Another week... another continent! SOUTH AFRICA







Hi ya folks,

Sofia here. I don't know why 'she' has put the photo of her car on this week. Guess she must be missing her baby Bee Gee. Oh boy, have we had a blast down here in Latin America. . . we are tangoing every where. Well, you know what they say. . . IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO!
It has been a very cultural week and we will be sad to leave here but South Africa will be good, we have friends there and are looking forward to visiting Cape Town again. This week, things are going to be different; 'she' says we are going to three places and not just one. . .sounds fun! We are heading down the runway, about to take off. . .bye bye B A. . . hello S A!

1. South Africa, as it's name suggests is the most southerly country on the African continent.

2. Unlike most countries it does not have one capital but three: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative),  Bloemfontein (judicial).

3. The official languages are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

4. The currency is the Rand.

5. It is a Republican country having gained independence from the UK in 1910.

6. Christianity is the main religion.

7.Pretoria is situated in the northern part of the country and is also known as 'Jacaranda City' because of  the flowering trees lining the streets in October and November.

8. Probably two of the most famous names associated with S A are Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.

9. Nelson Mandela was an active anti-apartheid man, arrested and imprisoned on Robben Island for 27 years before being released in 1990. He became the first black President of S A from 1994-1999.

10. Desmond Tutu was also an active anti-apartheid person, who became the first black South African, Archbishop of Cape Town.

11 .Cape Town is located on the south west coast, on the shore of Table Bay and is known as the 'Mother City'.

12. C T is the economic centre of the Western Cape Province; it is S A's second main economic centre and Africa's third main economic hub city. It also has the main harbour and airport in the Province.

13. C T's real estate and construction industry has benefited from S A hosting the 2010 World Cup Finals. Many people bought summer houses or decided to move there permanently.

14. C T is  the most popular tourist city in Africa, not just S A. This is due to both  its good climate and infrastructure.

15. C T  has well-known natural features that attract tourists, the most noted being Table Mountain. It also has beaches and cultural attractions like the Victoria and Albert Waterfront built on top of part of the docks which is the most visited attraction.

16. C T also has an architectural heritage and the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens set in 36 acres of land.

17. C T  has a blooming mining industry and the highest number of successful Information Technology businesses in the continent.

18. It has been named as the most entrepreneurial city in S A with the percentage of 'Capetonians' pursuing business interests being almost three times higher than the national average.

19. Bloemfontein literally translated means 'fountain of flowers'. It is known as the 'city of roses' due to the abundance of roses and the annual flower festival held there.

20. B is situated on dry grassland at an altitude of 1,395 metres above sea level and it is in the central area of S A.


'Wow, Donald, three beautiful cities in one week . . . we are going to have fun... we had better sign off  with one of Desmond Tutu's saying... did you know that those who graduate from our universities with a 2 2, call them Desmonds after him?'
'No, I didn't Sofia, so what are you leaving our good friends with this week?'

Thought for the week: You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you , as you are to them. (Desmond Tutu)