Every country in the world has its own unique natural and cultural wonders, but visiting South Africa is a traveler’s wildest dream come true.

South Africa is full of diverse cultures, distinct ecosystems, spectacular natural resources and a large variety of wildlife, as well as preserved prehistoric sites comparable to none.

Situated at the southern tip of the African continent, South Africa is 1.2 million square kilometers in size and is edged on three sides by nearly 3,000 km of coastlines, with the Indian Ocean to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Millions of people visiting the country every year brave the waves with its wild beaches, test their courage on safari trips to the wildlife habitat at the famous Kruger National Park or trek the legendary Ivory Route, where thousands of years ago elephant migratory routes passed the paths of ivory, gold and slave merchants in the northernmost parts of South Africa.

However, officials at the South African Embassy have said that, unfortunately, not many Indonesians visit South Africa.

“There are still very few Indonesians visiting our country,” said Lungiwe Tawe and Tafula Shai, first secretaries for political issue at the South African Embassy in Jakarta.

So far, the highest recorded number of Indonesians who visited South Africa was only 6,000 in 2011.

Both officials believe that the public’s misleading assumption of South Africa as consisting only of wild forests with wildlife had contributed to the low figures.

 “So, when people stay in a hotel, they might think they can see an elephant or a lion from their hotel’s window,” Tawe said.

“This is true, when you take part in a safari trip and stay overnight there,” Shai responded.

Unfortunately, this feeling of cluelessness about another country is mutual.

Likewise, a lot of South Africans do not have any idea of Indonesia, a country that has tremendous culture and natural beauty.

 Investors also see few economic opportunities in Indonesia, said Tawe.

“We may call it a ‘mutual ignorance’ between people of the two countries that must be bridged by providing more information and accessibilities,” he said.

While attending the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, the third largest city in South Africa, I had a rare chance to explore the country and interview the National Department of Tourism’s chief director of communications Trevor Bloem about the country’s tourism map and its efforts to expand its market in Asia, including in Southeast Asian countries.

Bloem said that tourism was a key growing sector for the South African economy, experiencing solid growth over the last few months.

The latest data showed an increase of 15.7 percent between January and May 2016 in the number of visitors with over 4.2 million tourists visiting South Africa during that period as compared to the same period in 2015.

 But Bloem admitted that Europe and the US were still key markets for South Africa.

 “However, we have seen growth from India and China,” he said, adding that Singapore and Malaysia were the country’s strategic markets in Southeast Asia.

Durban cart: A colorful rickshaw can take you to the beautiful beachfront South and North Coast areas. (Courtesy of South African Tourism Board)

“Indonesia is currently not within the portfolio of markets that we target. However, we do tactical work within the Indonesian market while doing marketing in Malaysia and Singapore. We would like to see more Indonesians travel to different parts of the country because at this stage Cape Town is their only preferred destination,” Bloem said.

Air transportation remains a barrier as South Africa is a long-haul destination for Asian markets, including Indonesia, he said, identifying some obstacles. With some airlines offering high fares to South Africa, the Middle East airlines offer good fares via their hubs, although it still remains a long-haul for passengers.

Some efforts are also being made to address air travel to Southeast Asia.

“South African Tourism partnered with Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport in 2013 and 2014 and we have seen growth in this instance,” Bloem added.

With regards to visa issues, South Africa is in the process of accrediting tourism companies in visa-requiring countries to facilitate visa applications to South Africa on behalf of their clients. Therefore, tourists traveling to South Africa, whose travel arrangements are facilitated through an accredited travel agent, will no longer have to apply in person at a visa facilitation center.  

 They will, however, be expected to do their biometrics finger capturing at the port of entry upon arrival in South Africa. This accreditation process is currently being implemented is some of the key markets, like China, and will be rolled out to all other markets in phases.  

In late August, South African Tourism also carried out a roadshow to Indonesia.

 “The aim is to increase the knowledge of the travel trade and to get an understanding of the market as to what Indonesians look for when they travel to long-haul destinations,” Bloem explained.

 South African Tourism will be taking new product owners from the country, thus exposing Indonesian trade to a variety of offerings from South Africa that will suit all different types of consumers.

 Such an effort may become a small step in building a bridge of understanding between people of the two countries.
 

The articles were written with support from the South African Embassy, South Africa’s National Department of Tourism and the South Africa Tourism board.

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24 sleepless hours in Durban

Durban, or eThekwini in the native Zulu language, is the third-largest city of South Africa and the busiest port city in the country and on the entire African continent.

 Easily accessible from Johannesburg and Cape Town, the city is one of South Africa’s top holiday destinations.

 Its surroundings include the midlands, the North Coast and the South Coast.

 Durban is ethnically diverse, with a cultural richness of mixed beliefs and traditions. The city exhibits a mix of Zulu, Indian and colonial British influences, all of which reflect in its architecture and cuisine.

 During my visit to Durban, I stayed in the South Coast area, lined by upscale hotels and resorts, casinos, restaurants and trendy cafes overlooking the gorgeous Indian Ocean.

 Visiting Durban in mid-July and August was perfect.

 The subtropical winter made for cool and windy mornings and warm afternoons.

 I was hoping to experience the city in 24 hours and found it ever so enriching.

 There are some exciting places to visit in a full-day tour:

▼ The North and South Coast: The beachfront areas feature wide promenades and are the best sites for early risers to do their morning exercises, jogging, surfing or swimming. In the afternoon, local musicians, food stalls and handicraft stalls enrich the areas with joyful activities.

▼ Victoria Market: Durban is home to the largest population of Indians outside Asia and this is clear on any day at a Durban street market. Dating back to 1910, Victoria Market with its 170 stalls offers a vast array of African and Oriental products, such as Indian spices, colorful African crafts and bead.

▼ Phoenix Settlement: In 1904, Mahatma Gandhi chose Phoenix to establish a community based on self-reliance and the value of labor on the land for the common good. Throughout its history, the settlement has been an iconic representation of South Africa’s fight for justice, peace and equal rights for all citizens.

▼ Durban Harbor, uShaka Marine World: The world’s fifth-largest aquarium (fish, dolphins, seals, penguins and other species) features a restaurant complex overlooking the ocean and offers hours of entertainment for the whole family.

▼ Wildlife: While Durban is a busy urban center, a few hours’ drive beyond the city lie some phenomenal wildlife destinations, including the Hluhuluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in the North and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage site. (But remember you have to spend a whole day in these places).

▼ Culture: There are many places to experience Zulu culture, including the scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills.

▼KwaMuhle Museum: This museum chronicles the life and work of Africans in Durban from 1928 to the late 1980s. Of particular interest is the Mandela Capture Site near Howick. It was here that the late Nelson Mandela was arrested on Aug. 5, 1962.

▼ Freedom Route: The route connecting the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg offers a glimpse of the struggle of the country’s freedom fighters under the apartheid regime.

▼ Nightlife, shopping and entertainment: After exploring the city’s cultural and natural sites, it is time to enjoy the dynamic nightlife, to buy South African souvenirs or venture on a memorable culinary journey. The art deco-style Sun Coast Casino complex in the South Coast area has a lot to offer in this regard with the promenade, seafood and curry restaurants, movie theaters, a casino and coffee shops.

I have come to realize that you have to spend at least seven days to really enjoy Durban!

— JP/Rita Widiadana

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