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The Ndebele Cultural Heartland Tour takes your breath away with the visit to Mama Esther's Ndebele Art Studio, where the unique blend of traditional culture and Christianity is at full display. Esther Mahlangu, born in 1936, learned Ndebele mural painting from her mother. Mahlangu has displayed her work throughout South Africa and gained international recognition as an advocate of South African ethnic art. She is proud of perpetuating a tribal form of striking intensity and is training her own daughter to carry on the tradition of mural painting. Ndebele Nation is known of their painting and geometric design beadwork. Some of their work is commission by world famous institutions.
Feel the amazing experience at Loopspruit Winery This Farm is surrounded by history and love for wine marking which has been rewarded with well deserve recognition. Our Guest will be invited to enjoy an unforgettable wine testing experience in the valley of its origin.
Kgodwana Cultural village to view and purchase the exquisite Ndebele beadwork and art. A warm and rustic feeling that offers Ndebele hospitality shall follow a visit to the palace. Kgodwana Ndebele Village and Museum - the museum depicts the progressional life style of the Ndebele Nation as early as 1000 years through various constructions of huts that present the Ndebele Nation.
Above all, this tour also opens an oportunity for you to visit the unique Royal Palace of His Majesty King Mabhoko Mahlangu the Second. The Emthabothini Royal Palace is situated at North West of Mpumalanga – Weltevrede. The reigning King of the Ndebele is His Majesty King Mahlangu III son of the late King Mabhoko. The Ndebele Nation has a rich artistic heritage which has survive the years of apartheid. Ndebele Cultural treat awaits you by the Ndebele Royal family and the Nation. Discover the authentic Ndebele Culture and history in a fully interactive setting.
Ndebele Foundation under the leadership of world renowned Ndebele Artist Francinar Ndimande in the village with the means to revive and preserve the creative of their forebears.
Mabhoko Caves – Battle fields
| The settlement area KoNomtjharelo (Mabhoko’s Caves) some kilometres from Roossenekal is held id deep reverence, and has a deep and emotional connotation for AmaNdebele, especially the Ndzundza. It was here that our ancestors entrenched themselves and rallied their people after Mzilikazi’s reign of terror. It was here that they successfully repelled the attacks of their enemies, both black and white until 1883 when they were forced to surrender because of starvation after an eight month’s siege. Their mountain fortress – the Nomtjherhelo – was eradicated all the Ndebele people. At this historic venue the resurrection of a nation had to start and that is why a statue of Nyabela was erected at the foot the Mapoch’s CavesAnnually on 19 December AmaNdebele gather at this venue to venerate their ancestors and to commemorate the death of Nyabela, the last king to rule over this area and all other traditional Leaders and |
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When you visit the Hector Pieterson Museum in Orlando West, Soweto, you'll see Nzima's legendary photograph showing the unconscious Hector being carried by Makhubo, with Hector's sister - now Antoinette Sithole - running alongside.
Maropeng, situated in the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng province, South Africa, it is a world-acclaimed tourist destination that is not only part of the South African national pride, but appeals to the world.
Carlton Center
The Carlton Centre is the tallest building in Africa. (Note that the towers above are not strictly 'buildings'.) It was the tallest building in the southern hemisphere when originally completed. It has 50 floors, and is 223m tall, about 3m short of featuring in the world's top 100 skyscrapers. The foundations of the two buildings in the complex are 3.5m in diameter and extend 20m down to the bedrock, 30m below street level. The building houses both offices and shops, and has over 46 per cent of the floor area below ground level.
Excavations for the Carlton were started in January 1967, and took two years to complete. Although occupation of the Centre began in 1971, it was not until 1974 that most of the construction was completed - at a cost of over R88 million.
(Other sources say that the Carlton Centre was built in 1972 or 1973, has 50 floors or 52 storeys), and has a height of 220m or 223m, or is 203m above the pavement.)
It is possible (for a small cost) to take a lift (elevator) to the 50th floor, where there is a very good observation deck.
The Costitutional Hill
It is fitting that the Court, a potent symbol of the democracy that replaced apartheid, has been erected on the site of the Old Fort, Johannesburg's notorious prison - symbolising the triumph of hope over a troubled past.
The building, which had to reflect the values of our new culture of constitutionalism, needed a court chamber, public areas, a library, public reading space and rooms for 11 judges and other staff. Few modern South African buildings have inspired as much awe and excitement as this one.
Ponte Tower
From high fashion to low life, Berea's landmark Ponte City has seen it all - and lived to see another day.
When it was built in 1976, it was the most fashionable address in town. With its 70s-style decor of brown, shag carpet-lined walls and orange tiles, and endless views, the 54-storey building offered the ultimate in sophisticated, modern living.
Today, Africa's highest apartment building is slowly recovering from an effective state of war. The bullet-proof glass has been removed from the reception area, and the security guards disarmed.
The building was designed by Manfred Hermer - the same architect responsible for the Johannesburg Civic Theatre and the Alexander Theatre in Hillbrow - and, in many ways, the life and times of Ponte City have encapsulated the ongoing drama of Johannesburg.
For German writer Norman Ohler, who used the Ponte as the seetting for his book Stadt des Goldes, "Ponte sums up all the hope, all the wrong ideas of modernism, all the decay, all the craziness of the city. It is a symbolic building, a sort of white whale, it is concrete fear, the tower of Babel, and yet it is strangely beautiful".
The Hilbrow Tower
The Hillbrow Tower is the highest structure in Johannesburg, and is probably the city's most recognisable landmark. The Hillbrow Tower (previously known as the JG Strijdom Tower) was built over three years, between June 1968 and April 1971, and is 269m high. It is owned by Telkom (previously by the Post Office) and is used as a microwave tower. It used to boast a revolving restaurant, but was closed in January 1981 for security reasons. The tower had a blue illuminated Telkom sign installed on 31 May 2005, and was renamed as the Telkom Joburg Tower.
It is interesting to note that the height of the Hillbrow Tower is virtually the same as the length of the Titanic (269m).
Sentech Tower and SABC Radiopark
The Sentech Tower (also known as the Brixton Tower, and previously as the Albert Hertzog Tower) was built in 1962, and is 239m tall (other sources say 234m). The tower is used by the SABC and Post office as a transmission tower, and is situated on a hill in Brixton.
Nelson Mandela Bridge
At 294 m in length, this is the longest cable-stayed bridge in southern Africa. It was officially opened on Sunday 20 July 2003, with a road race to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 85th birthday. The bridge links Braamfontein to Newtown.
PretoriaFor many South Africans the Union Building is the most beautiful government residence in the world. Sir Herbert Baker was the architect of this 275 m long building and had it built in the English monumental style from light sandstone. It does indeed look majestic and lends a solemn environment to the official acts of the respective President. The Union Building has a half-round shape. The two wings at the sides represent the Boerish and the English part of the population.
The building's name comes from the time of the South African Union, which was only changed in 1961 to the current name, the Republic of South Africa.
Since the first free and common elections in South Africa in 1994 the Union Building has been the residence of the presidency - today President Jacob Zuma- and his government. Parliament spends the winter months in Pretoria, during the summer months it changes to Cape Town.
