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South Africa’s Comrades Marathon

The Comrades Marathon is the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon. Run between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg – with “up” and “down” runs alternating – the 89km Comrades attracts over 20 000 local and international competitors every year.

The Comrades was first run in 1921, the brainchild of World War I veteran Vic Clapham. He wanted to commemorate his wartime comrades – hence the race’s name – but he struggled to find support for it, as many thought the distance was impossible to run.

Apart from a five-year period during World War II, the race has been staged ever since – and every year, thousands of participants prove Clapham’s detractors wrong.

Various medals are awarded to runners who finish within the 12-hour cut-off time, depending on their times, with gold medals going to the first 10 finishers.

(via Comrades Marathon 2015 in pictures – Blog – South African Tourism)

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Hot- air ballooning in South Africa

A hot air balloon ride is a lot more than an all-encompassing vantage point from which to view the world below. It’s also about the before-dawn arrival on site, the inflation process, the gentle lift-off and a tree-skimming, skyward-soaring journey.

If you haven’t already given it a try, add ballooning to your bucket list today. The only requirement is that you are able to climb into the basket and stand for around an hour.

The flight path of your balloon depends on the wind and weather, and there are a number of destinations across South Africa that offer this exhilarating activity.

“Bill Harrop’s ‘Original’ Balloon Safaris flies in the beautiful Magalies River Valley, an area that boasts some of the best hot-air ballooning weather in the world!

“Enjoy top-class facilities and an unbelievable experience with South Africa’s longest established balloon airline – this is an absolute ‘must-do’,” says Sarah Bauling, of Harrop’s.

In the Free State, take a flight over the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site, or over Clarens and the foothills of the Maluti mountains. In the Northern Cape, red sand dunes of the Kalahari over a blue desert sky offer a beautiful alternative.

In the Mpumalanga Lowveld, drift over the foothills of the northern Drakensberg, or go game spotting over private game reserves in Limpopo or the Pilanesberg National Park, in the North West province.

(via Photo essay: Hot-air ballooning over South Africa – Blog – South African Tourism)

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Modjadji, the Rain Queen

For two centuries the Balobedu people of Limpopo province have been ruled by the Modjadji, or Rain Queen, in Africa’s only matrilineal dynasty.

“I trust and believe in my queen’s rainmaking powers,” says Moshakge Nerwick Molokwane, Secretary to the Balobedu Royal Council.

From about 1600 to 1800, the Balobedu were ruled over by kings, where the line of succession passed from the king to his eldest son. But one of the kings, Mokoto, chose to teach his daughter the secrets of rainmaking. It is the will of the ancestors that whoever knows the secrets of rainmaking should be the ruler of the Balobedu, and this daughter therefore became the first Modjadji, and queen of the Balobedu.

The line of succession has since passed from mother to daughter, with one exception where the Modjadji was barren, and the title passed to the daughter of one of the Modjadji’s “wives” (who are more like ladies in waiting).

The royal kraal of the Mojadji is situated near a cycad forest, now a protected area called the Modjadji Cycad Reserve. The surrounding area (north of Tzaneen) is dry, but the forest is in a small mist belt with a wetter microclimate. This is the only pure cycad tree forest in southern Africa and one species, the Modjadji cycad, is only found in this area.

The last Rain Queen, Makobo, died in 2005, and as her daughter Masalanabo is not yet 21, her uncle, Prince Mpapatla, rules as regent in her stead. He is the first male to lead the Balobedu in two centuries.

Masalanabo may well become the next rain Rain Queen when she comes of age. However, there is some controversy about whether she should be queen, because her father is a commoner.

(via The misty, magical story of Modjadji, the Rain Queen – Blog – South African Tourism)

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Liliesleaf: Farming for Freedom

“I naturally found Rivonia an ideal place for the man who lived the life of an outlaw. Up to that time I had been compelled to live indoors during the daytime and could only venture out under cover of darkness. But at Liliesleaf, I could live differently and work far more efficiently.” - Nelson Mandela, in his opening statement during the Rivonia Treason Trial, 20 April 1964

In the early 1960s the Johannesburg suburb of Rivonia was agricultural land - and where one of the most important places in the struggle against apartheid was situated: Liliesleaf Farm.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) purchased the property in August 1961 to use as a headquarters and a safe house for the struggle against the apartheid government. For the next two years it was a meeting and hiding place for leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) and its armed wing, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), including its first leader, Nelson Mandela.

Mandela, who was on the run from the authorities and living under the assumed name of David Motsamayi, found Liliesleaf to be a sanctuary. But he was not there when the security police raided the farm on 11 July 1963, and arrested several of the liberation struggle’s most important leaders; he was already in prison, having been arrested in a roadblock on 5 August 1962.

The Liliesleaf Farm Museum opened its doors in 2008. Visitors can take virtual tour of the farm and watch material relating to the history of MK and the ANC through experiential digital applications. The museum is an award-winning heritage site for tourists to enjoy, and learn about South Africa’s struggle for freedom.

(via Liliesleaf Farm - the place where the ANC was compromised – South African Tourism)

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Food, art and entertainment: the Maboneng Precinct provides a home for authentic African culture

Every great city has an area with an electrifying buzz that stimulates mind and soul. The Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg’s city centre is home to a vibrant, cosmopolitan community – and everyone is invited to enjoy its offerings.

Maboneng, which means “place of light” in Sotho, is embodied by the hundreds of culture-enthused residents who give the precinct its air of youthful exuberance.

Bronwyn Neustetter lives in Maboneng with her family, and can't say enough about how they're enjoying the good life: “It’s within walking distance of shops, many restaurants and bars; the theatre and cinema show cutting-edge South African productions; and it has numerous galleries and cultural hot spots.”

The stylish apartments have that distinct inner-city feel, and new housing developments seem to spring up every year.

Arts on Main is a multi-purpose venue that hosts food markets, fashion shows, art exhibitions and so much more. Aspirant and established artists are encouraged to use the studio spaces, and there are offices for those in retail and commerce.

Every few metres one encounters an unexpected surprise, such as the Bioscope independent cinema house, the POPArt Theatre, an authentically African fashion store, or a lively bar and restaurant. The area is alive with the energy of a multi-cultural metropolis.  

Maboneng is far more than a place to call home. Everyone who passes through gets the opportunity to experience myriad eclectic tastes, sights and sounds. And as its infectious spirit spreads to the surrounding areas, we can be sure that the best is yet to come.

(via The Maboneng Precinct; pioneering Jo'burg’s inner-city way of life. – South African Tourism)

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Turtle tracking in KwaZulu-Natal

Increasing numbers of loggerhead and leatherback turtles return every few years to nest within the confines of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site, on the north-eastern coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

It is here, as they follow their generations-old ritual, that visitors are afforded a rare glimpse of these magnificent creatures that otherwise never leave their ocean home.

To see massive turtles make their way laboriously up the beach, dig a hole with their flippers, lay their eggs, carefully cover up their nest, camouflage the site and return to the ocean is a truly unforgettable experience. What makes it doubly so is the fact that the loggerhead is listed as vulnerable and the leatherback as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

From around mid-November to early February, every two to three years, female turtles return to their birthplace to lay their eggs on the beaches adjacent to Kosi Bay, Lake Sibaya, St Lucia and Sodwana Bay.

According to Jone Porter, Director: Education at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research, “Only one or two of every thousand hatchlings makes it to adulthood, so Marine Protected Areas like those adjoining the iSimangaliso Wetland Park play a vital role in the conservation of these species.”

Locate turtle tour operators and discover more about turtles here: http://www.southafrica.net/blog/en/posts/entry/turtle-tracking-along- kwazulu-natals-elephant-coast

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Explore our evolutionary roots at the Cradle of Humankind

Have you ever wondered how human beings evolved? The clues are all around us, but one place in particular is a treasure trove of fossils that point to our ancient ancestry. The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage Site situated just outside Johannesburg, and it has an amazing story to tell.

It was in 1947 that the skull of an ancient hominid (human ancestor) was discovered in Sterkfontein, a series of caves that form an important part of the Cradle of Humankind. The skull was dubbed Mrs Ples, and it sparked a new wave of research into human evolution.

The same caves produced an even more impressive find in 1997: a near- complete skeleton of a young hominid that had fallen through a hole and crashed to its death. It was named Little Foot, and was found to belong to the same species as Mrs Ples (Australopithecus africanus).

Not far from Sterkfontein lies another cave structure called Malapa. It was here that a young boy stumbled on yet another fossil, this time belonging to an entirely new species (Australopithecus sediba). Recent expeditions have revealed that the Malapa caves contain a wealth of fossils that will continue to shed light on the unravelling human story.

It took millions of years for our species to evolve through small, incremental changes. “That’s why there is so much interest surrounding fossil finds,” says Lyndsay Marshall, the curator of the museum at the Maropeng Visitor Centre, located within the Cradle of Humankind. “They are pieces to the puzzle of our species and its history.”

(via Maropeng Visitor Centre, Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng – South African Tourism)

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Skiing in South Africa

Snow isn’t something one normally associates with South Africa but yes, it does fall in the higher-lying areas of the southern Drakensberg mountains. If you are an adventure enthusiast and a bit of an adrenaline junkie, this place should be right up your alley.

At a whopping 2 720m above sea level, Tiffendell Ski and Alpine Resort is only 800km away from Johannesburg, approximately seven to eight hours drive.

Snow is not always guaranteed, but not to worry: Tiffendell is able to produce its own snow and thus ski season runs every year from the end of May to the end of August. Ski hire, as well as professional lessons, are available for kids and adults.

Apres Ski is an aspect of this experience enjoyed by everyone, and one you won’t want to miss out on.

Brace yourself for the icy-cold Eastern Cape Highlands and enjoy a fun-filled skiing weekend with friends and family, white-covered mountain slopes, warm and cozy log cabins, blazing indoor fires, comfort food and plenty of glühwein on tap to keep you warm.

Read more here: Go skiing in South Africa – Blog – South African Tourism)

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For the love of braaiing

For South Africans everywhere, in cooking terms, the braai (barbecue) is our national pastime and we love any excuse to light one. If there’s one thing that unites all South Africans (other than sport), it’s a braai.

From the latest gas cookers to a wood fire and a shovel, South Africans can braai anytime, anywhere – and they’ll braai anything from a lamb chop to a crayfish to perfection.

Jan Scannell, aka Jan Braai, is the man behind the National Braai Day initiative, a revolution to unite 50-million people each year on 24 September, South Africa’s  Heritage Day and an annual day of celebration for all.

Jan attempted his biggest feat yet, a quest to break a Guinness World Record – all in the name of braaiing. Find out what he did, and whether or not he succeeded.

Read more here: http://www.southafrica.net/blog/en/posts/entry/braai-the-beloved-country

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Namaqualand’s spring flowers

The Fynbos Guy, aka Dominic Chadbon, best describes the phenomenon of Namaqualand’s spring blooms …

“The Namaqualand flowers are one of Nature's greatest floral extravagances. From out of parched desert earth come carpets of colour, transforming the landscape for a precious few winter weeks. Get your timing right, hold thumbs for sunshine and prepare to be dazzled!”

The Northern Cape province features five flower regions – Diamond Fields, Karoo, Green Kalahari, Kalahari and Namaqua, the latter being the most popular and spectacular.

To get tourists to the sometimes-outlying arid areas where the flowers manifest, provincial tourism organisations have laid on a number of self-drive routes.

In their full splendour more than 3 000 plant species can be viewed, half of which are indigenous to the region.

Blooming in concert with the Namaqualand flowers are those along the West Coast flower route, where arum lilies, white daisies, yellow button daisies, blue flax and pink nemesias may be enjoyed, along with hidden gems like wine cups, sparaxis and lechenalia.

Read more here: http://www.southafrica.net/blog/en/posts/entry/fields-of-colour-the-west-coast-and-namaqua-flower-routes

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3 … 2 … 1 … get zipping!

What used to be a way in which scientists studied treetops in rainforests in Central America, has become a popular tourist activity in South Africa.

Like a real-life Tarzan or Jane, you can glide from one platform to the next at one of several zipline or canopy tours across the country. The platforms are usually built around tree trunks or rock ledges in mountainous areas. Because the cables vary in length, height and angle, the speed at which you glide also changes.

Carina van Wyk, who has done the Drakensberg Canopy Tour, says: “Although some of the platforms were as high as 60m, you’re safely strapped in a harness. All you have to do is to lift your feet and off you go.”    

According to Stuart Buchanan, who has done the Cape Town Zipline Tour, the sudden rush of exhilaration and speed is fantastic. “Sure, you're high up in the air, but the harness feels secure, and your forward momentum takes away any initial fear of heights that may strike you.”

Read more here and go to SA Forest Adventures and Canopy Tours South Africa to take a look at the available options.

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Beer, beautiful beer

“Craft beer is a growing trend all over the world and South Africa is no exception,” says SAB’s chief brewer, Martin Brooks. “We have been sponsoring craft brewing festivals in the country for as long as they have been around, because we believe they are the perfect platform to expose the public to the many different styles of beer available in the country.”

The crest of the South African craft beer wave continues to rise.

New breweries and vibrant beer festivals are popping up around the country at a rapid rate, outlets are selling an increasing variety of great local and international beers, while foodies and restaurateurs are quickly realising that beer is the new wine when it comes to food pairing.

“We’re in the midst of a craft revolution,” says Randolf Jorberg of the popular Beerhouse franchise, which offers patrons 99 different local and imported beers, 25 of those on tap.

For Randolf and many other keen beer enthusiasts, educating the public on what makes each brew different has become an important undertaking – helping transform a vast majority of “beerginners” into beer experts.

Beer aficionado, writer and BJCP-accredited judge Lucy Corne (also known by her online persona, the Brew Mistress) lists more than 100 established breweries and about 35 start-ups in her new book, Beer Safari, showing just how quickly the market has evolved. And it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Such is the scope of South Africa’s growing craft beer landscape that the South African Breweries Limited (SAB), our main brewery, has taken note and even ventured into the market itself through its revived No 3. Fransen Street brewery. 

Read more here: Riding the crest of a craft-beer wave – Blog – South African Tourism)

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Surf spots in South Africa

More than 3 000km of coastline, sunny weather and beautiful waves have blessed South Africa with a wide range of ideal surfing options.

The west coast of the country is washed by the cold Atlantic Ocean, which generally equates to big surf and wetsuits at places such as Kommetjie’s Long Beach. There are, however, places like Muizenberg, where conditions are consistently small and conducive to mastering the art.

Close to Knysna, on the celebrated Garden Route, you’ll find Buffels Bay, a point and reef break with consistent waves.

South Africa’s premier surf spot is Jeffrey’s Bay in the Eastern Cape province. This is a consistent, long right break with great tube-riding conditions.

Durban, aka Surf City, features a Golden Mile of perfect, safe beaches tucked in between a series of piers, all with consistent beach breaks capable of holding sizeable winter swell and summer cyclone swell. Down the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal you might try Amanzimtoti, Scottburgh, St Michaels or Margate, while up north Umhlanga and Ballito are best.

For those in search of massive waves, South Africa has its own hotspot called Dungeons, which is reached by boat or jetski from Hout Bay, Cape Town. Dungeons comes into its own during winter storm surf conditions in the Cape which cause a 15- to 30-foot swell to form a wave that breaks over a shallow reef.

Apart from surfing, there are as many windsurfing, jetskiing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing, kayaking, bodysurfing, stand-up paddling and swimming beaches from which to choose.

Read more here: http://www.southafrica.net/blog/en/posts/entry/Sublime-surfing-in-South-Africa