BLOGGING THE VIEW: 10 Fun facts about South Africa to celebrate Tourism & Heritage Month

September is a special month in Mzansi!

We celebrate both Tourism Month and Heritage Month, which means it’s the perfect time to reflect on what makes South Africa such a great destination. From our rich cultural traditions in Zululand to the breath-taking scenery across the country, there’s no shortage of reasons to be proud.

Here are 10 fun facts about South Africa…

1. We have 12 official languages

We are truly the Rainbow Nation, and this is recognised by our 12 official languages – the newest addition being South African Sign Language. IsiZulu leads the way as the most spoken home language while isiXhosa has gained international recognition as the language of Wakanda in Marvel’s Black Panther movies!

2. Wildlife on our doorstep

From vervet monkeys swinging through our trees to penguins waddling along Cape Town’s Boulder’s Beach, South Africa is a wildlife wonderland. On land, we boast the famous Big 5 – among many, many other iconic wildlife – with 2,500kms of coastline teeming with sharks, whales, dolphins, and more.

3. The Cradle of Humankind

Some of the earliest human fossils, more than 2 million years old, were discovered at the Sterkfontein Caves near Johannesburg. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important places in the world for studying human origins.

4. One country, many landscapes

Whether you want to hike the Drakensberg, explore the Karoo Desert, sip wine in the Cape, or laze on our beaches, South Africa has it all – mountains, forests, savannas, deserts, and coastlines.

5. The world’s longest wine route

We’re famous for our wine, with over 2 000 wineries! Route 62 is the world’s longest wine route, stretching 850km through picturesque towns and valleys.

6. 3 capital cities, 1 country

Unlike any other country, we have 3 capital cities – sharing in the heritage and joy that makes this such a vibrant country. Cape Town is our legislative capital, Pretoria is our administrative capital, and Bloemfontein is our judicial capital. For those of us in the know, KZN is really the tourism capital as well!

7. Nobel Peace Prize winners

Not only do we have 4 Nobel Peace Prize winners – two of them actually lived on the SAME street! Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both resided on the now-famous Vilakazi Street in Soweto – the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners. Today, it’s a vibrant heritage site where visitors can walk in the footsteps of giants.

8. The world’s first heart transplant

Our very own Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first successful heart transplant in Cape Town in 1967 – a medical milestone that put South Africa on the map for innovation.

9. The highest jump

Bloukrans Bridge on the Garden Route is home to one of the highest commercial bungee jumps in the world at 216 metres. This is not for the faint-hearted, but definitely one for the brave!

10. Ancient mountains

Cape Town’s Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world, estimated at 260 to 600 million years old. It’s also one of the New 7 Natural Wonders, with thousands of plant species found nowhere else.

Bonus Fact: Did you know Johannesburg is home to the biggest man-made forest in the world, with over 10 million trees?

This Tourism and Heritage Month, take some time to explore South Africa – starting right here in Zululand. From the rolling hills of Eshowe to the wildlife-rich Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, there are endless treasures waiting to be discovered.

SOURCES: www.expatexplore.com | www.sagoodnews.co.za | www.rusticpathways.com

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