Black History Month: South Africa, Its Diverse Culture, Music, and Tourist Attractions

I bet you didn't know that South Africa has 11 official languages, all with equal constitutional status.

Now you know.

South Africa is rich in diverse cultures and people. isiZulu is one of the most common languages in South Africa, closely followed by Afrikaans, isiXhosa, siSwati, Sesotho, Xitsonga, Sepedi, isiNdebele, Setswana, Tshivenda, and English. (English is South Africa's language of commerce, science, politics, and the media.)

South Africa is known for its music rich in rhythm and beats, especially the Amapiano sound, which has taken the global music industry by storm. Amapiano, loosely translated, means "the pianos" in Zulu.

Amapiano mixes deep house, jazz, and lounge music infused with synths, airy pads, and expansive percussive basslines. The country's rich culture is reflected in its music, food, and mode of dressing.

Away from the music scene, South Africa also boasts a diversely unique cuisine unlike any in the world. The food is a fusion of many different external cultural influences. These include Dutch, French, Indian, and Malaysian flavors and techniques that continue to make their way onto the menus of South African restaurants and into the homes of locals all over the country.

Source: Iconic Food

Source: South-Africa-and-apartheid

Tourism in South Africa

South Africa is home to one of Africa’s largest tourist hubs.

The tourism industry is a major contributor to the South African economy, and it also contributes largely to job creation. The sector contributes about 9% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

Major tourist attractions like The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront attract about 24 million visitors yearly. Not to mention other beautiful adventures, ranging from wildlife to the beautiful scenery, South Africa has much to discover.

1. Kruger National Park, Limpopo/Mpumalanga

South Africa is known for preserving wildlife.

Kruger National Park, one of the largest national parks in the world and South Africa's first National Park, attracts about two million visitors annually.

Kruger National Park sets the pace for other parks, offering a wildlife experience that ranks among the best in the world.

This park is located in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, west of the Lebombo Mountains on the Mozambique border.

Kruger National Park offers the best access to wildlife in their natural habitat, a rare sight in today's world, and fuses nature with historical and archaeological sites.

It is rare to find a place as rich in history as Kruger National Park. Africa's safari species like lion, elephant, cheetah, leopard, buffalo, rhino, hippo, giraffe, and zebra thrive here.

Source: Kruger National park

2. V&A Waterfront, Western Cape

Imagine having a mountain as a backdrop, but the mountain is real this time. This is what the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront offers tourists.

Set in the oldest working harbor in the Southern Hemisphere, this is considered the most visited tourist attraction in South Africa.

This facility offers tourists everything they need, from residential to commercial property, including hotels, retail districts, dining, leisure and entertainment facilities, heritage sites, and tourism landmarks.

If you are looking for beautiful scenery surrounded by nature at its finest, V&A is the place to go.

Source: CITY PASS

The Future of Tourism in South Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the South African tourism industry.

Even amidst the pandemic, people still need to travel and see the world. Tourism holds a promising future for South Africa, especially its numerous tourist attraction sites.

The tourism sector has suffered no doubt with the travel restrictions and the new Covid variants, but the tourism sector will keep finding innovative ways to bounce back and recover.

With the lockdown ease, it can be said that South Africa will keep attracting tourists and boosting the country's economy.

Whether as a tourist guide or a tourist working remotely, it is essential to learn how to navigate and utilize your skill sets to be relevant in any chosen career path.

This is why Black On The Job exists, to help highlight the skills of Black People and provide guidance through career coaching, interview prep, and other exciting professional improvement services.

Need help navigating your career options? Book a career coaching appointment with Black On The Job today.