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There is no single '''Culture of South Africa'''. As [[South Africa]] is so ethnically diverse, it is not surprising that there are vast cultural differences as well.
==Main Cultural differences==
Because of the legacy of [[Apartheid]] segregation, many cultural differences correspond closely to the racial groups defined by Apartheid (Blacks, Whites, Coloureds, Asians). This may change as [[Assimilation (sociology)|assimilation]] progresses, although currently ([[2004]]) many cultural differences between Apartheid-defined racial groups persist.
===Black people===
The country's black majority still has a substantial number of rural inhabitants who lead largely impoverished and necessarily simple lives. However blacks are increasingly [[urbanization|urbanised]] and [[Western world|westernised]], and usually speak [[English language|English]] or [[Afrikaans]] in addition to their native tongue, which may be one of nine [[Bantu language]]s with official status since [[1994]]. These include the [[Nguni]] languages, [[Zulu language|isiZulu]], [[Xhosa language|isiXhosa]], [[Ndebele language|Sindebele]], and [[Swazi language|Swazi]], and the [[Sotho language group|Sotho]] languages, which include [[Tswana language|Setswana]], [[Sesotho language|Sesotho]], [[Northern Sotho language|Sesotho sa Leboa]] and [[Venda]]. Cultural differences between speakers from the two language groups are comparable to those between speakers of [[German language|German]] and [[Italian language|Italian]]. Many urban blacks speak several indigenous languages, with isiZulu being a [[lingua franca]] in the Johannesburg area.
Most are [[Christian]], with membership of the [[Anglican]] and [[Roman Catholic]] churches being strong as is membership of the predominantly black [[Zion Christian Church (South Africa)|Zion Church]], although many still follow traditional beliefs, many often consulting a ''[[sangoma]]''. There is a vibrant indigenous culture, with local popular music forms, such as ''[[kwaito]]'', while black South African musicians such as the [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]], [[Miriam Makeba]], and [[Hugh Masakela]] are well known internationally.
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The white minority lead lifestyles similar in many respects to whites found in [[Western Europe]], [[North America]] and [[Australasia]], with sport being immensely popular. The ''[[braai]]'' (short for ''braaivleis'' or barbecue) is another national pastime, epitomised by an old advertising slogan for [[Chevrolet#South Africa|Chevrolet]] cars in the [[1960s]]: ''Braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies and Chevrolet''.
Historical enmity between [[Afrikaans]] and [[English language|English]]-speaking whites has given way to more amiable banter or rivalry. Afrikaners refer to an English speaker as a ''soutpiel'' or 'salt dick', on account of his divided loyalties: one foot in Africa; the other in England; and his genitals in the sea. A less rude and perhaps more common soubriquet was ''rooinek'' or 'red neck' referring to the sunburn of the recent immigrant. Similarly English speakers have long made 'Van Der Merwe' jokes about Afrikaners (who they sometimes refer to as "Dutchmen"), and who they regard as stupid and philistine — hence their use of the "rockspider" epithet.
Religious beliefs are also strong, with most [[Afrikaner]]s adhering to the [[Dutch Reformed Church]]. Most English-speaking whites are either [[Anglican]] or [[Roman Catholic]]. Perhaps 90,000 whites are [[Jew]]ish, with a similar number being of [[Portugal|Portuguese]] origin. There are some [[Greece|Greeks]] and Christian [[Lebanon|Lebanese]].
Many whites can be extremely defensive about their country, and about their past attitudes under the apartheid regime, which many supported, although there was a vocal liberal minority.
===Coloured (Mixed-Race) people===
The mixed-race [[Coloured]]s are, culturally speaking, much closer to whites, especially [[Afrikaans]] speakers, whose language and religious beliefs they share, than they are to black South Africans, despite suffering considerable discrimination under apartheid. A small minority of Coloureds, known as [[Cape Malay]]s are [[Muslim]]. Well known members of the community include [[South Africa national rugby union team|Springboks]] [[rugby union|rugby]] players [[Chester Williams]] and [[Breyton Paulse]] and [[jazz]] musician [[Abdullah Ibrahim]] (also known as Dollar Brand).
===Asian people===
[[Asians in South Africa|Asians]], (predominantly [[India]]n origin) preserve their own cultural heritage, languages and religious beliefs, being either [[Hindu]] or [[Muslim]], and speaking English, with [[Indian language]]s like [[Telugu]] or [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] being spoken less frequently.
Although Indian languages are seldom spoken or understood, English-[[subtitle]]d [[Bollywood]] films and television programmes are popular among South African Indians.
There is a much smaller [[Overseas Chinese|Chinese]] community in South Africa, although its numbers have been increased by immigration from [[Taiwan]] (athough the Taiwanese were classified as "White", rather than Asian by the Apartheid regime, and are thus are more culturally similar in many ways to whites than they are to other Asians).
'''Protection of Cultural Rights'''
The rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities are protected in the constitution by the Commission for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. This is a Chapter 9 Institution which is mentioned in the constitution.
== International cultural boycott ==
Many countries imposed cultural boycotts on the apartheid regime, meaning that South Africa was banned from the [[Olympic Games]] until [[1992]], as well as [[Rugby football|rugby]] and [[cricket]]. When the all-white national rugby team, the [[Springbok Rugby Team|Springbok]]s, [[1981 Springbok Tour|toured]] [[New Zealand]] in [[1981]], it provoked public outrage, as did the decision of the British rock group [[Queen (band)|Queen]] to perform in the [[Sun City, South Africa|Sun City]] resort in the [[bantustan]] of [[Bophuthatswana]]. [[Paul Simon]] caused controversy when he recorded his ''[[Graceland (album)|Graceland]]'' album with the South African group [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]], even though all its members were black.
Until the 1990s, the British actors' union, [[British Actors' Equity Association|Equity]], imposed a boycott on the sale of TV programmes to South Africa, although the state-controlled [[South African Broadcasting Corporation]] (SABC) happily bought [[United States|U.S.]] programmes instead.
== Famous South Africans ==
[[Nelson Mandela]] is the most famous South African. Other famous recent politicians include [[F. W. de Klerk]] and [[Steve Biko]]. From earlier in the 20th century we have [[Jan Smuts]] who was perhaps South Africa's only international statesman until Mandela. [[D. F. Malan]], [[Hendrik Verwoerd]] and [[J G Strijdom]] were architects of [[Apartheid]]. Perhaps the world's most famous Anglican churchman is [[Desmond Tutu]]. [[Winnie Mandela]] is loved by some and despised by others but known by all. [[Helen Suzman]] was for years the only "one person, one vote" democrat in parliament.
Well known South African sports stars include [[Gary Player]], [[Ernie Els]] and [[Retief Goosen]]; [[Jody Schekter]]; [[Kevin Curren]]; [[Zola Budd]]; [[Jonty Rhodes]].
While South Africa was isolated by the cultural boycott in the 1980s, there are now many well-known South African performing artists, and writers. They include playwrights such as [[Athol Fugard]], and satirist [[Pieter Dirk Uys]], actors like [[Anthony Sher]], Hollywood stars like [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-winner [[Charlize Theron]], and ''[[The Mummy Returns]]'' co-star [[Arnold Vosloo]].
In music, the groups [[African Jazz Pioneers]] and [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]] have found popularity worldwide. Another well known artist of South African origin is [[Dave Matthews]], lead singer of the [[Dave Matthews Band]]. [[Miriam Makeba]], a singer who first found fame in the culturally questionable musical [[Ipi Tombi]], [[Dudu Pukwana]], a gifted jazz musician, and [[Abdullah Ibrahim]] (Dollar Brand), being on the wrong side of the colour bar, had to leave South Africa to fully exploit their talents — their music was not played on South African radio. The alt-metal group [[Seether]] also features two prominent members of South African origin, guitarist and vocalist [[Shaun Morgan]] and bassist [[Dale Stewart]] and have gotten considerable play on mainstream radio and music television in the U.S..
Writers like [[Nadine Gordimer]] and [[J. M. Coetzee]] have also found international acclaim, both being winners of the [[Nobel Prize for Literature]].
The infamous [[apartheid]]-era, [[Afrikaner]] bank robber and ex-[[Johannesburg]] police chief [[Andre Stander]] has gained notoriety in recent years. He has retained folklore status in South Africa since his death and has been the subject of several biographies and a 2004 feature film in the U.S. called ''[[Stander]]'' with American actor [[Thomas Jane]] portraying him. His last remaining accomplice [[Allan Heyl]] is almost as notorious and was released from prison in [[2005]]. Director [[Bronwen Hughes]] interviewed him at length for research regarding the film.
==Sport — the national passion==
===Major sports===
However, [[sport]] is the main national passion, although it has traditionally been divided on ethnic lines. The most popular sport among black South Africans is [[football (soccer)|soccer]], with [[South Africa national football team|the national team]] being nicknamed ''Bafana Bafana'' (meaning 'The Boys'). Soccer tended to be less segregated than white-dominated sports, like rugby union or cricket.
Many whites play [[rugby union]], which is especially popular among [[Afrikaner]]s, who dominate the national side, the [[South Africa national rugby union team|Springboks]], and also [[cricket]], traditionally popular among English-speaking whites.
After being tainted by associations with apartheid, the Springboks (or 'Boks') have sought to become part of the 'New South Africa', with President [[Nelson Mandela]] wearing the Springbok jersey, once only worn by whites, at the final of the World Cup in [[1995]], although allegations of racism remain.
===Minor sports===
[[Australian Rules Football]] is a fast growing sport amongst all population groups. One of the oldest football codes, with no class or race segregation, Australian Football promotes its connection to ties with [[Australian Aboriginal]] Indigenous culture with its origins in the traditional tribal game of [[Marn Grook]] or "Game Ball". Australian Football has been promoted by the [[North West Department of Sport, Arts and Culture]] and there are now around 10,000 players. The South African ''Buffaloes'' have competed in the past two [[Australian Football International Cup]]s in 2003 and 2005.
==Food==
{{cookbookpar|Cuisine of South Africa}}
The [[braai]] or barbecue is widely popular, especially with whites, and includes meat, especially [[boerewors]] or spicy sausages, and mielies ([[maize]]) or [[Mielie-meal]], often as a porridge, or [[millet]], a staple food of black South Africans. Pastries such like [[koeksuster]]s and desserts like [[melktert]] (milk tart) are also universally popular. [[Vegetarianism]] has traditionally been treated with incomprehension and scorn by South Africans, especially whites, but is now more widely accepted.
Another favourite among most South Africans is ''[[biltong]]'', a form of dried meat usually made from beef or game, and often consumed while watching sporting events.
[[India]]n food like [[curry]] is also popular, especially in [[Durban]] with its large [[Asians in South Africa|Indian]] population, but may be considered mild or bland by Indian or even British standards. Another local Indian Durban speciality is the 'bunny' or [[bunny chow]], which consists of a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with curry. [[Cape Malay]] dishes, which have their origins in [[Southeast Asia]], include [[bobotie]] made from curried lamb, fruit and bread, served with rice, and [[sosatie]], a type of barbecued meat. More recently, [[Pakistan]]i and Indian restaurants have been opened in major cities by recent immigrants, and provide a more "authentic" South Asian dining experience.
The [[Portugal|Portuguese]] community has also made its mark, with spicy [[peri-peri]] chicken being a favourite. The South African Portuguese-themed restaurant chain [[Nando's]] now has restaurants in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[Australia]] and [[Kenya]].
== TV and films ==
[[List of South African television channels|Television]], which for political reasons was not introduced in South Africa until [[1976]], is also popular. Traditionally, [[US]] programmes have dominated TV schedules. Programmes like [[The Bold and the Beautiful]] have been popular with South Africans of all races, but locally produced soap operas or 'soapies' now draw a large audience. Unfortunately, much of it does not travel well overseas. For example, the soap opera ''Egoli - Place of Gold'' was bilingual in English and Afrikaans, with actors switching between languages, to the incomprehension of viewers in the rest of Africa. The [[South African Broadcasting Corporation|SABC]] drama series ''Shaka Zulu'', based on the true story of the Zulu warrior King [[Shaka]], was shown around the world in the 1980s, but had to be marketed by a US distributor.
Ironically, while many foreign films have been produced about South Africa (usually involving race relations), few local productions are known outside South Africa itself. One exception was the film ''[[The Gods Must Be Crazy]]'' in [[1980]], set in the [[Kalahari]]. This is about how life in a traditional community of [[Bushmen]] is changed when a [[Coca-Cola|Coke]] bottle, thrown out of an aeroplane, suddenly lands from the sky. The late [[Jamie Uys]], who wrote and directed ''The Gods Must Be Crazy'', also had success overseas in the 1970s with his films ''Funny People'' and ''Funny People II'', similar to the TV series [[Candid Camera]] in the US. [[Leon Schuster]]'s ''You Must Be Joking!'' films are in the same genre, and hugely popular among South Africans.
In [[2004]], the New South African TV channel (NSAT) began broadcasting on [[Sky Television]] in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], thereby reaching the large (predominantly white) expatriate community, showing a mix of South African entertainment, films, sport and news coverage.
== External links ==
* [http://www.sarugby.net SA Rugby], the national governing body of [[Rugby Union]].
* [http://www.safagoal.net SA Football Association]
{{South African Topics}}
{{culture-africa}}
[[Category:South African culture| ]]
[[pt:Cultura da África do Sul]]
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