10 Things To Do in a South African Township
1. Make new friends - a warm welcome from most of the community awaited us - especially the children who are always eager to pose for a photograph.
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2. Eat meat, Shisanyama style. Our group enjoyed 6 T-bone beef steaks at Patrick''s for just R65. We brought along a large pasta salad and cake which were shared among the other diners and those braaing the meat. No cutlery provided, so bring your own or eat off the bone.
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3. Have a cold one. Beer is a staple part of township life, and shebeens (informal bars) serve up ice cold local beers in large bottles called quarts.
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4. Check your email. Some township libraries now have computer centres with internet access where members of the community can participate in the digital age close to home.
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5. Snack on a smiley. This is a much loved streetfood in parts of South Africa, often sold at taxi ranks. Basically you''re eating a charred sheeps head. Personally I''ll stick to the T-bone steak... but the brave traveller may be willing to enjoy what is, according to those in the know, a delicious treat of tasty meat, eyeballs and brains included.
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6. Have you hair cut Obama stylee. Or braided. It seems every third store is a hair salon of some kind, each boasting posters of a variety of styles on offer.
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7. Play pool. Many a shebeen and some private homes boast pool tables and you''ll be welcomed to take on some of the local pool kings of you think you''ve got what it takes.
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8.Get down and dance. We stopped in at a club run by Enoch, a one-time security guard who now runs this popular dance spot. Even though it was the middle of the afternoon, he served up some beer and got the music pumping so we could have a little boogey with some of his friends.
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9. Volunteer. There is a great need for help in some of these poorest areas of South Africa. You can give your time - even one hour a week - to helping the many NGOs, NPOs and charities which work within the communties and are always delighted to have an extra pair of hands to help. Visit Greater Good SA for ways to be involved.
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10. Spend the night.... Enjoying yourself too much to leave yet? Don''t go! Spend the night in a township and experience the warm and welcoming hospitality at one of Portfolio Collection''s recommended Township Bed and Breakfasts in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
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All images copyrighted to Joy-Anne Goodenough except the last one, which belongs to Portfolio Collection. Al rights reserved.
1 Response to 10 Things You Can Do in a South African Township
Ah, yes, in deed there are many wonderful things to do elokshini (in the townships). If any I would add the special number 11, which is to Learn Xhosa, even a little bit will endear you to the local people and provide lots of laughs. The effort to learn another''s language seems to inspire valuable humility in oneself and much respect from the Xhosa speakers. And it is such fun to speak! www.learnxhosa.co.za
By Makhosi (3 years ago)