'Melting pot' of cultures results in rich tapestry

South Africa is such a melting pot of different cultures and people that it is known around the globe as the "Rainbow Nation." Its more than 46 million people have widely diverse origins, cultures, languages and beliefs, together making a rich tapestry of experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Africans comprise the majority in the nation, with 37.2 million people constituting 79.4 percent of the total population. The white population is estimated at 4.4 million, or 9.3 percent, the colored population at 4.1 million, or 8.8 percent, and Indians and Asians together total 1.1 million people, or 2.5 percent.

While more than three-quarters of South Africa's population is African, they are neither culturally nor linguistically homogenous. Nine of the country's 11 official languages are African, reflecting a variety of tribal and cultural groupings, yet they have a great deal in common - in background, culture and descent.

South Africa's cultural diversity is celebrated in and protected by the constitution, under which the Commission for the Protection and Promotion of Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistics Communities has been established.

The nation's diversity is reflected in exciting experiences and cultural products ranging from travel and literature to cuisine, crafts, dance, music and fine arts.

While traditional forms of culture remain intact in many communities, the exchange of ideas between cultures and between South Africa and the rest of the world, including its African neighbors, has brought forth vibrant and innovative new forms of culture or sub-culture.

South Africa is constantly producing new products and experiences that are finding and winning over international audiences and markets.

Its music, film, theater and literature have been crowned with various international accolades from the Oscars for film to Nobel Prizes for literature. The nation has a growing film industry that is exposing the world to its present-day stories and developments and making the country attractive as a production site for foreign filmmakers.

It also has sophisticated television and radio industries that produce local content and bring a range of international broadcasting - including China's CCTV - to South African audiences through satellite services.

Its fashion industry is developing rapidly, celebrating local culture and offering innovative designs to international buyers, whether they are shoppers or sourcing agents.

As a major international source of gold, diamonds and platinum, South Africa is also experiencing growth in the manufacturing of jewelry and related luxury items.

As South Africa prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2010, major investments are underway to further develop infrastructure.

"Our research has shown that the World Cup in South Africa will generate the highest revenue ever for FIFA in the history of the tournament," says Danny Jordaan, CEO of the SA World Cup committee. "So it is essential that we emphasize this is an African World Cup in the making, but that it will be world class. It is already a commercial success in that it has outperformed any previous World Cup tournament over the past century."

South Africa's cultural diversity and natural beauty make the country a preferred destination for international visitors who are able to reach the country by air, sea or land, using world-class travel infrastructure.

The country offers a range of travel experiences, which take visitors from modern, vibrant cities to culturally distinct communities or vast open spaces of national parks and other natural attractions. Travel options appeal to all classes of visitors, from backpackers to jetsetters who hop from destination to destination in their own, privately chartered aircraft.

Yet wherever they are, visitors are never out of touch with the rest of the world. South Africa has first-world telecommunications infrastructure ranging from landline telephony to cellular networks that enable users to make calls, surf the Internet and exchange e-mail.

But its greatest asset is its people, who are warm and welcoming, helpful, well-informed about their country, and most of all proud of a country that overcame a terribly divisive past to create new opportunities for all her people.

The warmth of the people and the human spirit that allows nearly 50 million visitors to embrace diversity is evident among South Africans of all walks of life, across all levels of society, whose energy and generosity make farewells very difficult and return visits very easy.

Source: Embassy of South Africa

(China Daily 04/24/2008 page18)