Hunter's African Cultures Blog

Springbok, Northern Cape, South Africa In previous posts in which I have talked about other provinces in South Africa I've discussed some of the urban characteristics and historical sites throughout the Eastern and Western provinces as well as some the natural characteristics like national parks. The Northern Cape is the largest province in the country, full of a vast landscape that is mainly dominated by desert. At one time this was one of the fastest growing areas in the southern hemisphere due to the discovery of one of the most valuable resources on our planet, diamonds. The capital city of Kimberley was a product of the diamond rush. The Northern Cape draws in people because of the beauty of the landscape that the largest province has to offer.  Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Admittedly I did not know much about this province before this post. Which leads me to believe that a majority of people probably do not know anything about this area. After seeing a few key a...

African Elephant in Kruger National Park, South Africa To us in the United States it seems as if Africa has always been this wild place. We see it on TV and movies and it almost doesn't seem real. Around the world I think people have become blind to the fact that this almost mythical place is in danger everyday. From poaching, to deforestation, to climate related issues, Africa has been fighting battles to stay this wild place for centuries. Conservation efforts have been put into place, but have run into major road blocks throughout the last century. If these roadblock continue to derail conservation efforts, the world could lose the untouched wilderness that is Africa.        One of the biggest problems Africa is facing is poaching. Thousands of animals are poached every year, and it is a very critical time for the animals. Just in my lifetime I have seen Elephant dropped to an endangered species, and at the current rate they could face extinction in les...

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa Just like the Eastern Cape, The Western Cape also offers immense natural beauty, but the Western Cape also offers a large amount of historical value. The Western Cape offers what is considered to be the most modern amenities in South Africa, home to Cape Town the largest city in the country, but there are still very "outdated" parts. Where people still live in very small towns with little to no technology and use 19th century farming techniques. Although these towns and cities that make up the Western Cape are all so different, their cultures are what make the place a diverse, cultural wonderland. Robben Island Museum Robben Island Prison  Robben Island is a very important piece of history not only for South Africa, but for the entire planet. This is where Nelson Mandela was held captive for many years for trying to overthrow the South African Government. Mandela was released from prison in 1990, from then he helped end apar...

The "Wild Coast" on the Eastern Cape of South Africa  I took an interest in South Africa in high school. I love the history and the overall beauty of the country and want to share the tourism options and experiences in the country in hopes of having others take interest in this amazing country. In this post I want to take a look at some of the parks that would be of interest to pretty much everyone. Addo Elephant National Park The Addo Elephant National Park is the 3rd largest national park in the country of South Africa measuring in at 633 square miles. The park has amazing opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife including: Elephants, Zebras, Rhinos, Lions, Cape Buffalo, and some uncommon animals like Great White Sharks and multiple different species of Whale are seen off of the shores of the park. Along with the breath taking wildlife, there are many other activities to do. You can spend your time there taking in breathtaking views on the off-road trails...

Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa As college students a smooth transition is always important for success in continuing education. For the majority of 2019 students have been protesting the processes of getting the aid they need to be successful. According to the South African Student Council (SASCO), "some people have not been registered for this academic year because of financial problems, while others have failed to get accommodations."  Protests broke out during the first semester of 2019. Protesters virtually shut down campus for several days, practically barring students from entering the campus. During this first semester Nelson Mandela University had canceled lectures for several days to organize a way for students to attend classes. The college ended up having multiple students arrested and using police to help disband protesters. This is showing that the students that are attending and want to attend this university genuinely care abou...