the spiritual beliefs and the artistic legacy of the Khoi-Khoi and San people, through DNA sampling; rock art and anthropological artefacts.
Sacred Sites of Venda, Limpopo

Lake Fundudzi, the reputed home of a python god, and nearby Thathe-Vondo Forest, are sacred to the Vhenda people.
Wine Routes of the Cape, Western Cape

Our winelands, with their gabled Cape Dutch homesteads, sprawling green vineyards and historic buildings and living museums are a rich repository of agriculture, viniculture, history, food culture, and heritage dating back to the 1600’s.