The top photograph shows reenactment of traditional Zulu life at the Shakaland Zulu Cultural Village, north of the city of Durban. The village is built on the set of the television series
Shaka Zulu. Today the village is used as a showcase of traditional tribal life, staffed by guides and dosents in traditional attire. Visitors may visit traditional huts and other structures in a Zulu village, drink traditional beer, watch dancing, and listen to Zulu folklore and history.
There are many cultural villages like this throughout South Africa. Visitors may also tour Soweto and other traditionally black townships, visiting people's homes and
shebeens (informal bars that sometimes also serve food and where some of South Africa's best live jazz may be heard).
Roadside and sidewalk stands like the one in the lower photograph sell African beadwork, carvings, textiles, and other curios. They are ubiquitous throughout the country. Visitors are encouraged to support these vendors, because tourism is often their only source of income.
Tourism is regarded as one of the best ways to generate incomes for South Africans, particularly alongside the nature reserves. Supporting the local handicraft industry provides an incentive to safeguard the wilderness from poaching and development, a growing challenge throughout Africa.
Read more
stories about South Africa.
See todays top
news stories.
Shakaland
Photograph courtesy South African Tourism