Culture in South Africa

Culture in South AfricaThe Modern and the Traditional

South Africa OverviewEstimated Population: 49,991,300Capital CitiesExecutive Capital: PretoriaJudicial Capital: BloemfonteinLegislative Capital: Cape TownTime Zone: UTC+2, CST+8Currency: ZAR (Rand) trades on avg R7 to $1Immunizations: Please refer to www.cdc.govAdult HIV/AIDS Prevalence Rate: 17.8% 5.6 Million People Living with HIV/AIDSOver 2 Million Orphan and Vulnerable Children

The Excluded Middle of the Western WorldviewThe Modern WorldviewThe Traditional WorldviewSPIRITUAL WORLDGodAllahChristian WitnessPersonal ReligionPHYSICAL WORLDHear, see, feel & touchScience and technologyDevelopmentHIGH RELIGIONCreatorFormal religionLOW RELIGIONShamans and magicAncestors and spiritsCurses and blessingsFolk religionSEEN WORLDHear, see, feel & touchRelationships, community & familyFolk scienceTHE EXCLUDED MIDDLE

The Biblical WorldviewThe Biblical WorldviewThe Traditional WorldviewHIGH RELIGIONCreatorFormal religionLOW RELIGIONShamans and magicAncestors and spiritsCurses and blessingsFolk religionSEEN WORLDHear, see, feel & touchRelationships, community & familyFolk scienceCreatorFatherTrinitySigns and WondersAngels and DemonsPrayer and VisionsSacred Space

Holy Spirit with UsChrist in UsThe Word of GodScience with a Purpose

A Melding of WorldviewsIt is possible to say that South Africa is a varying mixture of the modern, the biblical and the traditional worldviews. For instance, it is not uncommon for someone who is sick to go to the doctor for Western medicine, to the church for prayer and to the traditional healers for traditional medicines. Others hold to one or two of these worldviews.

TimeA modern view of time is primarily determined by the clock. When things start and end is set according to a schedule and people are expected to adhere to it.A more traditional view of time is determined by events. When things start and end is according to when enough people arrive or leaveIn Johannesburg there is a melding of more traditional and modern views of time, with many people living in both depending on the circumstances.

Personal SpaceCultures have varying degrees of personal space, the amount of space a person needs from another to feel comfortable (especially strangers). Most black South Africans have a much smaller area of personal space than Westerners. For Westerners, the average radius is 3 feet, more Africans it is almost non-existent. It is not uncommon for South Africans to stand very close to you, such as pressing up against you while in line (queue) at the store. Also, while talking to you they may stand very close and hold your hand the entire time while talking.Kissing is a form of greeting, even with strangers.

Community and IndividualismMany South Africans have a more communal view of life in which the group takes precedence over the individuals in the group. There is also usually a stronger concept of insiders and outsiders between ones group and other groups.However, there is also a more modern individualism present in South African life in which the rights and wants of the individual take precedence.It is important to remember that neither viewpoint is better than the other. Rather there are good and negative aspects to each.

A Variety of EthnicitiesBlack African 79%White 9.6%Colored 8.9%Indian/Asian 2.5%

ReligionsProtestant 36.6%Other Christian 36%Catholic 7.1%Muslim 1.5%Other Unspecified 1.4%None 15.1%The majority of Black South Africans attend African Independent Churches (AICs). These are churches started by Africans which have no connection to Protestant denominations or the Catholic Church. They are usually very charismatic and the pastor/founder of the church holds a place of great importance in the church.

The 11 National LanguagesAfrikaansEnglishNdebelePediSotoSwatiTswanaVendaXhosaXitsongaZulu

Tswana: Common PhrasesTswana is the most common South African tribal language spoken in the area around Refilwe. Here are some common phrases you can try when you meet people.Hello or Welcome: DumelaHow are you?: Wa reng? (What do you say?)Im fine: Ga ke re sepeWhat is your name: O bidiwa mang?Whats your name?: O mang? (informal)My name is: Leina la me ke(Name)

Zulu: Common PhrasesZulu is the most common language spoken in South Africa by nearly 23% of the population. Hello: Sawubona (to 1 person) Sanibonani (to 2 people or more)How are you?: Unjani? (to 1 person) Ninjani? (to 2 people or more)I am well/fine: NgikhonaWe are well/fine: SikhonaI thank you: NgiyabongaWe thank you: SiyabongaWhats your name?: Ngubani igama lakho?My name is: Igama lami ngu(Name)

EnglishEnglish is South Africas lingua franca, which is a common language used by people who have different native languages to communicate. It is the primary language of government, business and commerce. Most schools use English in the classroom.The majority of South Africans can speak English to one degree or another. It is important to remember however, that South African English is strongly influenced by British English so they often use different terminology than what Americans are used to.Here are a few fun and interesting English terms in South Africa:Traffic Light: RobotTrunk of a car: BootHood of a car: BonnetDiaper: NappyTruck: Bakkie

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