South Africa Blog

A site I always enjoy spending time on is the http:ZAR.co.za site. Authored and created by two South Africans, they have collected an amazing amount of information about South Africa and her people, which they are obviously very proud to share. From interesting facts and trivia that are known or not so well known about South Africa to statistics on population, growth, economy, languages, religion, provinces, capitals etc.

My personal favourite section of this site is a section on notable South Africans: “Meet some of the people that helped inspire a nation to greater heights. Some are tragedies, some are the stuff of legends …” (see this section at: http://zar.co.za/bio.htm). Here you will find bios on famous South Africans such as our beloved Nelson Mandela as well as Desmond Tutu, Miriam Makeba, Prof Chris Barnard, Olive Schreiner, Charlize Theron – and many, many more well know South Africans. Written in a style that is easy to read and interesting at the same time, I often spend a few hours reading these bios and learning even more about people who make me proud to be South African!

A nice touch on the site is their Quiz section. Do the “South African Slang” quiz – words we use every day such as Yebo! “vrot” and “aikona” – with explanations of their origination and meaning – well done. (I scored 86% – seems I need to brush up on my slang!). Other quizzes you can do (they only take a few minutes) is a Who’s Who? And geography quiz. (Geography is not my strongest point so I’ve saved this one for a day when I feel like learning something!).

Go to http://zar.co.za/sound.htm and listens to “Sounds of South Africa”. Includes animal sounds and bird calls, some of our languages and another favourite – Music. Listen to Mandoza, the Johannesburg African Choir, the famous Drakensberg Boys Choir, our South African Anthem “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” amongst others.

This is a site for all South Africans – and I love it!
Visit the site at: http:ZAR.co.za

Songs of Hope at the Desmond Tutu 75th Birthday Bash Concert:
Media release: 28 November 2006 Issued by Marlene Truter Communications

South African super band Freshlyground will be joined live on stage by jazz legend Vusi Mahlasela for a benefit concert at Spier on Thursday, 07 December 2006.

The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation have teamed up with Freshlyground, winners of the Best African Act at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards, and Mahlasela to raise funds for the non profit organisation’s community sites in the Guguletu and Masiphumelele townships.

In particular, the concert marks the start of a campaign to raise funds for the Kethuphila Youth Centre to be built at Masiphumelele. This youth centre will bring new hope and opportunities for the young people of Masiphumelele.

This celebration of South African musical talent and Desmond Tutu’s 75th birthday gives music lovers the opportunity to support the Foundation in their efforts to bring hope to people living with HIV.

The Desmond Tutu 75th Birthday Bash Concert is part of the Spier African Arts Music Festival. Tickets cost R 170.00 per person.

For more information log on to www.computicket.com or www.spierarts.org.za or call the Spier Box Office on tel. 021 809 1111.

Plettenberg Bay may be a small town, but there are so many exciting things to do there. I had never really spent much time in Plettenberg Bay. This time round, I decided to stay a while …

Plettenberg Bay is absolutely exquisite and lush boasting large lagoons and a stunning coastline. I decided to surprise my husband with a weekend away so we stayed in a gorgeous place known as Bitou River Lodge. All the rooms in this luxury Bed & Breakfast overlook the Bitou River, and canoes are provided for guests to explore the wetland area with its wonderful birdlife. After we arrived we decided to get a few more snacks and go for dinner at a place that I went to when I was a child. Plettenberg Bay is a small town so we did not expect to find a shopping mall. However, we came across 2 large shopping malls both boasting all amenities and fantastic restaurants.

We headed off for dinner to Moby Dick’s situated right on the beautiful beach. This place definitely boasts the best seafood! As my husband and I feasted on a delectable platter of prawns, muscles, fish and calamari, we were so surprised at how many whales and dolphins we could watch that were close to the shoreline. It was incredible! That is when we decided to go whale and dolphin watching the next day. I had always wanted to go whale watching so I was utterly thrilled at the idea!

The Southern Right Whales migrate their way to the magnificent South African coastline every year to mate, calve and feast. Most can be seen along the Western Cape and especially in Plettenberg Bay. The best time to go whale watching is between July and October.

As we clothed ourselves with scarves and bini’s, my husband realised that he gets very seasick. But we could not resist going! We jumped on the boat with 3 other couples and our guide, named Lindsay, informed us of what was in store. As the boat sped its way into the waves, we prepared for the splash! The sea was rather angry that day. Whenever the boat stopped, it would give way to the giant swells causing it to go up and down. I was the only one, of course, thoroughly enjoying myself and practically hanging off the edge of the boat whilst everyone else was clinging to their seat for dear lives! When I turned around, I could see my husband’s face go green. Until, we saw them. 2 whales up close and personal in all their glory! What an awesome sight! It is almost as if the world stops as you admire these endearing creatures. They even breached for us making a rather large splash! I had never thought I would ever see a whale do that. It is a spectacular sight that you mostly witness on postcards. This time, I got to see it for myself. We had the fantastic opportunity to witness at least 6 whales that day.

Dinner and breakfast was spent at a restaurant in the Beacon Isle Hotel situated right on the rocks in the sea. As we feasted on our delectable steak that evening and stuffed ourselves the next morning on the buffet breakfast, we could watch the wave’s crash on the rocks and splash up against the windows! What a perfect way to enjoy our meals.

Plettenberg Bay boasts a large number of superb curio shops where a vast array of interesting and beautiful things can be bought. We made our way to “The Heath’ as we do every year. The Heath has a fantastic restaurant, a completely unique furniture shop and superb curio shop where luxurious handmade loofah soaps can be bought. The next stop was ‘The Potter’ where the most beautiful pottery can be bought.

Our weekend getaway was spectacular! I was so glad that I chose Plettenberg Bay to surprise my husband and simply relax and unwind. On the way back, we stopped at Monkeyland and Birds of Eden. That became another adventure all on its own, I’ll tell you about that next time!

Related Links:
Find Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay Map
More info about Plettenberg Bay

Situated in the Eastern Cape, Katberg and Hogsback is a magnificent oasis in the middle of nowhere. The trip to Katberg is exquisite. Our first stop on the way there is the Nagga farm. Here, some of the tastiest roostekoek, biscuits and juices can be bought. There is a bunny farm where the children like to visit and large open fields ideal for picnicking.

En route to Hogsback we passed through Fort Beaufort. Fort Beaufort is a really small, but beautiful town. It is situated right next to a valley and is rather lush during the rainfall seasons. There is only one traffic Light in the entire town!

Hogsback is truly exquisite! It is well known for beautiful tall mountains, lush forests, towering waterfalls and of course, the hogs. Hiking in this area is a must! Popular hikes will take you to spectacular waterfalls and over mountains through lush forests. Hogsback is a little village and therefore ideal for just relaxing and unwinding. There are a few superb stores and farms where beautiful pottery and furniture can be bought. If you visit this area, you just have to buy a decorated hog carved out of mud. The views and scenery in Hogsback are exquisite and the entire village is peaceful. So if you’re feeling stressed and need a getaway in a relaxing, peaceful and beautiful place, choose Hogsback.

Recommended Accommodation in Hogsback:
Bubuhle Self-Catering Cottages in Hogsback is a quiet romantic retreat situated high in the mists of the Amatola Mountains. Bubuhle is a 15-acre property in its own valley with a perennial tumbling stream and wetland. They offer two self-catering cottages: Hadeda Cottage which sleeps 4 and Heron Cottage which sleeps 2. Click for additional info about Bubuhle: Bubuhle, Hogsback

Related Links:
Eastern Cape Destinations & Attractions
South Africa Attractions & Highlights