Paul Kruger, then president of the Transvaal Republic, proclaimed a portion of wilderness between the Crocodile and Sabie rivers as a national park in 1898. Since then it has become one of the finest wildlife reserves in the world and has grown to about 19 633km², which makes it the largest national park in South Africa and one of the largest in the African continent.

Kruger National Park is located in the Northeastern parts of South Africa spanning across two provinces, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. It lies against the Mozambican border, on the South westernmost part of Mozambique. The park is both scenically beautiful and is home to the ‘Big Five’ of Africa.

For more information on Kruger National Park please visit the SANParks website mentioned above.

]]> 31.02519989013671875,-22.02519989013671875 The Mtititi community comprises four villages – those of Plange, Altein, Lombard and Muhunguti – where the Tsonga culture is still very much a part of daily life. The villagers’ pride in their heritage is reflected in the textiles and products they produce. Here vibrant beaded and embroidered designs are incorporated into handbags, scarves and runners, and cushion covers.

The community has previously taken the initiative with a number of projects, aimed at eradicating poverty and providing employment in the region. The project dates back to the 70’s when it had started trading art work with a dealer in Switzerland. However this project came to a stand still when the contact person passed away in 1986.

In 1995 the project was started again. An early childhood care centre was also established and there is a community bakery that is functioning at present.

]]> 30.88509941101074219,-23.11170005798339844 Tsonga for 'help each other’, ‘Pfuxanani’ is an apt name for this project that was initiated entirely by women to empower themselves and help develop the areas in which they live.

These women specialize in traditional bead work and embroidery but also incorporate these into more modern clothes and accessories.

Other items for sale:

Wooden products such as spoons and bowls; and
A variety of beadwork.

]]> 30.90990066528320312,-22.92420959472656250 This project provides you with the opportunity to watch a broad spectrum of traditional arts and crafts from beading to pottery, weaving to sewing, wood work and cooking. The majority of the items created on site are available for purchase including carved walking sticks and cultural dolls, beaded necklaces and bracelets, tables cloths and baskets. The singing and dancing of cultural traditions can also be arranged for tourists to enjoy.

Shangaan traditional dance theme:

Mukhinyovezo (Tsonga):

"N’wana loko a tekiwile kahle a ya evukatini I vi a kuma n’wana. Lava vale vukatini va rhuma ntshumi a rhwele mhalamhala na ntlhanu wa timpondo a ya suma leswaku n’wana wa n’wina u na n’wana. Ku bhiwa mikulungwana va khakha. Ku swekiwa byalwa hi lava le kaya ka nhwenyana na tihovhe. I vi kurhambiwa vanhu va ya evukatini bya n’wana wa vona. Kutani va cinela ntwedyana, va n’wi tota tsumani, va boha n’wana xanga a luliwa hi vusenga, byi hakiwa a byobyeni. Byi mbariwa hi kokwana na lava le vukatini va ta khoma mbuti va thlava yi va dzovo ra n’wana. Lava le vukatini va sweka swibyalwana na vona. Se va ya kamba tswendzani. Ekaya ka lowa nhwana na vona va ta dlaya mbuti ya tondolo ra n’wana. Va ri karhi va china ku tlhuvutsiwa dzovo ra n’wana".

Mukhinyovezo (English translation):

"When a young lady gets married and gives birth to a child, the in-laws send a messenger with a Kudu horn and 5 two rand coins to go and notify the family that their daughter has given birth. Then they ululate and are happy for the exciting news. The daughter’s family brew traditional beer and samp. Then they send messengers to the groom’s family to see the newborn baby. There, they dance for the baby and smear the baby with tsumani (special powder) and adorn it with beads, which are also used to decorate dzovo (baby carrier made of animal skin). The beads are then also worn by the grandmother. The people at the groom’s family slaughter a goat of which the skin will be used for the baby carrier (dzovo). They also brew traditional beer and the bride’s family will in turn also slaughter a goat for the baby carrier while they work on softening the animal skin."

]]> 30.78763008117675781,-22.97636985778808594 The Hluvukani Project is located near the Swiss Missionary Church in Lombard Village. The members of this project have the wish to share their culture with their children and visitors. They sell arts and crafts in the form of beads, embroidery, traditional drums and pottery items.

They explain in their own words:

“We want to make our culture known to our children and people who come from the outside, so that they can be aware of our culture and have respect for it. We started by entertaining people through dancing our Tsonga dance during functions at our village.”

]]> 30.87569999694824219,-23.06554031372070312 This project was initiated to support and enhance the Tsonga culture and its traditional activities. The group makes traditional drums and bigger drums that are used during performances and dances.

]]> 30.87723922729492188,-23.06809997558593750 Mtititi Zama is a group of traditional dancers that performs on request. The group was started as a means to conserve culture through teaching and performing Tsonga dances to the youth. It is an enlightening experience to watch these dancers perform in their traditional clothing, taking you on a journey that transcends language. Prepare to laugh, sigh and dance along. Dances include the Muchongolo and Xifasi.

]]> 30.89836883544921875,-23.09925842285156250 This business was started by a group of women to restore their culture and to create employment. They also do agricultural farming (crops and vegetables).

Products for sale:

Traditional clothes;
Phone purses;
Traditional shoes; and
Necklaces.

]]> 30.76394081115722656,-22.96019935607910156 This is an irrigation scheme in Limpopo that grows a range of vegetables. These include spinach, tomatoes, mealies and cabbage.

]]> 30.86857986450195312,-24.38546943664550781 This project sells wooden products that include spoons and bowls. They also do beadwork and produce clay pots, calabashes and flower pots.

]]> 30.85008049011230469,-22.89191055297851562 This group spesialises in traditional clothing, traditional xibelana and school uniforms.

]]> 30.86145019531250000,-23.02124977111816406 This is a group of traditional dancers. They are located in Gouhu Village and will gladly perform for visitors on request.

]]> 30.85055923461914062,-23.02124023437500000 Items on sale:

Clay pots;
Traditional clothes;
Necklaces;
Traditional mats for wall decoration.

They can also perform traditional dances on request.

]]> 30.88375091552734375,-23.02065086364746094 Items on sale:

Clay pots;
A variety of beadwork; and
Traditional mats.

]]> 30.73640060424804688,-22.98904991149902344 This group specialises in sewing, beadwork and traditional dancing. They also manufacter traditional clothes.

]]> 30.74624061584472656,-22.95750045776367188 This club was started to encourage the youth to inherite their culture and to create jobs for the local women.

Items for sale:

Traditional clothing;
Traditional phone purses;
Necklaces;
Clay toys and pots; and
Mats for wall-hanging.

]]> 30.78556060791015625,-22.98106002807617188 This group does beadwork (vuhlalu), carving (kuvatla) and makes traditional mats (switheve).

]]> 30.86668968200683594,-22.96096992492675781 This group manufacterers a range of wooden products.

These include:

Wooden chairs (these include folding chairs);
Tables;
Couches; and
Traditional furniture such as chairs and tables.

]]> 30.87723922729492188,-23.06809997558593750