KwaZulu-Natal (pronounced /kwɑːˌzuːluː nəˈtɑːl/, also referred to as KZN or Natal) is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994 the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and all pieces of territory that made up the homeland of KwaZulu.
In the 1830s the northern part was the Zulu Kingdom and southern part was briefly a Boer republic called Natalia (from 1839 until 1843). In the 1843 the latter became the British Colony of Natal, though Zululand (KwaZulu in Zulu) remained independent until 1879. It is called the garden province and is the home of the Zulu nation. Located in the southeast of the country, it borders three other provinces and the countries of Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho, along with a long shoreline on the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Pietermaritzburg and its largest city is Durban.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Cape Province
The Province of the Cape of Good Hope[1] (commonly referred to simply as the Cape Province) was a province in the Union of South Africa and subsequently the Republic of South Africa. It encompassed the old Cape Colony, and had Cape Town as its capital.
It was created in 1910 when the Union of South Africa was formed, and included the original Cape Colony and other regions such as British Bechuanaland (not to be confused with the Bechuanaland Protectorate, now Botswana), Griqualand East (the area around Kokstad) and Griqualand West (area around Kimberley). This gave the Cape Province an area similar in size to the U.S. state of Texas.[2]
At the time of the formation of the Union of South Africa the entire region now called South Africa was only four provinces: Transvaal (South African Republic), Natal (Natalia Republic), Orange Free State and the Cape Province.
During the apartheid era the country was chopped up into a number of additional pieces which were known as the four TBVC States and the six Non-Independent Homelands.
After the first fully democratic elections in 1994 all the pieces were put together again and divided into what are now the current nine provinces of South Africa. Walvis Bay was handed to Namibia.
Griqualand East was transferred to Natal Province after the Transkei was declared independent, since it was cut off from the rest of the province. The Transkei (1976) and Ciskei (1981) regions were declared independent of South Africa, after they were formerly part of the Cape Province. (They were re-incorporated into South Africa in 1994, both part of the new Eastern Cape province)
It was the only province where coloureds (mixed-race people) could vote, although this right was removed by the apartheid government in 1956. The government had to incorporate many extra senators in parliament to force through this change.
Since 1994, it has been broken up into three smaller provinces: the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape. Parts of the Cape Province were also absorbed into the North West.
It was created in 1910 when the Union of South Africa was formed, and included the original Cape Colony and other regions such as British Bechuanaland (not to be confused with the Bechuanaland Protectorate, now Botswana), Griqualand East (the area around Kokstad) and Griqualand West (area around Kimberley). This gave the Cape Province an area similar in size to the U.S. state of Texas.[2]
At the time of the formation of the Union of South Africa the entire region now called South Africa was only four provinces: Transvaal (South African Republic), Natal (Natalia Republic), Orange Free State and the Cape Province.
During the apartheid era the country was chopped up into a number of additional pieces which were known as the four TBVC States and the six Non-Independent Homelands.
After the first fully democratic elections in 1994 all the pieces were put together again and divided into what are now the current nine provinces of South Africa. Walvis Bay was handed to Namibia.
Griqualand East was transferred to Natal Province after the Transkei was declared independent, since it was cut off from the rest of the province. The Transkei (1976) and Ciskei (1981) regions were declared independent of South Africa, after they were formerly part of the Cape Province. (They were re-incorporated into South Africa in 1994, both part of the new Eastern Cape province)
It was the only province where coloureds (mixed-race people) could vote, although this right was removed by the apartheid government in 1956. The government had to incorporate many extra senators in parliament to force through this change.
Since 1994, it has been broken up into three smaller provinces: the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape. Parts of the Cape Province were also absorbed into the North West.
S.A Wine Route
No matter whether you are a serious connoisseur of fine wines, an enthusiastic amateur or are merely partial to sampling a drop of the local ‘plonk’, a visit to any of the world’s wine producing regions can certainly be a trip to remember - and this applies especially to Cape Town. Holidays in South Africa’s second most populous city provide easy access to the wealth of award winning estates and popular wine routes which lie in the surrounding area. They are explored by thousands of dedicated wine lovers every year.
Cape Town Cultures
Picturesque Cape Town is South Africa’s definitive centre of arts and culture. A city of poets, writers, artists and performers, Cape Town is at the same time refined and eclectic – an intoxicating blend for those lovers of the arts. While you may wish to explore this vibrant city on your own, tailor made holidays to Cape Town will ensure you don’t miss any of its hidden cultural gems.
Cape Towns Galleries
Having emerged from a tumultuous and sometimes difficult history, Cape Town’s arts scene is a diverse blend of contemporary and traditional. The galleries of the city showcase work from both local and globally established artists, in mediums as diverse as photography and performance art. Perhaps the best known gallery in the country, the South African National Gallery’s collection houses a permanent exhibition of paintings, textiles, photography, jewellery and sculptures. The exhibits tell the story of South Africa’s artistic evolution, as well as many valuable acclaimed international pieces from around the world.
Cape Towns Galleries
Having emerged from a tumultuous and sometimes difficult history, Cape Town’s arts scene is a diverse blend of contemporary and traditional. The galleries of the city showcase work from both local and globally established artists, in mediums as diverse as photography and performance art. Perhaps the best known gallery in the country, the South African National Gallery’s collection houses a permanent exhibition of paintings, textiles, photography, jewellery and sculptures. The exhibits tell the story of South Africa’s artistic evolution, as well as many valuable acclaimed international pieces from around the world.
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