(This post, written by Rumit Mehta of Immersion Journeys and Hello Yebo Tours, was originally posted on the Hello Yebo site.)
Describing a typical South African is like describing a polka-dotted fish. There is no right answer, because an answer is non-existent. The varieties, colours, and cultures of the people of South Africa make us all truly unique as a nation.
But if there is one common trait that I believe is visible in the everyday life of all South Africans, it is that we are very friendly people. Whether it is the small child who walks five kilometers to school every day, the road worker who waves his flag in the 30-degree (C) sun, or the teller at your local supermarket, you will always be greeted with a smile, a wave, or a friendly nod.
South Africa is divided into various regions thatnot only differ greatly in surroundings, climate, nature, food, and culture, but also in language. We have 11 official languages, and yes, there are a few moments whilst travelling out of your home comfort, where you might give the famous blank stare at your fellow African. We really sometimes do not understand the words our fellow countrymen speak, but sometimes not being able to speak the language doesn’t mean that you don’t understand what is being said.
As a local living in the Rainbow Nation of South Africa, you might encounter the nervous times where you might to have try to politely skip the meal that a farmer’s wife prepared for you the whole morning, when you see the sheep’s head on the table. Or you might just gracefully take a bite of a Northern Sotho’s brew, whilst knowing that its main ingredient is Mopani worms. This is all part of our cultures, our life as South Africans, us being so diverse, but still one nation.
I end my blog today with a famous quote from Dr. Desmond Tutu: “Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realize our need of one another.”
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