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Unique cultures

More about Unique cultures

The Afrikaner people

The Afrikaner people speak the only language in Africa created by European settlers, which is now one of the 11 official languages of South Africa. more

South African English culture

The first English settlers arrived in South Africa in the early 19th century. From this small start, their influence swiftly spread to alter the course of local history. more

Unique cultures of South Africa

South Africans are proud of our cultural diversity. It comes from centuries of settlement and emigration from Africa and the rest of the world. more

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Top 10

African restaurants

1Abysinia

Ethiopian cuisine offers gently aromatic berebere-spiced stews, ayeb cheese, tej honey-wine and injera flat breads. Go for the authentic atmosphere, and do not get up from the table without experiencing a traditional cardamom-infused coffee ceremony. Corner Queens and Langerman streets, Kensington, Johannesburg, Gauteng. Mobile: +27 (0)72 918 8824.

2Zemara

Congolese cuisine at its finest. Expect palm-nut chicken, plantains and tilapia fish grilled to perfection. Zemara is favoured by African diplomats so dress to impress. The Sunday buffet is an excellent way to sample a range of west, central and east African specialities. 223 Schoeman Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, Gauteng. Mobile: +27 (0) 72 756 2057.

3A Palhota

Afro-Lusitanian fusion food originating in Maputo and Luanda. Reputed to be where the Mozambican ambassador eats on his days off. Mainstream Portuguese menu, but ask for the Mozambican specialties like coconut-milk fish curry, and the feijoada Moçambicana. Palhota, 59 Troye St, Johannesburg CBD. Tel: +27 (0)11 336 1156.

4Gramadoelas

Gramadoelas has been the home of cross-cultural South African culinary chic for over 30 years. The extensive buffet means you can try a bit of everything. Their Xhosa umngqusho (samp and bean stew) is legend. Market Theatre Complex, Bree Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, Gauteng. Tel: +27 (0)11 838 6960.

5Ile Maurice

Mauritian-Creole cuisine. Try the rougaille de boeuf with tomato, ginger, chillies and coriander, or savour the octopus curry with its palate-spiking mazavaroo chilli paste. 9 McCausland Crescent, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. Tel: +27 (0)31 561 7609.

6Mzoli’s Place

This famous chisa-nyama barbeque joint sees diners choose their meat in the butchery section and send it to be sizzled and seared to perfection on the wood-fired grills outside. A classic township culinary experience. Shop 3 NY115 & NY108, Gugulethu, Western Cape. Tel: +27 (0) 21 638 1355.

7Restaurant Ivorian

West African wonderful in a shabby chic space. Feast on bowls of fried plantain aloko, carp with roasted nya nya aubergines and mop it all up with yam bread. 8 Francis Street, Yeoville, Johannesburg, Gauteng Tel: +27 (0)11 487 0885, Mobile: +27 (0) 82 743 6537.

8Addis in Cape

Accessible interpretations of Ethiopian culinary classics complemented by Tej honey wine. Meat eaters adore the doro wat chicken stew and vegetarians will be pleased to note that at least half the offerings are meat free. 41 Church Street, Cape Town CBD, Western Cape. Tel +27 (0) 21 424 5722.

9Kin Malebo

Despite the relatively insalubrious suburb, Kin Malebo offers Congolese culinary classics like egussi mbika beef, palm oil and courgette seed stews, or red fish on a spinach and peanut mélange, with fufu cassava pap or chikwanga breads to mop up the sauce. Choose to stay for, or escape, the loud kwasa kwasa music on weekends. 31 Raleigh Street, Yeoville, Johannesburg. Mobile: +27 (0)82 707 2888

10Homebaze

Homebaze offers a small selection of Ghanaian and Nigerian staples like fufu, gari foto, isi-ewu, and jollof rice. The slow service doesn't deter West African immigrants hungry for home-cooked meals in Jo'burg. Village Walk shopping centre, Rivonia Road, Sandton. Tel: +27 (0)11 783 0366

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  • An Ndebele woman at her village.
    An Ndebele woman at her village.
  • Damian Cook, William Price and Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold at the E-Tourism Africa launch.
    Damian Cook, William Price and Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold at the E-Tourism Africa launch.
  • Ndebele Culture
    Ndebele Culture
  • A prize ram at the NAMPO Agricultural Trade Show.
    A prize ram at the NAMPO Agricultural Trade Show.
  • The Old Mutual Wine Trophy.
    The Old Mutual Wine Trophy.
  • Clifford Ross, 2nd from left, is the winner of the 2011 HICA Tourism Business Leadership Award.
    Clifford Ross, 2nd from left, is the winner of the 2011 HICA Tourism Business Leadership Award.