Magnificent scenery. Unequalled hospitality. A climate second to none. South Africa is a country that redefines many of the superlatives often used to describe countries and attract visitors. It has been called 'a world in one country' and for good reason. South Africa is a microcosm of the world at large. It has history and prehistory - to discover both of which is only a foretaste of the challenges of the future. It has nature and culture - and the quest for keeping a balance between the demands of both. It has museums - and spaces where humans have left hardly any mark. It has sophisticated cities abuzz with the latest international trends, technologies, and sleepy towns bathed in rural tranquillity within a few kilometres of one another. It has a veritable Babylonian confusion of tongues and yet communication is relatively easy, because English is spoken by most as a second language. Its cultural diversity will tease you out of all easy answers to the complexities that South Africans have to cope with. It offers all kinds of cuisine; French, Italian, Indian, German, Chinese, Russian, Mongolian, Thai and South African. Its tasty home-cooking by itself presents a blend of many influences, for instance, the African tribes, Malay, Indian, Dutch, English and French varieties. But it also has fast food! It has among the most celebrated wines in the world - and sorghum beer, to be enjoyed in shebeens. It offers amazingly high standards for a country that is still developing. For affordable holidays at extremely good value for money there is hardly any place in the world to beat it. It is there for you if you just want to be a beach bum getting re-acquainted with the sun. It is the adventurer's dream. It is the place to visit if you are into Ecotourism with a capital E. Here too, as elsewhere in the world, nature is under extreme pressure. We need development, but we also need to preserve the delicate balance between man and environment. We invite you to explore our natural wonders, but we ask that you leave only footprints and do not disturb our sensitive ecosystems. They are part of our lifeline (and yours) to the future. As are you!

This special tourism edition of Ubuntu offers a small window on the delightful diversity of our rainbow country. Please let us know what you think - constructive comment is always welcome. Share this Ubuntu with other people - we would like as many people as possible to get acquainted with South Africa.

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