5 reasons why we love being South African
South Africa … A nation of contradictions, but a very proud one at that. The month of July sees us celebrating Mandela Day, an ideal opportunity for us to reflect on what makes us unique, and also to celebrate the legacy of former president Nelson Mandela.
Born on 18 July in the rural village of Mvezo in the Transkei, Mandela rose to become the first democratically-elected president of the Republic, and also became a global ambassador for a country known for its uniqueness and diversity. Be sure to catch the Oscar-nominated documentary Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation on Showmax, the only official film biography depicting Madiba’s life.
But it’s not just the awe-inspiring legacy of Madiba that makes us proud to be South African. There are so many bonuses to living in Mzansi, from our enviable climate to our stunning coastlines. Here are our top 5:
1.Beach > Safari > Shopping
Who can say that they’re heading to the beach one minute, going on a game drive the next, and ending the day off with a shopping spree? South Africans, and the lucky tourists who visit us, that’s who! Local productions like these highlight the richness on offer in SA:
Shoreline: South Africa’s coast is the meeting place of two ocean giants – the cold Benguela current of the Atlantic Ocean and the warm Agulhas of the Indian Ocean. They clash fiercely at the continent’s southern tip, dividing the region into two contrasting marine ecosystems that rank among the richest, most biologically diverse and oceanographically complex on the planet.The series reflects the heritage of the South African shoreline in an epic, never-before-seen journey of discovery.
The Wild: The story revolves around three families – the Lebones, the van Reenens and the Tladis. Because of past conflicts, they struggle to negotiate a cohesive future, but the families are bound together because of their relationship to a special piece of land.
2.Warm winter temperatures
We’re in the depths of winter right now, and it’s no surprise that mornings and evenings are chilly, but in most parts of the country you’ll find us in our tees, shorts and slops during the daytime, enjoying the outdoors or having a braai. Summer wardrobes and fashion statements can be sported pretty much year-round on our sunny shores, especially in KZN and our more tropical provinces.
3.Diversity
South Africa is the only country in the world that boasts 11 official languages. Our rich cultural diversity can be seen globally in music, art and fashion. We have many well-known exports like Elon Musk, Trevor Noah and Charlize Theron, setting the benchmark and international standard in their fields. Showmax has a variety of shows on offer highlighting our unique diversity:
Fanie Fourie’s Lobola: A romantic comedy with a lovely South African twist. When an Afrikaans man and a Zulu girl fall in love, complications arise when the terms of dowry need to be negotiated.
Jacob’s Cross: Jacob’s Cross is a riveting drama series about powerful oil magnates battling for Africa’s rich off-shore oil resources. The series focuses on businessman Jacob Makhubu Abayomi and his quest to build the next great African empire.
4.We laugh at ourselves
Not only do we love comedy, but South Africans constantly find humour in our everyday lives. Our politicians ensure a daily dose of laughter as we balance our newly-established junk status and parliamentary sessions that could easily give Hollywood a run for its money! One thing is certain: our unique past and interesting present supply our comedians with rich comic material. Showmax has some great local comedy on offer:
The Coconuts: A “high concept” sitcom hinging on a fantastical premise, but dealing with day-to-day South African characters, relationships, prejudices and stereotypes.
David Kau: Local funnyman David Kau takes to the stage for this comedy special, where he takes all of South Africa’s sacred cows for a ride over the edge!
5.We rock at sport
Sport is life in South Africa, whether it’s rugby, soccer or cricket. Ask any South African about sport and you’ll end up talking for hours, most probably over a drink or three. The 1995 Rugby World Cup played a huge role in galvanising a country torn apart by segregation. Ever since then, any major sporting event is about more than just the sport. Think back to the 2010 Soccer World Cup and the tremendous gees that was visible for the whole world to see. These movies on Showmax tell stories of some of our sporting greats:
Number 10: Meet provincial rugby player James Kramer, who had a dream of playing for the Springboks. But then it’s announced that his estranged father will be taking over the head coaching position at the club that he plays for.
The Enforcer: A tribute to the South African Rugby warrior and former Springbok lock John Philip “Bakkies” Botha.
Watch all of these shows and more at showmax.com
