The extensive diversity of South African culture

From the traditional Zulu culture of KwaZulu-Natal to the Dutch influence of the Cape, South African culture offers a fascinating insight into a variety of traditions that span numerous centuries.

Dutch influence arrived in the country with the arrival of South African pioneer, Jan Van Riebeck of the Dutch East India Company in present day Cape Town. This cultural influence may be found around the numerous wine farms and villages that scatter the eastern Cape Province in the form of buildings and other housing developments.

The history of the Zulu people can be traced back to the 19 century, where Shaka Zulu led his Impi’s to victory over many tribal nations, amalgamating them under his reign and thus creating a huge nation which came to settle in northern KwaZulu-Natal, called Zululand.

Many of the customs, traditions and culture that epitomised Shaka’s reign still remain the cornerstone of the Zulu people, and each year the Zulu nation celebrates its heritage which they commemorate their hero and founder, as well as revive their cultural traditions.

A strong Victorian culture may be found in Pietermaritzburg and Midlands interior, in KwaZulu-Natal. The city began as a Voortrekker creation on South African soil, but rapidly became a centre of British influence. This change took place as a result of military dominance, diplomatic negotiation and economic activity, and as a result, Victorian culture dominated in Natal.

The Voortrekker culture traces back to the late 1830’s, where Piet Retief and Gert Maritz led a group of settles, escaping British rule in the Cape Province, into KwaZulu-Natal and the Transvaal. The journey took them over the Drakensberg and into unchartered territory where they withstood great adversity in both weather and war. From 1838 until the end of the 19th century, the Afrikaner were involved in numerous battles with both the Zulu and British Nations. It is the plight of the Voortrekker that has given birth to the strong traditions and cultural beliefs amongst the Afrikaans community of the South African nation.

For the international traveller, South African culture offers a unique opportunity to experience this countries great diversity, one that spans an entire country, from the Cape Province in the South to Zululand and Mpumalanga in the North. Besides the highly popular Zulu Cultural tours and safaris available into Shakaland and other northern regions of Zululand, there are numerous other cultural, wilderness and traditional tours and safaris available, which all offer an in-depth look into the offerings of the many unique South African cultures and their colourful history.