South Africa is one of the most diverse nations in the world and although the majority of the population is African there are over 1.25 million Indian people living here. Indians have lived in South Africa for generations and their cultural influence can easily be found across the country, especially in Cape Town. Frequent direct flights to Cape Town from most major Indian cities mean you can easily get to this wonderful city and see what it has to offer.
Cultural Cape Town
Looking for a taste of home whilst in South Africa? You won’t have far to look as 1.4% of the population in South Africa’s second most populated city- just behind Johannesburg- is Indian/Asian. Cape Town offers over 100 mosques representing a diversity of Muslim groups. A trip to the Bo-Kaap museum is also worth taking to learn of the Islamic culture and heritage in the city and across South Africa. The Muslim Bo-Kaap community is well worth visiting for the architecture, brightly colored houses and winding cobbled streets.
Take a tour
With a vibrant mix of nationalities in Cape Town, there are plenty of religious and cultural tours available. Tours such as these will provide a fascinating look at the history of India in conjunction with South Africa and Cape Town in particular. Other tours can include a taste of Bollywood including an Indian lunch and a trip to the middle class Indian township of Rylands. A tour to the many Hindu temples can also be taken to witness how the South African locals still maintain their strong Indian links.
A taste of home
Indian cuisine is available throughout the city especially in the Muslim community of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, known as the Cape Malay Quarter. Cuisine in Bo-Kaap is influenced by a number of nationalities including French, German, Indian, English and the Dutch. Restaurants offer food that will be familiar including samosas, biryanis and delicious dhaltjies. A visit to this neighborhood makes for a great day out and offers a number of art galleries, boutiques, coffee shops and the famous Cape Malay Food Market.
More South African destinations
Cape Town may rank highly on your South African desired destination list but there’s a wealth of different locations to visit depending on your taste. If you love sun-drenched beaches then head to the sub-tropical city of Durban and the Eastern Cape beaches at Port St John’s, Port Elizabeth and East London. If you are looking to view the wildlife then why not take a safari through South Africa’s top destination of Kruger Park. You could also consider a trip to South Africa’s largest and most vibrant city of Johannesburg, home to seven million people and offering city attractions to suit every taste.
A South African vacation offers many unique experiences and Cape Town definitely provides a multi-cultural experience, with a great heritage of Indian people.
No comments:
Post a Comment