The Afrikaner people have been one of the most influential forces in the formation of modern South Africa. Once the darlings of the world for standing up to the might of imperial Britain, they are renowned for their fierce self-belief. Afrikaner culture informs all aspects of national life. more

South African English culture has been one of the defining elements in shaping our Rainbow Nation. The first immigrants arrived after 1820 and established Eastern Cape towns like Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. more

South Africa’s cultural diversity touches almost every aspect of daily life. From sipping a cup of rooibos tea, a beverage drunk by South Africans of all races; to the ancient Khoisan culture; to negotiating a path from apartheid to democracy and creating one of the world’s most liberal and inclusive constitutions. more

The Tsonga people – consisting of the Shangaan, Tonga, Thonga and smaller groups - are spread throughout southern Africa, numbering in excess of 6 million in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa, where they live mainly in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu Natal provinces. more

South African immigrant culture is as diverse as the Rainbow Nation itself, and has left an indelible mark on our society, from the road building of the Italians to the wine-making skills of the French. Then there are the immigrants from the rest of the continent who enliven our African soul. more

The Tswana people are noted for their many clans, each with its own culture and dialect. There are, however, certain elements of Tswana culture that bind them, such as the use of cattle as currency and similar traditions of ancestral worship. more

The Zulu people of KwaZulu-Natal were once a disparate group of clans and chieftanships. But when King Shaka melded them into one of the greatest fighting forces in history they entered the realm of myth and legend. Today Zulu culture is one of the most admired aspects of our Rainbow Nation. more

The Xhosa people of the Eastern Cape have for centuries defended their traditions against incursion. Even today Xhosa culture remains as strong and revered as ever. It is because of this resolve that they were often at the forefront of the freedom struggle. more

The Venda people are descended from the creators of the ancient civilisations of Mapungubwe and Thulamela. Amongst the last groups to arrive in South Africa, Venda culture is renowned for its intense spirituality and reverence of artists. more

The Shangaan people of the Lowveld are an amalgam of various other ethnic groups. Shangaan culture, while predominantly Nguni, incorporates many aspects of these other groups, such as the face scarring and music of the Tsonga. And their diet includes delicacies that will tempt only the most adventurous of palates. more

The Sotho are a widespread and diverse people in South Africa, with large numbers living in neighbouring Lesotho as well as across the central sections of South Africa. Loosely related to the Nguni tribes of the region, the Sotho nation was largely agricultural, tending crops and livestock for their traditional livelihood. more

The Ndebele people migrated to the Highveld some 4 centuries ago. Small in number, they are nonetheless one of the most recognisable groups in the country. This is thanks to the Ndebele culture of painting their homesteads with vibrant geometric patterns and the striking beauty in the dress of the women. more

The Khoisan people of the Northern Cape are descended from 2 different tribes. An amalgam of the original San hunter-gatherers and the later-arriving KhoiKhoi, they were virtually annihilated by subsequent settlers. But the Khoisan culture lives on through some of the most compelling rock art on Earth. more

South African Indian culture began to take root when the first indentured labourers arrived to work on sugar-cane farms. Since then South African Indian culture has established itself as a moral beacon and upholder of human rights. And then there is their delectable food, enjoyed by most South Africans. more