A Snapshot of Zulu Life
Most visitors who come to Durban on South Africa’s southern coast do so for business.
Tourists who seek the quintessential African experience of game parks and the thrill of seeing some of the planet’s most impressive animals usually head to Kruger or other reserves in more remote parts of the country.
But less than a half hour’s drive from the city centre, a true Zulu experience is possible.
Durban sits on a very rich and fertile part of the coast in amongst an inverted egg carton of lush hills. A thousand hills in fact.
And for the less intrepid or time-poor business traveller, the Valley Of A Thousand Hills provides a taste of Africa.
On Botha’s Hill the Zulu village of Psezulu is a recreation of iconic African life. A series of traditional thatched huts sits proudly on one of the peaks commanding impressive views of the hill-dotted valley. Although only a short ride from the busy city, the views are uninterrupted and no signs of the metropolis are visible.
Guests to the village are ushered through the huts and greeted by a beaming Zulu smile. Dressed in their traditional skins, the warriors explain the rules of the village. In the first hut a woman prepares a meal for her men folk, in the second, the village chief explains the purpose of his domain.
“This hut is for talking†He says, explaining that men sit on the right and women on the left. He demonstrates his spears and weapons and invites the guests to participate in a show of Zulu dance.
In the open area surrounded by more huts and incredible views, the warriors play out a courtship ritual to a small group of enthusiastic tourists.
Mostly in Zulu, but with sufficient English to get the gist of what’s going on, the guests are treated to a live episode of Day’s Of Our (Zulu) Lives.
The young warrior, seeking to take a wife (he can have as many as he desires so long as he can pay the dowry of eleven cows per wife) is initially rejected by his chosen girl. She eventually relents after citing her reason for rejecting the poor fella as his being way too ugly, and they all live happily ever after.
The ensuing celebrations are filled with colourful dance and rousing song. At this point it’s easy to see why Paul Simon was so inspired by African music when he recorded his Graceland album.
The sounds of Zulu hip-hop and the colour of energetic dance fill the air to the delight of all the guests.
Okay, the experience may be tad commercial but the feeling is no less African.
A Special on location report from South Africa by Kevin Moloney
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