The Best of South Africa
Cape Town - "the fairest cape in the entire circumference of the globe"
A vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature at its centre. Chosen World Design Capital for 2014 and just named in the Top 10 Most Loved Cities of the World by CNN.
The small towns of the Western Cape
The small towns of the Western Cape have seen an influx of switched-on city folk who've given the towns new life and vibrancy. Montagu is shown here.
Constitution Hill in Johannesburg
Housing more than just South Africa's Constitutional Court, which is juxtaposed alongside the remnants of a notorious prison, it's worthy of a pilgrimage to remind one of the most important thing in SA - its Constitution.
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The mighty Umzimvubu River at Port St Johns, Eastern Cape
Port St Johns suprises! Getting there, whether you drive from the north or south, is an escape all of its own. This photograph was taken from the end of a aircraft runway on top of a mountain!
Waterberg Biosphere in Limpopo
The world's only savannah biosphere - pristine beauty and vast spaces that extend as far as the eye can see.
Special offers
If you're looking for bargains and discounts, have a look at the full list of current special offers: click here.Join the debates
There are two important debates – please vote and share your thoughts.
- Are tourism marketers over-emphasizing routes and regions at the expense of the towns and villages that should be promoted? Read more
- Does your local tourism office meet your expectations and provide a return on municipal funding? Read more
What does it take to be a winning destination?
- Good management & maintenance for a start. (And that's a rarity in much of SA.)
- Knowledgeable, demanding ratepayers and a caring, vibrant community are essential.
- Quality custodianship and appropriate use of both the built and natural heritages come next.
- And then there's the ability to grow and develop the brand – the lifestyle that locals and visitors buy into.
The SA Destination Awards programme was not an easy competition to enter. Many destinations requested access to the entry form and gave up. There was too much PT and thought involved. It wasn't a "popular" competition where you just rallied votes: destinations had to demonstrate their strengths and ability. Two destinations stood out – both established in the same year, one a town and the other a village.
Best town: Montagu – expect the unexpected
Best village: Stanford – a taste of village life
For the next year, we'll be looking at the people, businesses, events and attractions that make these winning towns what they are, and we’ll explore their challenges and opportunities. Click on the images below to read the blogs.
Home in a brandy tank
When Montagu says "Expect the unexpected" they're not joking.
Johan Venter converted an old KWV brandy tank in Montagu, 12 metres in diameter and 8.6 metres high... with a roof on top of that... into a rather unusual home. Read more...
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