[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Because South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas comes in the summer. Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. In December, the southern summer brings glorious days of sunshine that carry an irresistible invitation to the beaches, the rivers, and the shaded mountain slopes. [/dropcap]
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] If you’re overwhelmed by the amount of great places to see in South Africa, we are here to guide you in the right direction. There are a lot of places you can go sight seeing in South Africa. Here’s our round-up of South Africa’s top attractions, all of which are a must-see. [/dropcap]
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]Africa has a wealth of safari and wildlife holiday opportunities for those seeking to experience nature and wildlife at its peak. Whether you go deep bush in Etosha National Park or follow the big cats in the Maasai Mara, a trip into the wilderness will touch your hearts and souls. These top destinations are redefining the African safari, start planning your safari holiday now. [/dropcap]Continue reading
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]African textiles are known for their hand-made quality, bright hues and distinct patterns that carries meaning with them. There are so many types of African textile that we tend to call ankara today, not knowing they are not ankara because they are made of different patterns. So here are some of African textiles.[/dropcap]Continue reading
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]For couple looking for solitude after their big day, South Africa honeymoon is the best place to stay in Africa. South Africa has a number of exotic locations where you can spend your honeymoon. From fine dining splendour to a camp-inspired suite with spectacular safari views to forest hideaways and grand hotel lobbies and pools, you’re guaranteed a luxurious stay for each day no matter which place you choose.[/dropcap]
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] The formal name for shwe shwe is ‘Indigo-dyed discharge printed fabric’. It is said that the indigo cloth arrived in Africa more than 2000 years ago, used as trade goods by the Arabs and Indians. But it really kicked off in South Africa when German settlers introduced it to the Xhosa people in the mid-1800s. The Xhosa women took a look at these wondrous bolts of cloth, fell in love with the shwe shwe fabric and made it their own.[/dropcap]
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]Lere Mgayiya is the owner of Africa’s biggest shoe shining business. He was a flight boarding cards distributor, which he later quit to start selling eggs. His story is one of determination, hard work and reward.[/dropcap]Continue reading
South Africa’s national anthem is a combined version of “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” and “The Call of South Africa” composed by Enoch Sontonga in 1897 and CJ Langenhoven in 1918. The combined version became South Africa’s official national anthem in 1997.
It is the only national anthem that starts in one key and ends in another. The lyrics are written South Africa’s most populous official languages – isiXhosa, isiZulu, seSotho, Afrikaans and English. The first stanza of the anthem is written in Xhosa and Zulu, the second stanza is written in Sesotho while the last two stanza are written in Afrikaans and English.
Lord bless Africa
May her glory be lifted high
Hear our petitions
Lord bless us, your children
Lord we ask You to protect our nation
Intervene and end all conflicts
Protect us, protect our nation
Protect South Africa, South Africa
Out of the blue of our heavens
Out of the depths of our seas
Over our everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.
Source: http://www.southafrica.info/
South African Street Food: Bunny Chow. No one knows how bunny chow came to be named, but what is certain is that this hollowed-out half- or quarter-loaf of white bread filled with a blistering-hot curry is one of South Africa’s most treasured street foods.
Bunny chow became popular in South Africa in the 19th century where some Indian labourers who worked in a sugar-cane field brought it with them. The Indian laborers brought the meat and vegetable curries that fill bunny chows to South Africa. The dish is an essential in Durban, the seaside epicentre of South Africa’s ethnic Indian community. This South African Street Food: Bunny Chow has certainly made a name for itself.
If you don’t go to Table Mountain, you haven’t been to Cape Town,” said Nelson Nundoo, whose family has operated Oriental, a local Indian restaurant, for three decades. “If you don’t eat a bunny, you haven’t been to Durban.
The travelling table mentioned that ordering bunnies in South Africa has it’s protocol. If you are looking for the best place to eat, ask for where to find ‘bunnies’, not bunny chow. When ordering ask for the size and type of meat…quarter mutton, not mentioning bunnies at all.
The best bunnies contain more meat than potatoes and employ bread that is soft and fresh enough to let the sauce soak deep into the bottom crust. The spice mix—which typically includes cumin, turmeric, fennel and cardamom—should be complex but not so fiery that it sends you reeling. The best bunnies come from Durban.
If you are ever visiting South Africa, be sure to have a taste of bunny chow…
Recipes for Bunny Chow (culled from thetravellingtable.com)
Serves 4
Prep time 35 minutes
3 tablespoons ghee or butter
1 medium onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 skinless/boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon black mustard seed
1 teaspoon coriander seed
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons mild curry powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 loaf unsliced bread or 4 large rolls
Melt the ghee or butter in a large skillet. Add the onion, garlic and ginger and saute until dark brown. Then add the chicken breast pieces and brown on both sides, followed by the tomato paste and mash around on the bottom of the pan to brown. Put in the spices and toast for a minute or so, stirring constantly. Thereafter, add the chicken stock and vegetables. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked. Turn off the heat and add the coconut milk.
Cut an unsliced load of bread into 4 pieces or cut tops off the rolls. Hollow out the centers and serve the curry in the bread bowl. Place the bread that you have torn out (the virgin) on top.
Article by : Patrick McGroarty
Source for recipe: thetravellingtable.com
Source of picture: https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304858104579262350702040112
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