Learn About the Countries: South Africa
District
5950-5960 has a long relationship of exchange with South Africa.
Minnesota-Wisconsin students that we send on the long-term program
fall in love with the country–its beauty, its many races and
cultures and the Rotarians who embrace American young people. South
Africa remains as a country in social change–now nearly a decade
into the post-apartheid, all-race democracy. Students who go
typically become involved with their Rotary Club service projects
and can quickly immerse themselves in helping others. We are
currently exchanging with two South Africa Rotary districts--9300
based in Johannesburg and 9270 based in Durban. Past years have seen
one student going each way for a full year.Country Officer
Melanie DeLuca
Places of Interest in South Africa
- Cape Town, Table Mtn., Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned along with other black leaders and activists for change), Cape of Good Hope. All are easily accessible on a Cape Town visit.
- Stellenbosch-noted for both its university and for being the heart of the South African wine country.
- Kruger National Park. This is the largest game sanctuary in the world...and home to the Big Five. Most Rotary students make both a Kruger and Cape Town tour.
- Garden Route, along the Indian Ocean, in southwest South Africa, is noted for its seascapes, rock formations, ocean fishery and picturesque communities like Kenyans and Plettenberg Bay.
- South Africa, they boast, is a world in one country...Indian culture of Durban, Zulu history and crafts of KwaZulu-Natal, numerous official languages, spectacular mountain ranges, private and public game preserves…and people of many backgrounds and races who come together to form a true rainbow nation.
Interesting Facts about South Africa
- History beckons at every turn-some of it oppressive, some violent...but all exposed and shared in the new South Africa. Perhaps there’s no better place to start than the island off Cape Town where Mandela was jailed–other prisoners actually give the tours at Robben Island. 2. Our students often immerse themselves in the cultures offered (they may learn Khosa or Zulu or Afrikaans languages…or others). South Africa has 11 official languages!
- South African currency is the rand-and our U.S. dollars go a long, long ways right now (good for our students...but not so good for South Africa as a country of people).
- English is widely spoken-but our students also sometimes go to Afrikaans schools.
- Be prepared: This is a land to fall in love with-and the same goes for its people who are warm, outgoing, fun, etc.
South Africa Links of Interest
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