South Africa - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

South Africa has been described as A World in One Country and a Rainbow Nation. Its landscape ranges from miles of glorious beaches to the inland desert of the Karoo, the sweeping grasslands of the Highveld plateau, and the subtropical bush of the Lowveld. Its ethnic makeup is equally varied. There are eleven official languages, nine major black African tribes, two major white tribes, as well as a representation of all the worlds major religions. It has a free market economy while communists share in government; one of the worlds most liberal constitutions and a deeply patriarchal society; and very rich and very poor people coexisting. South Africa has come through fire, and although there is still considerable heat, it is doing pretty well. This insiders guide will introduce you to the universal warmth and cultural diversity of its people, explain the backdrop of their troubled past, and familiarize you with their everyday life so that youll feel comfortable whether youre invited to a shack in the townships, a mansion in the suburbs, or a braai on the beach. Youll learn how to stay safe in potentially dangerous areas, and youll know where to go if you want to feel like the only person on the planet.