South Africa

South Africa is at the very bottom of Africa And consists of nine provinces, each with its own legislature and council

This is because it is a multi-cultural nation with people of varying backgrounds and cultural diversity. Can you guess how many official languages are spoken in South Africa? 1? 5?… 5?… South Africa’s nickname is “The Rainbow Nation”

South Africa has 11 official languages! Official means approved/ validated or accepted.  English  Afrikaans  Ndebele  Northern Sotho  Sotho  Swazi  Tsonga  Tswana  Venda  Xhosa  Zulu And these are the people who speak them

 English - Hello  Afrikaans – Goeie Dag  Xhosa - Mola  Zulu - Sawubona But everyone usually just says “Howzit!” (How’s it going?)

Jacob Zuma is the President of South Africa

But definitely the most famous past president is Nelson Mandela

Other famous South Africans Actress Charlize Theron Dr. Christiaan Barnard, who performed the first heart- transplant

Other famous South Africans Archbishop Desmond Tutu Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Human Rights Activist J.R.R. Tolkien Author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.

South Africa has 3 capital cities Cape Town, which handles legislature (where laws are made)

Pretoria, executive (where the country is run)

Bloemfontein, judiciary (where the courts are)

Johannesburg is the biggest city in the country, where the most people live (approx. 4,434,827 people)

2010 World Cup Johannesburg

Durban is another well-known South African city, famous for its beaches

South African landmarks Table Mountain, with its level plateau about two miles from side to side.

Kruger National Park

Nelson Mandela Bridge

Sports In South Africa South Africans are very passionate about sports!

Most popular sports in South Africa Rugby (the SA team is called the Springboks) Soccer (Bafana Bafana, which means “Boys, boys”) Cricket (the Proteas)

South African Food Boerewors, like a looooong sausage

South African Food Pap, or Mealie Meal. Kind of like oatmeal made from maize (corn).

South African Food Bunny Chow, half a loaf of bread filled with anything!

South African Food Koeksusters, syrupy sweet twisted donuts Biltong, like beef jerkey

An example of South African high fashion

Some common misconceptions about South Africa Wild animals roam the streets And all people carry swords and spears…

Not true! Wild animals are in game parks and spears (except in rural areas) are saved for fancy dress events

Some Interesting Facts  It takes about a 23-hour flight (direct, one-stop) from Seattle to get to South Africa  One South African Rand is about about 85 US cents

South Africa is the home to African Penguins

and Great White Sharks

The longest river in SA is the Orange River (1,367 miles)

And last but not least, in December 2014, Miss South Africa was crowned Miss World!

The end