Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela ~ Our hero :) and other South Africa Local Custom Tips

(taken from my South Africa intro)

As the world's most famous prisoner (held in captivity for 27 years) and, then becoming South Africa's president, Nelson Mandela exemplifies a moral integrity that shines far beyond South Africa. In the revolution led by Mandela to transform a country based on apartheid laws and dirision, into an open democracy, he alone has achieved a miracle.

He was born in the Transkei on 18 July, 1918. His first name, 'Rolihlahla' is interpreted as 'troublemaker'. The Nelson was added later, by a primary school teacher of his...

Mandela's boyhood was peaceful until the death of his father landed him in the care of a powerful relative. He became involved in student protests against white colonial rule at the institution at Fort Hare, and this set him out on the long walk toward personal and national liberation.

Having run away from his guardian to avoid an arranged marriage, he joined a law firm in Johannesburg as an apprentice. Years of daily exposure to the inhumanities of apartheid, where being black reduced one to the status of a nonperson, a nothing in some people's eyes, kindled in him a kind of absurd and willful courage to change the world...

And he did :) He is a much loved and revered person in South Africa, and the world. His is a hand of friendship and love, healing and productivity.

This painting hangs on the wall in his old home in Soweto.

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Mahatma Gandhi came to South Africa in May 1893 to simply assist an Indian merchant in a civil law suit. He had a strong sense of duty, loved truth and had an insatiable urge to serve humanity, and had nothing (at that time) to do with politics.

What he experienced in South Africa changed his life forever. He felt compelled to help those who couldn't help themselves. And he did!

Ghandi was very concerned, as the Indians in Southern Africa had become divided by class, religion and language. Gandhi helped in establishing the Natal Indian Congress in 1894 and the Transvaal British Indian Association in 1903 to defend the rights of Indians.

He tried to persuade white (European) people that Indians were also civilised people and entitled to better rights! He was a pioneer in human rights in South Africa, and is highly thought of in South Africa.

A bit of personal family history about Ghandi was that he took refuge with his goat in the attic of a roof at a home in Johannesburg... many years later this became the home my mum lived in for a few years after leaving England. He lived off the milk of this goat for over a year when in hiding... and was never found :)

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South Africa'a artworld suffered greatly under Apartheid. Artwork and song lyrics were flooded with anti-apartheid themes, and were forced underground.

To listen to one of these songs, or to own one of these paintings was evidence enough that you were a traitor and you could be thrown into prison!!!

The bulldozing of both District Six, a vibrant multicultural area in Cape Town, and Johannesburg's Sophiatown, where internationally famous musicians learned their craft in an area once described as 'a skeleton with a permanent grin' are two important examples of this... where communities were literally 'wiped out'.

Tragic!

Groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Soweto String Quartet, Tree63, Johnny Clegg and Mango Groove have managed to bring South African sound to a worldwide (and appreciative!) audiance.

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One of the most exciting elements in South Africa is that it is in the continual process of reinventing itself, it's outlook and understanding of eachother.

Peoples’ attitudes have changed across the colour barrier and people have hope now.

A new South African culture is being created, sans colour or tradition standing in the way. We still have a long way to go, but the progress that's been made since 1994 has been hugely significant!

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There are a wide variety of cultures in South Africa, and then even within the same culture there are significant differences in tradition, depending on where they live.

Traditional black culture is still strong in the rural areas, but in urban areas old cultures are fading and new cultural combinations are emerging as people mingle and meet, and exchange cultures. There is quite a melting pot taking place...

In the rural areas, polygamy is most often permitted and a bride price (labola - where the groom's family reimburse the bride's family for the loss of their daughter) is usually paid.

Cattle play an important part in South Africa's black cultures, as symbols of wealth and as sacrificial animals.

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High crime and HIV/AIDS infection rates deter investment in South Africa, but this aside, South Africa's economy has grown from strength to strength in the last few years. The unemployment rate is still high although there are huge efforts being made by government and the man on the ground to change this.

Having said this it is quite ironic that a government who says they are trying to help people, don't even know what AIDS and HIV is all about! Quite shocking really. At the moment the now ex-deputy president is in a rape trial. He had sex without consent with an HIV positive woman he knew. He also didnt use a condom. Afterwards he had a shower to clean himself, ridding himself of any infection that might have spread to him.

This is of course UTTER RUBBISH!!! How stupid for him to have unprotected sex anyway, whether she had AIDS or not. Then to go ahead and still do it, knowing she has AIDS PLUS without her consent! Then to go and have a SHOWER thinking this would somehow rid him of the virus in case he had contracted it. How utterly foolish! VERY worrying that this same man sat on an AIDS committee and was second in charge of running the country!!!!!

Oh, and I must mention he is married too. How his poor wife feels about all of this is a tragedy. No-one hears anything from her. She must feel so intimidated. The South African Health Minister is now trying to blame the media for all the uproar too. Nice try!

I love South Africa so much, and she has so much potential... but this type of thing just makes my blood BOIL!!!!!!!

Update: May 12 2006
Jacob Zuma was found innocent and the lady who laid the rape claim has left for a 'secret location'... as they fear for her life. Zuma supporters have broken into her home twice since the trial began and have threatened her. I personally feel we will never truly know what went on that night, and hope that justice HAS been served.

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South Africa has eleven official languages, English is one of these languages as is Afrikaans, the remaining nine are indigenous and these are: Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Sepedi, Ndebele, Tswana, Swati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

Practically everyone speaks some English (albeit it being their second/third language), so there is no need to worry about the locals understanding you generally.

The biggest problem you are likely to encounter is understanding the locals with their use of slang and 'home-grown' words. Have a look at our travelgue for some fine examples :)

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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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In South Africa there are various public holidays, which celebrate pivotal times within the country.

In the UK these days are called bank holidays...

They are mostly political in motivation and reason, and they are quite new too, brought in by the now-democratic government within the country.

In the apartheid regime they had other days they celebrated. I personally am glad with the new public holidays. When people have gone through so much in a country, days like this are motivating and it’s good to remind ourselves of what we have gone through and where we have come from.

I'll give you a brief rundown of the various public holidays celebrated in South Africa currently, with their meaning.

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This public holiday reminds every South African, no matter their culture or colour, of their human rights as a South African.

It is in memory of 69 people that were shot and killed by police in 1960 in Sharpeville, who were protesting against pass laws of the land at the time.

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