Missing video
Sorry, this video could not be found.
Our heroes
-
Godfrey Mokoena, Olympic long-jumper
South Africa’s Olympic silver medallist Godfrey Khotso Mokoena is triple-talented, beginning with the high jump and successfully moving on to the long- and triple jump. more
-
Francois le Vaillant: 18th Century explorer
With sponsorship and a wide-eyed attitude to travel, the 18th Century explorer Francois le Vaillant had the time of his life in South Africa. more
-
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
The music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo has won numerous awards and accolades over the last 4 decades and they are recognised as among South Africa’s most successful cultural exports. more
-
Thomas Bain
19th Century road engineer Thomas Bain is the man responsible for most of the elegantly built mountain passes of the Western Cape – and many other local infrastructure projects. more
More about Our heroes
Nelson Mandela
It is impossible to bring tribute to our great Madiba by only using words, especially after a lifetime of unparalleled generosity and forgiveness of this great soul. more
James Kitching: fossil hunter of the Karoo
James Kitching led a full life, most of it in the wide open spaces of the Karoo, looking for fossil remains of the pre-dinosaur Permian Period. more
Esther Mahlangu
Esther Mahlangu has dedicated her life to develop, promote and evolutionise traditional Ndebele wall painting. Her art has been on walls, a car and a plane across the globe. more
Top 10
Picnic spots
1Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Indigenous flora and immaculate lawns plus delicious people watching potential because numerous Cape Malay couples come to take wedding photos in the park.
Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town. Tel: +27 (0)21 799 8783
2Sandy Bay Beach
This nudist beach is not a family picnic spot but naked grown-ups like to picnic too. Beautiful beach completely free from whining whipper-snappers. South of Llandudno Beach, Cape Town, Western Cape
3Melkbosstrand
West Coast wonderful at its most pristine. Sit under the milkwood trees watching whales or bring a bucket and spade for the white sandy beach. 20 minutes from Cape Town, N7 West Coast Road, Western Cape.
4Mbashe River
Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo. There are aloes as far as the eye can see. Picnic by the the river and take in the magic that made Madiba’s greatness.
Mvezo District, Eastern Cape
5Union Buildings gardens
Beautiful Herbert Baker buildings set in landscaped gardens. Acres of lawn to spread out your tasty treats. Nice nooks for romantic moments. Government Avenue, Pretoria, Gauteng
6Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
Witpoortjie waterfall, indigenous vegetation and endangered eagle's nest. Acres of shady lawns ensure that you can feast in grand style.
Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodeport, Johannesburg, Gauteng Tel: +27 (0)11 958 1750
7Modjadji Cycad Forest Reserve at Ga-Modjadji
Well laid out picnic spots amidst spectacular cycads in a hillside reserve. Also a museum dedicated to the Modjadji, the Rain Queen. Follow R36 to Tzaneen, 35km north of Tzaneen, 28km north of Duiwelskloof in Limpopo.
8Vredefort Dome
This meteorite impact spot is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Iron Age archaeological remains and barbeque and picnicking spots galore.
Outside Parys, Free State. 120km South West of Johannesburg, just off N1. Parys Information Centre: +27 (0)56 811 4000.
9Harold Johnson Nature Reserve
Picnic site and braai area for day visitors has the best views of the Thukela River. Work up an appetite walking the nature trails whist spying abundant wildlife and birds. 25kms away from Stanger/Kwadukuza. Tel: +27 (0)32 4861574.
10Happy Valley
Situated on Port Elizabeth's main beachfront. Lush tropical gardens, lily ponds and storybook characters impart a fairytale quality. In summer, at night time, there are coloured lights. Across the road from Humewood Beach, Beach Road, Port Elizabeth.
