Pro 2010: South Africa’s Wild Achievements

by | Dec 4, 2009 | Uncategorized

As the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup finally reaches the African continent, thousands of passionate fans are sure to follow, bringing with them the hopes of victory and all their misconceptions regarding the country’s offerings.

Any one asked to comment on South Africa is quick to mention rich landscapes, thick bush and awe inspiring wildlife. Although rightly so (after all, South Africa does have all these things), visitors often fail to recognise the depth of what the country has to offer.

Gold, the world’s first heart transplant, Nobel peace prize holders, wine routes, an enormous man-made hole and Retinal Cryoprobe are just a few other important elements making up this diverse, vibrant and passionate country.

As the producer of almost half the gold in the world, South Africa is a world leader in gold and diamonds, proving that it is a diamond in the rough, fraught with possibility.

Few people realise the medical expertise the country has housed. Some notable South African medical professionals include Dr. Chris Barnard, who successfully completed the world’s first heart transplant in 1967, and Dr. Percy Amolis, who invented the Retinal Cryoprobe used successfully on former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to repair a detached retina. That same type of surgery was also used to successfully remove a cataract from Nelson Mandela’s eye, enabling the former president to – for the first time – read a speech without glasses.

In addition, South Africa is the only country in the world to have two Nobel Peace prize winners from the same region. When they won their awards, both former president Mandela and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu lived in Soweto, a township situated near Johannesburg.

South Africa also boasts the largest man-made hole and the longest wine route in the world.

So next time South Africa enters the topic board, one should dig deeper and consider the country’s other hidden talents, beyond the bush. Many would be surprised to discover South Africa’s other “wild” achievements.

Pro 2010: The Playing Field

by | Nov 30, 2009 | Uncategorized

As the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup approaches, hoards of dedicated fans from around the world are sure to descend upon the African continent’s Southern tip, South Africa. They’ll be laden with loads of luggage, sunscreen and expectations.

Despite the worldwide hype surrounding Fifa World Cup, many teenagers are still quick to turn up their noses at the prospect of having to endure an African holiday away from civilisation, with only family and wildlife as company. After all, it is considered “social suicide” to spend time with one’s own family, away from the excitement and hustle and bustle of city life.

Few realise the huge diversity offered by this country and the excitement it presents, not only in the game reserve but also in our cities, brimming with fast paced action, entertainment and extravagance.

Johannesburg, or ‘Jozi’ as it’s more commonly known, is without a doubt the great big beating heart of South Africa. It is the biggest city in South Africa and has the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Not only does Johannesburg offer riveting night life, it also offers visitors’ trendy suburbs like Parktown and Norwood, with restaurant-lined avenues – catering to the dining and décor set – and the extensive malls of Sandton, all combining to make the city a great place to be.

Cape Town, or the Mother City, is described as the city which merges historic architecture, breathtaking natural beauty and modernity. It attracts hoards of visitors yearly, all drawn by the myriad of things to do, see and experience. Framed by the world renowned Table Mountain, Cape Town is said to possess a form of magic, compelling visitors to return time and time again.

A relaxed holiday filled with spectacular scenery, wildlife and exhilarating game drives, coupled with the fast-paced metropolitan sophistication of South Africa’s biggest cities, will create a get-away sure to satisfy even the harshest of family critics, truly offering the best of both worlds.